Hindeloopen on the IJsselmeer: culture, trails and water sports

Hindeloopen combines the history of a Frisian town with the IJsselmeer, historic buildings, dike paths and a wide range of experiences. When looking for a holiday apartment in Hindeloopen, it is therefore worth considering whether you would like to focus on culture in the town, walks by the water or active days involving cycling and water sports.

Art, seafaring and history in the town

The Frisian Ice Skating Museum has the world's largest collection of ice skates and presents the complete history of the Elfstedentocht. It also offers workshops in Hindeloopen painting for children and adults. Museum Hindeloopen introduces visitors to Hindeloopen traditional dress, Hindeloopen painting and the characteristic interiors. A maritime exhibition depicts a year in the life of Hindeloopen's master mariners in the 18th century, including their trading voyages to the countries around the Baltic Sea and their return to the port of Amsterdam.

You can also encounter striking reminders of the town's history outside the museums. The Grote Kerk Hindeloopen was rebuilt around 1590, and the church tower from that period was completed in 1593. Because of its distinctive location, visual value, age, valuable interior features and architectural design, it is recognised as a Rijksmonument. The old KNRM lifeboat station on the dike dates from 1911 and is a national monument. Next to the church, at the bend in the sea dike, stands the Peilschaalhuisje Hindeloopen, a replica built in 2016 on the original foundations. The sea dike protects Hindeloopen from the water.

Traditional craftsmanship is also well represented: Roosje Oud Hindelooper Kunst anno 1894 has maintained the Hindeloopen painting tradition for four generations, using old techniques in its own painting studio. The Hindeloopen fountain of the 11Fountains project was inspired by the town's coat of arms.

Walks between the town, dike and nature

The Hindeloopen town walk starts at Museum Hindeloopen and covers 2.5 kilometres through the town. A guided town walk organised by the museum passes, among other places, the harbour, the Sylhús with its “leugenbank” and the Grote Kerk. In Hindeloopen, the town walk is available at the Schaatsmuseum, Museum Hindeloopen and the VVV webshop, among other places. The museum also houses a VVV visitor centre with a large floor map and a digital information tablet.

For longer walks, an 11-kilometre walking route connects Stavoren and Hindeloopen along the IJsselmeer dike. The route passes the Bocht van Molkwar nature reserve managed by Fryske Gea. After the walk, visitors can take the Arriva train back to Stavoren. Hindeloopen also has a railway station on the Leeuwarden–Sneek–Stavoren line; from the station, it is about a 20-minute walk through the meadows to the town centre. On the edge of the historic town, there are free parking spaces where a parking disc is required; from there, you can reach the centre on foot in a few minutes.

IJsselmeer, locks and cycling tour

Hindeloopen is located on the IJsselmeer and offers opportunities for water sports. The Kitesurfing Spot at Hindeloopen is behind the dike and has shallow water; kitesurfing is possible there all year round. The locks, built in the 17th century, connect the town centre and the harbour for pleasure boats with the IJsselmeer. If you prefer to explore the coast by bicycle, you can choose the cycling loop “From town to town: Hindeloopen – Workum – Stavoren”. It follows the IJsselmeer coast through the three Frisian Elfstedentocht towns of Hindeloopen, Workum and Stavoren.

Which location suits your holiday apartment

The town's paths, museums, harbour, sea dike and the IJsselmeer offer different focal points for your stay. You can therefore choose a holiday apartment in Hindeloopen according to your preferred daily rhythm: short cultural excursions in the town, a walk along the dike, a train trip or an active day on the water and along the coast.

More places for planning your trip: Arum, Koudum, Woudsend, Wons, Uitwellingerga, Stavoren, Lollum, Offingawier.

For the higher-level travel overview: Súdwest Fryslân.