Renting a holiday home in Friesland? Unwind on the Frisian Lakes and explore water-rich towns!

Sailing on the Frisian Lakes, cycling past quintessentially Dutch towns, or hiking through forests and sand drifts — Friesland is a holiday region that offers a wide variety of recreational options. Make a conscious choice before booking a holiday home in Friesland, because there’s a lot to experience! Will you hike in the Drents-Friese Wold, cycle past authentic towns, or take a day trip to the Wadden Islands? For beautiful beaches, the Frisian Islands are perfect for a separate holiday or a fun day trip from the mainland! For example, take the ferry from Holwerd and discover the lovely island of Ameland. Do you already know what you want to do? Explore the holiday homes in this water-rich province and watch the canvas of Dutch masters come to life!

Frisian lakes and beaches

Rent a holiday home in Friesland and enjoy a day of sailing on the Frisian Lakes! Every type of water sport can be found here — from kite surfing to skûtsjesilen or simply relaxed sailing with the wind in your sails!

On the islands of Terschelling, Ameland and Schiermonnikoog, you'll of course find the best beaches, but there are also great spots along the IJsselmeer that are ideal for a beach day. Lounge on the beach in Lemmer, where you can watch the sailboats go by, or lay your towel on the endless stretch of beach in Makkum. Looking for a green recreational lake beach instead? Then book a holiday home near Sneek in Friesland!

Nature reserves in Friesland

Friesland is expansive, flat, and full of water. But did you know there are also nature areas with forest and heathland? In the southeast lies the vast Drents-Friese Wold nature reserve where you can spend a full day hiking or cycling through woods, sand dunes, and heath. In Appelscha, you'll find a lookout tower offering wonderful views of the varied landscape. You’ll find dense forests especially around Diever, and with some luck, you might even spot rare wildlife like pine martens.

Go cycling from your holiday home in Friesland!

Cycling in Friesland means passing a string of charming villages and towns with historic buildings, canals, drawbridges, and quaint churches. A full Eleven Cities bike tour might be too much, but Friesland is so rich in photogenic towns that from any holiday home you’ll find several worth visiting. Hop on your bike and enjoy panoramic views over the countryside and lakes. Along the way, you’ll be tempted to stop and stroll through picturesque towns. The Gaasterland route is a great option and leads you through charming towns like Sloten and Lemmer, as well as the woods of Rijsterbos and Elfenbergen.

Strolling through Frisian towns

Harlingen

Harlingen is an old port city that prospered early on through trade. You can still see this in the many stately warehouses. If you visit in time, you might even take a ferry to Terschelling or Vlieland! In the meantime, relax at one of the quayside restaurants and enjoy seafood while surrounded by historic maritime ambiance.

Sneek

Visit the iconic water gate of Sneek, a beautiful and lively city you definitely shouldn’t miss on your Friesland holiday. Sneek is considered a large town by Frisian standards and well worth a day trip. Want to get out on the water from your holiday home in Friesland? Then Sneek is exactly where you need to be! Cruise the city canals or raise your sails on the Sneekermeer!

Dokkum

A wide canal bordered by centuries-old houses — that’s Dokkum! Sail under its elegant bridges and discover that the city’s fortifications are still intact. Take a walk along the ramparts past a windmill and stroll back along the water to the bustling market square. A special highlight is the Boniface Chapel. Friesland may not be known for beer, but in Dokkum there’s a brewery where you can taste Bonifatius beer!

IJlst and Sloten

In addition to its well-known cities, Friesland also boasts charming smaller towns full of Dutch character! The car-free town of Sloten and the water-rich town of IJlst are authentic gems you simply must see! IJlst delights with green patches and hedgerows along the Ee river, and in Sloten you’ll find everything from a windmill and a church to cozy canal-side terraces!

Leeuwarden: what’s there to do?

Friesland’s capital may be a little less picturesque than the towns mentioned above, but it has a lively shopping street and plenty of historic buildings. Visit the specialty shops in the Kleine Kerkstraat — the heart of the city. The city also has countless cozy cafés and restaurants. Tip: take a canal boat tour, called a praamvaart, and cruise past landmarks like the Oldehove, a visibly leaning church tower. One of the nicest terraces is Bodega y Tapas, where you sit right along the canal!

If you love museums, Leeuwarden won't disappoint. The Fries Museum and the Natural History Museum both offer rich insights into the region’s history and nature. Another fun option is the Grutterswinkel, where you can experience how shopping used to be — and even buy traditional Dutch sweets or taste old-fashioned treats like Sukerbolle.

Rent a holiday home in Friesland!

When you're on holiday in Friesland, the Dutch charm is unbeatable. The range of picturesque water towns is more extensive than you think! Sneek and Leeuwarden are great for day trips, but there’s more to discover! Be adventurous and take the ferry for a beach day on Ameland, or book a holiday home in Friesland near the Drenthe border. There you’ll find endless hiking and biking fun in the diverse nature park of the Drents-Friese Wold — with bogs, forests, and heathlands!