There are many sights hidden in the Frisian countryside!
An absolute must-see at the Eise Eisinga Planetarium in Franeker. There you can admire the still-perfectly functioning solar system that a wool comber built in his own living room back in 1774.
Or do you prefer something a little spookier? In the church of the Frisian village of Wieuwerd, you can see a number of well-preserved mummies.
Don't forget to visit the Frisian States and Stinsen, noble buildings from the past that tell their story! Curious? Here are some suggestions.
Things to see in Friesland
With children
There are also many fun outings for children. In Friesland, for example, you have a wide choice of indoor playgrounds, swimming pools, petting zoos, museums, and a zoo. Below are some suggestions for fun outings with children.
Aqua Zoo Friesland
Have you ever heard of the broad-nosed crocodile? No? You can encounter these exciting animals in Friesland! Not just in the wild, mind you; you'll find them at Aqua Zoo Friesland.
Sybrandy's Speelpark Oude Mirdum Sybrandy's
Speelpark is located in southwest Friesland amidst the beautiful forests of Gaasterland. The park, which originated as a bird park, has grown into Friesland's leading amusement park. The park's target group is children aged 3 to 13.
Experience the Wadden Sea area at the SeedyksterToer
Nature education recreation center and bad weather accommodation The SeedyksterToer offers young and old the opportunity to experience Northwest Friesland Outside the Dike.
http://www.seedykstertoer.nl/?cat=home&taal=nl
Natural History Museum Friesland
A museum for children, parents and grandparents, nature lovers and anyone who has ever wanted to see a sperm whale up close, fly over Friesland or walk along the bottom of a ditch. Hands-on experience is central to the museum, making it the most fun nature museum in Friesland! http://www.natuurmuseumfryslan.nl/museuminfo.php
Adventure discovery center Aeolus
Aeolus is an adventure discovery center. At Aeolus, every child can have the time of their lives. Children from 1 to 14 years old can run, jump, climb and there is much to discover. The discovery centre is also a fun experience for adults.
http://www.aeolusfriesland.nl/wat-is-aeolus.html
Freeriderz Kitesurfing School
Kitesurfing is for young and old, not difficult and very accessible. Freeriderz kitesurfing school works with IKO certified instructors and provides lessons according to international guidelines.
Kameleondorp Terherne
Everyone knows them, the twins Hielke and Sietse Klinkhamer who have one main goal in life: getting up to mischief! There were even successful feature films about this duo in 2003 and 2005. The Kameleon is more alive than ever and Terherne is the place to be!
http://www.kameleonterherne.nl/
Speelbos Joure
Het Kazemattenmuseum Kornwerderzand
When you drive over the Afsluitdijk, you will see large concrete structures lying near the sluices. These are defense structures, built in the 1930s during the construction of the Afsluitdijk. In the first line at Kornwerderzand, fierce fighting took place in the May days of 1940. The German attackers were stopped here.
http://www.kazemattenmuseum.nl/
National Model Railway Museum With a large number of model trains from the Ahrend to the Thalys. Children can use buttons to make the trains run on one of the 4 tracks.
http://www.modelspoormuseum.nl/
Ooievaarsstation It Eibershiem
http://www.earnewald.nl/bezienswaardigheden/ooievaarsstation-eibertshiem
Villages and towns
On and around the Terpen in Northwest Friesland, you'll find picturesque villages and historic towns, some located along the famous Eleven Cities Tour route. We've selected the following charming Frisian villages and towns for you.
Franeker is known for the oldest, still-functioning planetarium in the Netherlands. Eise Eisinga created it in the late eighteenth century, and it's just as fascinating now as it was then. But there's more that makes this Frisian city worth a visit. Franeker is home to the only Kaatsmuseum (Kaatsmuseum) in the Netherlands and the "'t Coopmanshûs Museum," which explains why Franeker is known as an academic city. You'll also find the Bogt fen Guné, the oldest student hostel in the Netherlands, and the magnificent Renaissance-style town hall. And what about the historic stronghold with its well-preserved tea pavilions, where you can enjoy a delicious cup of freshly brewed tea.
http://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franeker
In the far north of Noardwest Fryslân you will find the two parish villages of St. Anna- and St. Jacobiparochie. For the latter village, artist Henk Rusman created the artwork St. Jacobspoort, which marks the beginning of the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela. The Greate Kerk (Great Church) from 1849 that you will find in St. Jacobiparochie is surprisingly different from most church buildings in Friesland. The octagonal Van Harenskerk in St. Annaparochie is more traditional. The building dates from 1682. Behind the sober exterior lies a remarkably rich interior. With beautiful wood carvings and heavy, copper-plated entrance doors to the burial chapel of the Van Harens (a gift from the Swedish king Charles XI). Also definitely worth a visit is the Meijer Machine Museum in St. Jacobiparochie, with its old steam engines. It can be visited by appointment. With a bit of luck, you might also get acquainted with the typical Bildtse sport of Kooitsytipelen (playing kooitsytipelen) on the specially constructed field.
