Hidden Gems Tour from Amsterdam: Discover the Frisian Treasures
Description
Step off the well-trodden tourist path and discover one of the Netherlands’ best-kept secrets: the stunning province of Friesland. Venture beyond the usual tourist trail and discover the hidden treasures of Friesland on this exclusive tour. Cross the iconic Afsluitdijk, one of the world's greatest feats of water engineering, before visiting the charming Eleven Cities town of Franeker and its extraordinary UNESCO World Heritage-listed Eise Eisinga Planetarium—the oldest working planetarium in the world. Continue to the picturesque harbor town of Hindeloopen, famous for its colorful wooden bridges, traditional architecture, and rich maritime heritage. Along the way, uncover one of the Netherlands' most fascinating mysteries as you visit the remarkable centuries-old Frisian mummies. Combining breathtaking landscapes, unique history, and extraordinary cultural treasures, this unforgettable journey reveals a side of the Netherlands that few visitors ever experience.
Tour Options
Itinerary
On our way north, we'll make a stop at the iconic Afsluitdijk (Enclosing Dike), one of the world's greatest feats of water engineering. Construction of this remarkable 32-kilometre-long barrier began a century ago, connecting the provinces of North Holland and Friesland while protecting a large part of the Netherlands from the sea. Today, it stands as a powerful symbol of Dutch innovation and the country's centuries-long battle against water.
We continue to the province of Friesland to visit one of its greatest hidden treasures: the charming town of Franeker. As one of Friesland's legendary Eleven Cities, Franeker boasts picturesque canals, historic streets, and impressive monuments. During a leisurely walk through the town, you'll admire highlights such as the iconic Grain Sack Carrier's House and the beautiful Town Hall. The true highlight, however, is the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Eise Eisinga Planetarium—the oldest working planetarium in the world. Built between 1774 and 1781 by Frisian wool comber Eise Eisinga, this extraordinary, fully functioning model of the solar system hangs from the ceiling of his living room in a historic canal house. Its remarkable precision and craftsmanship continue to amaze visitors more than two centuries later. After exploring the planetarium, you'll have some free time to enjoy lunch.
You’re in for another treat on this unique tour: the mystery of the mummies of Wieuwerd. In this Frisian village, something happened that puzzles scientists up to this day. In the local church, four mummified people were found! They’re there for more than three centuries and you will see them lying in the crypt in which they were buried in!
Discover the enchanting town of Hindeloopen, a hidden gem along the IJsselmeer coast and one of Friesland’s most picturesque destinations. Famous for its rich maritime history, unique Hindelooper art, and charming wooden bridges, this storybook town transports you back in time. Stroll through its quaint streets, lined with beautifully painted houses and traditional facades. Enjoy breathtaking waterfront views as you walk along the historic Harbor of Hindeloopen, once a bustling trade hub. Experience the peaceful atmosphere of this small but vibrant town.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Not recommended for travellers with Limited Physical movement
Reviews(7)
Our tour guide, Simon, was an absolute delight. He was incredibly welcoming and captivating. The locations were breathtaking, and Simon did an exceptional job sharing the rich history of the Netherlands. He explained how the country was constructed using windmills and the ingenious creation of dikes and dams. We thoroughly enjoyed driving through the picturesque countryside, marveling at the sight of horses and cows grazing peacefully in the lush, grassy wetlands.
By far this was the best tour I have taken in The Netherlands so far. While the other tours were great, this one was special. It was special because the tour became a private tour for me and a friend because other people canceled last minute. Adrian was a great tour guide; knowledgeable, understandable in English, a good driver, and a gentleman. He is taller than my friend and I with a longer stride. He was always in front of us and had to wait for us to catch up. No biggie, though. The first stop was a beautiful, old town (1600's). Quiet and quaint. We drove and walked on a dyke, saw county side, and three more special places that I am not going to mention so they do not get populated with tourists! This was a great tour! There was even a bag of nice snacks and a water provided. The car was clean and a lot of good conversation was had. We were able to use the bathroom at the places we visited too, without having to pay. That is a good thing because there is a lot of time traveling in the van. Thank you, Adrian!
This was a great tour - we really enjoyed it! Jan (our guide) was great and we loved everything we saw. We had the windmill to ourselves & it was working so we could really appreciate the engineering behind it. The planetarium is amazing! We were so impressed. The towns were went to were beautiful and not full of tourists and the Closing Dyke was impressive. The tour is more expensive than most but well worth the money in our opinion. A great day!!
Fantastic! We saw all the iconic things where Holland is famous for (windmills, monumental houses with different gables, canals, a medieval town) but in -beautiful- less touristy places! Undoubtly the best daytour you can take from Amsterdam
There were so much to see, windmills, dikes, old Villages and the mystery of the mummies found a church in the Crypt. Totally amazing and Simon our guide was awesome. Highly recommend this tour
We saw Windmills, a old village called De Rijp, the planetarium and then to see the mysterious mummies. Simon was great.
We took 2 daytours of Best of the Netherlands tours and this one was Amazing! The windmills of Schermerhorn were 1000 times more beautiful then the ones at touristy Zaanse schans. The planetarium in Franeker is stunning and the mummies in in the old Church of wieuwerd the weirdest Thing we ever saw. This special daytour is highly recommended!!!
