Leeuwarden and the 11 Cities Cycle Route

In the far north of the Netherlands, across a vast and level landscape, lie eleven historic towns connected by tranquil canals. These towns form the backdrop for a legendary ice-skating event that takes place whenever the canals freeze solid: the Eleven Towns Tour. This 200-kilometre marathon holds a special place in Dutch hearts, and when the ice does not appear, the route finds new life in the warmer months as a beloved cycling holiday trail. Many cyclists retrace the same journey, pedalling past familiar landmarks with a sense of nostalgia and admiration for this remarkable landscape.

Each town—whether large or small—offers its own distinct charm and historical significance, making exploration a delight at every turn. Between the towns, you’ll find peaceful waterways, shimmering lakes, nature reserves and sweeping meadows that create a serene and captivating route for cyclists.

The province of Friesland stands apart from the rest of the Netherlands, not only in its scenery but also through its unique language and culture, which you will quickly come to appreciate as you ride through this fascinating region.

2027 launch offer: £50 per person off all 2027 departure dates!

8 days

Difficulty: Leisurely

From £939 P/P

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Itinerary

Route overview

What’s included

Photos

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Itinerary

Your Frisian adventure begins in Leeuwarden, the lively capital of the Friesland province. If the language you hear sounds a little different, you’re not mistaken — Frisian is distinct from Dutch and forms an important part of the region’s unique cultural identity.

Today, you’ll visit three of the eleven towns, each with its own charm and story to tell. Bolsward is a beautiful historic Hanseatic town that captures the hearts of many visitors with its rich past and welcoming atmosphere.

You’ll spend the night in Sneek, a lively town beloved by water sports enthusiasts and day-trippers alike. Its picturesque canals wind through the centre, creating a delightful setting for an evening stroll. The town’s pride and joy is the Waterpoort (1613), a graceful water gate that once formed part of Sneek’s defensive walls — in earlier times, boats could only enter and leave the town through this gate.

If you have a sweet tooth, be sure to sample the local speciality, “drabbelkoeken”, crispy buckwheat cookies that are as traditional as they are tasty. To end the day, why not relax in one of the many cheerful bars and cafés that bring Sneek to life each evening

Leaving behind the lively atmosphere of Sneek, you’ll find yourself immersed in the tranquillity of the Frisian Lake District. Comprising nearly thirty inland lakes, it is said to be the largest lake district in Western Europe. Surrounded by water, you can enjoy a deep sense of calm as time seems to slow and the world gently drifts by.

Further along your route lies Gaasterland, a geologically fascinating wooded area that feels surprisingly un-Dutch. Here, you’ll encounter gently rolling terrain, meandering creeks and beautiful deciduous woodland stretching right to the coast of what was once the Zuiderzee. Even more remarkable is the Rode Klif, a striking ridge of boulder clay that rises dramatically from Lake IJsselmeer, offering wide, breathtaking views across the landscape.

Today brings even more Frisian cultural heritage to discover. In Hindeloopen, charming wooden bridges, narrow streets, and houses with their distinctive façades create a picture-perfect scene, while even the local ice-skating museum adds to the town’s appeal. But there’s much more to see. You may have heard of Hindelooper painted furniture and the beautifully patterned traditional fabrics once used for local costumes. The townspeople developed a unique artistic style, shaped by centuries of trade with Scandinavia and the Baltic region. Admire the intricate floral designs and learn about Hindeloopen’s fascinating history and traditions at Atelier Glashouwer or the Museum Hindeloopen.

Your journey continues to Workum, once renowned for its pottery and distinctive grooved ceramics — a craft made possible by the abundant local clay. At Koch’s workshop, you can still watch skilled artisans at work, keeping the tradition alive. A visit to the town hall offers a glimpse into Workum’s rich past, including an original wooden prison cell once used to confine vagrants, drunkards, and petty criminals.

Round off your day in the historic town of Makkum, famed for its Frisian pottery. The Tichelaar factory, producing tiles and ceramics since 1594, remains a proud symbol of the region’s craftsmanship. To see more of this timeless art form, we recommend visiting the ceramics museums in Harlingen and Leeuwarden — a perfect way to conclude your cultural exploration.

Today’s route takes you once more along the shores of Lake IJsselmeer as you make your way to the next of the eleven towns — Franeker, a small yet remarkable place with a proud history. Here you’ll find the Netherlands’ second-oldest university, the country’s oldest student bar, Bogt van Guné, and the extraordinary Eisinga Planetarium — the oldest working planetarium in the world, still in operation today.

From Franeker, it’s only a short ride to Harlingen, where the scent of the sea greets you as you approach this welcoming harbour town. Stroll along the Wadden Promenade and take in the views across the shallow Wadden Sea, a truly unique natural area recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. At low tide, the mudflats and tidal creeks are revealed, attracting flocks of shorebirds in search of food — a mesmerising sight for nature lovers.

A wander through Harlingen’s town centre reveals a wealth of historic warehouses, monumental buildings, and picturesque canals, reflecting its rich maritime heritage.

Tip: If you’d like to spend an extra day cycling on one of the nearby Wadden Islands, such as Vlieland or Terschelling, we can arrange this for you. Simply request one additional night in Harlingen when booking, and specify which island you wish to visit. Return ferry tickets cost €55 per person.

Set off along the coast today, with wide polders stretching out to your right, and imagine how the people of Friesland once kept their feet dry long before sea dikes were built. Ingeniously, they constructed “terps” — raised dwelling mounds — on which they built their churches and farmhouses to stay above the floodwaters. Your first stop of the day is Hegebeintum, where you can see a partly preserved example. At nearly nine metres high, it is the tallest terp in Friesland and offers fascinating insight into early Frisian life.

