Leeuwarden: The City Where You Will Never Run Out of Fun

Welcome to Leeuwarden, the capital city of Friesland. Yes, that’s right, Friesland, the province where cows outnumber humans and people speak a language that sounds like they are gargling with marbles.

Leeuwarden, or “Ljouwert” as they say in Frisian, is a city that is full of surprises. For example, did you know that the city doesn’t have a single straight road? Driving from one end of the city to the other is like riding a rollercoaster. Not for the faint-hearted!

Leeuwarden is also famous for its canals. But don’t let the scenic views fool you. The water in these canals is so cold that even polar bears would think twice before taking a dip. The only ones brave enough to get in are the local students after they’ve had a few too many beers. That’s probably why they call it “Leeuwarden Stad” because you would have to be drunk (stad means drunk in Dutch) to take a dip in these canals.

If you’re a fan of “elfstedentocht”, the legendary ice-skating race that passes through eleven Frisian cities, then Leeuwarden is your city. Leeuwarden was the starting point for the last Elfstedentocht, which was held in 1997. It’s been over 20 years since then, but the city is still waiting for the next one. In the meantime, you can always try to skate on the canals (if you dare).

Leeuwarden is also home to one of the most famous prisons in the Netherlands, the “Blokhuispoort”. It used to be a prison, but now it’s been converted into a cultural center. And you know what they say, “if you can’t beat them, join them”. That’s exactly what the prisoners did when they were locked up there. They started a band and performed concerts for the other prisoners. Who knows, maybe the next Ed Sheeran is locked up in there.

So, if you ever find yourself in the Netherlands and you’re looking for a city that is a little bit crazy, a little bit cold, and a lot of fun, then Leeuwarden is your destination. It’s a city where the cows are more chilled than the people, and the canals are more dangerous than the roads. But hey, that’s what makes it so special!