Sailing, birdwatching, and staying on the waters of Friesland

Hundreds of Routes on Frisian Waters

The Frisian lakes and ponds cover a total of 24,000 hectares, with 1,450 kilometers of navigable canals, ditches, and other waterways. A true paradise for boating. Whether you're out with a SUP board, canoe, kayak, packraft, sailboat, or electric boat, you won't have to travel the same route twice. Bring your own boat or rent one from the many rental companies. Routes are mapped out across the province, like SUP on the water experience route in the heart of Leeuwarden or canoeing through the Alde Feanen National Park.

^{Foto linkboven: Lydia Annema, foto linksonder: Content troch Fardau, foto rechts: Visit Friesland}

Tip: go duckling fishing

Friesland’s waters are beautiful, and they should stay that way. Say goodbye to floating plastic waste. During a SUPclean-up, you can fish for trash from the water. It’s a fun, adventurous, and sporty activity while doing something good for the environment. The best part? You won’t know what you'll fish out—maybe a cute rubber duck or a plastic bottle from your childhood favorite drink?

^{Foto: Content troch Fardau}

Wandering Friesland style

Explore Friesland’s waters with your feet on solid ground. Experience “wandering Friesland style”. Dock your boat, park your car or step off the bus, tighten your shoelaces, and start your walk. From the Dokkumer Diep, you can walk straight into the Lauwersmeer area. Spot Scottish Highlanders and Konik horses, and climb a lookout tower to enjoy the view of the salty plain. For a history-filled wander, dock at the village of Hemelum, perched high and dry on one of Friesland's sandy ridges. If you prefer a long forest walk, head to the Gaasterland region.

^{Foto: Lydia Annema}

Pump station that pumps 4 million liters of water per minute

No, that's not a typo. The Woudagemaal pumps up to 4 million liters of water per minute from the Frisian interior into the IJsselmeer when water levels are extremely high. This old industrial building is the largest functioning steam pumping station in the world and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

^{Foto links: Visit Friesland, foto rechtsboven: Theo de Witte, foto rechtsonder: Ronald Rozema}

Birdwatching in Friesland

Can you spot the “flying door” over the reed fields? The sea eagle, which has a wingspan of around two meters, is frequently spotted around Frisian waters. Not only this majestic bird, but also many other species make birdwatching in Friesland a real treat. Numerous bird hides are scattered across the landscape, allowing you to get up close without disturbing them. Bring binoculars and a bird guide to observe the birds over the waters. It’s especially spectacular during fall when large groups of birds prepare for their long flight south.

^{Foto: Marcel van Kammen}

The largest skate in the world

When you say "water in Friesland," you say "ice skating." Friesland offers a great place to explore its skating history and culture year-round. The First Frisian Skating Museum in Hindeloopen—one of the Eleven Cities—was opened in 1983 by Eleven Cities winner Jeen van den Berg. In the Eleven Cities Hall, you can relive the highlights of this iconic skating route. There's even the world’s largest skate collection and the largest skate itself. The old workshops and smithies take you back in time.

Additionally, in Gytsjerk, you’ll find the Eleven Cities monument "It Sil Heve" in the form of a tiled bridge. This bridge is known as the last bridge before the finish line of the Eleven Cities route. Fun fact: it’s decorated with thousands of blue tiles depicting portraits of people who completed the journey, including our King Willem-Alexander.

^{Foto linksboven: Lydia Annema, foto rechtsonder: Marcel van Kammen, foto rechts: Lydia Annema}

Culinary delights

With the soft sound of water lapping in the background and perhaps a pink-orange sunset on the horizon, Friesland tastes even better. Here are our top three recommendations for dining by the water:

• Ite by Boer Bart: When a bio-farmer and a skilled chef work together, you get amazing meals straight from the land. It feels like eating at your aunt’s farm—only the dishes are much tastier and more photogenic. Great music and lively stories complete the cozy, homey vibe.
• Het Theehuis in Grou: Stop for a delicious lunch, a fun drink, or a long dinner while enjoying views over the water. It's also a great place for a coffee break with cake.
• Beachclub Sneek: Friesland may have few beaches, but it has a fantastic beach club. Relax on the terrace in the sun or cozy up inside while sipping a colorful drink and enjoying views over Sneekermeer. Extra fun: you can dock your boat right at the beach club.

^{Foto's: Beachclub Sneek}

Staying on or by the water

Friesland excels in unique accommodations. Consider staying at Mauritiuskerk B&B Studios in a renovated church from 1877 in Jirnsum, one of Friesland’s oldest villages by the Boarn River. For the best view, stay in a studio in the church tower.

For a stay on the water, check out Boei en de Boot in Stavoren, where you sleep on a comfortable houseboat. You can canoe, SUP, swim from a floating dock, or cruise on an electric boat right from your doorstep. If the sun’s not out, enjoy the view from the colorful interior.

Located between Langweerder Wielen and Sneekermeer, Rufus aan het Water offers a mini-campsite, boat rentals, a restaurant, and a bed and breakfast. Each season, you can enjoy a relaxing stay in the eco-friendly, wooden "wikkelhuizen" with nature views and Frisian landscape at your doorstep.

^{Foto: Rufus aan het Water}

This article was written in collaboration with Visit Friesland. Visit their website for more information and inspiration.