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Car and motorcycle route city trip

(103.0 km)

Discover the historic 7 cities in the Waterland region of Friesland (Southwest Friesland) by motorcycle or car. The starting point is Sloten, but you are free to begin the route in any town.

City Tour by Car or Motorcycle in Waterland of Friesland
Seven charming towns await you, each connected by water. Park your car or motorcycle in designated parking areas, as driving in the city center is not allowed in all towns. Explore each town on foot to experience its unique character. Various museums tell their story. In addition, each town features a fountain created by international artists for the ‘11 fountains’ project.

  • Sloten: the picturesque town. The smallest of all 11 towns in Friesland. Stroll through the cozy streets and unwind.
  • Stavoren: greet the 'Lady of Stavoren' who overlooks the harbor and Lake IJsselmeer and enjoy a delicious fish dish.
  • Hindeloopen: …

Discover the historic 7 cities in the Waterland region of Friesland (Southwest Friesland) by motorcycle or car. The starting point is Sloten, but you are free to begin the route in any town.

City Tour by Car or Motorcycle in Waterland of Friesland
Seven charming towns await you, each connected by water. Park your car or motorcycle in designated parking areas, as driving in the city center is not allowed in all towns. Explore each town on foot to experience its unique character. Various museums tell their story. In addition, each town features a fountain created by international artists for the ‘11 fountains’ project.

  • Sloten: the picturesque town. The smallest of all 11 towns in Friesland. Stroll through the cozy streets and unwind.
  • Stavoren: greet the 'Lady of Stavoren' who overlooks the harbor and Lake IJsselmeer and enjoy a delicious fish dish.
  • Hindeloopen: travel back in time and discover the painting traditions and stylish traditional clothing of the past.
  • Workum: an important trading town of old due to its location. Admire the beautifully preserved facades along the Noard.
  • Bolsward: a city where history and architecture play a major role. Notable figures for Bolsward include Titus Brandsma and Gysbert Japicx.
  • IJlst: also known as the wood city. For years, skates, children’s toys, and tools were made here. The sawmill is still operational.
  • Sneek: the water sports capital of the Netherlands. Discover, among other things, the history of shipping.

This route is part of the city trip storyline.

Scenic Routes
This route is perfect for those who want to avoid major roads and discover the 'real' Friesland. You will explore the beautiful Waterland of Friesland and its towns via small country roads.

Always be mindful of cyclists and pedestrians. From Rijs to Stavoren, you’ll drive along a narrow sea dike on the IJsselmeer coast. An alternative route is from Rijs, via Hemelum and Warns, to Stavoren. You will also drive over winding, narrow roads between Bolsward and IJlst.

National Landscape Southwest Fryslân
This route takes you through four different types of landscapes, collectively forming the National Landscape Southwest Fryslân. Be sure to take breaks along the way to enjoy the views.

From Sloten, you will immediately enter the hilly, wooded area of Gaasterland. Next, between Rijs and Hindeloopen, you will follow the IJsselmeer coast, where you can spot many kite surfers. Then, you will pass through the clay area between Bolsward and Sneek. Finally, you will discover the peatland with the Frisian Lakes.

Multi-Day Car or Motorcycle Route
This route is suitable for a multi-day trip, allowing you to fully enjoy each town. Check here for accommodation options in the region.

Sights on this route

Starting point:

Haverkamp 9
8556 AC Sloten
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Sloten (Sleat)

Sloten (or Sleat as we say in Friesland) is the smallest Elfsteden town in Friesland. This walled mini-city is also called sipelstêd (Frisian for onion city) thanks to the unique shape of an onion.

Visit Sloten

Sloten (Sleat) Sloten gracht

11Fountains Sloten

The ‘Peewit’ shows a girl standing on the shoulders of a man. She holds a bird in her hand. Under the man’s feet a disheveled pile of buckets, jerry cans and barrels form the base of the fountain.

