Discover Súdwest Fryslân: Water, Culture and Nature

Súdwest Fryslân combines glittering expanses of water, wide polders and swaying reed beds with historic towns, museums and Frisian traditions.

Water, meadows and the landscape of Gaasterland

The expanses of water, polders and reed beds in Súdwest Fryslân provide food and breeding grounds for waterfowl and meadow birds. In spring, golden plovers, black-tailed godwits, lapwings and yellow wagtails can be found in the meadows. Gaasterland has a distinctive landscape character, with its alternation of higher- and lower-lying areas, woodland, pastures and water.

In 2006, the Dutch state designated Nationaal Landschap Zuidwest Fryslân as a National Landscape. At the Mar & Klif Visitor Centre in Oudemirdum, you can learn about the history of this Nationaal Landschap and identify the special features of its four landscape types. Walking and cycling routes lead from the visitor centre into the surrounding area. The regional network of routes also includes walking, cycling, boating and driving routes for exploring Friesland.

Cycle paths, walking trails and practical orientation

For active days, Waterland van Friesland offers 841 kilometres of cycle paths in the five-star-quality cycle junction network. In Woudsend and IJlst, there are tourist transfer points near the cycle and walking junction network. The information boards at the TOPs provide a map of the surrounding area, directions for cycling and walking routes, and information about themed routes and nearby attractions.

The 260-kilometre Odulphuspad pilgrimage trail runs through the nature of Waterland van Friesland and can be walked in stages of 15 to 20 kilometres.

Frisian history in museums and historic buildings

In Sneek, the Fries Scheepvaart Museum covers the history of shipping in Friesland, ice sports and the city of Sneek. The museum also offers a walking tour through Sneek’s history with a local guide. In Workum, Museum Warkums Erfskip presents the history of Workum and its surroundings. It is housed at two historic locations: the authentic Waag building and the former town hall.

Since 1919, Museum Hindeloopen has been housed in the former town hall of Hindeloopen and conveys the maritime history of the town and its trade on the Baltic Sea. Local culture also includes Hindeloopen’s characteristic painting style, defined by distinctive patterns of scrolls, flowers and leaves. The Jopie Huisman Museum presents the stories and paintings of the Frisian artist Jopie Huisman; two new exhibitions are on display there every year.

In Bolsward, Museum De Tiid is located in the monumental town hall. It offers guided tours of the historic town hall, while the tower platform is accessible only with an escort. The Museum it Tsiispakhûs uses historical equipment, film footage and other exhibits to convey the history of butter and cheese production on farms and in the first dairies.

Experiences for curious explorers

The Houtstad IJlst museum and workshop are located on the historic waterway De Geeuw in IJlst. They focus in particular on the history of the timber industry, timber trade and shipbuilding in IJlst. Houtstad IJlst regularly offers workshops and other activities for children and adults, including woodworking, holiday activities, music evenings and storytelling evenings.

The Modelspoor Museum Sneek displays scale-model railway tracks, locomotives, towns and landscapes. There are also moving models, interactive presentations and opportunities to operate, play with and experiment with the exhibits yourself. In the visitor centre of the Kazemattenmuseum, a cinema continuously shows a film featuring interviews with veterans about their experiences in May 1940.

Events, sailing tradition and waterways

The Fietselfstedentocht, held since 1912, is a 235-kilometre cycle tour along the eleven Frisian cities, starting and finishing in Bolsward. In Sneek, the Sneekweek returns every year, combining sailing competitions, music venues, a fairground and other festivities. The Visserijdagen take place every two years in Makkum and are open to everyone.

The Strontrace starts in the harbour of Workum and sails to Warmond and back. Every year, the SKS and IFKS organise Skûtsjesilen competitions throughout the southwest of Friesland. Visitors can follow these competitions from the shore or watch them from the water during organised boat tours. The SKS Vaarroute is 135 kilometres long.

There are also notable reference points for kitesurfing: Workum and the Mirnser Klif are among the seven kitesurfing hotspots on the IJsselmeer.

Fountain art and Frisian flavours

Seven of the 11Fountains are located in Waterland van Friesland. International artists each designed a fountain for one of the eleven Frisian cities, referring to the history and character of that particular city. Bakeries in IJlst, Sneek, Bolsward and Workum sell 11Fountains Oranjekoeken decorated with depictions of the fountains. This combines engaging with art and urban history with a regional culinary discovery.

Places for further planning

Arum, Cornwerd, Gaast, Heeg, Hindeloopen, Koudum, Makkum, Molkwerum, Offingawier, Pingjum, Stavoren, Warns, Workum, Sneek, Kimswerd, Woudsend, Lollum, Uitwellingerga, Ijlst, Wons, Parrega, Bolsward, Westhem, Laaxum, Ysbrechtum

To the main travel overview: Friesland.