Frequently Asked Questions who? what? where?

Spend the night in a former prison, an old post office or in a cabin on the heath: Leeuwarden offers it all. Do you prefer a modern hotel, a picturesque bed & breakfast or a campsite? On this page you will find an overview of the most beautiful and nicest places to stay in Leeuwarden.

Leeuwarden is buzzing with nice lunchrooms, eateries and unusual restaurants. From world cuisines to vegan options, there is something for everyone. You can explore your options on the Food and Drinks page.

Leeuwarden has numerous shopping areas:

• Nieuwestad is home to the larger chains, such as H&M, Hema and Rituals.
• Kleine Kerkstraat has been voted Leeuwarden's nicest shopping street several times. With small boutiques, design and local delicacies, we think it's no wonder!
• The Oude Markten is an area with nice coffee shops and lots of beautiful second-hand items. Vintage outfits and furniture can be found here by the fleet!

On the Shopping and Markets page you will find all the information and inspiration you need. The Citymap gives you an insight into where the shopping areas are located.

The major retail chains in Leeuwarden are open 7 days a week. Business hours are as follows:

On Fridays, you will always find a big market on the Zaailand / Wilhelminaplein. At this market you can get fresh vegetables, fruit, bread, honey, herbs, fish, meat and eggs. There are also stalls selling clothes, accessories, flowers, leather goods, textiles, gems and minerals, animal accessories and cleaning supplies. Finally, you can enjoy good food at the syrup waffle stall, chips stall, fish stall or Greek specialities.

On Saturdays, you will find the little brother of this market on Nieuwestad.

Every month on Saturday, there is a Farmers' Market on Vijzelstraat. There are also numerous seasonal markets with antiques, curiosities, art, records, books and more. Check here for an up-to-date overview of markets in Leeuwarden.

In the city centre, you'll find plenty of great vintage and second-hand shops. The larger thrift shops can be found in the industrial area De Zwette. Especially for vintage-lovers, we have created a free online Vintage Tour, which you can easily follow on your mobile phone! That way you will come home with the most beautiful pre-loved gems. In this blog you will find vintage hotspots and inspiration.

Leeuwarden is home to the following museums:

• Fries Museum is the largest museum in Leeuwarden, with a number of permanent exhibitions on the history of Friesland and changing exhibitions by various artists.
• Verzetsmuseum (Resistance Museum) is located in the Fries Museum and tells the story of World War II in Friesland.
• Keramiekmuseum het Princessehof takes you through the history of ceramics, but also shows contemporary masterpieces.
• Natuurmuseum Fryslân is the museum for young and old, with its biggest spectacle: the Underwater Safari.
• Fries Landbouwmuseum (agriculture museum) shows the story of the Frisian farmer through the ages. Located in a beautiful farmhouse just outside the city.
• Museumhuis van Eysinga is an impressive 18th-century city villa that was inhabited by the family of one of the most significant men of his time: Frans Julius Van Eysinga.
• De Utrecht is a hidden gem in the centre of Leeuwarden. Built in 1904 in art nouveau style, crammed with sayings, lavishly decorated and brimming with symbolism.
• Historisch Centrum Leeuwarden is the centre for Leeuwarden's historical heritage. Thousands of linear metres of historical documents, from the Middle Ages to the present, are preserved and made accessible here.
• 't Andere Museum has the most diverse objects. From a large collection of old-timers to lace and other textiles.
• De Grutterswinkel was a real old-fashioned grocery shop in Leeuwarden. As soon as you cross the threshold, step back in time. Buy liquorice soldiers, herbal bitters and other goods from your (great) grandparents' time!

Just outside Leeuwarden, you will also find a number of museums and/or estates:

• Mineralogisch Museum is located between Warten and Grou, and is housed in the barn of an old farmhouse. The maze of stuffed display cabinets houses a (changing!) collection of brilliant gemstones and minerals.
• Dekema State in Jelsum was originally a noble house, where several families lived until 1996. The State and its gardens are now open to the public.

Check here for an overview of all museums.

Check here for an accurate list of all exhibitions currently taking place in Leeuwarden.

Leeuwarden has several venues:

• Stadsschouwburg de Harmonie
• Poppodium Neushoorn
• Podium Explore
• Theater de Bres
• Tryater

See the theatre calendar or check the Theatre & Film page for more information.

You can find it here! Are you coming to dance to the hottest live music?

From exhibitions to festivals, from open-air concerts to special tours! An overview of events can be found here, in the events calendar.

