Walking routes in Leeuwarden
Fancy a breath of fresh air? Whether you’re heading for a quick wander, or want to spend the entire afternoon wandering, you’re sure to discover something new each time.
Check out the Historic City Centre
In Leeuwarden’s city centre, you’ll find streets filled with historic buildings, stately homes, and centuries-old attractions. And, if you feel a little directionless, head to one of our vending machines at the Wilhelminaplein, the Oldehoofsterkerkhof, or the station to get an illustrated map.
Historic City Centre
Walking routes - with or without a guide
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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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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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Private Tour Leeuwarden
Private Tour Leeuwarden
until 1 December 2025
Van Ravesteijn Theater & Events
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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
A bite or a drink - to go
Fancy a quick bite on your walk? Worry not! Just grab a quick snack to go. Warm your hands on a coffe or a warm cup of chocolate milk and refuel on some freshly made stroopwafels or a panini. Recharge yourself and get back on the road!
Like royalty - wow
Did you know that Leeuwarden was the royal capital of the Netherlands between 1584 and 1747? You’ll find the roots of the current Dutch royals here, too, so head out for a princely stroll through the centuries. Finish off your royal tour with a journey through the Prinsentuin, which was kept as a private pleasure garden for the royals.
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The Princessehof
The Princessehof
At a stone's throw from the Oldehove, on the Grote Kerkstraat, you’ll find the Princessehof. The palace was once the residence of Maria Louise van Hessen-Kassel, a Princess in the Oranje-Nassau dynasty from 1688 to 1765. Nowadays the palace is the National Ceramics museum!
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The Grote of Jacobijnerkerk
The Grote of Jacobijnerkerk
At the end of the Grote Kerkstraat, on the Jacobijnerkerkhof, sits the 14th-century Jacobijnerkerk (also known as the Grote Kerk). It’s the oldest in the city, and in the cellar is the royal crypt of the Nassaus.
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Paleis Stadhouderlijk Hof
Paleis Stadhouderlijk Hof
Before she moved to the Princessehof, Maria Louise lived in the Paleis Stadhouderlijk Hof, the family home of the Nassaus. Now, it’s a hotel!
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The Prinsentuin
The Prinsentuin
The Prinsentuin was laid in 1648, on the orders of Willem Frederik van Nassau. King Willem I opened it to the public about 150 years later as a public park in 1795. It's still many locals' favourite spot for a walkabout.
11Fountains - wandelroute
A wonderful leftover from Leeuwarden-Fryslân 2018 (when the city and province were the European Capital of Culture, is the 11Fountains project. There are eleven historic cities in Friesland, and each one received a special piece of art in the form of a fountain. Each fountain has a corresponding walking route around the city; in Leeuwarden you have to see Jaume Plensa’s 'Love', fountain right by the train station!
Street Art Wandeling
If you’re a fan of art in atypical places, we highly recommend the Street Art Tour, where you’ll see that Leeuwarden truly is an open-air gallery! You’ll only see incredibly wall murals, but also everyday items transformed into art; from substations, to empty storefronts.
Find out more
Wandering with kids
In more than 60 places across the city centre, you’ll see ‘Miniature People’ (but only if you look really hard): a series of tiny vignettes around two centimetres tall. The idea begun as an art project, but is now one of the best kid-friendly walking tours in the city. Remember to look high and low for the mini Leeuwarders! You can get the Miniature People route via both Google Maps, or for 2 euros in various shops in the city if you’d prefer a physical route card.
Track them down!
Even more routes? - Visitor Center!
Looking for a mapped out route to discover the highlights? Swing by the Leeuwarden Visitor Center, where you'll find a wide range of DIY city walks, varying from the medieval city center to modern street art tours. You'll also find (and start) your Miniature People walking adventure here.
Hier vind je een divers aanbod aan stadswandelingen waarmee je zelf aan de slag kunt, van routes door het historische stadscentrum tot street art routes. Ook de Miniature People Leeuwarden routekaart is hier verkrijgbaar.
