During our round trip through the Netherlands, we not only discovered Scheveningen by the sea or the cool city of Haarlem. We also discovered the small harbor town of Harlingen in Friesland. Harlingen is the connection between the Frisian mainland and the Wadden Sea. For this reason, it is also an ideal place to skillfully combine city, beach, and nature.

The city is one of the eleven cities in Friesland and has a population of just under 15,000. And here in Friesland alone, there is much to discover. From Bolsward to Harlingen, Leeuwarden, and Hindeloopen, all centuries-old towns with magnificent historic buildings and a cozy atmosphere. Today, we’ll show you why a trip to Harlingen is worthwhile and what there is to discover there.

• Harlingen Harbor
• The City Center
• The City with Sea and Beach
• Harlingen – Gateway to the Wadden Sea
• Overnight Stay on a Boat
• Excursion to the Afsluitdijk
• Conclusion on Harlingen in the Netherlands

Harlingen Harbor

Harlingen has an important harbor, which is also the only seaport in Friesland. It’s bustling with activity, with many ferries departing from here to Vlieland or Terschellig. The annual Harlinger Visserijdagen (Harling Fishermen’s Day) is particularly lively. For four days, the Fishermen’s Days offer singing, dancing, music, folklore, art, markets, culture, and sporting activities.

The backdrop of over 600 historical monuments and a modern fishing and trading port creates an atmospheric ambiance. Harlingen’s harbor exudes this quaint, old-fashioned seafaring atmosphere. At the Hannemahuis Museum, you can learn fascinating facts about Harlingen’s entire maritime history. At the Grand Café Promenade, you can enjoy your coffee with a view of the ferry port and the Wadden Sea. Here you can find fresh fish, delicious cakes, organic wines, and other delicacies.

The City Center

The city exudes incredible charm and flair. The beautiful waterfront town with over 600 historic buildings invites you to stroll and linger. There are many small alleys that connect the individual canals. While not many people live here, Harlingen is nevertheless lively and sociable. Just a few minutes after arriving, we felt a sense of relaxation and slowing down.

Numerous shops, cozy pubs, upscale restaurants, and sidewalk cafés complete Harlingen’s offerings. We strolled through the small alleys, repeatedly finding lovely photo opportunities that seemed quite inconspicuous at first glance.

But the colorful house facades, the gabled houses, the bridges, the numerous flowers, and the canals alone made us press the shutter button on our camera again and again. For a short break, we headed to Eetcafé Nooitgedagt. This café is located in an original wine warehouse dating back to 1647. We really liked the mix of modern, industrial, and historical elements.

The city with sea and beach

Not far from the city, there is a sandy beach on the Wadden Sea. Here you can swim, surf, canoe, kitesurf, and relax. Dogs must be kept on a leash, and restrooms are also available. If you want to enjoy a delicious meal with a view of the sea, head to the Strandpaviljoen ‘t Zilt restaurant. It’s located right on Harlingen’s coast and has a lovely summer terrace. In bad weather, you can sit inside and thaw your hands and feet by the fireplace.

Harlingen – the gateway to the Wadden Sea

Ferries depart from Harlingen several times a day to the islands of Terschelling and Vlieland. Faster and slower ferries depart for Terschelling (journey times between 45 and 120 minutes). You’ll pay between €17 and €24 per way, depending on the ferry you choose. The trip to Vlieland costs around €22 (journey time: 90 minutes). All information about ferries, prices, and timetables can be found here.

There are more than 1,200 kilometers of hiking opportunities around the Wadden Sea. Discover the cultural landscapes, the diverse nature, and the rich cultural history along the coast and on the Wadden Sea islands. The wind in your hair, salt on your lips, the screeching of seagulls, and the expansive view over the mudflats – simply priceless. You can find more information about the Wadden Sea and the hikes here. From Harlingen, not only sailing ships sail to the Wadden Islands, but also trips to the IJsselmeer and the inland waters of Friesland are possible.

Staying overnight on a boat

What could be better than spending the night on a boat in Harlingen? Surrounded by a fresh sea breeze and plenty of water, you can rock yourself to sleep. We also spent the night in an old lifeboat, which is located right in Harlingen’s Noorderhaven. The Lilla Marras saved the lives of more than 45 people and is no longer in service. However, you can spend the night on the boat today and even go out to sea.

The boat offers enough space for 2 people. In the front, there is a small cabin with a table, chairs, sink, kitchen utensils, etc. Directly in front is a small terrace with a view of the water and seating. In the rear, there is the sleeping cabin, which is accessible via a separate entrance. Here, there is a bed in the shape of a water lily leaf and a wooden bathtub for two people. There’s also a TV, DVDs, a toilet with a sink, and storage space.

Our own boat

You can even request a private captain. During a two-hour trip, he’ll demonstrate how skilled this classic rescuer is in times of need. But that’s not a requirement. You can also simply enjoy this unique place in peace and forget your worries. The Lilla Marras served as a lifeboat off the English coast from 1955 to 1979. It carried out 105 rescues and saved the lives of 45 people.

If you’d like to spend the night on a sailboat or yacht, check out the Nautal website. Boats are available for rent in 32 countries worldwide and already have more than 10,000 satisfied customers. The platform is something like the Airbnb for boats. You can rent or lease boats here, from fast motorboats to elegant yachts. You’ll also find great offers for Harlingen on the site.

Excursion to the Afsluitdijk

If you’re coming from Amsterdam, you first have to cross the Afsluitdijk (Afsluitdijk) of the IJsselmeer. The 32-kilometer-long and 90-meter-wide dike was built after five years of construction until 1932 and transformed the former Zuijderzee bay into the IJsselmeer, an inland body of water. It’s arguably one of the most spectacular structures in the Netherlands, and a trip across the dam is one of the things every North Sea vacationer in the Netherlands should do at least once.

The Afsluitdijk separates the often stormy North Sea from the calm Ijsselmeer and connects North Holland with Friesland. The trip across the dam is a small highlight in itself. Water to the left and right, in front of you only the motorway, a bike path, and a pedestrian path. About a quarter of the way along, you pass a viewing tower, from where you can enjoy a beautiful view and take a short break.

Interesting facts at the information center

The information center in Kornwerderzand is also interesting. Here you’ll learn truly astonishing things about the construction of the Afsluitdijk. For example, that the dike separated the important main nature areas – the Wadden Sea and the Zuiderzee. The fish stocks from the IJsselmeer were, so to speak, trapped and could no longer reach the other side (and vice versa).

The goal was therefore to restore the ecological connection between the Wadden Sea and the IJsselmeer. A kind of fish migration river was built for this purpose, allowing migratory fish to swim back and forth between the Wadden Sea and the IJsselmeer. Migratory fish require not only freshwater but also saltwater for their life cycle.

Conclusion on Harlingen in the Netherlands

If you’re now interested in taking a trip through the Netherlands, then we highly recommend Harlingen. This small harbor town captivates with its coziness, authenticity, and charm. On our next visit, we will definitely take the opportunity to visit one of the Wadden Islands.

There are also other highlights near Harlingen, such as the IJsselmeer, Leeuwarden, the North Sea islands, and Groningen. Amsterdam is also just under a two-hour drive away, and you’ll also pass many wonderful places along the way.