A road trip in the Netherlands along the coast of Friesland and Groningen

 Next stop: Leeuwarden, the capital of Friesland, about an hour west of Groningen. Take a stroll through the old town, gaze at the vibrant heritage of the stathouders (provincial governors), such as the brick Weigh House. Further afield, the Frisian Museum can teach you about the history of the region, while the Princessehof Ceramics Museum boasts a fine collection of oriental fine china and earthenware. Leeuwarden is also renowned for its art scene and lively cafes. The best place to experience this is the Blokhuispoort, a former prison converted into a third place: a farmers’ market, a brewery, a theatre… There’s always something to see and learn there!

Continuing westwards, Harlingen, a harbour town on the Wadden Sea, presents a picturesque picture with its quays lined with warehouses, its sailing boats and its historic stone houses. You should only need about a day to visit this small fishing town, once a major whaling port, and its museum on local history. Here, you can feel the call of the open sea. Take your time strolling along the harbour before taking a ferry to the Frisian Islands.

Time to embark on the first island of your trip! Just 20 kilometres off the Dutch coast, the unassuming island of Vlieland comes into view after a two-hour ferry ride. This unspoilt land, where the only cars allowed are the residents’, is remarkably peaceful. Its immense beaches, wooded areas and dunes provide the perfect backdrop for walks and bicycle rides. The island’s only market town, Oost-Vlieland, is a delightful hamlet of fishermen’s cottages and welcoming cafes. Our personal favorite? The walk along Vuurboetsduin, the highest dune on the island, to the Oost-Vlieland lighthouse, for a breathtaking view of the Wadden Sea.

 From the Oost-Vlieland pier, take the ferry to the neighbouring island of Terschelling. This larger island offers a wide variety of landscapes: long stretches of sand, tidelands, polders, salt meadows, evergreen forests and picturesque villages. From here, you can discover the Brandaris lighthouse and explore the estuaries at the eastern end of the island in the De Boschplaat Nature Reserve.

Back on the mainland, time to head for Lauwersmeer National Park in Lauwerswoog, a unique place carved into an exceptional landscape by the waters of the ancient inland sea. It’s the ideal place to admire the diversity of Frisian fauna, especially the migratory birds that stop here every year. Take advantage of the park’s many hiking trails or join a kayak trip to discover this unspoilt environment. As the day draws to a close, take to the road again for a final evening in Groningen, where you can enjoy the lively bars of Noorderhaven, facing the historic ships of the old trading port.