10 Things to Do in Friesland Province That You Shouldn't Miss

October 9, 2017 Frederic Celentano

Discover the best top things to do in Friesland Province, The Netherlands including Eise Eisinga Planetarium, Ir. D.F. Woudagemaal, Historische binnenstad Leeuwarden, Port of Harlingen, National Park Drents-Friese Wold, Fries Museum, Jopie Huisman Museum, De Oldehove, Wagenborg Passagiersdiensten, Vuurtoren Ameland.
Restaurants in Friesland Province

1. Eise Eisinga Planetarium

Eise Eisingastraat 3, 8801 KE Franeker, The Netherlands +31 517 393 070
Excellent
76%
Good
21%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 246 reviews

Eise Eisinga Planetarium

Reviewed By Jurgen R - The Hague, The Netherlands

Ingenious ... that is the word that immediately came to mind when visiting the oldest still functioning Planetarium in the world!
It is certainly impressive what Eise Eisinga did in the late 1800’s: for 7 years he created this Planetarium in his living room (so yes, it is not the size that matters here)!
Don’t miss the short 20-min movie about his live (actually quite well made) and the short guided narrative (every 30 minutes during busy times - in both English and Dutch)!
And end your visit in the small but charming lunch- / tearoom!
All-in-all a place not to be missed when in the area!

2. Ir. D.F. Woudagemaal

Gemaalweg 1a, 8531 PS Lemmer, The Netherlands +31 514 561 814
Excellent
65%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 124 reviews

Ir. D.F. Woudagemaal

Ir. D.F. Wouda Steam Pumping Station The D.F. Woudagemaal in the town of Lemmer is the world's largest steam pumping station still in working condition. The pumping station was opened in 1920 by Queen Wilhelmina for the purpose of pumping excess water from Friesland into the Zuyder Zee, the present-day IJsselmeer. The imposing brick building is austere and functional, in line with the architectural style of the Amsterdam School. In 1966, the electrically driven J.L. Hoogland pumping station in Stavoren took over the task of the steam pumping station in Lemmer. And yet, even today, the historic D.F. Woudagemaal plays a crucial role in extreme conditions. In cases of extremely high water, the old steam pumping station is deployed to drain excess water into the IJsselmeer as quickly as possible. The D.F. Woudagemaal has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1998.

Reviewed By Edwardnzl

For those that love the old technique of steam engines and big water pumps this is a great visit. The newly built visitor center offers a very good insight into the workings an history of this monument.

3. Historische binnenstad Leeuwarden

Stadscentrum, Leeuwarden, The Netherlands +31 35 760 1199
Excellent
43%
Good
49%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 347 reviews

Historische binnenstad Leeuwarden

Reviewed By Robert937 - Rotterdam, The Netherlands

Compact, cozy, interesting. After 6PM rather desolate. Many shops like in other cities, but also some local outlets. People are friendly. Leeuwarden with just over 100.000 inhabitants has preserved a small city ambiance where many people know each other.
The historic center is beautiful with many waterways and old buildings. Nice to stroll around. Defintely worth a visit.

4. Port of Harlingen

Harlingen, The Netherlands
Excellent
48%
Good
45%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 132 reviews

Port of Harlingen

Reviewed By WorldTravelOne - Breukelen Ut

The port of Harlingen is a lot about Rederij Doeksen. They rule the waves going to and from the Islands. A lot of people come to Harlingen to catch a ferry to Terschelling or Vlieland. They leave their car in one of the car parks or the garage at the port. Pretty pricey, although not big city pricing. The port itself does not have a lot to offer.

5. National Park Drents-Friese Wold

Terwisscha 6a, 8426 SJ Appelscha, The Netherlands +31 516 464 020
Excellent
71%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 83 reviews

National Park Drents-Friese Wold

Beautiful nature, biking trails, etc...

