These are the 10 most beautiful places in Friesland

Friesland, a province in the northern Netherlands, is a region of stunning landscapes, charming villages, and rich cultural heritage. From the famous Elfstedentocht route to serene lakes and historic towns, Friesland offers something for everyone. In this article, we highlight the 10 most beautiful places in Friesland that you won’t want to miss.

1. National Park De Alde Feanen

The peat holes, reed lands, ridges, peat lakes and swamp forests near Eernewoude are part of one of the largest marsh areas in Western Europe. The 4,000 square metre National Park De Alde Feanen was created by the work of previous generations in the peat area. They cut peat, laid peat on higher strips to dry, built dikes and made caps for dredging peat under the water surface. This history can still be seen in the landscape. 

Tip: start your visit at the visitor centre. Learn about the origins of the landscape and get to know the special animals and plants that live here. Webcams give you an intimate look into the storks' nest and interactive routes have been set out especially for children.

^{Foto: Nisangha/iStock}

2. Eise Eisinga Planetarium

Born in 1744, wool comber Eise Eisinga had a great interest in astronomy and mathematics from a young age. He taught himself everything that was known about our universe. In 1774, a preacher predicted that the end of the world was in sight as a result of a special position of the planets. Great panic broke out among the people and Eisinga started building a planetarium in his living room. He worked on the model for seven years that was supposed to give people a better understanding of the universe. He knew exactly what he was doing, because since its completion in 1781, his model has very accurately followed the orbits of the six planets in our solar system. This makes the Eise Eisinga Planetarium the oldest still-functioning planetarium in the world.

Tip: step inside Eisinga's former home and marvel at the clever constructions that keep everything running. It is not for nothing that it is now on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

^{Foto's: Hommema Franeker}

3. Harlingen

In the centre of Friesland's only seaport city, there are still more than six hundred national monuments. Old warehouses, inner harbours, canals and bridges give the city a medieval atmosphere. Walk through the city centre with a city guide and learn all about the city's rich history. Learn, for example, that the first Christian church in the province was built in the 8th century on the site where the Grote Kerk now stands. The murals you encounter along the way were made around 1900 by shopkeepers who were advertising their wares in this way. Harlingen is also the perfect place to watch the sun set in the Wadden Sea. Choose a spot on the terrace of the Brouwdok or take a walk along the dike.

Tip: on the dike near Harlingen there is the artwork The Stone Man in memory of the man who prevented the city from flooding by raising the dike.

^{Foto: Nisangha/iStock}

4. Hindeloopen

An old-fashioned lock, a KNRM rescue house, canals and historic houses provide a glimpse into the history of Hindeloopen. At least as characteristic of the city are the medieval sounds in the local dialect and the colourful costumes. The city's harbour was directly connected to the Zuiderzee and the Baltic Sea, which introduced the inhabitants to chintz: colourfully printed cotton from India. The walls in their houses were painted with colourful flowers, seascapes and biblical images. In the Hidde Nijland Museum you can learn more about the colourful history of the town.

Tip: visit the world's largest skating museum for impressive collections of skates and many stories about the Eleven Cities Tour.

^{Foto: jan van der Wolf/iStock}

5. Drents-Friese Wold National Park 

The Kale Duinen, a sandy plain with drifting sand dunes that is officially called the Aekingerzand, is for many the highlight of the Drents-Friese Wold National Park. With a surface area of ​​over six thousand hectares, it is one of the largest nature reserves in the Netherlands . In addition to the sandy plain, you will find pine and deciduous forests, heathlands, lakes and stream valley grasslands. Horse riders, cyclists and hikers can wander for hours without encountering a major road. 

Tip: in the Bosbergtoren you can look out over the nature reserve from a balcony with a glass floor. Also from the lookout towers on the Aekingerzand and the Doldersummerveld you get an idea of ​​how immense and diverse the area is.

^{Foto: venemama/iStock}

6. Dokkum

In 1298, Dokkum was the fifth city in Friesland to receive its city rights. That was the starting signal for the construction of city walls, city gates and canals. The city gates have since disappeared, but the church bells still ring every evening at ten to ten. In the past, a warning that the gates would close, now just a memory of the past. The city hall, the coffee roastery and the weigh house have been preserved, as has the Bonifatius chapel. This Roman Catholic pilgrimage chapel is named after the saint who made Dokkum famous. 

Tip: book the Bonifatius walking route in Museum Dokkum and walk along the highlights of the city. A locally brewed Bonifatius beer should not be missed.

^{Foto: Nisangha/iStock}

7. Eleven Cities Monument

The legendary words 'It Sil Heve' announced the thirteenth Elfstedentocht in 1985. The Frisian translation of 'it will happen' is the name of the Elfstedenmonument in Giekerk. The artwork designed by artists Maree Blok and Bas Lugthart adorns the last bridge of the tour, 5 kilometers before the finish in Leeuwarden. The walls of the Canterland bridge are covered with thousands of handmade blue tiles from Makkumer Aardewerk. Each tile contains an image, the name and the year of participation of an Elfsteden rider. 

Tip: also view the bridge from a distance to see how all the tiles together form the image of a group of skaters.

^{Foto: Willemke's Fotografie}

8. Fochteloërveen lookout tower

The 18-metre-high lookout tower at the Fochteloërveen is shaped like seven. Thanks to the wooden outer walls, it blends in well with the surrounding landscape and the unique design has won several architectural prizes. From the highest point, you have a view over the raised bog area. If you are lucky, you can spot a crane, hen harrier or whinchat here. Early in spring, the cranes perform their mating dances with their wings spread wide while trumpeting loudly. 

Tip: cycle to the birdwatching hut at the Brunstingerplas. Take your bird guide with you, because unusual birds are regularly seen here.

^{Foto: Effenix/iStock}

9. The Rice Forest

The oldest trees in the Rijsterbos were planted in the 17th century. The beeches and oaks that form the lanes of this forest have an impressive circumference. Frisians and visitors still like to take a walk here all year round. In the spring, more than fifty species of birds nest in the forest and in the autumn the lanes are bathed in warm autumn colours. If you pay close attention, you will see traces from the past. In the middle of the forest is a 14th-century burial ground and at the entrance at Rijs there is a peace temple that refers to the end of Napoleon's power.

Tip: combine a walk through the Rijsterbos with a visit to the Mirnserklif and the IJsselmeer coast.

^{Foto: Jan Tijsma}

10. The Frisian Lakes

With 35 lakes in one province, it is not surprising that water plays such an important role in the history and culture of the Frisians. Of these lakes, 24 are located in Southwest Friesland, the area known as 'The Frisian Lakes'. These lakes are connected to each other via ditches, canals and rivers, so you can easily sail from lake to lake. The area is a paradise for canoeists, SUPers, sailors and other pleasure boaters. The most famous lakes are the Tjeukemeer, the Sneekermeer and De Fluessen.

Tip: follow one of the specially marked ferry routes to spend time on the water during your walk or bike ride.

^{Foto: Nisangha/iStock}

These are the most beautiful places in Friesland. Would you like to discover more beautiful places in the Netherlands? Keep an eye on our blog for more inspiration: 

• Sailing, birdwatching, and staying on the waters of Friesland
• Must-sees for your roadtrip through Friesland
• 5 things to do around Leeuwarden, Friesland
• Summer in Leeuwarden: what you should do
• 10 must-see places in Almere, The Netherlands