11Fountains Sloten

Museum Sloten

In the middle of Sloten – a truly enchanting museum: experience the rich history of the city and the magical world of magic lanterns.

Museum Sloten

De Kaai corn mill

Near the Lemster Gate you will also find De Kaai corn mill. The windmill stands on a bastion of the city walls, where it still grinds wheat into flour in the traditional and authentic manner. On Saturdays, the mill is open for viewing and flour sales.

De Kaai corn mill

The Lemster Gate of Sloten

If you sail into Sloten from Lemmer, the wonderful scene that greets you is the windmill together with the Lemster Gate, a vista often captured in photographs. There’s a pillory at the foot of the Lemster Gate.

The Lemster Gate of Sloten

Washing lines of Sloten

Sloten likes to pay homage to its 'bleaches'. This 'Bleekweide' was a grassy commons area on which freshly washed linen was left to dry and bleach in the sun. Sloten likes to remember this bleaching system along its city moat.

Washing lines of Sloten

Oudemirdum - De Betonpleats - Seedykkiekje uitkijkplatform

Polder met uitzicht op het IJsselmeerBezoektijdGehele jaar.RoutebeschrijvingLiemerige Wei 6, 8567 HM OudemirdumCopyrightDeze informatie is afkom...

Oudemirdum - De Betonpleats - Seedykkiekje uitkijkplatform

De Hege Grezen near Oudemirdum

For a small entrance fee you can enjoy a day at this unique location on the IJsselmeer. You can swim here and there are changing rooms and toilets. There is also a playground, a football and volleyball field, a paddling pool and a mini-golf course.

De Hege Grezen near Oudemirdum

Oudemirdumerklif - Uitkijkheuvel

Zicht op het IJsselmeer met 's winters veel eenden.

Oudemirdumerklif - Uitkijkheuvel

Mokkebank - De Mok - Vogelkijkhut

Duizenden futen.

Mokkebank - De Mok - Vogelkijkhut

Harbor of Laaksum

The harbor of Laaksum is an idyllic spot in Southwest Friesland. We often refer to it as the smallest fishing harbor in Europe.

Harbor of Laaksum Laaksum de Hang

Rode Klif (Red Cliff) at Lake IJsselmeer

At the edge of Lake IJsselmeer there is a red cliff that is 10 metres high. It was formed during the last ice age but one when the land was pushed up by glaciers that advanced from Scandinavia. The forces exerted by the ice created hills in the landscape.

Rode Klif (Red Cliff) at Lake IJsselmeer

Stavoren (Starum)

Stavoren (or Starum as we say in Friesland) is very much the main city of the IJsselmeer, being enclosed by the lake on three sides. It is also the oldest city of Friesland, founded around 300 BC at a waterway, and gaining city rights in the 11th century.

Visit Stavoren

Stavoren (Starum) Fontein Stavoren

Museum 't Ponthús

Here the time line of the famous Stavoren stories is brought to life. Why was Stavoren a target for the Vikings? And how about the trading relationship with Hamburg? Or read more about the story of the emergency landing of the Halifax V during the Second

Museum 't Ponthús

The Lady of Stavoren

From the 15th century on, the flourishing Hanseatic city of Stavoren began to fall upon bad times. It is this period in history that is related in the saga of the Lady of Stavoren. In the saga, all aspects of Stavoren as a trading city are covered.

The Lady of Stavoren

11Fountains Stavoren

The sea gives, the sea takes. Stavoren, once a rich Hanseatic city, has much to say on this subject. Floods, maritime trade wars, a port that silted up: the city fell into poverty several times.

11Fountains Stavoren

Museum 'Het Bakkerswinkeltje'

Ontdek in Museum 'Het Bakkerswinkeltje' de rijke historie van het vroegere Friese Doolhof Molkwerum.

Museum 'Het Bakkerswinkeltje'

Molkwerum - Bocht van Molkwerum - Vogelkijkhut Swan

Veel vogels te zien, aan het IJsselmeer.

