Vanaf het Slotermeer vaar je via het Slotergat naar Sloten, de kleinste stad van Friesland. De stad heeft nog steeds een middeleeuws karakter met zijn straten en steegjes, waterpoorten en natuurlijk de vestigingsmuur. Een boot huren en varen naar Sloten, wij vinden het een goed idee!
Sloten, the Onion City
The city’s fortifications are remarkable and completely preserved to this day, maintaining the original contours of the city. When viewed from above, the city resembles the shape of an onion, which is why Sloten is also called “sipelstêd” in Frisian, meaning Onion City. The designer and renowned fortification builder Menno van Coehoorn created and later constructed the design of this fortified city. Besides Sloten, Coehoorn also contributed to the fortifications of Zwolle, Nijmegen, Grave, Breda, and Bergen op Zoom.
What to Do in Sloten?
If you want to delve into Sloten’s fascinating history, visit Museum Sloten, also known as Museum Stêdhus Sleat. Here, you can learn about Sloten’s role in the Eighty Years’ War and explore a unique collection of magic lanterns.
City Walk
In Sloten, you can take a 1.7-kilometer city walk. This walk will reveal why Sloten is considered the ideal fortified city. You can find the city walk map for three euros at the local tourist information (VVV) locations.
Slotermeer
The Slotermeer is a lake in the southwest of Friesland. It borders Sloten, Balk, and Woudsend. The Elfstedentocht (Eleven Cities Tour) crosses the Slotermeer twice during the legendary ice skating event.
Marinas in Sloten
Jachthaven de Lemsterpoort is the marina of Sloten. The marina is located just a few minutes’ walk from the center. In the high season, the marina offers approximately 50 berths for transient boaters.
Upon arrival at the marina, boats may dock at the registration pier, located next to the harbor office. The harbor master will assign you a berth where you can moor your boat. In 2022, the marina charged €10.50 for boats between 9 and 10 meters in length. Additionally, there is an electricity fee of €0.50 per kWh and a tourist tax of €1.20 per person.
Rent a Boat in Sloten
Are you sailing to Sloten next summer to explore Friesland from the water? Embark on a boating holiday and rent a boat from Varen met Sil. Choose a classic motorboat that allows you to navigate throughout Friesland. These boats come with at least two fixed sleeping places, a kitchenette, and a toilet. Intrigued? Take a look at our motorboats.
Want to know more about boating with Sil? Read our About Us page or contact us. We’re happy to provide advice and tips for your boating vacation.
