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Fr i s i a n
For information about accommodation, events and routes call in at one of the VVV tourist offices or go to www.VisitFryslan.com
Visit the eleven cities of Fryslân
IJlst / Drylts
Hindeloopen / Hylpen
Harlingen / Harns
Experience the eleven cities tour
There are several ways to experience the eleven cities tour. With the help of this map you can visit the
eleven Frisian cities in your own pace and with your own choice of transport. Create your own tour and
enjoy everything these cities have on offer.
The eleven cities of Friesland
The northern province of Friesland has eleven cities, each with their own charm. Everywhere you will
find traces of the wealthy history of trading from former days in the eleven Frisian cities. You will
notice the difference in size: For example Sloten inhabits 900 people and Leeuwarden 90.000 people.
If you visit all eleven cities, either by foot, bike, boat or car, you will experience the real Friesland. The
cities are joined together by water. Sometimes in a cold winter when the ice on the canals freezes up,
people even do the 240 kilometre tour on ice skates.
The tour of all tours
The eleven cities tour on ice, is a very famous race in The Netherlands. As soon as it starts freezing all
Dutch people feel the “Eleven Cities Tour fever”. Tension builds up, while waiting for the go ahead (the
ice needs to be strong enough for the thousands of people who going to skate the race). People from
every corner of the country go to Friesland. Frisian people welcome the contestants and fans into their
houses, offering them a place to stay.
The start and finish is in Leeuwarden. From here the contestants go to Sneek. It will be a very challenging
race of 240 km (150 miles). That is why it is called the tour of all tours. The hardest part of the race is
between Harlingen and Dokkum because of the strong winds. The contestants call this part “The hell
of the North”. Despite “the hell” the scenery however is magnificent.
For more information please visit www.visitFryslan.com/frisianelevencities
Film set and Fryslân Cup
Fishermen, local costumes and the art of painting
Fairy tale city at the Wadden Sea
Two small canals run through the centre of the picturesque city of IJlst. The blooming lime trees on either
side and the gardens along the waterside make it a beautiful scenery. No wonder it is used for a film set. The
gardens which are separated by a road from the houses are called ‘bleken’ (=bleaches). In the old days, the
privately owned gardens were used to bleach the washing.
All over the world, the local costumes and typical paintwork of this city is well known. The inhabitants speak
their own language, different and not understood by other Frisians. Wooden bridges, characteristic house
fronts and narrow streets. All features of the picturesque city of Hindeloopen.
The city of the fishermen. Departure of the ferry to Terschelling and Vlieland. But above all a city with a
beautiful centre for a great holiday.
Places to go
One of the most impressive buildings to visit in IJlst is saw-mill ‘De Rat’ (= The Rat), founded in 1638. A
real entertainment for children is the former Royal Factories J. Nooitgedacht & Zn. The factory used to
produce ice skates, toys and tools, but is now a museum with lots of activities to experience.
Also worth mentioning is the workshop of clockmaker Hans Visser. He restores antique clocks and designs
new ones.
Fryslân Marketing
Samenwerkende Friese VVV’s
P.O. Box 699
Sophialaan 4
8901 BL Leeuwarden
8911 AE Leeuwarden
The Netherlands
The Netherlands
info@fryslanmarketing.nl
info@vvvleeuwarden.nl
www.vvvfryslan.nl
Be there
Experience an auction sale at Auction house Ald Fryslân on the Roodhemsterweg. The Auction house
opens its doors a few days a year.
Always wanted to watch a typical Frisian sport, go and watch the spectacular ‘fierljep’ (= pole jumping
over water) games. In August Frisian competitors are fighting for the Fryslân Cup, the last big competition
before the Dutch Championships.
Around IJlst
Water sports village Heeg is only a few kilometres from IJlst. The village is situated on a lake, the
Heegermeer and well-known by water sport lovers for the great ambience. Overlooking the lake from a
terrace with a drink or enjoy sportive challenges like sailing, surfing or other water sports. It is possible to
hire equipment, like sailing or motor boats to enjoy the freedom of the water.
Places to go
A walk through the city is worthwhile. In Hindeloopen you can still find the captain houses with the
little anchor at the front of the houses. This would be the sign that the captain was at home. During the
summertime when the captain was at sea his wife and children lived in a smaller house that was built
at the back of the garden next to a canal. When you walk along the harbour you can’t miss the light blue
elevated wooden house. This is the old building from the Royal Dutch Rescue Society. Feel free to take a
look inside. Of course there is more to see. Like the Hidde Nijland Museum. Here you will be introduced
to the history of Hindeloopen. In the ice skate museum you can admire the collection of ice skates.