Molkwerum - Bocht van Molkwerum - Vogelkijkhut Swan

Hindeloopen (Hylpen)

Hindeloopen, or Hylpen as we say in Friesland, is known for its painting and stylish costumes from the past.

Visit Hindeloopen

Hindeloopen (Hylpen) Hindeloopen

11Fountains Hindeloopen

The city coat of arms, with its tree of life, with the deer and the doe surrounding it, is the source of inspiration for the fountain in Hindeloopen.

11Fountains Hindeloopen

Church of Hindeloopen

The Hindeloopen skyline is dominated by its church, called Grote Kerk, visible from many miles away. The old church of Hindeloopen was destroyed during the Eighty Years’ War, in 1570.

Church of Hindeloopen

Friesian Ice Skating Museum

This museum is a must for all ice skating fans. You will find the world’s largest collection of ice skates here, and a complete history of the Elfstedentocht in a specially designed Elfsteden-room.

Friesian Ice Skating Museum Schaatsmuseum en winkel Museum Hindeloopen

Museum Hindeloopen

Three centuries ago, Hindeloopen grew into a major trading city. The city had a large fleet of 100 ships that sailed across the ocean. Hindeloopen is still an attractive city to visit. Many old characteristic properties are preserved.

Museum Hindeloopen

KNRM lifeboat station

A particularly photogenic building and location is the bright blue KNRM lifeboat station on the dike in Hindeloopen. The old lifeboat station dating from 1911 has become a national monument.

KNRM lifeboat station

Locks and the Sylhús

Hindeloopen is full of national monuments, such as the locks and the adjoining Sylhús. The locks were built back in the 17th century, and are the connection for recreational boats between the city centre and the harbour and the IJsselmeer lake.

Locks and the Sylhús

Workum (Warkum)

Workum (or Warkum as we say in Friesland), is one of the famous Frisian cities that has enjoyed city rights since 1399. Located on the shores of the former Zuiderzee and bordering the Frisian lakes.

Visit Workum

Workum (Warkum) Workum Fontein

Sluis Workum

De sluis vormt de verbinding tussen de Diepe Dolte in het centrum en het twee kilometer lange kanaal Het Zool dat uitkomt op het IJsselmeer.

Sluis Workum

Sint Gertrudis church

On ‘De Merk’, you'll find ’Workum Cathedral’, Sint Gertrudis church. This is the largest late-Gothic cruciform church of Friesland, with the largest windows in all the province.

Sint Gertrudis church St. Gertrudiskerk vanuit de lucht

Façade stone wall

The façade stone wall is an original initiative and beautiful historic feature of Workum. 22 old façade stones have been incorporated under the gateway alongside number 18 on De Merk market square.

Façade stone wall

Museum Warkums Erfskip

Museum Warkums Erfskip is housed in the old Waag building in the center and tells more about the history of Workum and its surroundings. It is the starting point to discover and admire the highlights of the beautiful city of Workum.

Museum Warkums Erfskip It Stedhûs

Museum Warkums Erfskip

Enjoy Workum from the weigh house!

Museum Warkums Erfskip

11Fountains Workum

For centuries Workum’s city arms on ‘De Waag’ have been supported by two lions. They are naive and their theatrical pose prompts laughter.

11Fountains Workum

Jopie Huisman Museum

The Jopie Huisman Museum is dedicated to the life and work of the Frisian self-taught master painter Jopie Huisman. His love of nature and his compassion are a recurrent theme.

Jopie Huisman Museum

Bolsward (Boalsert)

Bolsward, or Boalsert as we say in Friesland, is the city where history and architecture play a leading role. Let yourself be carried away by the rich history of this eleven cities city.

Visit Bolsward

Bolsward (Boalsert) Bolsward Broerekerk

Bolwerk Bolsward

In de 16e eeuw was Bolsward voorzien van verdedigingswerken met grachten en wallen. Maar omdat vanuit de regering stedelijke verdedigingswerken werden afgeschaft, werden de wallen afgegraven. Het Hoog Bolwerk is bewaard gebleven.

