Sailing to Harlingen

Are you going on a sailing holiday in Friesland? Then there’s a good chance you’ll want to visit the port city of Harlingen. Harlingen is one of the Eleven Cities of Friesland and is known for its many beautiful harbors and strong winds. Do you love grand buildings, delicious food, and the salty sea air? Then Harlingen should definitely be on your sailing bucket list. Dive into the nautical history of Harlingen and discover for yourself what this port city has to offer!

By boat to Harlingen

From Leeuwarden, it’s about 24 kilometers to sail to Harlingen. Just outside Leeuwarden, at the Harinxmakanaal, you’ll come to a fork. If you sail to port, you’ll head towards Lemmer, and if you go straight, you’ll end up in Harlingen. You’ll sail via Rintsumazijl, Deinum, and Dronryp to eventually arrive in Franeker. Tip: moor in Franeker and explore the beautiful city center on foot. From Franeker, it’s still 6 kilometers to Harlingen. On this route, you’ll pass through the Frisian Bridge, the bridge at Kiesterzijl, and the King’s Bridge.

Harbors in Harlingen

In Harlingen, there are various visitor harbors where you can dock your motorboat. You can moor at the southeast and northeast canals, and there are several marinas in Harlingen. The locations are situated in the historic center of Harlingen. You’ll find water and electricity everywhere, and there are sanitary facilities.

Sights in Harlingen

Once you’ve found a nice spot for your boat, it’s time to explore the charming Harlingen. Harlingen is perfect for exploring on foot. In the center, you’ll find beautiful canal houses, warehouses, and lovely parks. Throughout the city, you’ll see beautiful old buildings with a lot of character. If you look closely, you’ll spot painted wall advertisements on various facades. Around 1900, shopkeepers started advertising their goods this way. A total of 21 paintings have been restored. Can you spot them all?

Harlingen has a rich nautical history, and the Hannemahuis museum is filled with interesting information about all the sea heroes that Harlingen has known. Get to know Harlingen and take a dive into the culture and history of the city. Harlingen is also home to one of the last real tile factories. The paintings on the tiles perfectly match the image of Harlingen: sailing ships, fish, and fishermen. Are you looking for an original souvenir? You can also buy tiles from the Harlingen tile and pottery factory.

A little further, just outside the center, is the sea harbor of Harlingen, located on the Wadden Sea. From here, boats depart for Vlieland and Terschelling. You’ll also find Harlingen Beach here, where you can enjoy the sun and sand in the summer. Stay until it gets dark, because here you can watch the most beautiful sunset.

Restaurants in Harlingen

If you’ve worked up an appetite after all that walking around the city, there are plenty of delicious dining options in Harlingen. For example, enjoy a meal at café Nooitgedagt, located in one of the oldest warehouses in Harlingen. The building is still in its original state. Café Nooitgedagt has a cozy interior and serves the best coffees and pastries. Are you looking for a fine dining experience? Then come dine at ‘T Havenmantsje. Here, they serve surprise menus with local seasonal products, crafted by a master chef. A true culinary surprise!

Rent a boat in Friesland and sail to Harlingen

Harlingen has plenty to offer for a stop during your sailing holiday with a motorboat or flat-bottomed boat. With the classic boats from Varen met Sil, you can sail throughout Friesland. The boats are suitable for families and couples and have at least two fixed sleeping places on board. They are also equipped with other conveniences. And if you’ve never sailed before? The team at Varen met Sil is happy to help you further.

Are you going on a sailing holiday this summer? Book now or send us a message if you have any questions. Want to read more about sailing in Friesland? Then check out our other blogs for tips and fun outings!

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