Activities and events in and around Leeuwarden

Leeuwarden and its surroundings boast a wide array of activities and events, making it a lively destination for visitors. Whether you're keen on exploring the historic city center, embarking on a boat tour, or immersing yourself in local cultural festivals, there's something to suit every interest. Highlights include guided city walks, bustling markets, and nearby attractions like the Wadden Islands, allowing visitors to savor both the rich culture and breathtaking nature of Friesland. Ideal for a day trip or a weekend getaway, Leeuwarden promises an unforgettable experience for all.

24 hours in Leeuwarden

Explore Leeuwarden in a day. Wander through the charming streets of the historic center, experience Frisian culture, and be amazed. Enjoy all the beauty Leeuwarden offers. You'll see so much in just 24 hours! Want to read more about Leeuwarden? You wil find all the information here.

Arcadia

Welcome to Arcadia 2025, a unique cultural event that puts Friesland back on the map as a place where art, nature, and community come together. For ten weeks, Friesland transforms into a living artwork where artists, thinkers, and communities collaborate to build the future.

Meet Mata Hari and learn more about Friesland

Discover the Frisian in yourself at the Fries Museum! Here you will discover all about the eleven cities and the countryside, the love-hate relationship with water, famous Frisians as Mata Hari, the search for the typically Frisian and Friesland's place in the world.
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Unique exhibition

The city palace in the historic city centre owes its name to the ancestress of our current royal family: Maria Louise of Hesse-Kassel, princess of Orange-Nassau. An intimate exhibition that gives an inside view of her eventful life. Through portraits, prints, drawings and an Orange family tree, it becomes clear that Maria Louise has been crucial in preserving the Orange Dynasty.
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High Tea, but with beer.

Grutte Pier Brewery takes its name from the heroic stories of Pier Gerlofs Donia, a freedom fighter and folk hero who protected Friesland from the Saxons and Dutch around 1517. After the raid on his farm, which the Saxons set on fire and in which his wife was killed, he transformed from a peaceful farmer into a legendary warrior. Thanks to his giant stature and superhuman strength, he was renamed Grutte Pier. A name that stands for strength, freedom, independence, reliability and pride. Just like the beer. These two faces of Grutte Pier, as peaceful farmer and pugnacious warrior, can be recognised in their label.
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Island: Ameland

Ameland never fails to impress. With its four charming villages and two breathtaking nature reserves, it is the perfect destination in any season. If you're curious about what the Netherlands might look like after the energy transition, Ameland offers a glimpse into the future. The island is leading the way among the Wadden Islands in its ambition to become entirely self-sufficient in water and electricity.

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National Park de Alde Feanen

De Alde Feanen is one of the Netherlands' twenty National Parks, and for good reason. This distinctive area is abundant in both natural beauty and cultural heritage, shaped by the historical peat excavations that once took place here.

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Island: Terschelling

From the boat, you'll witness the Netherlands' only natural bay and soon reach the only port located entirely within a nature reserve (Natura 2000). And you haven't even set foot on land yet. Terschelling boasts stunning landscapes and a wealth of cultural heritage, but it's the blend of both that makes it truly special. Highlights include the vast bunker complex hidden beneath the Hoge Duin, the shipwreck house on the Boschplaat, and, of course, the renowned local theatre festival, Oerol.

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Travel information

Friesland seems far away, but not as far as you think. From all over the country, Friesland is easily accessible by car and public transportation. And once you are in Friesland, you are never bothered by traffic jams or overcrowded trains. On the website of NS you can plan your train trip and with the Slinger app you can travel together by car!