Besides that there is an original forge and a woodwork workshop. Because of the harbour and the beach
Hindeloopen is popular with both Dutch and foreign tourists. What do you think of Hindeloopen?
Be there
Most Frisian cities have a special choir of only men, but Hindeloopen has a choir of women. The popular
fishermen’s wife choir Grietje Sprot performs in typical work clothes from 1920. The choir sings Dutch
and Frisian songs about the tough, but colourful lives of fishermen and their families.
Places to go
You can smell the salty sea. You can hear the horns of the ships, telling you the ferry is leaving. As a
seaport town, Harlingen is an ideal destination for a city trip. Stroll through the centre and discover its
secrets. Visit the art galleries, the bars, the restaurant and enjoy a good meal on a terrace at the harbor.
Watch the ships come in and feel the convivial atmosphere. Step in a canal touring boat to see the city
from the water.
Be there
Every last weekend of August, Harlingen is in a festive mood. For four days the harbor is the centre of a
big party. The fishery days are a festival for all ages.
Also a must is the HT Race. Rowing boats race for the first place from Harlingen to the island Terschelling.
Only really tough guys (and girls) can finish the two hour during race.
In the winter Harlingen is transformed into a Christmas carol. The old houses at the canals, the lights in
the streets and the most beautiful Christmas market make you think you’re in a fairy-tale world.
Around Hindeloopen
Hindeloopen is located in one of the two national parks in Friesland. A beautiful area that descends from
the Middle Ages. The area is ideal for hikers and cyclists who enjoy some fresh air.
Around Harlingen
Get on board of a fisherman ship and experience the Waddensea. You can almost touch the seals! Aren’t
they cute?
Outside Harlingen, in Kimswerd, you can find a statue of ‘Greate Pier’. He was a great freedom fighter for
Fryslân.
For more information please visit www.visitFryslan.com/hindeloopen
For more information please visit www.visitFryslan.com/harlingen
For more information please visit www.visitFryslan.com/ijlst
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Leeuwarden / Ljouwert
Sloten / Sleat
Workum / Warkum
Franeker / Frjentsjer
Provincial capital with a royal tradition
Tiny but courageous
The city of Jopie Huisman - from second-hand dealer to artist
The former University City
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!
Have a look from the medieval city ramparts onto the city. The canons who protected the inhabitants of
Sloten are still there. If you listen carefully you can hear the voice of the town crier who brings the news to
you. Like in the old days he still wanders through the streets of Sloten. Sloten is the smallest of the eleven
cities of Frisian, but perhaps the most beautiful one.
The second oldest university, the oldest student pub and the oldest still working planetarium of The
Netherlands are all located in Franeker. In the old days the inhabitants stole the church bells of their
neighbouring city Harlingen. Nowadays they still carry the nickname Thieves of the bells.
Franeker also offers you the most important match of the year of the Frisian sport ‘kaatsen’ and lots more.
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.
Places to go
Sloten is a city with 900 inhabitants. Centuries ago, Sloten was a small but courageous place. The walls,
the ramparts, the canals and the city gates had to protect the city from intruders. They are still intact.
In corn mill “De Kraai” (= the crow) wheat is processed to flour in a crafting way. You can even buy a small
bag of flour.
All passing ships had to pay toll in Sloten. Because of its favourable position they made lot of money with
it. You can still see the wealth in the merchant houses with their beautiful façades and the former town
hall, now a museum. Be there out on the church, which dates back from the 17th century. In summer
it’s always pleasant on one of the many terraces along the canals. Because Sloten is nearby the lake
‘Slotermeer’, it’s also a favourite place for water sports lovers.
Workum is best known for hosting a museum dedicated to the popular artist: Jopie Huisman. His paintings
and sketches are renowned worldwide and much loved. The former dealer in second, third and even fourth
hand goods and scrap metal merchant taught himself to paint. He chose the second-hand items he dealt in
as his subjects to paint. His ability to capture in detail both the common place and the poverty he saw around
him is now admired greatly. The Jopie Huisman museum is situated in the centre, where thousands visitors
come and view not only his famous “worn out underpants” and shoes, but also his portraits.
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.
Be there
Every three years, Sloten is transformed into the city it was four centuries ago. During the historical
festival, a group performs the attack of the Spanish beer ship in the year 1588. It often looks like the time
stood still in Sloten. Every summer there is a spectacular tilt. Drivers on a horse and carriage try in full
speed to catch the ring with a long pointy stick.
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!
For more information please visit www.visitFryslan.com/leeuwarden
Around Sloten
Sloten is the perfect base for bicycle trips in beautiful neighbouring Gaasterland. This area is characterised
by its slights slopes and woody surroundings in a total area of more than 2000 football fields of lakes and
canals. Discover Sloten and its surroundings.
