LeeuwardenStory N° 151
Frisian Lakes Open Road
Drive Friesland's eleven-cities route past lakes, terps and big northern skies
The itinerary.
4 days · 10 stops
Friday
Day One
Pick up the car in the Frisian capital and find your bearings in Leeuwarden.
●
Oldehove
Leeuwarden's leaning, unfinished 16th-century tower with panoramic views over the flat Frisian plain.
●
Fries Museum
The story of Friesland's distinct language and culture, including its skating-mad eleven-cities heritage.
🏨
Hotel
WestCord Hotel Leeuwarden booking.com · AI hotel ratings: hotelist.com
→
Getting around
- Arriving by train to Leeuwarden, collecting a rental car at the station
Saturday
Day Two
A loop south through tiny lake towns of the famous Elfstedentocht route.
●
Sloten
The smallest of the eleven cities, a perfect star-fort town of one canal, ramparts and a working windmill.
●
Sneek Waterpoort
The grand 17th-century water gate of Sneek, gateway to the Frisian sailing lakes.
●
Heegermeer
A wide Frisian lake where sails dot the horizon, an open-water counterpoint to the open road.
🏨
Hotel
Hotel Galamadammen Koudum booking.com
→
Getting around
- Self-drive south on the N354 and country roads between the lakes
Sunday
Day Three
Drive the legendary Afsluitdijk causeway, sea on both sides.
●
Afsluitdijk
A 32-kilometre dam slicing across the water between Friesland and Holland, the ultimate Dutch driving road.
●
Vlietermonument
The midpoint lookout on the Afsluitdijk where you can stand between the Wadden Sea and the IJsselmeer.
●
Harlingen Harbour
A salty old port town facing the Wadden Sea, lined with historic warehouses and fishing boats.
🏨
Hotel
Hotel Almenum Harlingen booking.com
→
Getting around
- Self-drive the A7 across the Afsluitdijk to the coast at Harlingen
Monday
Day Four
Coast and canals on the way back to drop the car.
●
Franeker Planetarium
The world's oldest working planetarium, hand-built into a living room ceiling in 1781.
●
Bolsward City Hall
An ornate Renaissance town hall, a fine final stop on the eleven-cities trail.
🏨
Hotel
Hotel Almenum Harlingen booking.com
→
Getting around
- Self-drive back to Leeuwarden to return the rental, then onward train
Location.
Frequently asked
How many days do you need for Frisian Lakes Open Road?
4 days. The itinerary runs from Friday to Monday and covers 10 curated stops across 4 days.
How much does Frisian Lakes Open Road cost?
Mid-range — €150–300 per day per person.
Where do you stay during Frisian Lakes Open Road?
WestCord Hotel Leeuwarden is the recommended base for the trip; the full hotel list per day is in the itinerary section.
What's included in the Frisian Lakes Open Road itinerary?
Day-by-day stops at 10 restaurants, museums, viewpoints and landmarks; transportation hints between each leg; and a hotel base in Leeuwarden.
Going on this trip?
Tag us on Instagram —
Keep reading →
