North-Sea shore at isle Ameland

Where is it?

Friesland is in North-West of the country.

Landscape

The province roughly consist of three different areas. The South-West area is the lake district, with lots of large lakes, connected by rivers, canals and other kinds of water. This area is popular for water sports. For bikers and hikers, you must watch out, sometimes the lakes make it difficult to reach other places. Sometimes you need a long way around a lake or use one of the many ferries.

The North-West is very flat, no lakes, much less tourism, but very fertile clay soil. This area was inhabitated already a long time ago. People grow all kinds of argicultural products. The North-East part different, you mainly find cattle here sheep and cows. In the South-East the landscape looks more like the landscape you find in Drente.

You also may notice three islands, Vlieland, Terschelling and Ameland. They are a bit similar in atmosphere and landscape. At south side, the Waddenzee, a sea that falls dry parthly at low tide and has a tremendous number of birds finding food there. The other side is protected by dues and has beautiful sand beaches. The islands are a popular holiday destination over the year. During holiday periods you must make a reservation for accomodation in advance! Off season it should not be a problem finding a place at one of the camping sites.

You can reach Vlieland and terschelling from Harlingen, for Ameland you need a ferry leaving at Holwerd. Avoid bringing your car to the islonads! You can rent bikes there without problem and transporting a car with the ferry is very expensive. Vlieland is closed for cars.

Urban areas

Leeuwarde is the capital and largest city of the provice. Other cities you may like are Harlingen, Dokkum and Sneek. The privice is famous for its "Eleven Cities" skating tour. If the winter is good, and all lakes and other waters are frozen, the whole country will get very excited. The tour covers 11 cities in the province with a total length of over 220 km. Depending on the weather conditions it may be an extreme experience or a nivce tour for well trained people. Sorry, you cannot join. It's open only for members of the society "Frtiese Elf Steden", which has 32.000 members. Since 16.000 paritcipants is the upper limit, you have no chance to join.

Water gate in Slooten

Water gate in Sloten

Friesland ahs a tremendous amount of small villages and towns. Hindeloopen is wonderful, as is Slooten, a very small city with two nice Water gates remaining. You may like Joure for a short visit. For the many others, discover it yourself.

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