At our walking tours we often get the question what you can do in the surroundings of Leeuwarden. So we made a list of our favourite spots in the surroundings of Leeuwarden.
1.Visit the Eise Eisinga Planetarium in Franeker.
Eisinga build a planetarium in his living room between 1774-1781 and it’s still working! Franeker is ealily visited by bike, but it’s also only a 15 minute trainride from Leeuwarden. Location: Eise Eisingastraat 3, Franeker Open: Tue t/m Sat 10:00 – 17:00, Sun 13:00 – 17:00. Between 1 april – 31 october also on Mon 13:00 –17:00. Admission charges: Adults € 5,25 Children < 13 jaar 4,50.Distance to Leeuwarden (city centre): 18,7 km.
2. Visit the Poptaslot!
This manor can be found just outside Leeuwarden and was build in the 15th Centrury by the Heringa family. In 1687 is was sold to Dr. H. Popta who would live there till is death. Afterwards it was never inhabited. Betwen July and August there are tours from Monday till Saturday at every hour. Location: Slotleane 1, Marssum, Open: Mon-Sat 11:00-17:00 (July-Augustus), Admission charges: Adults € 6,-, Children < 12 Year € 3,-, Distance to Leeuwarden (city centre): 6,3 km.
3. Park Vijversburg
Visit Park vijversbrug just outside of Leeuwarden. This park, dubbed the ‘The forrest of Ypey’ by locals, was mosly built in the 19th century. But it also has a very large new secion built between 2005 and 2009. You can stroll here and enjoy beautiful gardens. If you are tired of this park, you can walk even further through the adjacent recreation area the Grote and Kleine Wielen. Distance to Leeuwarden city centre: 9 km
4.Go to the Nationalpark de Alde Feanen
Rent a kajak or a boat and discover the National park the Alde Feanen from the Water. This lowlying peat land is magnificent. You can do several hikes here but also just swim in the lake. If you are travelling in a group, rent a traditional sailing boat called Skutsje at Annage! If you want to reach Earnewoude by public transport, you have to change busses once and use a bus that you have to call one hour in advance! But you can also cycle to Earnewoude. Distance to Leeuwarden city centre: 20 km
5. Frisian Mummies!
The small church of Wiuwert has a few mumies of wiuwert. In the basement of this church you can discover some Mummies, that are already 400 years old. They still don’t understand how. Locatie: De Terp 1, Wiewert, Open: Maandag t/m zaterdag 13:00-16:30 (April t/m oktober). In Juni t/m Augustus is de kerk al vanaf 10:00 uur open. Afstand tot Leeuwarden (centrum): 19 km
6. Explore the surroundings by bike! (south of LWD)
De 8 van Grou biketour is one of the most beautifull bike tours through the heart of Friesland. You go through the national Park Alde Feanen, cute villages and the widespread medows of Friesland. Furthermore there are 12 ferries you have to use! So do bring some change. The Ferries sail from April until September (check the website for actual times). Depending on where you start, you can cycle 35 till 45 km. If you don’t have a bike, you can rent one at Fietsstation 058.
7. A Biketour along mounds and Frisian castles (north of LWD)
Cycle a round north of Leeuwarden through Jelsum-Britsum-Wyns (with ferry). This biketour is about 20km long and goes pass the beautifull villages along the river the Dokkumer E and sometimes even through the medows. You also pass some Mansions like the Martenastate in Koarnjum and the Dekema State in Jelsum. In Wyns you have to use a ferry to cross the river. This is also a good place to have a drink at the terrace at Eetcafe de Wynze. You can also find the scheduale of the ferry here. If you don’t have a bike, than you can rent one at Fietsstation 058. Distance Wyns to Leeuwarden (centre): 8 km
8. Visit the WaddenSea
The WaddenSea is Unesco World Herritage. From Leeuwarden you can easily reach Zwarte Haan, from where you can had a walk on the sea dike. There is no real beach here, only lots of mud. If you want to enjoy beaches, you better visit one of the Island. There are ferries leaving from Harlingen, Holwerd and Lauwersoog. But the most special way to visit the island is to walk over there! This ‘Wadlopen’ or mudflatwalking is a really unique experience. In Summer you can join a guide to get across.
9. ‘Climb’ the terp of Hegebeintum
There used to be 1000 mounds in the whole of Friesland. The first inhabitants protected theselfs against high water. Many mounds have been excavated in the 19th centrury because of their fertile soil. Hegebintum is almost 9 meters above sea level, which makes it the highst mound of Friesland. In the visitorcentre you can see some achological founds. Location: Hegebeintum, Open: Sun 12:00-17:00, Mon-Sat 10:00-17:00 (Apr-Oct) Tue-Sat: 10:00-17:00 (Nov-Mar) Distance to Leeuwarden (city centre): 21,8 km
10. De Deelen
South of Leeuwarden is a beautiful nature reserve De Deelen. This wetland was created by excavating peat. It is now a protected nature reserve and a favorite place of many birds. You can walk two different routes that take you over wooden bridges over the wet landscape. Location: De Deelen, Distance to Leeuwarden (center): 30.9 km
Explore more tips about Leeuwarden or check the various walking tours we offer to discover the city with one of our guides!