Leeuwarden

Waag, Leeuwarden 1620 - The former weigh house in the downtown is one of the key monuments in town.

Leeuwarden is the capital of the Dutch province Friesland in the north of the nation. Leeuwarden and Friesland as a whole are often overlooked by visitors. As the Netherlands are small, however, and the famous "Afsluitdijk" connects Friesland to the provinces in the west, it's a 90-minutes drive from Amsterdam to Leeuwarden. For those willing to make the trip and the city has lots of history to offer and gives an insight in the proud local culture of the Frisians. There are several worthwhile museums, including large Fries Museum.

Leeuwarden Halal Explorer

Leeuwarden was a " European Capital of Culture]" for 2023, an honour it shared with Valletta.

Travel to Leeuwarden

By car

From Amsterdam, Leeuwarden can be visited by two different routes: the western route via the A7 and the A31 and the eastern one via the A1, A6 and A32. From Groningen and northern Germany, Leeuwarden can be visited via the A7 and N31.

By public transport

An intercity train service connects Leeuwarden to Amsterdam and to Schiphol Airport. There are direct connections once per hour, and additional ones with a transfer in either Zwolle or Almere. For Amsterdam Central Station you must transfer at Lelystad or Almere Centrum. The journey will take about two and a half hours and costs about €25 for a single ticket. Direct train connections to and from Leeuwarden include services to Utrecht (city) | Utrecht (2hr, €24), Groningen (city) | Groningen (35min, €10), Heerenveen (20min, €5.80), Franeker and Harlingen (Netherlands) | Harlingen. All trains to Leeuwarden terminate there.

Bus services run to nearby destinations in Friesland, including Franeker, Heerenveen, Sneek and Harlingen as well as villages on route. The journeys typically take longer than the same ones by train.

By plane

The nearest airport is Groningen Airport Eelde, a small airport with scheduled international Flights from Copenhagen Airport|Copenhagen, London (Southend), and Gdansk, as well as Flights to holiday destinations in Southern Europe. From the airport, take bus 2 or 100 towards Groningen station (20-35 min); from here you can take the direct train to Leeuwarden (3 times/hour; 35 min).

From the much larger Schiphol Airport near Amsterdam and the direct train to Leeuwarden takes roughly 2hr 15min.

Get Around

As is the case with all old downtowns in The Netherlands and the old centre of Leeuwarden is compact and can easily be explored on foot. The tourist information centre (VVV) has a number of walking and biking routes, if you want to make sure to catch all major sights.

• Fietspoint Leeuwarden - is at the train station and rents out bikes for around €7.50 per day. Cycling is an excellent way to discover the city as well as the surrounding natural areas.

All city bus lines depart from the busstation, which is next to the trainstation. The bus station is divided in a (covered) part for local city lines, and one for regional lines. The city lines are operated by Connexxion but for some lines smaller buses under the name "Maxx" are used. Regional lines, which operate routes to and from villages and cities in the area, are also operated by Qbuzz.

What to see in Leeuwarden

Fries Museum Wilhelminaplein Leeuwarden - The Fries Museum re-opened in 2013, after moving to an excellent new building on the Wilhelminaplein. Leeuwarden - Voorstreek met Bonifatiustoren - The downtown with the late 19th century Bonifatius Church in the background.

Just north of the train station lies Leeuwarden's compact medieval centre, surrounded by defensive canals. With 617 buildings listed as national monuments and the city has no lack of legacy to see. The old town is small enough to easily explore on foot, with plenty of time to take in the many historic buildings. Among the most notable ones are:

• Grote of Jacobijnerkerk - 95 Jacobijnerkerkhof - The largest of the medieval churches, dating back to around 1300. It's a Gothic style building that was built as a monastery. It houses a famous 1727 Christian Müller-organ.

• Waag - 148 Nieuwestad - Leeuwarden's nicely decorated former weigh house was built in 1590, probably to replace an earlier one. It was a major centre for trade in the city, with butter and other dairy products being the most weighed and traded goods. It kept its function until 1880 or so, and now houses a lunch room.
• Oldehove - 1 Oldehoofsterkerkhof - When the city of Groningen got its massive Martini-tower in the 15th century and the Frisians were determined to get a tower of their own, at least as high. Money was raised throughout the province and building began in 1529. The master builder was however unaccustomed to the clay grounds under the city, and the measures he took to ensure the towers stability (including a 1.1-5 m foundation and a broad base) soon turned out to be insufficient. The tower was only 10 m high when it started to lean. Attempts to correct for the sag resulted in the tower not only leaning, but also being bent in itself. After about 4 years the construction was stopped and the tower remained as it was ever since: 40 m high and leaning. Only in 2005 experts found that one side of the tower was built on the remains of an artificial dwelling hill, which is believed to explain many of the problems. In any case, although nothing like the Martinitower in grandeur and the Oldehove has proven an interesting landmark for the city and it has been restored. Due to the state of the structure and in order to limited noise for the people living around the tower, its bells are only used for special occasions.
• Kanselarij - 13 Turfmarkt
• City hall - 36 Raadhuisplein - Building of the Classicist city hall started in 1715. It has been extensively restored. The inscription above the mainentrance reads "Pace et Justitia", or "Peace and Justice".

