Are you going to spend your summer in Fryslân? Then you could probably use some tips. A few weeks ago we already published a list of things you should do when you arrive in Leeuwarden. But there is more. Much more. From islands, food tours and musea to the best festivals and beaches; Fryslân has more to offer than you might think. Discover what Fryslân has to offer and get to know the province! 

Visit one of the Waddeneilanden

Do you know the Waddeneilanden? The Waddenregion is seriously one of the pearls not only of Fryslân but of the Netherlands in general. No wonder it’s on the UNESCO world heritage list! Visit Texel, Vlieland, Terschelling, Ameland of Schiermonnikoog. Take the ferry in Harlingen to go to Vlieland (or as some say ‘Vlibiza’) or Terschelling. The ferry from Lauwersoog will take you to Ameland or Schiermonnikoog. Texel can be reached via Den Helder. And did you know you can go ‘mudflat hiking’ here?

Sneekweek (2-8 August)

The Sneekweek is Europe’s largest inshore sailing regatta. It’s famous for its atmosphere: expect a lot of fun, sailors from all over the world, a ‘vlootschouw’, spectacular races, fireworks and of course the best parties. 

Festivals
It is said Leeuwarden has the most festivals (per inhabitant of the city) of the Netherlands. And what better season to enjoy a good festival than the summertime! A selection:

Veenhoopfestival (26-29 July)

No plans for the upcoming weekend? You can still buy your tickets for the Veenhoop Festival and prepare for 4 days of music, parties, food, drinks and camping!

Glemmer Beach (22-24 August)

For the ultimate beach feeling you should go to Glemmer Beach, a popular beach festival nearby Lemmer. With your feet in the sand, you can enjoy the best national and international artists here. 

Admiraliteitsdagen Dokkum (5-8 September)

In September the Admiraliteitsdagen Dokkum take place: the maritime and musical festival of the North. A food festival, specialty beer tasting, music on the water and special ships in the historic city centre of Dokkum. Do we have to say more?

Fries museum 

The Fries Museum, even though its name would suggest otherwise, isn’t dedicated to the worldwide beloved potato snack, when translated to English it’s called the Frisian Museum. Here you can enjoy some culture and fine art. You can, for example, visit the ‘Neo Matloga: neo to love’ display till August 18th, The collage paintings of Neo Matloga (South Africa, 1993) revolve around love, intimacy and family life. Matloga tries to bring missing elements in Western history to life on large canvases. Or visit the Frisian resistance museum which is on display year-round. Here you will meet the people who lived in Friesland in the years 1940 to 1945. Frisians and non-Frisians explain how they experienced the war in the Frisian countryside.

Blokhuispoort

Close to your faculty building you can find the Blokhuispoort. This building served as a jail for quite some time. The Blokhuispoort is a cultural business centre. The cell blocks, where the prisoners used to reside, are now inhabited by creative spirits that offer all sorts of goods and services. In an inspiring environment, you can borrow books from the public library, enjoy a meal at restaurant Proefverlof or even stay the night in the alibi hostel! Last but not least: you can take a tour through the old prison, accompanied by one of the former guards. 

Friese Food Tour

If you love food, then taste the Frisian delicacies during the Friese Food Tour. Along the way, you also enjoy the beautiful cultural-historical treasures Leeuwarden has to offer. Think Friese dûmkes, Boomsma Beerenburger, sûkerbôle... Bon appetit!

And if you need to recover from all those activities and festivals, then you can just spend a day sunbathing on the beach. Kleine Wielen, Makkumerstrand, Harlingerbeach or Mirnser Klif for example. 

There is just so much to do. Enjoy your summer in Fryslân!