Thegreenlist.nl goes to Leeuwarden! Because there is also plenty to do in this beautiful northern provincial capital, including on a more sustainable level. Saskia takes you to Leeuwarden and shares seven great discoveries. We have a bit of everything: vintage shopping, delicious veggie food, home-grown creativity and sleeping in a great place. In short, plenty of fun things to do in Leeuwarden. Follow this green route too!
Discovering fun things to do in Leeuwarden
In cooperation with Visit Friesland
Leeuwarden - or Ljouwert, as the locals say themselves - is a lovely city for a city break. Good size, well organised, not too busy and lots of things happening. Of course you have to visit the leaning Oldehove, the Frisian version of the tower of Pisa, and stroll through the historic centre with its canals and monumental buildings. But Leeuwarden is much more than that. It is also a city where you can easily follow a green route. Rent an electric sloop and cruise around the city (or let a guide show you around!), browse the mega recycling boulevard, taste the tastiest local dishes (Frisian sugar bread!), indulge in sustainable fine dining Or immerse yourself in a city park oasis: the princely garden. And above all, forget about the Blokhuispoort not, an old prison complex where everything from creative workplaces to fine dining happens. And if you have time to spare: stick around. The province is calling. Before you know it, stick a few days in Friesland.
Fancy it? These are seven sustainable tips that will help you get to know Leeuwarden at its best and more sustainably. Here they come!
Stop 1: lunch by the water at Stek (with views of the Oldehove!)
Arrived in Leeuwarden and fancy something sweet? Stitch is the perfect first stop. You sit here on the waterfront, right opposite the leaning Oldehove, overlooking boats bobbing by. The café is in a beautiful old bridge keeper's house that has been tastefully and lovingly transformed into a cosy hotspot. Inside, it is small but nice, with an open kitchen, lots of light and a bar full of homemade cakes, biscuits and other temptations. This is also the right place for savoury appetites. This coffee and lunch spot in Leeuwarden totally fits the greener list!
Lunch tip for Leeuwarden: cosy up on the terrace or in the picturesque harbour house at Stek!
Stop 2: vintage shopping in Leeuwarden
Exploring the city? Best done on foot, of course. And what better way to do so than with a self-conceived vintage tour of Leeuwarden's best second-hand shops? There is plenty to choose from! Browse at Regverdig, The Place, Daisy, Apple & Egg and Vintage Market. All fine addresses where you might just pop up a treasure. Need a breather? You can do that at FER: a cosy coffee shop that is right up your greener street: from the interior to the oat cappuccino. Sit for a while, spotting cool gifts and people-watching and then move on.
Stop 3: chill mode on: rent an electric boat
Need a break from all that walking? Board a luxury electric sloop and discover Leeuwarden from the water. At Bonkevaart Boat Rental you rent a spacious e-sloop that takes you straight out onto the canals. You don't need a boating licence, so anyone can take it out on the water. You get on at Wirdumerpoortsdwinger 4 (Beurskom), right in the city centre. Don't feel like steering yourself? Just book a skipper and guide for ten euro an hour. Ideal! You will learn all sorts of things about the city on the way and you just have to sit back and relax. Leeuwarden has never been so relaxing.
Left: drinking coffee at Fer's, middle: exploring Leeuwarden by boat and right: city walk through Leeuwarden. Watch the video of our visit to Leeuwarden here.
Stop 4: drinks time at BOEL
Drink time? Then head to BOEL, Leeuwarden's bocce bar. On the edge of the city centre, in the heart of Zalen Schaaf - an old theatre with a rich history - you will find this surprisingly cosy place where eating, drinking and playing come together perfectly. BOEL is in a beautiful old building full of character and you feel it as soon as you step inside: high ceilings, original details and a relaxed, cheerful atmosphere. Here you can play a game of boules with friends (ball skills not required!), while enjoying streetfood, drinks snacks, special beer and cocktails. Don't forget: just make a reservation for your court and they will make sure the balls are ready.
Stop 5: eat out sustainably in Leeuwarden at Wannee
Wannee is Leeuwarden's sustainable dining tip as far as we are concerned. We have already seen quite a few fine dining tried restaurants - including those with Michelin stars - but this place is not inferior to it. In fact, it is high on our list of favourites. And extra fun: you eat here in a lively learning environment, where up-and-coming talent cooks and serves the stars. And the service? A ten! The restaurant is part of the local hotel school NHL Stenden. Here, Dutch cuisine is reinvented, in a contemporary and surprising way. Everything revolves around seasonal, local ingredients and 80% of the menu is plant-based. Book your table here, because this star-studded evening at non-star prices will complete your Leeward trip.
Op looking for an unusual restaurant in Leeuwarden? Follow the green path! Wannee is truly a night out and a sustainable restaurant tip!
Stop 6: sleep in Leeuwarden at Post-Plaza
Leeuwarden in one day? That's actually way too short. Stay overnight, then you will really get the most out of your visit. And yes, we have a top address for that too. Post-Plaza Hotel is an extraordinary place in the heart of Leeuwarden. You sleep here in a former post office as well as an old bank. In short, a beautiful location with a rich history. High ceilings, original details, a monumental appearance... you get the picture. So starting the day with breakfast in their restaurant is a real treat. The setting, the atmosphere and above all: so many homemade goodies. Their homemade hummus on a warm, freshly baked sourdough roll? A ten! And what makes this place extra special: Post-Plaza has a Green Key Gold seal of approval, making this sleeping spot a perfect fit in this greener Leeuwarden travel guide.
Have breakfast at Post-Plaza Hotel.
Stop 7: Second-hand shopping in Leeuwarden at the thrift boulevard
Slept in? Then get ready for treasure hunt XXL. This is the time to go to the Recycling boulevard to go. Note: this thrift shop is located just outside the city centre, but is well worth the drive. Here you can spend hours browsing among second-hand furniture, books, clothes, crockery and toys. Everything is neatly sorted and attractively priced. What makes this place extra fun: you will also find unusual creations from the upcycle workshop. Old stuff transformed into something new. Whether you are looking for a bargain or something unique for your home, chances are you will walk out of here with a find. So be warned.
Your greener itinerary for a weekend away in Leeuwarden
Whether you come for vintage finds, good food, a boat trip or a stroll through the old town: Leeuwarden is awesome either way and won't get bored! These seven spots are a great start, but there is so much more to discover. If you have a sustainable favourite in Ljouwert, please share it with us. That way, we will build the city's most fun green guide together! Do you have more time in Friesland? Then take a look at this itinerary through Northwest Friesland too.
More cool getaways in the north!
- Also see: day of sustainable shopping in Sneek.
- Also see: Experience the Wadden on the mainland, go to Dokkum!
- Also see: Outing in East Frisia: picking garden Fruithof de Struikrover.
Photo credits: thegreenlist.nl.