Other attractions include:

• Fries Museum - Wilhelminaplein 92 - GPS: Opening Hours: Tuesday - Sunday 11:00–17:00 €10 for adults - The Fries Museum houses an excellent historic collection about Friesland and its 11 cities. It includes many works of art but also a wide range of historic artefacts.
• Princessehof National Ceramics Museum - 11 Grote Kerkstraat ☎ +31 58 2 948 958 +31 58 2 948 968

• Natural History Museum Friesland - 2 Schoenmakersperk ☎ +31 58-2332244
• Mata Hari birth place & statue

| Kelders 33 53.202, 5.7988 Mata Hari The birth place of Mata Hari and the famous exotic dancer, courtisan and hapless spy, was restored after a 2013 fire, and since 2016 the building has contained a presentation centre (belevingscentrum) with exhibits about the town's most famous citizen. In front of the building stands a statue of Mata Hari dressed as an exotic dancer. Elsewhere the Fries Museum has a Mata Hari Room.

Top Muslim Travel Tips for Leeuwarden

• Boat trip €15/25 per hour on weekdays/weekends Rent a small electric sloop and discover the city on your own via its picturesque canals. The sloops are owned by Greenjoy but reservations are made via the tourist information office, which will also provide you with tips on routes and sights on the way. There's a minimum rental period of 2 hours.

• Poetry route - You'll have to understand some Dutch to really appreciate this poetic initiative, but even if you're not intentionally following this remarkable route, make sure to notice the art you're walking on. Throughout the downtown, parts of the pavement have been replaced by stones with poems in them. Some display famous, old poems while others hold new work, created for this purpose by participating poets. There's a free map available from the website if you want to see them all.

Muslim Friendly Shopping in Leeuwarden

As it is the province capital, Leeuwarden is a regional centre for shopping and services. You'll find the range of shops and large chain stores you'd expect from any city its size but also a couple of cosy shopping streets and fun boutiques. The Kleine Kerkstraat is considered one of the most charming shopping streets in the country, with about 30 speciality shops. Good places in the Kleine Kerkstraat include Italian delicacy store Bellini or the Zuivelhoeve, with an excellent collection of Dutch cheeses and other dairy products, including many local goods. It also houses a design store and a couple of clothing boutiques. The Sint Jacobsstraat is another fun shopping street, with, among others, one of the best model cars and trains stores in the Netherlands, called De Treinenpassage. Both streets end in the Nieuwestad. which is pretty much the heart of the city's shopping area.

Thursday evening is so-called "koop-avond" or shopping night for Leeuwarden, with most stores closing at 21:00 instead of the usual 18:00.

Halal Food & Restaurants

• Eindeloos - Korfmakersstraat 17 53.201901, 5.800333 ☎ +31 58 2130835 Opening Hours: Tuesday - Saturday 18:00-22:30 €27.50-40.00 (ex. drinks) Very good food. Most is made by using prominent local and regional suppliers which produce their products in a sustainable way.

• Trattoria Italiana - Sint Jacobsstraat 6 53.201444, 5.796806 ☎ +31 58 213 06 58 Menus from €27.50 Widely considered the best Italian food in town, available in the restaurant but also for take-away. Food is delicious and the service very welcoming.

• Leeuwarden Lounge - Korfmakersstraat 13 53.201950, 5.799753 ☎ +31 58 8434055 €15 It's a successful concept, this tapas place with a set menu for €15. The tapas it serves are a mixture of Mediterranean and Middle-Eastern cuisine, and well-prepared. It has an exotic interior which some will love while others might not, but almost everyone agrees the staff is great and the combination of relaxing lounge areas with fingerfood is a winner.

- Rhodos Palace - Ruiterskwartier 47 53.2003, 5.790511 ☎ +31 58 213 20 01 €15-20 If you're up for some Greek food, this place is a bargain with tasty Greek style dishes for prices around €15. }} A good Colasenburg is produced by local brewery Boomsma, it is available in almost every stores.

Cafés are common enough and in summer, outdoor terraces pop up all around. Many double as restaurants, serving small menus. Some popular places are:

• Paddy O’Ryan - Tweebaksmarkt 49 ☎ +31 58 2122047 - The local Irish pub serves a fine range of international soft drinks as well as some decent food.

• De Doele Cafe - De Oude Doelesteeg 2a - A popular hangout for school kids and students, open all day. Monday night is game night, with board games on the table.