Reviewed By Sigrid66 - The Netherlands

This is one of the 2 national parcs in the council of westerveld. Its an area of outstanding natural beauty. This parc has everything you can wish for to enjoy yourself, its great for cycling, walking, hiking, running, mountainbiking, horseriding and there are many routes. The landscape is so nice and various, from pinetrees to sanddunes and mooreland and little lakes and fields with flowers. There is bog cows walking around in certain areas as well as sheep. Definately a great area to have a holiday.

6. Fries Museum

Wilhelminaplein 92, 8911 BS Leeuwarden, The Netherlands +31 58 255 5500
Excellent
39%
Good
47%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
4%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 519 reviews

Fries Museum

The Fries Museum is dedicated to Friesland and the Frisian people. Its activities revolve around the eleven cities that make up the province and the surrounding countryside. These include the Frisians' love-hate relationship with water, the search for what defines the typical Frisian character, and Friesland's place in the wider world. The freedom fighter Grutte Pier's sword; old costumes and clothing; treasures from the Frisian mounds; the legacy of Mata Hari, the exotic dancer who was executed as a spy at the end of the First World War; Gerrit Benner's paintings; contemporary visual art; and the film de Overval: together these objects tell the story of Friesland.

Reviewed By Hisashi I - Tokyo, Japan

Currently they are having an exhibition about Mata Hari, the most famous female spy in the 20c. It seems she's from this small pretty town.

7. Jopie Huisman Museum

Noard 6, 8711 AH Workum, The Netherlands +31 515 543 131
Excellent
55%
Good
41%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 89 reviews

Jopie Huisman Museum

Reviewed By kargalvan - Verona, Wisconsin

What a wonderful museum!! Jopie Huisman is a fantastic artist; he views the common every-day thing in a magical way and is able to reproduce it in his art. His life story is well told at this museum. His family has seen to that. As well as his paintings, the museum houses many of Jopie's collections. This museum is located in the very quaint town of Workum and definitely worth an hour or so. Then visit the rest of the shops, there is a delightful restaurante/koffie shop nearby, Lunchroom Folkerts. And also the ceramic studio of the Kunst family.

8. De Oldehove

Oldehoofsterkerkhof, 8933 GS Leeuwarden, The Netherlands +31 58 233 2350
Excellent
36%
Good
52%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 186 reviews

De Oldehove

De Oldehove is an unfinished church tower in the medieval centre of the Dutch city of Leeuwarden. It leans more than the tower of Pisa in Italy. Open for visits from mid April till end of October.

Reviewed By stonewithnomoss - USA

Interesting story on this tower and subsequent efforts to shore it up. The canal behind holds some amazing yachts. There is a painting across the square that shows the interconnections of Europe's royals and how they all hark back to one set of ancestors.

9. Wagenborg Passagiersdiensten

Reeweg 4, 9163 GV Nes, Ameland, The Netherlands +31 85 401 1008
Excellent
31%
Good
52%
Satisfactory
16%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 235 reviews

Wagenborg Passagiersdiensten

Reviewed By Bonglabongla

One way we were on deck, the other in the cafe. Cafe is comfortably furnished and not taudry. There is a self-service canteen. Booking was easy and value for money - the return fare for foot passengers was under 13 Euros. The parking costs were reasonable (5 Euros a day), the service staff were helpful. You can place your baggagge on a baggage truck, which is the first to unload when you disembark, so you don't have to wait for your luggage and you don't have to drag it about on the ship. The buses on the island are timed to coincide with the ferry arrivals, so even that was easy ! There are also taxis waiting if you prefer that.

10. Vuurtoren Ameland

Oranjeweg 57, 9161 CB Hollum, Ameland, The Netherlands +31 519 542 737
Excellent
28%
Good
51%
Satisfactory
18%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 181 reviews

Vuurtoren Ameland

Reviewed By Klaartje Q

Climbed all the stairs, good thing there's an exposition on some of the floors so we could take a breath (I'm not a sporty person).
The exposition about the tower itself could use an upgrade an be a bit more modern. Maybe ad something interactive for the kids? (Since a lot of family's visit the tower)
Once you've reached the top, you can enjoy a great view of the Island an the coast.

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