For more information please visit www.visitFryslan.com/sloten
Places to go
On both sides of the long main street of Workum, you’ll find stately historical buildings. The ‘Merk’
is downtown. Merk is the Frisian word for market, in the old days the commercial centre for the
‘Workumers’, as the inhabitants are called. The development of the Merk was practical and well thought
out. The city hall, the city weigh house, the church, and the buildings housing the former secular and
religious authorities were built close together. You will also find old hotels and hostels, the homes of rich
merchants and prominent local authorities.
Be there
In Workum you will find a representative sample of small manufacturers of old fashioned pottery.
Characteristic of the local type of pottery products are their simple brown designs and ringeloor
type decorations. At the start of the 20th Century the ‘kerfsnee’ (=groove cut) pottery technique was
introduced. If you are interested in pottery you should certainly take the opportunity to look in one or
more of the local workshops where they still use ‘kerfsnee’ and ‘ringeloor’ techniques. You will find some
fabulous souvenirs as well.
Around Workum
In spite of the fact Workum is not situated on the coast, it participated actively in the sea trade. This was
made possible primarily through the canal named ‘It Soal’, which connected the city directly with the
former Zuiderzee (Southern Sea, now the IJsselmeer). You reach the lock on the border of Workum, exactly
two kilometres after leaving the IJsselmeer along ‘It Soal’. The canal water reflects the old stately homes
along the dike. Makkum is situated near Workum. Here you will find the famous pottery manufacturer
The Koninklijke Tichelaar.
Places to go
A working planetarium is something worth visiting! The ‘Eijse Eijsinga Museum’ exhibits a broad
collection of historical, astronomical instruments.
The University of Franker has long gone, but in the streets you can still feel the ambience of the old days
when the academics were still about. Walk along the former houses of the professors and drink a beer in
the oldest student pub of the country, Bogt van Guné. Three other historical buildings you don’t want to
miss, are the only medieval church left in Friesland with a choir gallery, the Martini church, the city hall
from 1591 built in the renaissance style and the city castle right in the centre, called the Martenastins
built in 1498. Since 2006 the castle exhibits the history of Franeker.
Be there
In Franeker, tension is growing on the fifth Wednesday after the first of July. The city hosts the most
important match of the year in the ‘kaats’ sport. This is your chance to experience a traditional Frisian
sporting event. Don’t worry about the rules, it is worth going there. Being part of the special ambience
during and after the match is something you will not forget easily.
Around Franeker
Franeker is located in the surroundings better known as “Terpelân” (mound country). A drive through
the nice mound villages, a refreshing walk on the sea bank or a trip to Sexbierum, where children have a
fantastic time in Aeolos (= activity centre). In Sint-Annaparochie where painter Rembrandt married his
wife Saskia, are several handicraft workshops to visit.
For more information please visit www.visitFryslan.com/franeker
For more information please visit www.visitFryslan.com/workum
Sneek / Snits
Stavoren / Starum
Bolsward / Boalsert
Dokkum / Dokkum
World famous Water gate and Sneekweek
The oldest city of Friesland
The historical trade town
Place of pilgrimage
Sneek is well known for its Water gate and the Sneekweek, a yearly returning sailing festival. The quaint little
city has a wonderful shopping centre with high quality clothing stores, nice restaurants, bars, music stores,
café’s, and neat little coffee houses and an old fashion candy store. Spend a day here – you’ll like it!
Stavoren is a small town on the coast of the IJsselmeer, about 5km south of Hindeloopen.
One of Holland’s most beautiful city halls will be found in the city of Bolsward. The city is also famous for the
thousands of cyclists who visit the place every year to take part in a 240 kilometres cycle tour. The tour runs
through the eleven cities of Friesland and starts and finishes in Bolsward.
Long ago Dokkum was a seaport town. Today its known as a place of pilgrimage. A beautiful fortified city
with a historical centre. You don’t need to close your eyes to image yourself centuries ago...
Places to go
Sneek is situated in the middle of the Frisian Lake District and is an attractive place to moor your boat and
explore the town and its surroundings. Every year old downtown Sneek, with its many pleasant shopping
streets and alleys, canals and pavement café’s, receives thousands of visitors from all over the world.
Tourists enjoy the wide range of shops, historic façades and many activities. All kinds of recreational
activities are at their disposal in and around Sneek. Many buildings and activities in Sneek are based on
its old bond with water. The ‘Waterpoort’ or Watergate, built in 1613, is exceptionally beautiful and is well
known all over the world as a symbol of Sneek.
