21 Top Things to Do in Leeuwarden

The city of Leeuwarden, Netherlands is located in the northern territory of the country and is both the capital city and seat of the Provincial Council of the province of Friesland. Leeuwarden has had no less than 220 names since its existence, with others being Ljouwert, Liwwadden, and hundreds more. The city was recognized as the 2018 European Capital of Culture, but there is no doubt that it is the undisputed champion when it comes to the capital of place names.

The local people of Leeuwarden speak their own language called Frisian (Frysk), spoken by residents of the southern parts of the North Sea territories of the Netherlands and Germany. The language is rather unique, but the Old Frisian language is actually the closest relative to the Old English language – a rather surprising fact.

Famous graphic artist M.C. Escher was born in Leeuwarden, as well as known double spy Mata Hari. Aside from all the historical ties, Leeuwarden is a buzzing modern city that is full of students and tourists alike. The vibrant atmosphere is somewhat contagious and there is also no shortage of things to do in Leeuwarden.

This guide aims at covering all the tourist attractions in Leeuwarden so that you will be well-equipped to tackle the city when next you’re in the Netherlands. While everyone flocks to Amsterdam, The Hague, and Rotterdam, why not head north and discover the lesser-known Friesland and all it has to offer? So, sit back and prepare to be educated on this northern Dutch city.

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How to get to Leeuwarden

Although Leeuwarden seems pretty much isolated in the north part of the country, it is still quite accessible from Amsterdam, Utrecht, and Schiphol International Airport. If you are staying in the southern part of the country (Limburg or North Brabant), Leeuwarden won’t be your average day trip destination.

Tip: Read this post about using the public transport in the Netherlands. It’s packed with tips that only a local knows!

Pro tip: Buy your train tickets online with the Dutch Railways (NS) for hassle-free travel. On the website of NS you can also check for any discounts.

Here are some distances from other major cities in the Netherlands to Leeuwarden by car and the time it takes both by car and by train:

Amsterdam – Leeuwarden: 140 km/1 hr 40 min; by train: 2 hrs 30 min
Schiphol – Leeuwarden: 150 km/1 hr 45 min; by train: 2 hrs 40 min
Groningen – Leeuwarden: 60 km/1 hr; by train: 35 min
Utrecht – Leeuwarden: 160 km/1 hr 50 min; by train: 2 hrs
The Hague – Leeuwarden: 200 km/2 hrs 20 min; by train: 2 hrs 50 min
Rotterdam – Leeuwarden: 210 km/2 hrs 25 min; by train: 2 hrs 40 min
Eindhoven – Leeuwarden: 245 km/2 hrs 45 min; by train: 3 hrs
Maastricht – Leeuwarden: 320 km/3 hrs 30 min; by train: 5 hrs

For international travel options, check out Omio, where you can also buy train and bus tickets.

The 21 top things to do in Leeuwarden

Read further to find out which are the best things to do in Leeuwarden. On the handy map below I’ve marked all tourist attractions in Leeuwarden. You can add the map to your Google Maps and use it even if you are offline.

1. Oldehove

The first of the recommended places to visit in Leeuwarden is the Oldehove tower. The Oldehove tower is Leeuwarden’s very own Leaning Tower of Pisa, although it actually leans more than its Italian relative. Construction of the iconic tower began in 1529 and has never been fully finished. That’s almost 500 years in the making!

It is one of the most popular Leeuwarden attractions, that sees tens of thousands of visitors every year. It can be explored from both the inside and outside, but a walk up the 183 stairs to the top is highly recommended. There is also a famous Frisian saying about the Oldehove tower:  “A’k de Oldehove niet siën ken, dan foël ik my onwennich“. This translates to “If I can’t see the Oldehove, then I can’t feel at ease“.

2. Cafes Along Nieuwestad Canal

The historic Nieuwestad Canal in the centre of Leeuwarden is the perfect place to stroll along or even take a boat ride. There are many cafes and restaurants alongside the canal that are some of the top tourist attractions in Leeuwarden.

Some of the most popular cafes to stop off at for a drink, a coffee, or a meal, in no particular order, are De Dikke van Dale, Fire Café, and De Stadswaag.

3. Fries Museum

Fries Museum is one of the most well-known museums in Leeuwarden and is considered a cultural hotspot in the Friesland province. It has previously won the Global Fine Art Award which is sometimes referred to as the Museum Oscar in the industry.

