Sail the northern part of the Eleven Cities Tour
Sail the northern part of the Eleven Cities Tour! Book your vacation on a classic motorboat and plan your sailing holiday.
Are you looking for a sailing route through Friesland? Sail the northern part of the Eleven Cities Tour. You will sail through Dokkum, Leeuwarden, Franeker, and the bridge of Bartlehiem. Which of our classic boats will you take on this adventure?
Day 1 – Dokkum – 12km – 2.5 hours
This route starts just like all other routes from Marina Lunegat. From there, you go via the Dokkumer Diep and the lock towards Dokkum. Dokkum is the first city of the 11 cities that you will encounter. You can moor here along the ramparts or right in the center. From there, you can take a walk around the city and over the ramparts.
Nice restaurants in Dokkum are:
- Hotel Café Restaurant de Posthoorn
- Pizzeria d’Angelo
- De Waegh
Day 2 – Leeuwarden – 23km – 3 hours
From Dokkum, you follow the Dokkumer Ee to Leeuwarden. You will pass through the villages of Burdaard, Bartlehiem, Wyns, and Lekkum. In Leeuwarden, keep to the right. You will then pass the Prinsentuin, the park of Leeuwarden. Here you can moor and easily enter the city. Leeuwarden is the capital of Friesland and the end of the Frisian skating Eleven Cities Tour. You can climb the Oldehove, visit the Fries Museum, or shop in the center of Leeuwarden.
Nice stops and restaurants:
- It Posthûs in Burdaard
- Grutte Pier Brewery in Bartlehiem
- Humpreys Leeuwarden
- Tao Leeuwarden
- Stek Leeuwarden
Which boat will you choose to go on an adventure?
Day 3 – Franeker – 19km – 2.5 hours
On day three, you sail to Franeker. From Leeuwarden, you follow the Harlingervaart and the Connecting Canal to the van Harinxmakanaal.
*Note! Large ships also sail here, these ships always have the right of way.*
You stay on the van Harinxmakanaal until you reach Franeker, where you can sail towards the town and moor at the ramparts. Franeker used to be a university town and has a planetarium.
Tip: moor in the harbor of Franeker. You can set up a tent on the grass field in the harbor. There are bicycles available for you to use to cycle to the center.
Nice stops and restaurants:
- The planetarium in Franeker
- Van der Kloet Bread & Pastry
Tips for sailing the northern part of the Eleven Cities Tour
Bring some extra small change for bridges, water, and showers. Usually, you need to drop 50 cents in the machines.
In most marinas, there are toilets and showers. If you want to use them, we recommend mooring in a marina at night.
In this route, we have not taken into account the mooring fees in the harbors.
Day 4 – Oude Leije – 23km – 3.5 hours
From here, you sail part of the Northern Kleiroute. You will encounter many bridges, but you can just pass under them with these boats, just keep the mast and flagpole down! (Bridges are 2.50)
You will also encounter two self-service locks, but these are easy to operate!
When you come out of Franeker, go left into the narrow water towards Berlikum before the big bridge, and then you can’t miss it. In Berlikum, there is a bakery, butcher, and supermarket. Just a 5-minute walk. There is no restaurant. You can moor at the ice club where there is also a toilet.
In the harbor of Oude Leije, we spent the night. A small harbor in the middle of nature.
The harbor master will bring a key for you to shower in a very clean shower room next to a small bar where you can also eat a hamburger and chicken.
Day 5 – Dokkum – 22km – 3 hours
You pass under the bridge of Bartlehiem and then sail left to Dokkum via Burdaard. In Burdaard, between the 2 bridges, there is a lovely restaurant (It Posthus) where you can have a good lunch.
In Dokkum, you can spend the night under the mill.
Day 6 – Lauwersmeer – 22km – 2.5 hours
On day six, you sail from Dokkum to Lauwersmeer.
Tip: make sure to sail really in the fairway; if you go outside of it, you will get stuck. You will also get loose quickly again.
A tip from our guests: We really enjoyed our meal at the restaurant: The Riddle of the Wadden.
Day 7 – Home Harbor – 10km – 1.5 hours
On day seven, you return to Marina Lunegat.
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Sailing route through Friesland, five days through nature and city
Sailing in Groningen sailing route along the remnants of the Lauwerszee
