Search & Discover
Category
Selection
Place
Region
Name
visitfryslan.com/frisian eleven cities
Leeuwarden
Leeuwarden
The capital of Fryslân. The city of female spy Mata Hari, poet Slauerhof and artist/painter Escher. The city with a royal touch.

For many years, the royal family of Nassau was running the show in the capital and they left behind many monuments. Experience the exceptional craft shops in the narrow streets. Sit on a pavement watching the world go by. That’s the beauty of Leeuwarden!

Places to go
The Nassau route will show you the rich history of the royals through the palace Princessehof, ‘Prinsentuin’ (garden of the prince), Hotel Palace ‘het Stadhouderlijkhof’ and the Grote- of Jacobijnerkerk (church). Don’t forget to look down during your expedition. Poetry is on the streets! Climb the stairs of the “Oldehove”, the Frisian tower of Pisa. With a clear sky you can even see the Wadden Islands! Enjoy the breathtaking view.

The historical centre of Leeuwarden is the place to be for a shopping spree. The narrow shopping streets give a variety of old crafts and modern lifestyle and interior shops. Sit on a pavement and watch the people go by. Have a drink or stroll through the old narrow streets and along the city canals. Don’t forget to visit the Prinsentuin, a park and harbor in the city centre.

Be there
Visit the Frisian Street Festival on the last Saturday in May. The centre of Leeuwarden is the stage for drama and music. Numerous street artists and bands are performing live. Mid September you can taste Leeuwarden. About 30 restaurants will serve their culinary masterpieces at the foot of the Oldehove.

Around Leeuwarden
Around Leeuwarden you can visit residences of the noble families and patrician mansions. See how they lived many years ago. Enjoy the tour!

Walking in the city centre you discover the town where exotic dancer Mata Hari spent her youth and where the graphic artist Escher was born. Different kind of museums will show you the treasury of the frisian culture.
Royal accommodation in the city centre of Friesland’s capital. The hotel is situated in what used to be a Royal palace. It was owned by the Dutch Royal family until 1971.
Fryslân Beleef je écht!