In Leeuwarden, you'll feast your eyes when it comes to Street-Art! From large murals to colourful electricity boxes and little dolls hidden in the craziest places. But also stickers and posters. Are you going to look for the coolest works of art in public spaces yourself or would you rather have a guide show you around? Check out the best tips for discovering street art in Leeuwarden here.

Do you see a group of people staring at a wall somewhere? Chances are they are looking at a miniature scene. The Miniature People are the smallest inhabitants of Leeuwarden. Photographer Michel Tilma created and photographed tiny scenes, less than 2 centimetres high, in special places in the city, only to leave them there to be found. Walk through the streets and alleys of downtown Leeuwarden and look for these tiny Liwwadders. This is the only way to really discover unknown places. A special Miniature People Route is available at the Leeuwarden Visitor Center, among other places. It is the activity for young and old!

On this page you will find all information about tours. This isn't just about walking tours! From boat trips to the city train, there is something for everyone. How are you going to discover the city?

In Leeuwarden, there are several boat trips per day during high season. Stichting Praamverhuur (a boating foundation) and Praamverhuur Leeuwarden (boat hire) organize these boat trips. During the boat trip, you sit in the boat, and you can also take a walker on board. There is a small staircase at the quay that you have to go up and down to get to the boat. Although there is help from the pram employees, whether this is possible depends on the extent to which you have difficulty walking. You aren’t up for taking the risk? Then you can easily board the City Train! You sit comfortably in the carriage and go at a leisurely pace through all the small streets of the old city centre.

On this page you will find all information about water in and around Leeuwarden. From water sports hotspots to barge cruises, and from marinas to lunch on the quay: everything has been considered!

Are you planning to come to Leeuwarden with your boat? Then spend the night in the most beautiful marina in the city. In the old city centre, you will find De Prinsentuin city park. This former pleasure garden of the Oranje-Nassau’s is a public city park where you can also moor your boat. In the middle of the city centre and yet in nature. Would you rather moor outside the city? Then take a look at the Leeuwarder Jachthaven (marina).

Check the page By boat to Leeuwarden for more information.

At Stadsstrand Leeuwarden (City Beach), you can enjoy a variety of fun water activities. You can take SUP (stand up paddling) lessons, do yoga on a SUP board, rent SUP boards, canoe or just sit with your feet in the sand and your face in the sun.

You can rent electric whisper boats at Greenjoy and at Bootverhuur Bonkevaart. You can also rent sailing boats at Watersportbedrijf ANJA.

There are several nature reserves in and in the vicinity of Leeuwarden where you can enjoy walking. Closer to Leeuwarden you will find, for example, the Froskepôlle and the Grote Wielen. A little further away you will find the Âlde Feanen national park. View the Walking in Leeuwarden page for all information and tips.

Buuten (Leeuwarders for 'outside') is an area for nature, recreation and sports that is close to Leeuwarden. The Buuten area includes the Kleine and Grote Wielen, AquaZoo and Park Vijversburg. Check out Buuten’s page for more information.

With the exception of Texel, the Frisian Islands (Wadden Islands) belong to the province of Friesland.

Vlieland
Vlieland is a relatively small island, about an hour and a half sailing from the mainland. Oost-Vlieland is the only village. Vlieland has a few campsites, cycle routes through a beautiful dune landscape, cool forests and beautiful beaches on the North Sea. From Harlingen you can reach Vlieland with Rederij Doeksen. Harlingen Haven (harbour) is easy to reach by train from Leeuwarden.

Terschelling
Terschelling can also be reached via Harlingen. You can buy boat tickets at Rederij Doeksen. The departure takes about 2 hours. Terschelling has several villages, including West Terschelling and Midsland. Terschelling has several wooded areas, beaches and dune landscapes. As a walker and cyclist, you can indulge yourself here.

Ameland
Ameland can be reached via Holwert with Wagenborg Passagiersdiensten. The crossing takes about 45 minutes. Ameland has several villages, including Nes and Buren. Ameland is also known for its beautiful walking and cycling routes. Because Ameland is easy and quick to reach, it is ideal for a day trip. Do you want to go to Ameland from Leeuwarden? Then you can easily travel to Holwert by bus.

Schiermonnikoog
Schiermonnikoog is a small, picturesque island that can be reached via Lauwersoog. Do you want to reach Schiermonnikoog from Leeuwarden? Then you can easily travel to Lauwersoog by bus. The regular ferry service with Wagenborg Passengiersdiensten takes 45 minutes. That is why Schiermonnikoog is also ideal for a day of cycling or walking.