Groningen
Groningen surprises families with Gothic towers, striking modern museums, hidden courtyard gardens, and some of the Netherlands' most unique local food.
0 guides · Friesland & GroningenExplore →
🇳🇱Leeuwarden
Discover Leeuwarden with your family: a leaning tower, hidden street art, world-class museums, and delicious Frisian food in a walkable, crowd-free Dutch city.
Your family guide
Leeuwarden: the Dutch city your family hasn't discovered yet
“Leaning towers, hidden street art and Frisian stories. Leeuwarden does compact very well.”
— San & Jo
Leeuwarden is one of those rare places that feels like a genuine discovery. As the capital of Friesland in the northern Netherlands, it has all the charm of a classic Dutch city, gabled houses, peaceful canals, and centuries of history, without the tourist crowds that come with Amsterdam or Utrecht. Your family gets to explore at your own pace, and that makes all the difference.
The city is wonderfully compact and walkable, which is great news when you have kids in tow. You can wander from a leaning Gothic tower to a former prison turned creative hub, spot hidden miniature figures tucked into street corners, and end the day with a slice of warm Frisian sugar bread. There is always something to find around the next bend.
Leeuwarden rewards curious families. Whether your kids are into art, history, nature, or just running around open spaces, this city has something that will stick with them long after you get home.
Friesland, NetherlandsProvince capital
~95,000 peopleCompact and walkable
May to SeptemberBest months to visit
Best things to do
Best things to do in Leeuwarden
Climb the Oldehove tower
Leeuwarden's answer to the Leaning Tower of Pisa leans nearly 2 metres off-centre, and kids absolutely love that fact. Climb all 183 steps and you are rewarded with panoramic views stretching all the way to the Wadden Islands on a clear day. It is a genuine wow moment for the whole family.
Go early to beat any queues and get the best light for photos
45 min
Hunt for hidden street art
Leeuwarden has a brilliant open-air street art scene, including large murals and something even more fun: tiny miniature figures of people hidden around the city by artist Michel Tilma. Turning it into a scavenger hunt keeps kids engaged for hours as you explore the streets.
The miniatures are often hidden at eye-level for children, not adults
1-2 hours
Explore the Fries Museum
This is the place to understand what makes Friesland so distinct from the rest of the Netherlands. The museum covers Frisian arts, crafts, and history from the 13th century onwards, including the fascinating story of the 11 Frisian cities. The exhibits are engaging enough to hold the attention of older kids and teens.
Check the website for current temporary exhibitions before you visit
1.5-2 hours
Visit the Princessehof Ceramics Museum
This national ceramics museum is housed in a former palace with a remarkable backstory: it was the birthplace of the artist M.C. Escher, famous for his mind-bending optical illusions. The ceramics collection is impressive, but the Escher connection is what gets kids genuinely interested in the building itself.
Look for the Escher references built into the museum experience
1-1.5 hours
Discover Blokhuispoort
A prison that operated from 1580 all the way until 2007, Blokhuispoort has been transformed into a creative cultural centre with galleries, cafes, a library, and even a hostel in the former cells. Kids find the history of the building genuinely fascinating, and the creative energy of the space is infectious.
Stop for a coffee in the courtyard and let the kids explore freely
1 hour
Admire the Centraal Apotheek
This Art Nouveau pharmacy building is one of the most striking facades in Leeuwarden. Its characteristic symmetry, bluestone birds, and yellow brickwork make it a genuine talking point. You do not need to go inside to appreciate it, just stand back and take it all in together.
Great spot for a family photo that actually looks interesting
15 min
Take a canal barge tour
Seeing Leeuwarden from the water gives you a completely different perspective on the city. Canal barge tours are relaxed and easy for all ages, and if your family is feeling adventurous, you can also try stand-up paddleboarding on the canals. Either way, the water is a lovely way to spend an afternoon.
Book paddleboard slots in advance during summer weekends
1 hour
Relax in Prinsentuin
This romantic 17th-century park is the perfect place to slow down, especially if you have younger children who need space to run around. Sit by the water and watch traditional Frisian skûtsje boats drift past. It is peaceful, beautiful, and completely free.
Pack a snack and make it a proper picnic stop
30-45 min
Our verdict
How Leeuwarden scores for families
Kids
Hidden street art, a leaning tower, a former prison, and canal adventures make this city surprisingly engaging for children of all ages.