The museum was established in 1881 and contains more than a million objects within its walls. These pieces are taken from the era of 1200 all the way through until the year 2000 and are all pieces of art, craft, and history.

There is a special room in the museum with reconstructed style and furnishings as they were found in Hindeloope (a small town in Friesland) at the end of the 19th century, a lovely collection of traditional costumes, and of course the Popta Silver Treasure, and the sword of Pier Gerlofs Donia (Grote Pier). The museum also contains the largest collection of artworks by the 16th century portrait artist Adriaen van Cronenburg.

4. Frisian Museum of Natural History

Next on the list of recommended museums in Leeuwarden to visit is the Frisian Museum of Natural History (Natuurmuseum Fryslân). It is a wonderfully interactive museum that focuses on the natural history of Friesland with an incredible collection of animals, plants, and other organisms.

There are also many interactive games and exercises making it a fun visit for the whole family, young and old. There are amazing exhibits throughout the four floors of the museum, with many temporary displays as well as permanent exhibits highlighting the natural beauty of Friesland.

5. De Kanselarij

De Kanselarij is one of the historical tourist attractions in Leeuwarden, constructed between the years 1566 and 1571. The building functioned as the seat of the Court of Friesland originally, after which it changed functions multiple times. It was a hospital, a barracks, and even a home.

Up until 2013, the building was also used as a division of the Fries Museum, storing many of the museums’ collections. In 2022, however, the building was sold for one Euro to the Hendrick de Keyser Association and is now used as a meeting place for government, entrepreneurs, and education within the province.

6. Museum de Grutterswinkel

A visit to Museum de Grutterswinkel takes you back in time to what a grocery store was like back in the good old days. Think old-style cash registers and paper cone bags. The grocery store really gives off a nostalgic feeling that everyone can relate to.

You can also order a cup of tea or coffee in one of the former living rooms, which is served with a traditional Frisian cookie spiced with anise called a Frysk Dúmke. The museum charges a small entrance fee to enter the exhibition area which contributes to the upkeep of the little gem of a grocery store.

7. Museumhuis van Eysinga

Museumhuis van Eysinga is one of the most beautiful things to see in Leeuwarden – an 18th century mansion built by one of the greatest men of the time, Frans Julius Johan van Eysinga (1752-1828). The museum was the winter home of the van Eysinga family, who spent most of the year at their primary residence in the countryside, but used the mansion in the city for networking receptions.

A visit to the museum allows you to see what it was like for this wealthy, influential family with a walk through the mansion, staff quarters, and where you can even ring the house bell.

8. Frisian Agricultural Museum

The last of the museums in Leeuwarden (for now) is the Frisian Agricultural Museum (Fries Landbouwmuseum). Friesland has had agricultural ties for hundreds of years and the museum aims to highlight this.

The WC de Groot farm is located just south of the city and has many tools that were used by the farmers who worked the lands. These farmers planted an assortment of crops and also kept livestock and a visit to the museum takes you back to what life was like for these hardworking families.

9. AquaZoo

AquaZoo is one of the most popular places to visit in Leeuwarden for those families with children who are eager to learn about aquatic animals. Think Polar Bears, Nile Crocodiles, Sea Lions, and Penguins.

You can get up close with these animals and observe their daily habits in this well-organised environment. There are also daily shows where the staff feed the animals and it is both entertaining and informative for all.

Buy your tickets for AquaZoo here.

10. The Princessehof National Museum of Ceramics

The name says it all – The Princesshof National Museum of Ceramics (Keramiek Museum Princesshof) is dedicated to displaying fine ceramics from throughout history. Aside from the largest and most varied collection of Chinese porcelain, the museum also houses numerous pieces of Dutch Art Nouveau and Art Deco ceramics.

The museum is made up of two buildings – a small palace built in 1693 and the Papingastins which was a former stronghold from the 15th century. Another interesting fact about the Princesshof Museum is that the famous Dutch artist M.C. Escher was born in the middle house in 1898.

11. The Other Museum

The Other Museum from Oldtimer to Lace (‘t Andere Museum an Oldtimer tot Kant) is located in an old warehouse that was built in the 19th century by a group of local skippers called the Buurtschippers Koophandel. What started off as a private collection museum for the owners’ collections is now a public museum and the collections can be viewed on a guided tour.

