With a history dating back to the 10th century, Leeuwarden is a city in the Friesland province of the Netherlands. This hidden gem in the northern Netherlands is often underrated, although it is home to some spectacular sights and lots of history and culture. Here, visitors can explore archaeological sites dating back to Roman times, discover the city’s parks and canals, as well as marvel in front of its historic architecture. From the modern Frisian Museum to the iconic Oldehove, a tilted tower from the 16th century, the list of attractions and best things to do in Leeuwarden, the Netherlands, is quite extensive. Read on as we explore Leeuwarden more in-depth below.
1. Climb up the tilted Oldehove for views of the square below
Standing tall at a height of 40 meters (131 feet), Oldehove is a tower that’s part of an old, unfinished church located in the medieval center of Leeuwarden. The tower that dates back to the early 1500s when its construction began draws attention with its unique architecture. The tower is curved, with a little tilt, because soon after construction began in 1529, it began to sink. The tower was supposed to be three times taller, but it never reached its intended height as construction stopped in 1533.
Oldehove
Address: Oldehoofsterkerkhof, 8911 DE Leeuwarden
Website: Oldehove
Opening hours: 1pm - 5pm (daily)
Price: 5 USD
2. Explore the city on a private walking tour (from USD 110.0)
One of the best ways to explore the city of Leeuwarden and truly take in all it has to offer, from architecture and culture to its lively Dutch atmosphere, is by foot. Whether you decide to do it on your own or join a professional, enthusiastic tour guide that will let you in on the city’s best-kept secrets, make sure you stop and admire the street art along the way, as well as explore the town’s little alleys, canals, and learn a thing or two about the region’s rich history and culture.
Private Walking Tour through Leeuwarden
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
3. Admire the Gothic architecture of Saint Boniface Church
Built in 1882 and opened two years later, Saint Boniface Church is a Gothic Revival-style church named after English missionary Bonifatius. Its beautiful architecture strikes from afar, as it is the tallest church in the Friesland province, and makes for a postcard-perfect image, no matter from what angle you photograph it. Inside, the church features two organs and five altars, the main one and four on the sides.
Saint Boniface Church
Address: Bonifatiusplein 20, 8921 JT Leeuwarden
Website: Saint Boniface Church
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4. Learn about the region's history and culture at Fries Museum
Situated right in the heart of the city, Fries Museum impresses with its modern architecture on the outside and vast and diverse collection hosted inside. The museum focuses on the history and culture of the province of Friesland, featuring artifacts that depict the region’s history with its major industries, art, and people. Some of the most iconic items featured in the museum include traditional Frisian costumes, but also the Mata Hari, the Pyramids of Makkum, and the Hindelooper Room.
Fries Museum
Address: Wilhelminaplein 92, 8911 BS Leeuwarden
Website: Fries Museum
Opening hours: Tue - Sun: 11am - 5pm (closed on Mon)
Price: 20 USD
5. Spend a relaxing day exploring De Groene Ster
The Netherlands is known for its beautiful scenery and spectacular outdoors and Leeuwarden is no exception. De Groene Ster, a recreational area, spreading over approximately 1,000 hectares (2,471 acres), and located just outside of the city, is proof of how beautiful the Netherland’s outdoors are. The park boasts lakes and lawns, lots of ponds, bridges, as well as a variety of hiking and biking trails, making it the ideal place for outdoor and sports enthusiasts. De Groene Ster also features a golf course, campsites, and an aqua zoo.
De Groene Ster
Address: Mountsjewei, Leeuwarden
Website: De Groene Ster
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
6. Take the kids for a walk around Prinsentuin Park
As mentioned before, it’s a known fact that Leeuwarden is home to many marvelous parks and outdoor spaces, and one of the most beautiful of them is, without a doubt, Prinsentuin Park. The park is situated north of the city center and is great for families with children, outdoor enthusiasts, or pretty much anybody looking for relaxation and fresh air. The park boasts a lake with a fountain, surrounded by a plethora of vegetation, trails, and seating areas, each element perfectly placed in an authentic English style.