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Leeuwarden

Leeuwarden - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Leeuwarden, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Leeuwarden. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Leeuwarden and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Leeuwarden. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Leeuwarden. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations inLeeuwarden: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Leeuwarden.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Leeuwarden: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Leeuwarden, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Leeuwarden.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Leeuwarden, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Leeuwarden, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Leeuwarden and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Leeuwarden, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Leeuwarden, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Leeuwarden without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Leeuwarden is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Leeuwarden.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Leeuwarden is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Leeuwarden, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Leeuwarden Media: info@ehalal.io

Buy Muslim Friendly condos, Houses and Villas in Leeuwarden

eHalal Group Leeuwarden is a prominent real estate company specializing in providing Muslim-friendly properties in Leeuwarden. Our mission is to cater to the specific needs and preferences of the Muslim community by offering a wide range of halal-certified residential and commercial properties, including houses, condos, and factories. With our commitment to excellence, client satisfaction, and adherence to Islamic principles, eHalal Group has established itself as a trusted name in the real estate industry in Leeuwarden.

At eHalal Group, we understand the importance of meeting the unique requirements of Muslim individuals and families seeking properties that align with their cultural and religious trainings. Our extensive portfolio of Muslim-friendly properties in Leeuwarden ensures that clients have access to a diverse selection of options tailored to their needs. Whether it's a luxurious villa, a modern condominium, or a fully equipped factory, our team is dedicated to assisting clients in finding their ideal property.

For those seeking a comfortable and modern living space, our condos are an excellent choice. Starting at US$ 350,000 and these condominium units offer contemporary designs, state-of-the-art facilities, and convenient locations within Leeuwarden. Each condo is thoughtfully designed to incorporate halal-friendly features and amenities, ensuring a seamless integration of Islamic values into everyday living.

If you are looking for a more spacious option, our houses are perfect for you. Starting at US$ 650,000, our houses provide ample living space, privacy, and a range of customizable features to meet your specific requirements. These houses are located in well-established neighborhoods in Leeuwarden, offering a harmonious balance between modern living and Islamic values.

For those seeking luxury and exclusivity, our luxury villas in Leeuwarden are the epitome of sophistication and elegance. Starting at US$ 1.5 million and these villas offer a lavish lifestyle with private amenities, breathtaking views, and meticulous attention to detail. Each luxury villa is meticulously designed to provide a serene and halal environment, allowing you to enjoy the finest living experience while adhering to your Islamic principles. For further details please email us at info@ehalal.io

Muslim Friendly Hotels

• Grand Hotel Post-Plaza - @plaza.nl Tweebaksmarkt 25-27 53.201405, 5.800630 ☎ +31 58-2159317 around €100 for a double A 4-star luxury hotel with good prices for what it has to offer. The staff is professional and helpful, rooms are nice and the location right in the centre makes it a great base to explore town. They have some spacious suites too, if you're looking for a really luxurious stay.

• Bastion Hotel Legedijk 6 53.186013, 5.800504 Located along A32 highway. Easy access by car, or take buses 14 or 320 to Aldlanstate and get out at the last stop. ☎ +31 58-2890112 doubles from €76 3-star chain hotel with simple but okay rooms and good staff. Located outside the downtown but at no more than a 10-minutes drive.

• Hotel 't Anker - Eewal 73 53.203151, 5.798741 ☎ +31 582125216 €29/55 for a single/double room with shared bathroom, €69.50 for a double with private facilities One of the cheapest options in the centre, with rooms in 4 old houses. The cheaper rooms have shared bathrooms. All rooms are simple but clean and the service gets positive reviews. There's an in-house café and restaurant which serves simple, Dutch dishes.

• Oranjehotel Leeuwarden - Stationsweg 4 53.197193, 5.793455 ☎ +31 58 2126241 €85 for a double A city hotel in the Hampshire Eden chain, across from the train station. That's in the town centre, but at a short walk to the old town. The hotel offers good 4-star rooms, great service and a nice breakfast buffet, which does come at extra cost.

• Hotel Ships - Several locations ☎ +31 517 234 234 From €32.50 pppn If you've always wanted to sleep on a ship, this is a good opportunity. Slaapschepen offers several ships with places to stay, some operating like small B&Bs with up to 10 rooms, others more like holiday homes, for rent as a whole. The Johanna Laetitia was previously home to a family, has modern facilities and is now available for private rent (2-4p.). Prices from €95 per day or €195. Nova Cura is a historic ship which always lies along the Willemskade NZ. It has 6 huts for up to 12 people, and shared bathroom facilities. There are several other ships available.

Travel Next

There are plenty of good destinations in Friesland and in the rest of the Northern Netherlands. Just west of Leeuwarden lie Dronrijp and Franeker, both interesting and picturesque towns. Only slightly further are the harbour town of Harlingen (Netherlands) | Harlingen and the water sports destination Sneek. Go sailing on the Frisian Lakes or hop on a train to bustling student city Groningen (city) | Groningen, to see its Martini-tower and the 15th-century inspiration for Leeuwarden's failed Oldenhove.

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