12. Boat tour with Praamverhuur

One of the best things to do in Leeuwarden is to take a tour of the city and see it from a different angle. The Praamvehuur company takes you on a 1,5-hour boat cruise on the canals of Leeuwarden, guiding you through the history of the city, making use of an interactive TV screen to show various photos.

The tour is aptly named the “Second Screen Canal Tour” and is a highly enjoyable and informative way to view the city. It’s also a relaxing way to do so as you can kick back and relax without having to walk or cycle around the city.

13. The Art-Nouveau/Jugendstil Buildings

There are a number of Art Nouveau/Jugendstil buildings that are recommended places to visit in Leeuwarden. The three most popular ones are the Centraal Apotheek (Central Pharmacy), De Utrecht and Gabbema Gasthuis.

The style was created to challenge the confines of Historicism and Neoclassicism and did just that. The collection of buildings in Leeuwarden were somewhat ahead of their time architecturally and are some of the most popular Leeuwarden attractions located around the city.

14. De Waag

De Waag is a historical weigh house, built in 1598, in the centre of Leeuwarden. It was used to weigh and measure goods prior to them being sold at the local market. The national monument is now used as a lunchroom – far from its original intended use.

15. Blokhuispoort

The Blokhuispoort was built in the 15th century and served as a prison with the intention of protecting the population from violence and to smooth over disputes amongst the citizens at the time. This was mainly due to the violence that occurred between the two parties, the Vetkopers and Schieringers, for more than 200 years. Today, you can visit the building and take a personalized tour to learn about the stories and going-on at this historical building.

16. The birth house of Mata Hari

Mata Hari (Margaretha Zelle), a WWI spy and exotic dancer, was born at Kelders 33. The building was a hat and cap store owned and run by her father and the family lived above the store. The building still stands today, although it was partially destroyed by a fire in 2013.

17. Sint-Bonifatius Church

The Saint Boniface Church (Sint-Bonifatiuskerk) was built in the late 19th century, designed by no other than the famous Dutch architect Pierre Cuypers, who designed De Haar Castle and Amsterdam Centraal among others). The Neo-Gothic style building also has an 85-metre-high tower that can be climbed and treats those willing to do so to amazing views of the city. The church is free to visit and relies on donations to keep operational. But a small donation more than pays for the immense beauty inside – think stained glass windows, murals, and an amazing organ.

18. Jacobin Church

The Great or Jacobin Church (Grote of Jacobijnerkerk) is another one of the most beautiful things to see in Leeuwarden – a 13th century Protestant church. This is also the oldest building in Leeuwarden. The church is surrounded by the Jacobijnerkerkhof square and is also free to enter. It’s a worthwhile stop when passing by to observe the beautiful stained-glass windows.

19. Love Fountain

The Love Fountain is one of the tourist attractions in Leeuwarden that you pass when arriving at the main station. The two statues, one of a boy and one of a girl, are 7 metres high and greet you upon entering and leaving the station. They were built by the Spanish artist Jaume Plensa as part of the 11 fountains Project.

20. Prinsentuin

A visit to the Prinsentuin is one of the more relaxing things to do in Leeuwarden – a beautiful, lush park that you can relax at in the summer months. There are also concerts hosted in the park during the warmer months on Sunday afternoons and many water sport enthusiasts flock there too.

21. Post-Plaza Grand Café

One of the last places to visit in Leeuwarden is the Post-Plaza Grand Café, located on one of the most beautiful streets in the city. Housed in the old post office, the café is a must, serving simple, delicious food and coffee. The venue also has a hotel, with a variety of rooms to choose from, depending on your needs.

Final Words

This guide is evidence that, when visiting Leeuwarden, places to visit and things to do are in no shortage. By navigating through the list and selecting your favourite activities that catch your attention, your visit to the city will no-doubt be a memorable one.

The province of Friesland is one of the most underrated gems in the Netherlands and the city of Leeuwarden is no different. The city is also a short trip away from the West Frisian Islands – a must-see when visiting Leeuwarden.

Do you need some extra help to plan your trip to the Netherlands? Join the dedicated Exploring the Netherlands Facebook Group, where you can get tips from other travellers and locals. Or perhaps you have questions or comments? Join the group and I’ll be happy to answer them.