Leeuwarden

Spending the night
Events
Leeuwarden: a wonderful city to discover. So take your time to
experience all the unique things Leeuwarden has to offer. The
city offers a wide range of accommodations.
Leeuwarden has more organised events than any other city in
the Netherlands. In addition to once-in-a-lifetime spectacles,
the city also offers many annual returning events. During the
first three months of the year, for example, the WTC Expo is host
to such major exhibitions as the Caravana en Boot Holland. Here
is a list of annual events:
On the water
• Right in the middle of the city is the Prinsentuin, the most
beautiful marina in the Netherlands. Incl free Wifi.
For more information, call the harbour master at:
+31 (0)58 233 61 60 / +31 (0)58 233 61 90.
• Or what about renting your own ‘sleeping boat’ for the night?
www.slaapschepen.nl
Campingsites
• Camping Taniaburg, Vierhuisterweg 72, +31 (0)58 266 22 46.
• Camping de Kleine Wielen, Groene Ster 14, +31 (0)511 43 16 60.
Hotels
• Fletcher Hotel-Paleis ‘Het Stadhouderlijk Hof’,
+31 (0)58 216 21 80. Spend a royal night in the former palace
of the aristocratic Nassau family.
• Oranje Hotel Leeuwarden, Stationsweg 4, +31 (0)58 212 62 41.
• Grand Hotel Post-Plaza, Tweebaksmarkt 25-27,
+31 (0)58 215 93 17.
• Westcord WTC Hotel, Heliconweg 52, +31 (0)58 233 49 00.
• Hotel ’t Anker, Eewal 73, +31 (0)58 212 5216.
• Stenden University Hotel, Rengerslaan 8, +31 (0)58 244 11 88.
• Eurohotel, Europaplein, +31 (0)58 213 11 13.
• Bastion Hotel, Legedijk 6, +31 (0)58 289 01 12.
• Campanile Hotel, Wergeasterdyk 1, Goutum,
+31 (0)58 288 06 05.
• Hotel Duhoux, Greate Buorren 4-8, Wirdum,
+31 (0)58 255 15 13.
Leeuwarden
april ..................................• Queen’s Day
enjoyment on a royal scale
may ...................................• Liberation Festival
...................................................• Frisian Street Festival
The capital of the Province of Friesland, the start
and finish for the Frisian Eleven-City Skating Race,
the city of the ancestors of the Dutch royal family
with delightful shops, fascinating museums, exciting
events, and an old city centre with more than 500
historic buildings plus modern architecture.
june.....................................• Run Leeuwarden
...................................................• Flower Market
july......................................• Dancetour
july/august.............• Antique and Curiosa Markets (every
Thursday)
...................................................• Prinsentuin Concerts (every Sunday
starting at the end of July)
september...............• Proeffestijn Ljouwert Culinair (the
city’s restaurants present their culinary
delights during a 2-day festival)
october.........................• Taptoe Leeuwarden (Marching band
shows)
november.................• Northern Film Festival
For the exact dates and more information about events and
other activities in the city: www.vvvleeuwarden.nl. The Tourist
Information Office also provides various hiking and biking
routes. You can also buy unique gifts and interesting souvenirs
in the shop.
Sophialaan 4, 8911 AE Leeuwarden
T +31 (0)900 202 40 60
E vvvleeuwarden@vvvleeuwarden.nl
www.vvvleeuwarden.nl
2012-03
Bed & Breakfast
Hospitable, friendly and relaxed. Prices from €20,- to €25,-.
www.vvvleeuwarden.nl
(Come and see the
beauty of Leeuwarden!)
Museums
Out and about
Princessehof Ceramic Museum
The Princessehof Ceramic Museum has a fantastic collection of
ceramics on display. The museum is located in the former city
palace of Princess Maria van Hessen-Kassel. Grote Kerkstraat 11,
+31 (0)58 294 89 58, www.princessehof.nl
The lively centre of Leeuwarden has many nice pubs and
restaurants. Enjoy a bite to eat or something to drink
with a view on the canals or one of the many pretty city
squares. Get to know the city during a walking tour through
the streets, in an electric-powered sloop, or from a flatbottomed boat. And don’t forget to climb the leaning
Oldhove tower during your visit!
Stadsschouwburg De Harmonie is one of the country’s
most beautiful theatres and also the heart of cultural life in
Friesland. The Filmhuis presents the latest art films whilst
the other two cinemas run mainstream films. Club Noa in
Leeuwarden is one of the Netherlands’ best clubs. From
Thursday through Sunday, Leeuwarden’s cafés and various
clubs let the good times roll! Aqua Zoo Friesland displays
aquatic animals in their natural setting. Trade fairs and
exhibitions are frequently held in the WTC Expo, and you can
wage a bet in the adjoining Holland Casino.
The Fries Museum and the Resistance Museum Friesland
The Fries Museum is the largest provincial museum in the
Netherlands. Fully renovated, the Fries Museum at Zaailand will
open in 2013. Turfmarkt 11, +31 (0)58 255 55 00,
www.friesmuseum.nl
Natuurmuseum Fryslân
The Natuurmuseum Fryslân (the natural history museum for
Friesland) is housed in the historic Nieuwe Stadsweeshuis (new
city orphanage) built in 1675. A fascinating museum, especially
for younger visitors. Schoenmakersperk 2, +31 (0)58 233 22 44,
www.natuurmuseumfryslan.nl
Historisch Centrum Leeuwarden
The HCL is the place where you can find information about
the history of Leeuwarden. Interesting for young and old, and
admission is free. Groeneweg 1, +31 (0)58 233 23 50,
www.historischcentrumleeuwarden.nl
Museum de Grutterswinkel
This museum is a reproduction of an old-fashioned grocery shop
and also has an exhibition room. From here, you can also visit
the Boomsma Distilleerderij Museum dedicated to Dutch liquors
such as Dutch gin and Beerenburg. Nieuwesteeg 5,
+31 (0)58 215 34 27, www.museum-de-grutterswinkel.nl
Tresoar, the Friesland Historical and Literary Centre
Boterhoek 1, +31 (0)58 789 07 89, www.tresoar.nl
Pakhuis Koophandel, from antique cars to old lace
Oostersingel 8, www.museumpakhuiskoophandel.nl
Pier Pandermuseum
Dedicated to sculptor Pier Pander. Located in the Prinsentuin,
www.pierpander.nl
Blokhuispoort (prison museum)
Experience the atmosphere of the former prison and go 500
years back in time, www.blokhuispoort.nl
Shopping
The ideal city for a shopping day
Shopping in Leeuwarden means shopping in style. You can find
the nicest things in the many interesting shops Leeuwarden has
to offer. As a matter of fact, Leeuwarden has two of the nicest
shopping streets in the Netherlands. ‘Nieuwestad’ is the city
centre’s main street, here you can find the commercial stores.
The street is intersected by one of Leeuwarden’s many city
canals. A large market is held every Friday and on Thursday night
the stores are opened till 9 pm. Every last Sunday of the month is
shopping Sunday.
Leeuwarden has a rich history involving the ancestors of the
Dutch royal family. This is still reflected in its historic centre.
Stroll past Paleis het Stadhouderlijk Hof (the palace of the
stadtholder’s court), the Princessehof or enjoy the quiet natural
surroundings in the Prinsentuin park. Famous people who spent
an important part of their lives in the Frisian capital include
Mata Hari, M.C. Escher, Jan Jacob Slauerhoff, Piet Paaltjens and
Havank. www.hofstad-leeuwarden.nl