Franeker is a city full of stories

Both feet in the Frisian clay and simultaneously connected to the greatness of our solar system, as Eise Eisinga made tangible with his world-famous Planetarium. As the Star of the Frisian Eleven Cities, the former university city of Franeker has everything a person needs for relaxation, reflection and inspiration: hospitality, character, space and a daily portion of little happiness. How can you find that? Franeker is a city full of stories and that will come to life if you look, listen, taste and are open to meeting…

It is the combination of historical heritage, urban pleasures and the vastness of the surrounding landscape that make Franeker unique. The perception of time and attention is different here. Greetings to each other on the street, strolling in attractive shopping streets, cycling, sailing or walking towards the horizon in the free space of the Fryske lân, exploring museums and of course lighting up somewhere to enjoy a snack and a drink.

Worth Seeing
– Royal Planetarium – The oldest working planetarium in the world
– Martena Museum with garden – Citymuseum
– Museum ‘t Coopmanshûs
– Keats Museum – learn all about the worlds famous Frisian sport
– Sjûkelân – the holy grass of the “kaats”sport
– Klein Botnia – nowadays the home of the Academy of Franeker
– Korendragershuisje – very small museum 
– Cityhall
– Martinichurch
– Historical Centre Franeker
– Oortwolkfountain
– Hofje Westerhuis Vrouwengasthuis
– Bolwerk Church “De Mouterij”
– Geuzengat
– Exposition KunstKamer Franeker
– Citytours with cityguides

As befits a character city, Franeker invigorates the inner man in a hospitable way. The menu here offers something for everyone, from tasty lunch addresses and tasty (cozy) eateries to special tea gardens and cozy restaurants. Having a chat is at least as important as a beer, because urban delights come into their own in a personal atmosphere.

Food and drinks in Franeker
– Grand Cafe De Doelen
– Poort van Franeker
– The Stadsherberg
– The Grillerije
– Pizzeria Toscanini
– Pizzeria Antonello
– Chinese restaurant Cheung Kwong
– Chinese Indisch restaurant Baolong
– El Pastel
– Worldrestaurant De Valk
– The smaakmaker
– Bloemketerp
– Brasserie De Stadstuin
– Martens Fish and Chips
– All kinds of cafetaria’s (De Bikker, PePe, Frolich, ‘t Park)
– Memo’s Doner
– Puur IJs (icecream)
– Tapperij ‘t Noord
– Coco Nuts
– Stadscafé de Notaris
– Café De Kleine Beurs
– Bogt fen Gune – Oldest student cafe of Holland

Franeker also knows its events. There is something to do in Franeker almost every month. For current dates see: Franeker Ster van de Elfsteden.

Events:
– Fashionweekend – april
– Franeker Oldies Festival – mei
– Academische Dagen – juni
– Hjoed in ‘t Park – musicfestival – juni
– PC Franeker – juli – the oldest sportclassic of Holland and the biggest “kaats” game iof the world.
– Open monumenten dag – september
– Agrarische Dagen – september
– Night of the nights – oktober
– Room Musicalfestival – november
– Midwinterjûn – december
– Kryst yn Frjentsjer – december

Surroundings:
– The Frysian Museum in Leeuwarden
– Naturemuseum Fryslân in Leeuwarden
– Ceramic museum in Leeuwarden
– Aqua Zoo in Leeuwarden
– Visitor Centre Sonnema Beerenburg in Bolsward
– Us Heit, the Frysian Beerbrewery with museum in Bolsward
– The National Modeltrain Museum in Sneek
– Poptaslot in Marssum (part of the Frysian Castle route)
– Dekema State in Jelsum
– Elf Cirys monument nearby Giekerk
– Harlingen – nice harbour city
– A day to the wetlands