Bolwerk Bolsward

Stadsgrachten Bolsward

Bolsward werd echt welvarend door de zuivelhandel in de 17e eeuw. Dit zie je goed terug in de huizen langs de stadsgrachten uit die tijd.

Stadsgrachten Bolsward

City Hall of Bolsward

The City Hall of Bolsward is one of the most beautiful gems of Friesland, although it's currently surrounded by scaffolding for renovation purposes. The richly decorated City Hall was built in the 1614-1617 period and designed by Jacob Gysbert.

City Hall of Bolsward

Cultuur Historisch Centrum 'De Tiid'

Museum De Tiid, in the former historic town hall in Bolsward, shows the fascinating history of Southwest Fryslân. Take your time for the interactive presentations and feast your eyes in the photogenic council chamber, on the steps and in the city hall tow

Cultuur Historisch Centrum 'De Tiid'

11Fountains Bolsward

Bats are intriguing, useful animals, crucial to the ecological system for their insect hunting. In Asian culture, the bat symbolises wealth, happiness and the blessings of old age.

11Fountains Bolsward

Broerekerk (church)

The Broerekerk was built in the 13th century as a monastery church of the Friars Minor. The monastery was abandoned and demolished in 1580. The three-aisled church without a tower is a ruin as a result of a fire that took place on 8 May 1980.

Broerekerk (church)

IJlst (Drylts)

IJlst (or Drylts in Frisian) is not only one of the famous 11 cities, but also a 'wood city'. For many years, tree trunks were processed here by the legendary wood trading companies Oppedijk and S.O. de Vries.

Visit IJlst

IJlst (Drylts) Molen IJlst

Nooitgedagt chimney

The silhouette of IJlst would not be the same without the old factory chimney, on which the letters of the Nooitgedagt name can be read from top to bottom.

Nooitgedagt chimney

Waterside Gardens

Unique and characteristic to IJlst are the waterside gardens on each side of the Ee.

Waterside Gardens

11Fountains Ijlst

Culture, like nature, consists of layer upon layer. New generations continue to build on a foundation which does not disappear.

11Fountains Ijlst

Museum en Werkplaats Houtstad IJlst

Experience the history of IJlst during an active visit to: Museum and workshop Houtstad IJlst. IJlst has been connected with wood for many centuries.

Museum en Werkplaats Houtstad IJlst Viking Games 4 november 2023 Houtstad IJlst

Houtzaagmolen de Rat

Visit wind powered sawmill ‘De Rat’ and step back in time three hundred years!

Houtzaagmolen de Rat

Sneek (Snits)

Sneek, or Snits as we say in Friesland, is the water sports city of the Netherlands. But Sneek is more than water sports and the Sneekweek. The city is bustling with events, culture, unique hotspots, and nice shops.

Visit Sneek

Sneek (Snits) Waterpoort Sneek

Water Gate Sneek

The Waterpoort in Sneek is a water gate, a gate in a defensive wall that connects a city to a waterway. In the 15th and 16th century, a defensive wall had been built around Sneek.

Water Gate Sneek

11Fountains Sneek

Out of use

A man with a Horn of Plenty stands on a golden ball in the middle of the water.

11Fountains Sneek

Frisian Maritime Museum

The Frisian Maritime Museum focuses on the history of Frisian shipping.

Frisian Maritime Museum

The National Model Railway Museum

Discover the past and present of the track company at home and abroad. Plus, fine examples model construction, playgrounds for children and a lot more. Enjoy Europe's largest collection of model trains in bustling Sneek.

The National Model Railway Museum

Belltower Ypecolsga

Ypecolsga is a hamlet near Woudsend. The double bellcote in Ypecolsga was completely replaced in 1956. Beneath the peculiar hipped roof hang 2 bells dating back to 1664.

Belltower Ypecolsga

End point:

Haverkamp 9
8556 AC Sloten
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