Living in Leeuwarden wolkom (welcome)

Over de Kelders

 

Moving to Leeuwarden, or just arrived? Wolkom! We think you've made the best decision ever ;-). Leeuwarden is the cosiest, most beautiful little city on this planet! Still finding your way around? No worries — we’ve put together the basics for you. Discover Leeuwarden in your own way.

Do & Experience - sooooo much

There’s always something to experience in Leeuwarden. The museum doors are wide open, the sounds of festivals and events fill the streets, and the delicious scent of local dishes drifts from the restaurants. The events calendar is practically bursting at the seams with everything happening in Leeuwarden! Do you already know what you want to experience first?

Water in and around Leeuwarden

Anyone walking around Leeuwarden will quickly discover there's plenty to experience on the water. The canal belt in and around the city centre offers all kinds of possibilities: take a ride on a boat, try stand-up paddleboarding, explore the city with a silent electric boat, dock your boat at the most beautiful guest harbour in the historic city park, or relax on one of the terrace boats along the Nieuwestad. Just outside the city, water continues to play a major role! How about the beautiful nature areas of Buuten, where you can hike, sail, and boat? Or the lakes around Grou, the heart of water sports in Friesland. The national park De Âlde Feanen is also breathtakingly beautiful.

Get out on the water!
Proefverlof water terras

The Historic City Center

 

Leeuwarden’s historic city centre is steeped in history. In 1435, the three mounds Oldehove, Nijehove, and Hoek were merged to form Leeuwarden, which also received city rights that same year. The city was favoured by the House of Orange-Nassau and served as the royal residence of Friesland from 1584 to 1747. As you stroll through the charming, old city centre, you’ll come across one striking historic building after another. Want to learn more about Leeuwarden’s history? Read on!

Dive into the history
Blokhuispoort

Studying in Leeuwarden

You probably already know that our little city, Leeuwarden, is the most beautiful place on Earth. But did you also know it’s a vibrant student city? Leeuwarden is the perfect place to combine your studies with a fun part-time job, great nightlife, and meeting loads of new friends. Thinking about studying in Leeuwarden but not quite sure where to start? Discover it here!

Studying in Leeuwarden
Europaparty 2024

Get to know the city - tours

  • On foot

    On foot A Guide to Leeuwarden

    The Historisch Centrum Leeuwarden (HCL) and A Guide to Leeuwarden offer daily walking tours through the city, sharing the most captivating stories.

    Discover all tours

  • On the water

    On the water Kelders

    Discover the city from the water — it’s possible in Leeuwarden! From nice boat tours to exclusive gondola rides, you'll see the city from a whole new perspective.

    From the water

  • City Train

    City Train City Train, juni 2024

    Choo-choo! Hop on the City Train with ease and enjoy a guided ride through the centre of Leeuwarden.

    Get on!

  • Miniature People

    Miniature People

    If you see a group of people staring at a wall, they’re probably searching for the smallest residents of Leeuwarden.

    Get to know them

  • Poetry route

    Poetry route

    Leeuwarden wasn’t named a City of Literature for nothing! Follow the poetry route and discover the city in a whole new way.

    Walk it now

  • Escape Xperience

    Escape Xperience Overige tours

    With Escape Xperience, you’ll experience Leeuwarden in a new, fun, and interactive way. It’s like an escape room — but in the city!

    Save the Nassau's

Must-knows - useful!

Leeuwarden is a small city with plenty of facilities. A cozy library with study spaces, a comprehensive medical centre, an accessible city hall, several universities of applied sciences, and a compact historic centre with two large squares for markets, festivals, and events.

  • Visitor Center

    At the Visitor Center, located at de Heer Ivostraatje 1, you can get answers to all your questions about Leeuwarden and what there is to do.

    Visitor Center Visiter Center winter

  • dBieb

    The library is located in the former prison De Blokhuispoort, on the first square to the left. Free study spaces are also available here.

    dBieb Blokhuispoort

  • Frisius MC

    A comprehensive medical centre/hospital is located just outside the city, at Henri Dunantweg 2.

    Frisius MC

  • The City Hall

    The City Hall is open Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm.

    The City Hall

  • Wilhelminaplein

    This large square, also known locally as Zaailand, is located near the central station. Every Friday, there’s a market here, the Fries Museum is located on the square, and it regularly hosts events and festivals

    Wilhelminaplein Wilhelminaplein

  • Oldehoofsterkerkhof

     

    On this square you’ll find our leaning tower – the Oldehove – as well as the City Hall and the Visitor Center. It’s also a frequent location for music events and small festivals.

    Oldehoofsterkerkhof Bevrijdingsdag

Kunstkade

At Kunstkade, you’ll find all the courses and workshops offered in the municipality of Leeuwarden, for young, old, and everyone in between. Perfect if you want to try something new. Activities range from silversmithing to bass guitar, from portrait painting to improv theatere Find your passion and get creative with art and culture.

Visit Kunstkade
Onderwatersafari

Get moving

Leeuwarden has many sports clubs and facilities—something for everyone! Will you go ballroom dancing at Saco Velt in a beautiful old synagogue, or would you rather join Survivalvereniging Leeuwarden, right next to the nature area De Grote Wielen? Do you prefer Saturday morning football at one of the many local clubs, or would you rather go golfing when the weather’s nice? Maybe you’ll explore Leeuwarden on a SUP board from Stadsstrand, or join a running group?

Check out more sporty outings in Leeuwarden
Opening watersportseizoen 11 mei 2024 - Niels Remigius

Language Café Leeuwarden

Language Café Leeuwarden in dBieb at dBieb was founded by language teachers from NHL/Stenden and Firda. Every two weeks, dozens of people from all kinds of nationalities meet up over a drink. The doors are open every first and third Thursday evening of the month from 7:30 PM to 9:30 PM (except during school holidays). Entry to the Language Café Leeuwarden is completely free. The only thing we ask is that you share your (native) language with the other visitors. You’re free to come and go as you please—and you can switch language tables as often as you like. Want to learn Dutch? dBieb also offers language lessons! Check their website for more information.

dBieb help!
Van der Velde boeken

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