http://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sint-Jacobiparochie
The terp village of Wommels is known for its undamaged terp. This terp in the village center is used for various activities during the summer months. Since 1903, the Freulepartij (Freule Party) has been a sport for schoolboys called handball. Wommels is also known for its Slachtedyk (slaughter dike). This dike has become the most famous dike in Friesland and runs from Raerd to Oosterbierum. Every four years, the Slachtmarathon is held on this dike. Wommels also became known for its cheese production and trade. A former cheese warehouse on Ald Hiem now houses the museum "De striid tjin het wetter" (The Battle of the Water). In the center of the village stands the Jacobikerk (St. Jacob's Church). This church, built in the early 16th century, features beautiful memorial boards from the Sminia and Jongema families. A marina for recreational boaters is located on the Bolswarder Trekvaart canal, near the center. http://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wommels
Makkum is synonymous with pottery. In this village on the IJsselmeer lake, you'll find the only remaining tin-glazed pottery factory in the Netherlands. Founded in 1594, the company isn't just worth a visit for its traditional decorative pottery; its modern design pieces are also worth seeing. But Makkum has more to offer. From here, you can explore the beautiful surroundings by historic barge. And… Makkum has much to offer water sports enthusiasts, from beach and swimming fun to surfing, sailing, and other sports. The Ald Faers Erfroute (Old Faers Heritage Route) that passes through Makkum is both fun and educational for all ages. This route takes you past several carefully restored monuments that tell the story of life and work around 1880. In Makkum, you can enjoy a cup of coffee and drabbelkoek in a restored farmhouse, followed by a tour of the associated buildings, including an authentic forge.
http://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Makkum_(Friesland)
Allingawier is a small terp village in the west of Friesland. Fewer than 20 people live within the built-up area. The village forms a single unit with nearby Exmorra. The Aldfaers Erf museum route passes through Allingawier. Among other things, you can visit an 18th-century farmstead. Several farm carriages have been brought together there.
http://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allingawier
Schraard The Blood Miracle of 1414 in Schraard. The village of Schraard, or Skraard (in Frisian), located one and a half kilometers east of Wons (Wûns) near Witmarsum, is built on a mound constructed in the early Christian era. The small church, constructed of warm yellow monastery bricks, became a place of pilgrimage after the pastor and vicar discovered a bleeding host on the altar in 1414, evidence of the transubstantiation of bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ. The Pope recognized this miracle and issued a bull granting indulgences to those who visited the church and offered sacrifices there. After the Reformed Church took possession of the church, all medieval artwork was destroyed, and the story of the miracle of the bleeding host fell into oblivion. Only the beautifully carved sides of the oak pews in the church escaped the barbaric destruction of the Beeldenstorm.
http://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schraard
Bolsward is an old Hanseatic city with a population of just under 9,400. The rich history has left its mark. The small town alone boasts three churches worth visiting. Only a ruin remains of the Broerekerk after a fire in 1980, but it is one of the most beautiful in the country. Another attraction is the Town Hall, built in Renaissance style. It also houses an antiquities room, where objects are exhibited that provide a glimpse into Bolsward's glorious past. In the birthplace of the famous Frisian writer Gysbert Japicx, you'll now find a text shop for texts and explanations of the Frisian language. And how about a visit to the local distillery, Plantinga/Sonnema? It's the perfect place to experience the authentic Frisian beerenburg. The charming center of Bolsward is an ideal resting point on any cycling or walking route. http://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bolsward
Exmorra is located near Makkum and Bolsward and houses the Frisian Agricultural Museum. Opposite the museum is a glassworks, and further along in the village, you'll find a beautiful medieval church, a grocery store, an ornamental garden, and various other attractions. Exmorra is part of the Aldfaers Erf museum route. http://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exmorra
Just behind the seawall between Harlingen and the Afsluitdijk lies Witmarsum. Menno Simons was born in this village on the old Frisian clay over five hundred years ago. Like nearby Pingjum, the village remains a place of pilgrimage for Mennonites from all over the world. The small house where, according to tradition, the Mennonites met under Simons' leadership was replaced by a small church in the early 19th century. In 1870, the community moved to Witmarsum. A memorial to the Reformer was erected on the site where the church is believed to have stood. Menno Simons' birthplace is the starting point for various hiking trails through Mennonite country.
http://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Witmarsum
The picturesque cityscape of Sneek conceals the vibrant center of Friesland's water sports scene. Situated between several lakes and canals, this Frisian city of the eleven cities is the hub of water tourism. For example, the Sneek Week is a national synonym for conviviality and spectacle on and around the water. But Sneek also has much to offer landlubbers. A beautiful historic center, for example, with many monuments. Traditional businesses where you can see and taste craftsmanship, such as a Drabbelkoek bakery, a clockmaker, and the liquor store of Widow Joustra with its old shop interior. Or how about the National Model Railway Museum and the neo-Gothic cruciform basilica, designed by architect PJH Cuypers, known for the Rijksmuseum and Amsterdam Central Station?
http://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sneek_(stad)
Leeuwarden. Capital of the province of Friesland. Start and finish of the famous Frisian Eleven Cities Tour. A city with a rich history, still visible in many places, and a pleasantly bustling city center lined with canals. You certainly won't be bored in Leeuwarden. In addition to many museums, the city offers a lovely city park, for example, where you can regularly enjoy live music in the summer. You can also climb the Netherlands' most leaning tower, visit Aqua Zoo, or pop into one of the many galleries. Evenings are also a pleasant time in the Frisian capital. How about a performance at the De Harmonie city theater, a snack or drink on a terrace or in one of the many cafes and eateries, or a stroll along the illuminated monumental canal houses? http://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leeuwarden_(stad)
Wellness
New in Harlingen! Last year, Johan and Lisa Ligthart launched their wellness and massage salon, SMS Chilltime. Just 100 meters from our hotel, you'll find a unique wellness complex suitable for up to six people. Enjoy a Turkish steam bath, a luxurious Finnish sauna, a spa whirlpool with 64 jets, an infrared cabin, a foot bath, and of course, a relaxation area with a selection of food and drinks from the small menu. Chilltime can be booked for groups of two or more. For anyone who avoids large-scale wellness centers, this is highly recommended! We highly recommend SMS Chilltime! For more information, see: http://www.massageharlingen.nl