In a wheelchair through Leeuwarden

Leeuwarden is a beautiful city with a historic center, interesting museums, and cozy eateries. There is so much to see and do! But how do you visit the most beautiful sights if you are in a wheelchair? Don't worry, we have mapped out a weekend in Leeuwarden for you featuring accessible restaurants, wheelchair-friendly spots, and tours that will leave you in awe. This way, everyone can enjoy a carefree weekend in our city!

10:00

Arrival

Zaailand and Oldehoofsterkerkhof

Did you come to Leeuwarden by car? Then you can easily park right in the city center. You will find the Oldehoofsterkerkhof and Zaailand parking garages in the city centre. Both are equipped with multiple elevators. If you park at Zaailand, you are right next to the Fries Museum and the larger shopping streets nearby. If you park at Oldehoofsterkerkhof, you will be standing beneath our leaning tower: the Oldehove, one of Leeuwarden's landmarks.

You can enter and exit these parking garages 24 hours a day. Staff are present to assist you, there are restroom facilities, and there are special parking spaces for people with a disabled parking permit.

More info about parking

Central Station

The Station Area is located close to the old center: it is about a 5-minute walk from the old city center. The station is equipped with wide public transport gates that allow easy passage with a wheelchair or mobility scooter. The sidewalks are wide and there are no thresholds on the route from the station to the city center. There is also a disabled toilet at the station.

View the city map

10:30

Immerse yourself in culture

Fries Museum

The Fries Museum is located on Wilhelminaplein, popularly known as Zaailand. The impressive museum is situated about 5 minutes from Central Station. Are you in the Zaailand parking garage? Then you can take the elevator right into the museum. Easy! Get to know the mysterious Mata Hari: dive into her diary and discover her tragic fate as a possible double agent. Fight alongside the 16th-century rebel Grutte Pier against the Dutch, or fall prey to his enormous sword if you can't say 'bûter brea en griene tsiis'. Feel like the king or queen of Friesland for a moment with the sparkling gold and silver from the mounds. Or enjoy work by (world)famous artists and slow design by leading designers – rugged and sustainable, with an eye for tradition and craftsmanship. In the Fries Resistance Museum, located inside the Fries Museum, you will meet starving children who were housed in the Frisian countryside to regain their strength.

The Fries Museum is equipped with a lift and accessible toilets, and you can also borrow a wheelchair at the entrance.

Visit the Fries Museum

12:30

Lazy lunch

Café Thús

Looking at beautiful things takes energy, so it's time for a delicious lunch! From the Fries Museum, you can easily pull up a chair at Café Thús. This cozy establishment is located on the ground floor of the museum. In addition to the best coffee with artisanal Frisian pastries (orange cake, anyone?), you can also enjoy a delicious lunch there.

There are no thresholds in Café Thús. There is a disabled toilet.

14:00

City tour

A Guide to Leeuwarden

On weekends, you can join a city tour with A Guide to Leeuwarden at 12:00 and 14:00. The city guides know everything about the city: from major events in Leeuwarden's history (such as the Beer Riots!) to where members of the royal family stayed. Leeuwarden is built on mounds, so there are some differences in elevation here and there: like small hills. The routes you can follow with the guide are free of major obstacles. Of course, there might be a threshold here and there, but the guides can help where necessary. This way, they try to keep their tours as wheelchair-friendly as possible! The tours operate on a 'pay what you want' basis. After the tour, you give the guide what you thought it was worth.

16:00

Drinks and bites

Irish conviviality

After the city tour, take a look at the one and only Irish Pub in Leeuwarden: Paddy O'Ryan! Naturally, a large glass of Guinness and a good charcuterie board are a must here. Not such a Guinness fan? No worries, of course they have other tasty drinks too: from soft drinks to tea and from wine to (specialty) beer, the choice is huge. Paddy O'Ryan has two entrances and there is a slight difference in height in the middle of the room. The staff can assist you.

There is a disabled toilet at the back of the café.

Visit Paddy O'Ryan

18:00

Hours at the table

Music venue Neushoorn

Enjoying the most beautiful live music Visit Rhinoceros

20:00

Until the early hours

Not tired at all? Then pay a visit to Neushoorn! This vibrant music venue has something fun planned every weekend. If it's not an amazing live band or stand-up comedy, and if it's not DJs tearing the house down, you'll go wild at the coolest queer nights. With two beautiful concert halls and a cozy café, anything is possible, and everyone is welcome.

The halls, cloakroom, and disabled toilet are all located on the ground floor. Everything is on one level.

11:00

Off we go!

Nature Museum Fryslân

After a delicious breakfast at the hotel, you are ready to set off. At the Natuurmuseum Fryslân, you will be amazed! Get to know Friesland underwater – without getting wet yourself! – on the Underwater Safari, listen to the story of the gigantic sperm whale skeleton, and marvel at the most extraordinary finds from voyages of discovery. Did you know that the Natuurmuseum Fryslân is housed in a former orphanage? You will step back in time in the old classroom and see how children used to be taught.

The Natuurmuseum Fryslân has an elevator that goes to every floor of the building. Only the exhibition about the Dragon – an exhibition where children aged 4-8 can be guided – is not accessible by wheelchair or mobility scooter. Two (paid) parking spaces have been created in front of the museum for people with a disabled parking permit. There is also a special ramp for people in wheelchairs or mobility scooters.

Accessibility in the Natural History Museum

13:00

Royal lunch

The Copper Garden

Craving nature, but still want to be close to the city? Then head to De Koperen Tuin for lunch. On the edge of the city center, within the city canals, lies the monumental city park De Prinsentuin, where Grand Café De Koperen Tuin is located. While the birds sing and you watch a group of ducklings bobbing in the pond, a delicious lunch is prepared for you. It is a delightful place to be, both on the terrace and inside behind the large windows.

De Koperen Tuin is equipped with a special ramp for wheelchair and mobility scooter users. There is a disabled toilet. Everything is also on one level.

Visit the Copper Garden

14:30

Outside!

To the outside!

You can get a breath of fresh air in the Buuten area. This nature reserve – to which several entrepreneurs and parks are affiliated – is located on the outskirts of Leeuwarden. And the choice is vast! Will you go monkey watching at AquaZoo? Will you enjoy nature at Park Vijversburg? Or will you grab a hot chocolate with whipped cream at De Groote Wielen? With plenty of parking everywhere and spacious, paved paths, Buuten prioritizes accessibility.

Discover Buuten