Looking for a green and adventurous city trip destination? Go to Dokkum! This historic town in Friesland is the perfect base for sustainable and natural outings - hello mudflat hiking - in the beautiful Wadden region. From walks in pristine nature to sustainable eateries and special places to stay the night, Dokkum has it all. Put on your (mudflat) walking shoes, hop on a bike or grab a sup-board and find out for yourself why a visit to Dokkum should be high on your bucket list!
Dokkum: the perfect city break destination
In cooperation with Visit Wadden
Dokkum, one of the eleven cities of the famous Elfstedentocht, is located in northern Friesland and offers a unique blend of historical charm, nature and adventure. With its picturesque canals, monumental buildings and rich history, Dokkum is a city you must experience. But Dokkum is not only attractive for its history and cosy city life; it is also a place where you can enjoy beautiful nature, culminating in a piece of world heritage - the Wadden - right in your backyard. Want to know more about this? We have written extensively about the unique beauty of the Wadden before. At thegreenlist.nl we are big fans. And you can read about it here!
Enjoying nature
Friesland is known for its vast landscapes and vast natural areas. We have already discovered this during A road trip through Friesland, highly recommended if you have more time. But even in and around Dokkum alone, you will find countless opportunities to enjoy nature without having to tour the whole province. It Fryske Gea, Forestry Commission and Natuurmonumenten manage beautiful areas where you can hike and discover local flora and fauna. Or perhaps even more fun: book an outing with a nature guide through these organisations. That way you will learn and see even more of the area. Take a walk with a birdwatcher through Lauwersmeer National Park, explore De Alde Feanen National Park from a boat with a nature guide or go mudflat hiking with a mudflat ranger. Casper Meinders from wadexpeditions.nl is a tip if you want to go out with a small group. Give him my regards!
City walk through Dokkum
You can discover the town of Dokkum on your own by following the marked walking routes, but you also learn and hear more in a town when it is accompanied by a story. In short, someone next to you to show you the undiscovered places. Because there is a lot to tell about Dokkum because of its rich history, such as the murder of Bonifatius that took place here or the fortifications that William of Orange had built as a weapon of defence. Read more about city walks with or without a guide here. Also highly recommended is the audio tour ‘Hotspots Dokkum’ via free app IziTravel. This tour takes you through seven special places in the city and offers a unique insight into local history.
We also have two handy addresses for bike rental for you. Bookmark these Bicycle rental Dokkum and Voltwheel.
Inner city of Dokkum, a picture.
Boniface route
Dokkum is also known for its connection with St Boniface. The Boniface Chapel and its processional park are important pilgrimage sites. Open daily from 1 June to 15 September, the chapel offers a deep insight into Boniface's history. The procession park is a peaceful place for contemplation and a great addition to your visit to Dokkum.
Water activities in and near Dokkum
From contemplation back to a bit more action! For the more adventurous among us, Dokkum also offers plenty of opportunities to explore the city from the water. Rent a sup or canoe at SUPskool Dokkum or book a cruise and discover the city from a completely different perspective. From 1 April to 1 October you can take to the water daily, but outside this season there are also possibilities on request. Also cool and for the greener holiday list: discover the wider area from the water and rent an electric sloop. You can do this at Happy Whale.
A day on Schiermonnikoog or Ameland is also highly recommended. From Dokkum, you can easily take the ferry to this beautiful island, where you can enjoy unspoilt nature, quiet beaches and picturesque villages. A perfect day trip for nature lovers and adventurers!
A perfect combination of nature and citylife: supping at holiday park Schreiershoek, settling down in the private hot tub and then vegan fine dining at The Abbey of Dokkum.
Restaurants in Dokkum with a green edge
Dokkum has a surprising number of eateries where you can enjoy local, organic and seasonal dishes. Here are some of the best places to eat in Dokkum:
- Restaurant Ode: Here you can taste the New Frisian Cuisine. This restaurant focuses on local products and sustainable cooking methods. Book in advance and enjoy a culinary experience you will remember for a long time!
- Taste | Local Dokkum from Hotel the ABDIJ: old orphanage has been converted into a beautiful hotel (immediately a place to sleep too!) and restaurant where you can enjoy delicious shared fine dining. The approach is local and seasonal food, but on request they adapt the dishes to a vegan lifestyle.
- Lunch café AndurZ: people with intellectual disabilities or distance from the labour market work here. They serve delicious dishes and provide a meaningful workplace for their employees. A visit to this café is not only delicious, but also socially responsible.
