Shopping & markets lovely local goods

The Nieuwestad
Have you ever been to Leeuwarden? There's a good chance you ended up on the Nieuwestad. This long shopping street features larger retail chains like H&M, Sissy-Boy, and our beloved old HEMA. The Lange Pijp, one of the old city canals, runs through the Nieuwestad. Large terraces on and by the water are often packed with lively groups of students toasting, friends having drinks, or families enjoying meals. In the middle of Nieuwestad, you'll find a distinctive little building: the Waag. Nowadays, you can enjoy a nice lunch there – especially in summer, in the sun! But in the past, this was the place where goods were weighed.

The Kleine Kerkstraat
At the end of Nieuwestad, you’ll find the Kleine Kerkstraat. It has been voted one of the cutest shopping streets in the Netherlands multiple times. Here you’ll find beautiful boutiques, design shops, artisan bakeries, and stores selling local delicacies. While you can certainly enjoy shopping here, this street also leads into the Grote Kerkstraat and the Oldehoofster Cemetery. This is where the matriarch of the House of Orange-Nassau had her city palace built, and where our famous leaning tower stands. 

The Old Markets
The Groentemarkt, Wortelhaven, the Kelders, Oosterstraat, and 't Naauw are, in addition to being beautiful, historic streets along the city canals, a true vintage paradise. In and around these streets, you'll find the best second-hand shops. Take your time to browse, and then grab a delicious coffee at Bagels & Beans or Anne & Max! Done shopping? Then, you can easily walk along the Tweebaksmarkt to the Blokhuispoort: the old prison of Leeuwarden, now transformed into a cultural hotspot. Here, you’ll find artisanal ceramics, a silversmith, a unique restaurant, and dozens of small shops run by local entrepreneurs. You can even take a guided tour by a former prison guard, who surely has some strong stories to share!

The Vijzelstraat
Near one of the oldest parts of Leeuwarden, you'll find the Vijzelstraat. A small street with the cutest little shops. Artists, craftspeople, and a love for vintage all come together here. Once a month, you'll find the Boerenmarkt here: a small market offering delicious and beautiful local products.

The Zwette
An industrial area might not be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of shopping districts. Yet, we want to tell you about it: on the Zwette in Leeuwarden, you’ll find quite a few second-hand shops! From thrift stores to shop-in-shops, from true vintage to pre-loved gems. Do you enjoy hunting for treasures? Then a visit to the Zwette is definitely a must!