Leeuwarden for teenagers

October 10, 2024 | Annemarie Seunnenga

POV: You are about 15 years old and chilling in your bedroom. At some point, you are called downstairs because dinner is ready. As you slide to the table and the smell of potatoes with boiled spinach greets you, your parents drop the bomb: "Dear, your father and I thought it would be fun not to go to the Dutch campsite in Italy this summer, but to take a city trip to Leeuwarden."

Your whole summer plans are falling apart, as well as a bit of your world. What do you mean no sunbathing by the pool and eating Italian ice cream?!! No, you - while it's raining - have to do the one museum after another. With your parents. Yuck! Or could there be some fun things to do in Leeuwarden after all?

Spending the night in a prison

OK, your parents will no doubt not be happy if you end up in a cell. But what if you can do so voluntarily? In the old prison, Blokhuispoort in Leeuwarden, you can spend the night at the Alibi Hostel. Not only will you have a great night's sleep (don't worry, the beds are not made of straw), but you will also find yourself in the middle of one of the most vibrant places Leeuwarden has to offer. Besides the hostel, Blokhuispoort also houses solitary confinement cells where you can shop with creative entrepreneurs, Proefverlof, where you can have lunch or dinner by the water, Beach Bajes where you can enjoy a nice mocktail or ice tea with your feet in the sand, and guided tours by former prison guards. A must-see, right?

Het Hersenhuis

Het Hersenhuis
Escape Tour

Escape Tour
House of VR

House of VR
Escape Room 058

Escape Room 058
Spellekijn

Spellekijn

Who says you can't enjoy a bit of Italy, but in Leeuwarden? We have collected the best tips for you!

Burgemeester van Napels

Step inside Burgemeester van Napels and enjoy genuine Italian dishes. At this restaurant, you will not only enjoy the most delicious pastas, soups and salads, but you can also go for a real Neapolitan pizza, prepared in a real wood-fired brick oven. Finished talking? Then grab a board game. They are stacked on the windowsills.

Fellini

Would you like to sit out on the terrace in the afternoon or evening? Then Fellini is the place to be. While your parents have another glass of wine, you order a tasty snack to go with your drink. Chilly in the evenings? No problem! Fellini has self-heating cushions on the chairs, so you will always be comfortable.

La Venezia

It doesn't get more Italian than at La Venezia! Here you can sometimes have to queue for 15 minutes, but it's worth it. The best ice cream in Leeuwarden can be found here. Will you choose straciatella? Tartufo bianco? Or limoncello?

The coolest live music

Check the Agenda

Neushoorn

On Land
In the mood for some action? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! We’ve planned a fun-filled active day for you. How about a morning at AquaZoo? This unique zoo is nestled among the nature reserves and parks of Buuten. Stroll through the wooded terrain of AquaZoo, where wallabies, penguins, and ring-tailed lemurs roam freely.

At Sea
Take the "sea" part with a grain of salt, because Leeuwarden hasn't been by the sea since 1300, but we do have a lovely city beach! There's plenty to do there. For instance, you can rent a stand-up paddleboard and paddle through the city’s canals. Balancing on such a board can be a bit exciting, so a kayak is always an option too! Plus, if you rent a clean-up kayak, you’ll get a bucket and a grabber included. Fill the bucket with trash from the water, and you’ll receive a nice discount! Killing two birds with one stone, right?

In the Air!
Want to see Leeuwarden from above? Climb the Oldehove, our crooked tower! Built in 1533, the tower is open for visits and climbs from April to October. The tower guards can tell you all about the history of this unique structure. Getting to the top is a bit of a climb, but the view is more than worth it. Highly recommended!