Prinsentuin Park
Address: Prinsentuin 1-3, 8911 DE Leeuwarden
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
7. Tour Leeuwarden's canals on a Venetian gondola
The Netherlands is known for its picture-perfect canals and the city of Leeuwarden is an excellent example. Surely, exploring the city by foot has its perks, but your stay in Leeuwarden wouldn’t be complete without a unique experience on a gondola along the canals. Venetian Gondola Tours Leeuwarden offers a variety of tours, both public and private, that you can book in advance or board right away. Discovering the city center by sailing on a gondola can be an exciting experience, as you’ll pass through some of the city’s most iconic attractions, like Bonifatius Church and Oldehove.
Venetian Gondola Tours Leeuwarden
Address: Steiger, Nieuwestad 98, 8911 CX Leeuwarden
Website: Venetian Gondola Tours Leeuwarden
Opening hours: Fri - Sat: 10am - 10pm; Sun: 10am - 9pm (closed from Mon - Thu)
8. Discover the fascinating world of porcelain and ceramics at Ceramics Museum Princessehof
Although the name of the Princessehof Museum will make you dream of royalty and elegant palace rooms, the museum hosts an equally impressive collection of ceramics, pottery, ceramic sculptures, and tiles. It takes its name after the princess who owned the building at some point and started collecting arts and crafts. Expect to find Art Deco and Art Nouveau collections of vases, porcelain, and pottery here, but also Frisian pottery and a wide variety of tiles. Its central location makes it easily accessible while strolling through the heart of Leeuwarden.
Ceramics Museum Princessehof
Address: Grote Kerkstraat 9, 8911 DZ Leeuwarden
Website: Ceramics Museum Princessehof
Opening hours: Tue - Sun: 11am - 5pm (closed on Mon)
Price: 16 USD
9. Spot colored miniature flamingos at Aquazoo Friesland
No matter if you’re traveling with the kids or not, Aquazoo Friesland should be a must-see on your bucket list. The zoo is home to a wide variety of aquatic birds and mammals and hosts lots of shows, feeding times, and kids’ activities. Visitors get to explore the massive park and learn about different species, as they watch them roam freely on vast terrains. Expect to see cute and cuddly African penguins, brown-haired armadillos, but also capybaras, miniature flamingos, and two-fingered sloths. Their reptile list includes the Nile crocodile and the Greek tortoise, while the mammals range from big to small, including polar bears and California sea lions, as well as pygmy goats, striped skunks, and funny-looking pinche monkeys.
Aquazoo Friesland
Address: De Groene Ster 2, 8926 XE Leeuwarden
Website: Aquazoo Friesland
Opening hours: 9:30am - 6pm (daily)
Price: 21 USD online (23 USD at location)
10. Take an Instagram selfie with the massive ‘Love’ sculpture by Jaume Plensa
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
The city of Leeuwarden sure knows how to do justice to the artistic spirit and one example is the ‘Love’ sculpture created by Jaume Plensa in 1955, which immediately catches the eye and can be seen from afar. The sculpture consists of two white marble sculptures of a boy and a girl, each measuring a height of 7 meters (30 feet). The two children look at each other while sitting on a mist foundation.
‘Love’ – Jaume Plensa
Address: 8911 AE Leeuwarden
Website: ‘Love’ – Jaume Plensa
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
Discovering Leeuwarden, one of the hidden treasures in the Netherlands
Although many travelers prefer visiting staple cities like Amsterdam or Rotterdam, the Netherlands is home to lots of other hidden treasures, and one of them is Leeuwarden, a city in the Friesland province. The town boasts lots of attractions both indoors and outdoors, from a fabulous zoo and vast parks to sculptures, museums, and Gothic churches. Check out the best things to do in Leeuwarden, the Netherlands, and let us know how your holiday goes.
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