Harlingen Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Photo by Jan Lalkens
Discover one of the eleven cities on the famous Friesian ice skating route and enjoy the beach, the beautiful nature, the picturesque city centre and of course the harbour!

Visit the Friesian city of Harlingen, a lovely city on the Wadden Sea full of surprises. It has a picturesque harbour, quaint sidewalk cafés and a great shopping mall. Nature lovers will more than enjoy a day on the water or one of the nearby nature reserves.

Harlingen has a rich history and was an important harbour for hundreds of years. The harbour attracted people and the village quickly grew into a town with breweries, big houses and shipyards. Stroll through the city centre and take in the lovely sights of this old Friesian town.

There's more than enough to do and see in Harlingen! Stroll through the city centre, relax at one of the sidewalk cafés and go shopping. Visit the Grote Kerk, one of the oldest in Friesland with a rare organ.

Culture lovers must see ‘t Gouden Stoepke, an old building which dates back to the 16th century and still has some of its original details. Hannemahuis, a centre dedicated to the history of Harlingen, is also a must. Take time out between the cultural sights to head out to the beach at Westerzeedijk or nature reserve Hegewiersterfjild, a real paradise for nature lovers and birdwatchers.

The centre of town is small making it easy to explore on foot. Explore the lovely harbour, visit the city centre and walk to the beach or hire a bicycle and explore the surrounding area. There is also a bus service. If you’re travelling by car, you can park for a fee in one of the indicated parking garages.

Harlingen is close to the Afsluitdijk making to easy to reach by car from North-Holland. It's also easy to reach from Leeuwarden via the A31. If you prefer to travel by public transport, there's a train to Harlingen Haven from Leeuwarden. A number of buses in the surrounding cities will also get you there.

The Friesian town of Harlingen is the perfect place for a great holiday. Enjoy cultural heritage, breathtaking nature and a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

Strandhotel Vigilante
Strandhotel Vigilante
4 out of 5
Holle Poarte 10, Makkum
The price is ฿2,284 per night from 30 Jun to 1 Jul
฿2,284
per night
30 Jun - 1 Jul
Stay at this 4-star beach hotel in Makkum. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a beach locale and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the restaurant in ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (340 reviews)
On the sea in Makkum
"Really liked many aspects of this hotel. I was there in the winter for a visit to one of the many yards that calls Makkum home. Restaurant and service was two highlights and the view from the room was great. Bed and bedding, not so much, the team would need to switch things up for me to sleep well ..."

Reviewed on 3 Dec 2023

Strandhotel Vigilante
Boutique Hotel De Eilanden
Boutique Hotel De Eilanden
3.5 out of 5
Noorderhaven 24, Harlingen
The price is ฿4,546 per night from 16 Jun to 17 Jun
฿4,546
per night
16 Jun - 17 Jun
Stay at this 3.5-star guesthouse in Harlingen. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a marina and daily housekeeping. Popular attractions Galerie de Vis and Hannemahuis Museum are ...
9/10 Wonderful! (133 reviews)
Want to return
"Very comfortable hotel, clean, lovely little balcony. We wish we could have stayed a bit longer"

Reviewed on 25 May 2024

Boutique Hotel De Eilanden
Westcord WTC Hotel Leeuwarden
Westcord WTC Hotel Leeuwarden
4 out of 5
Heliconweg 52, Leeuwarden
The price is ฿3,946 per night from 11 Jul to 12 Jul
฿3,946
per night
11 Jul - 12 Jul
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Leeuwarden. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Holland Casino and Pieter ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (511 reviews)
"After 4 weeks of travel, the staf were absolutely wonderful. They were kind, cheerful and helpful! Cant give them a high enough rating."

Reviewed on 28 May 2024

Westcord WTC Hotel Leeuwarden
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Logement Garjen
Logement Garjen
2 out of 5
75 Noorderhaven, Harlingen, FR
Stay at this aparthotel in Harlingen. Enjoy free Wi-Fi and daily housekeeping. Popular attractions Galerie de Vis and Hannemahuis Museum are located nearby.
8.2/10 Very Good! (9 reviews)
"No elevator. Steep staircase. These facts need to be mentioned in hotel listing. Did not receive instructions where to check in to pick up the room keys. After phone call I placed info was received to walk to another location to check in."

Reviewed on 1 Aug 2023

Logement Garjen
De Vlindertuin Ameland
De Vlindertuin Ameland
2.5 out of 5
2 Polderweg, Nes, FR
Stay at this aparthotel in Nes. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Nature Center Ameland and Nes Beach are located ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (24 reviews)
"Nette accommodatie, compleet voor een prettig verblijf"

Reviewed on 17 Feb 2024

De Vlindertuin Ameland
City Guesthouse De Rozenboom
City Guesthouse De Rozenboom
3.5 out of 5
Grote Kerkstraat 8, Leeuwarden
Stay at this 3.5-star aparthotel in Leeuwarden. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and parking (surcharge). Popular attractions Het Princessehof and Princessehof ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (5 reviews)
"Beautiful unique property right in the heart of the old city and very near the museums."

Reviewed on 30 Oct 2023

City Guesthouse De Rozenboom
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Harlingen

5
Top destination
5 - Excellent
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4 - Good
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5/5 - Excellent

ErikBurger

We liked Eetcafe Nooitgedacht, 3 Min walking from Anna Casparii, excellent food and a very, very good serving team