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
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ₹6,558 per night from 13 Jul to 14 Jul
₹6,558
₹7,903 total
13 Jul - 14 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star beach hotel in Makkum. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a beach locale and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property condition ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (462 reviews)
"Nice location on the beach. Room was nice, perhaps getting somewhat aged but that was reflected by the price. A bit longer walk in to Makkum itself, but doable and safe. We picked it for the water view and easy access to laundry facilities, right nearby, for the midpoint of our trip."

Reviewed on 2 May 2025

Strandhotel Vigilante
Westcord WTC Hotel Leeuwarden
Westcord WTC Hotel Leeuwarden
4.5 out of 5
Heliconweg 52, Leeuwarden
The price is ₹8,236 per night from 20 Jul to 21 Jul
₹8,236
₹9,309 total
20 Jul - 21 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Leeuwarden. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (576 reviews)
"Room was clean, breakfast in the morning was very good. Will definitly come back!"

Reviewed on 25 Jan 2025

Westcord WTC Hotel Leeuwarden
Leonardo Oranje Hotel Leeuwarden
Leonardo Oranje Hotel Leeuwarden
4 out of 5
Stationsweg 4, Leeuwarden
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ₹7,391 per night from 13 Jul to 14 Jul
₹7,391
₹8,389 total
13 Jul - 14 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Leeuwarden. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and free train station pick-up. Our guests praise the helpful ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (758 reviews)
"Great place near station. Very quiet and clean. Easy walk to restaurants and town centre. Very friendly staff and highly recommended."

Reviewed on 20 Jun 2025

Leonardo Oranje 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.
8.4/10 Very Good! (16 reviews)
"Location is fantastic - but you get the keys and breakfast at a different location. Building is really old but very authentic - though a bit cold in the room. Lovely breakfast though and staff were very nice."

Reviewed on 18 Jun 2024

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 ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (28 reviews)
"Sehr gutes Appartement, gerne wieder"

Reviewed on 21 Mar 2025

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 ...
"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

Reviews of Harlingen

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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

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