- Coffee bar Knus: coffee bar, lunchroom and drinks spot with delectable sandwiches and cakes. Also vegan!
- KB Food and Drinks: With a seasonal menu and ingredients from local suppliers, KB Food and Drinks offers modern cuisine that moves with the times. Whether you fancy meat, fish or a vegan dish, you will find something for everyone here.
- Highland stop: this station restaurant in the middle of Dokkum's bus station serves delicious coffee, tea and lunch dishes prepared with local and organic products. Halte Hoogland is run by young people who no longer go to school for various reasons, so your visit also supports a good cause.
- Grand café & Hotel Van der Meer: this hotel and grand café serves delicious lunch and dinner dishes using local ingredients. The homemade recipes are therefore deliciously fresh.
- Grand Café de Waegh: located in an extraordinary listed building in Dokkum. The building was built in 1754 as a butter weighing house. Now, from the outside, de Waegh is still a piece of history in Dokkum. But inside, it is a modern industrial Grand Café. Here you can meet and enjoy a nice bite to eat or a drink. With not one or two, but a nice variety of vegetarian/vegan recipes on the menu!
- Ice cream parlour and patisserie W'iis: artisanal ice cream made from milk from the region and chocolates with local ingredients such as samphire from the Wadden Sea and Beerenburg chocolate truffles. A visit to W'iis is a must for the sweet tooth.
Current list of cosy restaurants in Dokkum find it here!
Sustainable accommodation in Dokkum
Dokkum offers several more sustainable accommodations where you can stay overnight in style and comfort. From holiday parks to bed & breakfasts. A few ideas to get into the holiday spirit!
- Holiday park Schreiershoek: Near Dokkum - less than ten minutes away by bike - on the Dokkumer Grootdiep can be found the holiday park Schreiershoek. The small-scale holiday park offers various trendy and comfortable accommodations: from tiny houses to tree houses with wellness - yes, a private sauna and hot tub. You can go supping, rent an e-barge and an e-bike can also be waiting for you upon arrival. In short, a perfect place to relax and enjoy nature in a more sustainable way.
- B&B High Street: this bed & breakfast, also known as Het Oude Bijkerskwartier, is located in one of the oldest buildings in Dokkum. The flat breathes the atmosphere of a hundred years ago, but offers all modern conveniences. A unique place for an overnight stay.
- B&B The Market House: Located in the heart of Dokkum, B&B Het Markthuisje offers stunning views of the IJsfontein. The dining/living room and bathroom are on the ground floor, while the bedroom is on the first floor. A cosy place to stay!
Dokkum with kids!
For families with children, a visit to Anna Zijlstra Hoeve petting zoo an absolute must. Here, children can cuddle animals, play in the playground, pick flowers in the flower garden or spot butterflies in the butterfly garden. There is also a greenhouse and kitchen garden where organic fruit and vegetables are grown. During the season, you can buy these delicacies for a small price, a fun and sustainable way to end your visit.
The Elfstegentocht, a puzzle tour through the city's alleys, is also a must for the whole family.
Two tips for your greener city break in Dokkum: making ceramics at Irene Loonstra Ceramics or out at night to admire the stars with Waddensky.
Sustainable shopping in Dokkum
Dokkum has a diverse range of shops where you can enjoy sustainable and second-hand shopping. For example, gift shop The Snipel a wide range of unique and handmade gifts. Recycling company De Wissel and Thrift shop De Fûgelpits should also not be skipped if you like second-hand bargains. Us local, run by schoolchildren and students, sells local products and handmade items. And at Z.g.a.n. store you will find a mix of second-hand clothes, jewellery, bags and vintage furniture.
Will you also come to Dokkum?
Dokkum is the ideal destination for a more sustainable and adventurous city break. Whether you enjoy walking, cycling, fine dining or culture, Dokkum has something for everyone. Plan your visit, put on your walking shoes and discover the versatility of this beautiful Frisian city. Do you have any tips or questions? Let us know via the follow and contact buttons at the bottom of this page. We are curious to hear about your experiences and creations! Share them on Instagram and tag @thegreenlist.nl and @visitwadden so we can share them. Have fun in Dokkum!
More sustainable getaway tips from thegreenlist.nl
- Another sustainable city break in the north of the Netherlands: Groningen, are you coming along?
- Totally different, but also nice in the Netherlands: Tilburg!
- The Hague also has a green edge. And we will help you discover it!
- Eindhoven is an exciting city break destination which you won't soon get enough of.
Photo credits: thegreenlist.nl & Elize Been. Image by stars: Visit Wadden.