Be there
Many activities in Sneek are focused around the so-called Sneekweek. A week with sailing races on the lake
‘Sneekermeer’ during the day and a fun-fair and other festivities in town at night. The Frisian Maritime
Museum and Sneek Museum of Antiquities are full of memories of Frisian shipbuilding industry and
maritime and inland shipping. These museums are situated in a row of historical houses between old
canals. The Miniature Train Museum has an unique collection, mentioned by the Guiness Book of Records
and is still being expanded. The museum is more than a place of memories: something ‘happens’ inside.
Young visitors are allowed to play with trains.
Around Sneek
The surroundings of Sneek are best visited by boat. You don’t need a license you can easily hire one!
For more information please visit www.visitFryslan.com/sneek
Places to go
The Lady of Stavoren (Dutch: Vrouwtje van Stavoren) is a folk tale from the Netherlands which originated
in the 16th century. Now a city of 1,000 inhabitants, Stavoren was once a wealthy port in the Dutch
province of Friesland. The city began to decline in the late Middle Ages after a sandbank formed outside
the harbour, blocking ships from entering and exiting. Several stories have been told over the years to
explain the forming of the sandbank, including the tale of the Lady of Stavoren.
The story involves a wealthy woman who wanted ever more riches. She sent a captain out to look for the
greatest treasure in the world. When he returned with wheat, saying wheat is “the most precious thing
in the world”, because it can feed the hungry’, the lady went furious. The wheat was thrown in the harbor.
She ordered the captain to find a much better treasure than wheat. Ultimately, the lady lost all her riches
and ended up a beggar. In addition, she caused the ruination of the port and city.
The tale has inspired songs, plays, operas and films. Since 1969, a statue of the fabled Lady of Stavoren
stands in the town’s harbor, gazing over the sea.
Be there
Visit the woods in Gaasterland. Breathe the fresh air.
Around Stavoren
During summer a ferry for pedestrians and cyclists operates between Stavoren and Enkhuizen.
Places to go
Come and see Bolsward in all its glory. The magnificent and famous city hall,
the beautiful ‘Cathedral of the North’ with the medieval choir stall and the amazing carvings. The other
church worth visiting in Bolsward, is the ‘Broerekerk’. The church burned down, but nowadays the remains
are used for cultural exhibitions.
In Bolsward you’ll find the distillery of the famous Frisian liqueur ‘Beerenburg’.
If you want to taste the popular liqueur, why not attend the guided tour in summertime?
Is beer more your thing? The brewery of the special Frisian beer called ‘Us Heit’ (our father) is situated in
the city as well.
Last but not least is the museum ‘Gysbert Japicxhus’. Gysbert Japicx was probably Frisian’s most well
known poet.
Be there
Every summer Bolsward hosts two traditional festivals. Based on agricultural traditions, the ‘Heamiel’
(=hay meal) festival is a four day explosion of all kinds of activities. The second festival ‘Bolletongersdei’,
literally translated as Bulls Thursday, ages back from the time when farmers and other country folks
came to town to buy their winter supplies. Bolsward is the place to be during the annual bicycle tour
through the eleven cities of Friesland.
For more information please visit www.visitFryslan.com/stavoren
Around Bolsward
To experience the Frisian heritage, follow the Ald Faers Route. It will take you back in time to the
picturesque village of Allingawier. The village exhibits the impressive Allingastate, a painters workshop,
a fire station with a fire-engine from 1850, a poacher’s cabin with fresh smoked eel and a smithy where
hot irons are forged.
For more information please visit www.visitFryslan.com/bolsward
Places to go
The centre of the fortified city is characterized by canals and stepped gables. The impressive architecture
of the city hall dates back from the 17th, 18th and 19th century. The doors are open for visitors. Also worth
a visit are the corn mill “Zeldenrust” and the mill “de Hoop”. Don’t forget to visit the “Bonifatiusbron” (well
of missionary Bonifatius). According to the legend the well was discovered and blessed by Bonifatius,
who was killed in Dokkum in ‘754. The water of the well was sweet, while the water in the surroundings
was salty and bitter! People say his ghost still wanders around and gives the well healing powers.
You can also discover Dokkum from the water. Experience Dokkum!
Be there
Every year you can visit the art market. Many contestants are showing their cultural, artistic and musical
arts. You can join them in the city centre of Dokkum.
Around Dokkum
A typical Frisian sport is wading through the mud flats. It can be very exhausting, especially when the
tide is high. The view, the silence and the nature are overwhelming. In the surroundings of Dokkum you’ll
find many organized trips. Would you dare to join them?
For more information please visit www.visitFryslan.com/dokkum