20 Must-Visit Attractions In Leeuwarden The Netherlands

Friesland’s provincial capital, Leeuwarden, has more than its fair share of cultural and historical attractions, including some of the best museums in the Netherlands, several important ecclesiastical buildings, and a charming zoo.

1. Aquazoo Friesland

Zoo

Aquazoo Friesland ranks among the biggest zoo in the Netherlands and looks after a large menagerie of adorable critters from around the world. Although the zoo mainly accommodates aquatic creatures like beavers, sea-lions and polar bears, it also cares for land animals including tapirs, snowy owls, and wallabies.
AquaZoo Friesland, De Groene Ster 2, Leeuwarden +31511 431 214

A penguin at Aquazoo | © Hans Pama / Flickr

2. Oldehove

Church

This iconic leaning church steeple has stood in the centre of Leeuwarden since the 16th century and is said to lurch further to its side than the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Although Oldehove was once attached to a nearby church, it has since become a free standing tower.
Oldehove, Oldehoofsterkerkhof, Leeuwarden +31 58 233 2350

3. Fries Museum

Museum

Leeuwarden’s principle museum mainly collects items that are related to Friesland province’s past and organises exhibitions that revolve around specific facets of the area’s history or individual Frisians. In 2018, the museum will host exhibitions covering two of the most famous Frisians from the 20th century; Mata Hari and M.C. Escher.

5. Boomsma Distillery

Distillery, Museum

Boomsma has been distilling delicious traditional Dutch liquor for generations. It is possible to take a short tour around the distillery and discover its history at the onsite museum (before stopping by Boomsma tasting room).
Boomsma Distillery, Bagijnestraat 42a, Leeuwarden +31 58 213 5135

6. Keramiekmuseum Princessehof

Museum

Keramiekmuseum Princesshof is housed inside a former royal palace and another nearby building that once served as a fortress. The museum itself curates an impressive collection of ceramic items including many ancient objects from China as well as modern earthenware from the Netherlands and elsewhere in Europe.
Keramiekmuseum Princessehof, Grote Kerkstraat 9, Leeuwarden +31 58 294 8958

Mata Hari Birth House

Infamous World War I spy and dancer Hata Mari was born in Leeuwarden and spent her childhood in the city. Her first home and birthplace on Kelders (which is now a hair salon) currently houses a small information spot dedicated to her memory.
Geboortehuis Mata Hari, Kelders 33, Leeuwarden

7. Blokhuispoort

This former prison currently houses dozens of cultural projects. Although most of the complex has been converted into offices, studios and other cultural spaces, several parts of the prison have been preserved to serve as a historical museum.
Blokhuispoort, Blokhuisplein 40, Leeuwarden +31 6 11172362

De Binnenstad

Leeuwarden’s medieval town centre (de Binnenstad) is surrounded by several historic canals that form a defensive ring around its borders. The whole area is steeped in history and features many iconic buildings including Oldehove, the Friesmuseum and Blokhuispoort.
De Binnenstad, Leeuwarden

8. Natuurmuseum Fryslân

Building, Museum

The Natuurmuseum Fryslân features thousands of rare and important scientific specimens including mega-fauna skeletons, ancient fossils and historical scientific instruments. The museum is housed inside a renovated, 16th-century building and contains several interactive exhibitions that are perfect for kids.
Natuurmuseum Fryslân, Schoenmakersperk 2, Leeuwarden +31 58 233 2244

9. Museum de Grutterswinkel

Museum, Store

This charming local grocery store has been in business for over a century and was turned into a living museum in 1991. It is still possible to pick up groceries at the store or enjoy a cuppa in its tearoom.
Museum de Grutterswinkel, Nieuwesteeg 5, Leeuwarden +31 58 215 3427

Saint Boniface Church

This stunning 19th-century church was designed by famous Dutch architect Pierre Cuiypers, whose work includes many other neo-classical masterpieces like the Rijksmumem or Amsterdam’s Central Station. Services are still given inside the church and it often hosts public events like concerts.
Saint Boniface Church, Bonifatiusplein 20, Leeuwarden

10. Jacobijnerkerk

Church

1200px-Grote_of_Jacobijner_kerk_te_Leeuwarden

Leeiuwarden’s largest medieval church was constructed between the 13th and 14th centuries and was converted into a Protestant place of worship after the Dutch Reformation in the 1600s. The church has been expanded several times over the years and includes a stunning 18th-century organ.
Jacobijnerkerk, Bredeplaats 4, Leeuwarden

11. Prinsentuin

Prince Willem Frederik van Nassau commissioned the construction of this park in 1648. Although the gardens were closed to the public for almost 200 years, in the 18th century, the Dutch Royal Family bequeathed them to Leeuwarden’s citizens, creating one of the city’s most popular public parks.
Prinsentuin, Leeuwarden

A World War II memorial in Prinsentuin | © FaceMePls / WikiCommons

12. Slauerhoffbrug

Bridge

1280px-Slauerhoffbrug_-_wegaanzicht_-_Bert_Kaufmann

This unusual bridge appears to pull an entire section of road out from the ground and swing the intersection into the air in order to allow water traffic to pass beneath its deck. The bridge was completed in 2000 and bears Leeuwarden’s colors on its underside.
Slauerhoffbrug, Slauerhoffweg, Leeuwarden

13. Stadsschouwburg de Harmonie

Theater

De Harmonie was originally established in the late 19th century as a private arts club for wealthy citizens of Leeuwarden but has since been converted into the city’s municipal theater. The theater hosts performing arts events throughout the week and has a charming café.
Stadsschouwburg de Harmonie, Ruiterskwartier 4, Leeuwarden +31 58 233 0230

14. Apotheek Centraal

Building

This incredible piece of architecture was built in the early 20th century at the height of the Art Nouveau period. The building features many elements that are clearly inspired by Art Nouveau including almost organic brickwork and a central motif that depicts the Greek goddess of medicine Hygena. The pharmacy still welcomes customers and is open from Monday to Friday.
Apotheek Centraal, Voorstreek 58, Leeuwarden

15. Slieker Film

Cinema

This awesome arthouse cinema is located inside the Friesmuseum and screens classic and contemporary movies every day of the week. There are several screening rooms inside Slieker Film and the cinema often hosts special film nights.
Slieker Film, Wilhelminaplein 92, Leeuwarden

16. Cambuur Stadion

Stadium, Store

SC Cambuur’s home grounds are located around one kilometer east of Leeuwarden’s historical city centre. The football club was founded in 1964 and played in the first Dutch division until relatively recently. Their stadium seats 10,000 supporters and features an onsite fan store.
Cambuur Stadion, Cambuurplein 44, Leeuwarden +31 58 296 3300

17. Pier Pander Museum

Museum, Park

This small modern art museum on the northern side of Leeuwarden’s city centre is dedicated to the work and legacy of famous Frisian sculpture Pier Pander. The institute owns an impressive collection of Pander’s work including a series of five marble statues that are housed inside a custom-built temple in Prinenstuin park.
Pier Pander Museum, Prinsentuin 1B, Leeuwarden +31 58 233 2350

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.