Culture
Two excellent museums, a world-class ceramics collection, and an open-air art scene give Leeuwarden serious cultural depth for a city its size.
Food
Frisian specialities are genuinely delicious and different. The local food scene is worth exploring, though options for very picky eaters are more limited.
Nature
The nearby De Alde Feanen wetlands are beautiful, but nature within the city itself is limited to parks and canals.
Budget
More affordable than Amsterdam or Utrecht, but museum entry fees add up. Many highlights like street art and parks are completely free.
Planning your visit
How long should you stay in Leeuwarden?
1
1 day
Quick visit
Climb the Oldehove, walk the historic centre, and spot some street art. You will get a real taste of the city.
sweet spot
2
2 days
Sweet spot
Two days gives you time for the key museums, a canal tour, Blokhuispoort, and a proper wander without rushing.
3
3 days
Deep dive
Add a half-day trip to De Alde Feanen wetlands and really settle into the relaxed Frisian pace of life.
Fun facts
Things to know about Leeuwarden
The tower that refused to stand straight
The Oldehove tower has been leaning since it was built in the 1500s. Construction stopped because the ground was too soft, and it has been tilting ever since: now sitting 1.99 metres off-centre. Engineers have actually worked hard to stop it leaning any further.
The world's most famous ice skate race starts here
Leeuwarden is the traditional start and finish point of the Elfstedentocht, a legendary 200-kilometre ice-skating race through 11 Frisian cities. It only happens when the canals freeze solid enough, so it is incredibly rare: which makes it even more legendary.
Tiny people are hiding all over the city
Artist Michel Tilma has hidden miniature figures of people in unexpected spots all around Leeuwarden. Some are easy to find, others take real detective work. Keep your eyes peeled at street level and you might spot one before anyone else in your family does.
Taste Leeuwarden
What to eat in Leeuwarden with your family
Suikerbrood
Kids love itLocal bakeries throughout the city centre
This is the Frisian specialty you absolutely have to try. Suikerbrood is a chewy, sugar-crusted bread that is best eaten warm with a generous amount of butter. Kids love it, and it makes a perfect mid-morning snack while you are exploring the city.
Fryske dúmkes
Local favouriteFrisian delis and market stalls
These small anise-flavoured, thumb-shaped cookies are a traditional Frisian treat, typically enjoyed with a cup of tea. They are a lovely thing to pick up from a local shop and munch on while you walk. Older kids who enjoy a bit of spice will be fans.
Mosterdsoep
Must tryGrand Café de Walrus
A creamy, warming mustard soup that is a Northern Dutch classic. It sounds unusual but it is genuinely delicious and a great starter for the whole family on a cooler day. Most traditional restaurants in Leeuwarden will have it on the menu.
North Sea seafood
Safe choiceRestaurant Sems
Leeuwarden has excellent fresh seafood thanks to its proximity to the North Sea. Restaurant Sems specialises in cod and lobster, and the quality is exceptional. A great option for families who enjoy fish and want something a little more special.
Oranjekoek
Daily treatBakeries and cafes across the city centre
A spiced orange-flavoured cake that is unique to Friesland and widely available in Leeuwarden's bakeries and cafes. It has a distinctive flavour that feels very local, and it is the kind of thing you will find yourself craving once you get home.
More places across The Netherlands
6 places
Alkmaar
Discover Alkmaar with your family: a walkable historic centre, the famous Friday Cheese Market, canal cruises, and some of the best local food in North Holland.
0 guides · Haarlem, Tulip Region & CoastExplore →
Ameland
Ameland is a Wadden Island in the Netherlands with white beaches, dune forests, seal safaris, and a car-light environment perfect for families who want to slow down.
0 guides · The Wadden IslandsExplore →
Amsterdam
From the Rijksmuseum to NEMO Science Museum and Vondelpark, Amsterdam is packed with family-friendly experiences in a compact, walkable city.
0 guides · Amsterdam & SurroundingsExplore →
Apeldoorn
Discover Apeldoorn with your family: a baroque palace, the world's first free-roaming primate zoo, and easy cycling through a stunning national park.
0 guides · The Veluwe & GelderlandExplore →
Arnhem
Arnhem blends WWII history, world-class museums, a top-rated zoo, and beautiful parks into a compact, family-friendly Dutch city that rewards two to three days of exploration.
0 guides · The Veluwe & GelderlandExplore →
Planning a trip to Leeuwarden?
Get the latest family travel tips for Leeuwarden in your inbox.