Sport outings in Leeuwarden
Busybodies beware! Are you a passionate hiker, avid cyclist or do you have a bunch of energetic kids sitting on the couch at home? Then consider visiting Leeuwarden! Because for both the Leeuwarden novice as well as the experienced visitor, there is plenty to discover here in terms of sport outings. Grease that bicycle chain, tie the laces of your walking shoes or put on your swimsuit. Let's go!
So many people, so many wishes. Where some can enjoy themselves for hours on a sunny terrace, others prefer to run marathons. Is no bike ride too far or no tower too high for you? Then we have listed the best active outings for you!
Climb the Oldehove
Anyone who has ever walked through Leeuwarden has undoubtedly seen the Oldehove. With its 48m height, our ‘leaning tower’ proudly overlooks the houses. But did you know that the Oldehove can be visited and climbed every day from April to October? With its 183 steps, it is quite a trek to the top. Fortunately, you can rest at the level of the bells, and once at the top, the view is the greatest reward you can imagine. This is an outing for young and old, so the whole family can come along.
Find out more!
Walks and tours
Leeuwarden has a beautiful historic city centre that you can get lost in. Walk along the monumental canal houses, the old city canals, the city park the Prinsentuin and marvel at Leeuwarden's beautiful courtyards and courtyard gardens. Don't like getting lost? Then get a free city map at one of the vending machines on Wilhelminaplein, Stationsplein and Oldehoofsterkerkhof. Prefer to be guided by a local? Then join one of the many walking tours in the city. Did you know that A Guide to Leeuwarden tours are open to everyone? You get to decide what you would like to pay at the end of the tour.
Step right up!
Out and about
Do you prefer walking in nature? Then Leeuwarden is the place to be. Besides beautiful city parks such as the Prinsentuin, the Rengerspark and the Potmarge (formerly the gardens of Maria Louise van Hessen-Kassel, member of the Oranje-Nassau’s), you can also enjoy a stroll in the Froskepôlle, at Buuten - the Kleine and Grote Wielen and in the Leeuwarder Bos.
Into the wild
Walkabouts - DIY or guided tours
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Audio tour Ferhaal fan Fryslân (The Story of Friesland)
Audio tour Ferhaal fan Fryslân (The Story of Friesland)
weekly
Fries Museum
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Private Tour Leeuwarden
Private Tour Leeuwarden
until 1 December 2025
Van Ravesteijn Theater & Events
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Grutte Pier beer-tasting on the 'Grutte Pier'
Grutte Pier beer-tasting on the 'Grutte Pier'
until 7 October 2026
Praamverhuur Leeuwarden
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Theater tour through the Nassaus minimum of 2 people!
Theater tour through the Nassaus minimum of 2 people!
until 1 January 2025
Theaterrestaurant Het Souterrain
Action - ready, set, go!
Biking, climbing, skating... Of course, there is much more to do in and around Leeuwarden. Are you going to cycle through the picturesque landscapes of Friesland, practice for the tour at the Elfstedenhal or be first to the top at Noardwand climbing hall? Keep your juices flowing with these:
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Cycling routes
Cycling routes
Explore every corner of Friesland by bike, using Leeuwarden as your home base! For the true fanatics, there is even an Eleven Cities Route, where you get a stamp in every city.
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Klimcentrum Noardwand
Klimcentrum Noardwand
Climbing centre Noardwand is one of the few climbing centres in the Netherlands that offers all three Olympic disciplines under one roof: lead, speed and bouldering. You'll also find the first and only Clip 'n Climb in Friesland is also located in Noardwand.
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De Elfstedenhal
De Elfstedenhal
The Elfstedenhal is the ice-skating rink of Leeuwarden. Here you will experience the ultimate winter outing: long track skating, short track skating, ice Hockey, figure skating, curling, sledging, and much more. Work up a sweat and enjoy a cup of hot chocolate afterwards.
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Highland Games
Highland Games
Test your strengths in the middle of the Frisian meadows, near Leeuwarden! At De Wartenster, you'll play darts with pitchforks, pull ropes and master archery.
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Survival Clinic
Survival Clinic
Challenged yourself to overcome various obstacles on the terrain at De Grote Wielen. From climbing over nets, swinging on ropes to pulling each other out of the mud, it will be an outing full of challenges. Muscle pain guaranteed!
Watersport - waterpret
On the canals
Did you know that Leeuwarden has a real beach? And that there is plenty to do there, too? The Stadsstrand is the place to be if you want to SUP, Stand Up Paddling. You can take SUP lessons, join a SUP tour or take part in an awesome event. Afraid you won't be able to keep your balance on a SUP? Then hire a canoe, just the two of you or by yourself. And we have another great tip for you: if you rent the clean-up canoe, you get a bucket and a grabber with it. If you fill the bucket with waste from the canals, you get a big discount on your canoe hire! Win-win situation.
A stone’s throw away
Just outside the city of Leeuwarden, you can soon enjoy wide lakes and nature reserves. For example, you can hire a sailboat at Watersportbedrijf ANJA. With the sailboat, you can go directly onto the Pikmeer lake, or explore National Park the Alde Feanen. For none of the boats it is necessary to have a sailing licence and you always get a waterway map and route tips. If that's not a perfect sports outing, we don't know what is.
3x healthy hotspot - take a break
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Bowls 'n Rolls
Bowls 'n Rolls
Bowls 'n rolls is the first poké bowl restaurant in Leeuwarden and stands for convenience and quality! A quick, healthy and nutritious meal for an affordable price, that's what we serve our guests.
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Banhs & Boba
Banhs & Boba
Getting a quick sandwich. It happens all over the world, including in Asia. Taste? Banhs & Boba brings Asian street food to Leeuwarden. Tasty, fresh and completely contemporary.
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Barrevoets
Barrevoets
At Barrevoets you can enjoy a killer cappuccino, hearty lunch, cocktail or gorgeous fresh smoothie.