Are you already making plans for summer holidays 2023? If so, you may well choose to stay in the Netherlands this year. If you're planning that, think about a holiday on or near the water in Friesland!
When you think of a holiday on or near the water, Friesland comes to mind, especially the Frisian lake district and the IJsselmeer. This area is the ultimate for water sports, both for beginners and experienced water sports enthusiasts. In this blog, we will discuss the possibilities of enjoying a wonderful holiday or boating holiday in Friesland.
The IJsselmeer is a great place for windsurfing and kite surfing. Famous spots are Makkum, Workum and Hindelopen. There are spacious surf beaches with the accompanying relaxed atmosphere. But these are also very nice towns with cosy terraces and restaurants.
In the Frisian lake district, you have the real water sports towns like Sneek, Woudsend, Langweer and, of course, Heeg. The last place is my personal favourite because of its cosy village, good accommodation options and location in the middle of the Frisian lake district.
Heeg has a number of accommodation options. First of all, hotel de Watersport. A cosy hotel with 14 comfortable rooms and an excellent restaurant located on the edge of the centre of Heeg by the water. Enjoy breakfast on the waterside terrace in the morning, drinks in the afternoon and an excellent dinner in the evening. Who wouldn't want that?
Also nice is the hostel Stay Okay. This hostel is also located by the water and also has family rooms for up to 6 people. Next to the hostel is also the sailing school It Beaken so if you want to learn to sail, you can do that too.
If you want something different, think about a Tiny Houseboat. For overnight stays, but also for sailing if you have some sailing experience.
What is a Tiny Houseboat? The name says it all - a tiny house on a boat. The Tiny Houseboat in Heeg is a luxury version. The boat has shower, toilet, central heating, kitchen with fridge, oven and gas cooker and four beds for adults.
You can go on the Tiny Houseboat overnight in its home port in Heeg, but if you have some sailing experience, you can also use it to explore the Frisian lake district. As the boat is equipped with solar panels and a large battery pack, you can also spend a few days outdoors at a Marrekrite mooring or at a Marrekrite mooring buoy. But of course you can also moor in Sneek, Heeg, Woudsend, IJlst or any of the other nice places in the area. And what's handy: for a limited amount of money, you can rent a motorboat with an outboard motor from the Tiny Houseboat. With it, you can go to a terrace or do some shopping from your mooring in the countryside. Also fun for children to play with.
The Tiny Houseboat is available for rent from Boat Rental Friesland | Genieten op het water.
Are you a lover of nature and especially a bird lover. Then take a trip to nature island Golden Boaijum. 10 minutes by boat from Genieten op het water's location, you will find this unique place. Siebe Klaas and Pytsje Bokma operate an organic dairy farm there, but also organise excursions. And children can go 'on aventoer by the farmer' there.
Wonderful to see how enthusiastically they can talk about their business and the unique nature island.
Just nature may not be the thing to do either. If, after the peace and space of nature, you want to get back into the cosiness and bustle, Sneek is a wonderful place to visit for a day. A beautiful city centre with cosy canals, a varied range of shops, not to mention cosy terraces and eateries.
If you are on holiday in Friesland and want to explore the province across the country, then grab a bike. Friesland has wonderful routes. If you like a sporting challenge, you can of course cycle the Eleven Cities Route. But there are also wonderful routes for the ordinary tour cyclist, with regular ferries taking you to the other side of the water. How much fun is that?
For cycling routes, check out the website of Fietsersbond Fryslân.
There is also plenty to do for walkers. For example, in the forested Gaasterland you can go for lovely walks and enjoy nature.
As you have read, Friesland and certainly Heeg offers everything you need to experience a fun holiday or boating holiday in the Netherlands. Will we see you in Friesland this summer?
