Water in Leeuwarden the city and its region

Buuten is Leeuwarden's countryside. Within fifteen minutes of cycling, you are in nature and surrounded by nice beaches where you can swim, sail and relax. Several areas are part of Buuten, including the Grote Wielen and the Kleine Wielen. On the north side of the Groningerstraatweg you will find the official swimming location of the Grote Wielen nature reserve, or ‘Grutte Wielen’ in Frisian. Don't like sandy feet? Then you're in luck! Here you will find a sunbathing grass area instead of a sandy beach

Grou is just a stone's throw from Leeuwarden. This is the birthplace of Skûtsjesilen and is known for its water sports. In addition, this characteristic village has cozy shops and pleasant restaurants, so it is also worth a visit for non-water sports enthusiasts. Whether you put on your walking shoes, get on a boat or relax on a terrace along the water; Grou is a great place to start from! 

Another unique area close to Leeuwarden: the Alde Feanen National Park. The Alde Feanen is one of the largest marshlands in Western Europe and has a great variety of landscapes, containing lots of water, reed beds and a great diversity of animals and plants. For the ultimate holiday feeling, explore this magical part of Friesland by boat. But you can also feast your eyes here by bike or on foot. Handy, in Earnewâld you will find the information point the Alde Feanen where you can find out everything about the area.

Warten wordt ook wel de brug tussen natuur en stad genoemd. Meer dan 12.000 boten passeren jaarlijks het dorp vanuit Leeuwarden, op doortocht naar de Alde Feanen en verder de provincie in. Een écht watersportdorp dus. Naast water(activiteiten) en prachtige natuur vind je er ook een museum en knusse café's en restaurants. Heb je de tijd? Wandel dan vooral eens op je gemak door het dorp. Je waant je in een openluchtmuseum, waar de strijd tegen en voor het water op allerlei vlakken zichtbaar is.

The village of Warten is also called the bridge between nature and city. More than twelve thousand boats pass through the village every year from Leeuwarden, on their way to the Alde Feanen and further into the province. A real water sports village, indeed. In addition to water (activities) and beautiful nature, you will also find a museum and cozy cafes and restaurants. Do you have some more time? Then take a leisurely stroll through the village. It'll feel somewhat like an open-air museum, where the battle against and for water is visible in many ways.