Your journey ends in the historic town of Dokkum, which once faced directly towards the sea and was an important maritime settlement. In 1582, it was fortified with defensive earthworks and moats, the outlines of which are still clearly visible today. Over time, the harbour silted up, and Dokkum became a landward town — but one that retained its charm and significance.

Dokkum has long been a place of pilgrimage, attracting visitors who come to honour St Boniface, the English missionary who sought to convert the pagan Frisians to Christianity. He was martyred here in 754, and today you can visit the Boniface Chapel, where a well — said to have been discovered and blessed by the saint himself — is believed by some to hold healing waters.

Today’s route takes you through the quintessential Frisian landscape — open, green, and dotted with waterways, meadows, and grazing cows. You’ll follow the Dokkumer Ee canal, a waterway that plays a starring role in the famous Eleven Towns skating marathon, as it leads you back towards the provincial capital.

Along the way, you’ll pass the modest bridge at Bartlehiem, which has earned legendary status for enduring the enthusiastic crowds who cheer on the skaters from its edges. From here, it’s just a short and pleasant ride to Leeuwarden. With a total distance of only 26 kilometres, you’ll have plenty of time to explore this northern gem at your leisure.

If you’re in the mood for a bit of shopping, head to Kleine Kerkstraat, one of the most beloved shopping streets in the Netherlands. Leeuwarden is rich in history, boasting over six hundred monuments, charming harbours, and lively squares. For a touch of adventure, climb the leaning Oldehove Tower, often dubbed the Frisian Tower of Pisa, for stunning views over the city.

A good place to begin your exploration is by the bronze statue “Us Mem” (“Our Mother”), a local symbol of Friesland’s proud agricultural heritage.

If you prefer a slightly shorter ride today, an alternative cycling route of 27 kilometres is also available.

Departure from Leeuwarden or spend extra nights in the city or the surrounding area.

Arrival: Leeuwarden

Departure: Leeuwarden

Nearest Arrival airport: Amsterdam Schiphol or Eindhoven

Nearest Departure airport: Amsterdam Schiphol or Eindhoven

We also recommend travelling by train to all cycling holiday starting and departure points. We can help you plan your journey to Leeuwarden by rail. Car parking is available on all tours at the first hotel or a nearby public parking location. Full details are available on request. Please do not book travel until an official invoice confirms the cycling holiday.

Route overview

Starting point: Leeuwarden

End point: Leeuwarden

Total distance: approx. 292 km

Difficulty: Easy

Route information

The Eleven Cities Cycle Route (Elfstedentocht) in Friesland, northern Netherlands, follows the famous ice-skating marathon’s 200-kilometre course, connecting eleven historic towns by scenic canals. The route showcases Friesland’s serene, open landscapes — vast meadows, tranquil lakes, and charming waterways dotted with windmills and villages. The terrain is predominantly flat, making it accessible and enjoyable for cyclists of all levels. Along the way, gentle dikes, quiet country lanes, and picturesque bridges offer ever-changing views. From lively harbour towns to peaceful countryside stretches, the Eleven Cities Cycle Route perfectly blends cultural heritage with the calm beauty of the Dutch lowlands.

Bike hire options

This cycling holiday benefits from high-quality bike hire options that have been carefully selected for the tour. Each well-maintained bike has modern V-brakes, 27 Shimano gears, aluminium wheels and puncture-proof tyres based around a frame selected by the Dutch bike rental specialist, Juijn. Each bike has lights, small panniers, repair accessories, a map holder and a comfortable saddle to ensure that you have everything you need for an enjoyable cycle tour in the Netherlands and Belgium.

Standard Unisex Bike 27-gears
Sizes: XS/ S / M / L

Standard Men’s Bike 27-gears
Sizes: XS/ S / M / L

Unisex E-Bike
Models may vary between the Freebike Harlem or similar. The bikes have a small electric engine and battery. Each bike has 8 Shimano Nexus gears, disc brakes, Continental tyres and a Velo Comfort saddle. The battery has a range of 100 km (with normal use) and weighs approximately. 25 kg.
Sizes: S / M / L

Route Map

What’s included

Overnights in 3 and 4 star hotels
Breakfast (buffet)
Route description, maps and Guibo app
Daily luggage transport (1 piece pp 20 kilo)
Tourist tax

Not included

Travel to/from the start and finish (Flights/Trains)
Evening meals (unless stated)
Local daily taxes (Payable at the hotel)
Helmets (Please bring your own cycle helmet with you)
Water bottles
Rental bike
Travel insurance
Bike insurance (unless stated)
Welcome meetings (unless stated)
Transfers (unless stated)
SINGLE ROOM SUPPLEMENT: £369 PER PERSON
EXTRA NIGHT(S) – Leeuwarden: £89 PER PERSON PER NIGHT INC. BREAKFAST
EXTRA NIGHT(S) – Harlingen: £79 PER PERSON PER NIGHT INC. BREAKFAST
FERRY TICKET TO TERSCHELLING OR VIELAND: £55 PER PERSON
Bike Hire Options
- 21/24/27-gear unisex/men’s inc. rental bike insurance: £139
- 21/24/27-gear unisex/men’s inc. rental bike insurance: £139
- Electric bike inc. rental bike insurance: £239
You can select your bike hire options in the ‘Book Now’ section.

Check Availability

2026/27 Self-Guided cycling holidays

All prices shown are per person, based on sharing a double or twin room, and exclude flights and bike hire.

Special Offer: £50 per person off all 2027 departure dates!

NEW FOR 2027

To make a booking, simply use the filter to select the day of the week on which the tour operates. You’ll then see all available tour dates and prices. No payment is taken at this stage.

For all bookings, we require a 20% deposit, with the final balance due 56 days before arrival. An invoice and online payment link will be generated once the tour has been confirmed.

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