Harlingen is one of the eleven cities of Friesland, a Dutch province in the north of the Netherlands. It’s an important harbour, located at the Wadden Sea (UNESCO Heritage Site) and has a long tradition as a fishing city. Its history is intricately connected to the sea, and there’s no shortage of stories about the brave sea people who dared to leave this port searching for adventures.

Walking the streets of Harlingen, you can see the history everywhere: in the old warehouses that are perfectly restored, the bridges that are still manually lifted when the boats have to pass or the beautiful house façades on the canals. But the most interesting part of the city is the harbour. Or, better said, harbours, because Harlingen has seven of them! I am obsessed with harbours, so for my first visit to Harlingen, I didn’t get to see much of the city itself, because I was inevitably attracted to the harbour area. I went to see the tall ships (Europa was so beautiful!), the mix of old and new boats, the promenade and the beach. I saw the mudflat for the first time: the tides change every six hours at the Wadden Sea, leaving large tidal flats behind. Hiking on tidal flats is a common activity in this area, and you can do it by yourself or with an organised group. I didn’t try it this time, as you need to be prepared with proper shoes for the experience — my normal hiking shoes not being suitable for it.

The prettiest part of Harlingen is the Zuiderhaven, a picturesque marina overlooked by H. Aartsengel Michaël Church. While the harbours are buzzing with activity, the city itself is quiet and the life seems to flow slowly in Harlingen.

What to see and do in Harlingen Netherlands

• The old town – the best way to discover it is by foot, walking around the city centre which is one of the oldest in the Netherlands, and has around 500 monuments. The entire centre is an official protected view (“beschermd stadsgezicht”).

• Hannemahuis museum – is a historical and cultural gem housed in an elegant 18th-century merchant’s residence – an 18th-century merchant house. The museum hosts an array of exhibits about Harlingen’s nautical history and local art, showcasing artifacts, art, and furnishings that reflect the town’s prosperous past. The museum also features temporary exhibitions, focusing on local culture and history.

• The Harlinger Pottery and Tiles Factory – an authentic family business which is the last company in the Netherlands to produce pottery and tiles in an original manner.

• Sint-Michaëlkerk, a beautiful church in neo-Gothic style, located in the old harbour Zuiderhaven.

• Other notable buildings are the Blauwe Hand (one of the best preserved warehouses of the city), the city Town Hall and the former lighthouse which is now transformed into a cool hotel.

• The harbours. Harlingen features seven beautiful harbours, each one with its specific look&feel and function: Willemshaven, Zuiderhaven, Noorderhaven, Oude Binnenhaven, Visserijhaven, Vluchthaven, Veerboothaven.

• Walk on the promenade to admire the sea and the mudflats.

• Mud walking (wadlopen in Dutch) is a special activity which consists in traversing the area that connects the Dutch mainland to the Frisian islands, during the changing of the tides. This change happens every six hours and there are a few guided walks that people can join if they dare braving the mud. Mud walking is a unique opportunity to see what the sea left behind on the bare sea floor (shells, little animals), before it’s covered by the Wadden Sea waters once more.

• Fleet Days – is a lively maritime festival celebrating the town’s seafaring heritage. Held annually, the event draws visitors with its vibrant atmosphere, featuring a grand display of historic ships, modern vessels, and traditional Dutch sailing barges. Visitors can enjoy tours of the ships, maritime-themed activities, and live entertainment along the bustling harbor. The festival also includes food stalls, markets, and cultural performances.

• Seals spotting – a lovely 2-hour boat trip on the Wadden Sea to spot seals.

• Various boat rides: there are a few companies offering sailing experiences, from shorter trips to multiple days trips, and on a variety of ships. The best way to immerse yourself in the maritime atmosphere of Harlingen, and dream for a few hours or days that you are a sailor who just left everything behind to go on big adventures! A special thing about Harlingen is that the Brown Fleet is docked in Harlingen. The Brown Fleet is a unique collection of historic ships , known for their distinctive brown sails. These traditional sailing vessels, often called “bruine vloot” in Dutch, are typically used for leisure and tourism, offering visitors a chance to experience sailing in a classic and authentic setting.

I would say one day is enough to see the entire city of Harlingen, but I think an overnight stay would be a nice experience, to explore at your own pace, maybe spend some time at the beach, watch the boats coming and going, listen to the seagulls while eating an ice cream. Or to try the mud walking or the boat rides. Maybe next time I’ll do just this, and then take the ferry to one of the amazing Wadden Sea islands, Terschelling and Vlieland, for a beach holiday.

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