Hindeloopen

Hindeloopen is one of the smallest and most welcoming of the eleven Frisian cities. The village has preserved a unique culture and even its own dialect, a result of its historic isolation. Hindeloopen is globally renowned for its decorative painting on furniture and household items, featuring animated floral patterns and birds. Visitors can observe artisans at work in local workshops, keeping this delicate craft alive. Another major draw is the 'Eerste Friese Schaatsmuseum', the largest ice skating museum in the world. It documents the deep connection between Frisians and skating, displaying items like the skates used by King Willem-Alexander when he completed the Elfstädtetour incognito. The museum also houses a workshop for making wooden skates. The narrow alleys, wooden bridges, and typical 'captain houses' give the village an almost fairytale-like atmosphere. Hindeloopen's harbor on the IJsselmeer is a popular spot for sailors. Nearby stands the old lifeboat house and the Westertoren, known for its distinct leaning tower. The traditional Hindeloopen costume, which was heavily influenced by Indian fabrics during the VOC trade era, is still worn on festive occasions. A walk along the dike has expansive views over the water and the surrounding green pastures.

Nearby cities

Leeuwarden

Leeuwarden is the capital of Friesland and a historic city with many canals.

Drachten

Drachten is a town in the province of Friesland.

Heerenveen

Heerenveen is located in Friesland.

Sneek

Sneek is a water-rich city in Friesland, famous for its Waterpoort and as a center for water sports.

Steenwijk

Steenwijk is located in Overijssel.

Lemmer

Lemmer is located in Friesland.

Roden

Roden is a charming village in the province of Drenthe, known for its tranquil atmosphere, beautiful nature, and the Toy Museum.

Makkum

A historic seaside village known for its world-famous pottery factory and its extensive beaches on the IJsselmeer.

Giethoorn & Weerribben

The 'Venice of the North' – a car-free village of canals, thatched-roof houses, and pristine nature.

Giethoorn

The 'Venice of the North', a car-free village full of canals, thatched-roof houses, and picturesque wooden bridges.

Ulrum

Discover Ulrum, a historic village in Groningen, known as the birthplace of the 1834 'Afscheiding', a significant schism in the Dutch chu…

Ameland

A charming island with a rich whaling history, four cozy villages, and an iconic red-and-white striped lighthouse.

Schiermonnikoog

A national park island jewel featuring Europe's widest sandy beach, total tranquility, and car-free paths.

Terschelling

Famous for the oldest lighthouse in the Netherlands, the Oerol festival, and vast cranberry fields.

Havelterberg

Discover Havelterberg, a quiet village in Drenthe, renowned for its prehistoric dolmens, heathland scenery, and picturesque cycling routes.

History & landmarks

Urk

A former island village and traditional fishing community on the IJsselmeer with its own dialect and plenty of charm.

Harlingen

A significant port city on the Wadden Sea, known for its historic canals and as the gateway to the Wadden Islands.

Franeker

A historic Frisian city famous for housing the world's oldest working mechanical planetarium.

Dokkum

A charming fortified city in Friesland, famous for the legend of Saint Boniface and its historic bulwarks.

Workum

One of the eleven Frisian cities, famous for the Jopie Huisman Museum and its rich tradition of pottery.

Afsluitdijk

The Afsluitdijk (Enclosure Dam) is a monumental 32-kilometer-long dam connecting the provinces of North Holland and Friesland.

Thialf Heerenveen

Thialf is a famous speed skating stadium in Heerenveen.

Wadden Sea

The Dutch Wadden Sea is an exceptional natural area and part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site that stretches all the way to Germany and …

Nature

Weerribben-Wieden

The largest continuous lowland moor in Northwestern Europe.

Wieden

A water landscape with many islands and reed areas.

Lauwersmeer

Lauwersmeer is an artificial lake created in 1969 following the closure of the dike.

More places

Port of Harlingen

Harlingen is an important port on the Frisian coast.

Oostwaard

A nature reserve in the northwest of the Netherlands.

Weerribben-Wieden National Park

This moor and lake area in Overijssel is the largest lowland peatland area in Western Europe.

Northern Dune Peak

The Northern Dune Peak is located in a vast coastal dune area.

De Boschplaat

An extensive nature reserve on the island of Terschelling.

Lauwersmeer National Park

Originally part of the Wadden Sea, the lake was formed by the construction of a dam.

Schiermonnikoog

Schiermonnikoog is one of the West Frisian Islands.

Schiermonnikoog Dune Ridge

The dune ridge on Schiermonnikoog is a protected relief.