Leeuwarden

Leeuwarden, tourist information

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Coat of arms of Leeuwarden
Coat of arms of Leeuwarden

Number of inhabitants: 93.395
Number of national monuments: 617

Summary of Leeuwarden

The Pijpsteeg in Leeuwarden
The Pijpsteeg in Leeuwarden

Leeuwarden is the capital of the province of Friesland and is part of the 11 cities that Friesland has, the city has approximately 95.000 inhabitants. It is an atmospheric city with a lot of cultural heritage, canals and shops. Leeuwarden also has many students, which is partly why it is a vibrant city, so the city has a lot to offer.

Interesting history of Leeuwarden

The Oldenhove in Leeuwarden
The Oldenhove in Leeuwarden

In the city of Leeuwarden you can see everything, the old city center is cozy and atmospheric.
With 617 national monument registrations, Leeuwarden is in the top-15 of Dutch monument municipalities. Thanks to a historic city center and residential areas from the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The city also has protected cityscapes; such as the city center with canals, the New Canal area and the Hollanderwijk.
The history of Leeuwarden goes back to Roman times, when people already lived on the spot where the Oldehove church tower now stands.
It is also unknown when people first settled permanently on the territory where Leeuwarden is now located. Some excavations indicate that Leeuwarden already existed in the Iron Age (1st century BC).

Leeuwarden Landmarks

The Hofpliein in Leeuwarden
The Hofpliein in Leeuwarden

Which buildings you really should see include, for example, the old church called Oldenhove. This is an unfinished leaning church tower. what is certainly recommended is the Waag. Finally, the town hall and the burial vaults plus the Blokhuispoort.

But this city has much more to offer, but you have to experience that for yourself. In any case, it is certainly nice to visit this historic city of Leeuwarden. The city is full of surprises.

Shopping in Leeuwarden

The Wirdumerdijk in Leeuwarden
The Wirdumerdijk in Leeuwarden

In Leeuwarden you can enjoy shopping (along the canal), nice shopping streets include Nieuwestad, Wirdumerdijk and Wilhelminaplein. You can come here for all kinds of shops from children to 50 +

Leeuwarden:
Shopping evening: Thursday

Things to do in Leeuwarden

The Frisian Museum in Leeuwarden
The Frisian Museum in Leeuwarden

In Leeuwarden you can enjoy great culture, there are many museums, for example you can take a look at the Frisian Museum or the Resistance Museum Friesland, the Prinsessen hof, Nature Museum Friesland, Historisch Centrum Leeuwarden or the Tresoar.
Theater and music can of course also be found here, then you can go to the city theater De Harmonie. There are also nice places to go out, Poppodium Romein and Podium Asteriks.
If the weather is bad, you can catch a nice movie in 1 of the 5 cinemas (movie house)

MUSEUMS LEEUWARDENATTRACTIONS LEEUWARDEN
  • Fries Museum, highlights of Frisian culture. Click here for the site.
  • Nature Museum Fryslân. Click here for the site.
  • Keramiekmuseum Princessehof. Click here for the site.
  • Pier Pander Museum and Temple, museum with garden and works by the Frisian sculptor Pier Pander (1864-1919). Click here for the site.
  • Friesland Resistance Museum. Click here for the site.
  • Museum De Grutterswinkel, Grutterswarenwinkel from grandmother's time and exhibition space. Click here for the site.
  • Pakhuis Koophandel Museum, click here for the site.
  • Tradition Room Leeuwarden Air Base, The history of Leeuwarden airport. Click here for the website, please note limited opening dates and reservation required.
  • Museum Blokhuispoort, Visit the former Penal Prison and House of Detention of Leeuwarden. Click here for the website
  • Aqua Zoo Leeuwarden Click here for the website
CINEMAS LEEUWARDENTHEATERS LEEUWARDEN
  • Tivoli and Cinema cinemas in Leeuwarden, regular program. Click here for the joint website.
  • Film house Slieker, cinema with special program. Click here for the site.
  • Municipal Theater de Harmonie, click here for the website

Nature & Parks in Leeuwarden

The Prince's Garden in Leeuwarden
The Prince's Garden in Leeuwarden

Fancy walking? come to Leeuwarden. Leeuwarden has a lot of parks, some examples are, for example, the Prinsentuin and the Leeuwarderbos. Finally, you have also called the Westerpark, also called fox park. But the city is very green and there are many parks. knows

Steps in Leeuwarden

The Hofplein in Leeuwarden
The Hofplein in Leeuwarden


Leeuwarden has a beautiful and vibrant nightlife, take a look at 1 of the 100 catering establishments, including many bars and a number of party cafes, the city has 7 discotheques and 7 cafes, there are also a number of party cafes that are open late into the night.

More photos from Leeuwarden