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Sometimes you just want to get back to basics. Peace, space and authenticity without frills. Welcome to Westfriesland: not in Friesland, but simply in Holland. Historic Westfriesland lies within the Westfriese Omringdijk and also reaches towards Schagen and Alkmaar. In fact, the official 0-point of the Omringdijk is in Alkmaar. Through villages full of character and across vast fields, you will discover what makes this area so special. Sober people, simple beauty and places that don't need to change themselves. No rush here, but clarity. No hustle and bustle, but the real Netherlands. With both feet in the clay.
Westfriesland has seven municipalities: Drechterland, Enkhuizen, Hoorn, Koggenland, Medemblik, Opmeer and Stede Broec. Together, they make the region what it is: quirky, down-to-earth and unadorned.
Exhibition
until 20 June
Eight hundred years of dykes, water and West Frisian life. In the Westerkerk you can see how the Omringdijk still holds us together.
In enkhuizen
Museum visits
until 30 August
What happens when artists look at the Zuiderzee past with new eyes? In 'With new eyes' you will see work that chafes, surprises and touches....
In Enkhuizen
Workshop
Thursday 11 June
In bovenkarspel
Culinary
Thursday 11 June
Experience an atmospheric French Evening on Thursday 11 June 2026 at Van der Valk Hotel Hoorn. Enjoy a served 3-course shared dining menu...
In Hoorn
Workshop
friday 12 june
In bovenkarspel
Lecture/Debate
friday 12 june
On 12 June at War Museum Medemblik, hear the stories behind Helmets Full of Stories. Artist Diederick Kraaijeveld, young veteran Oege Venema,...
In Medemblik
Metropolitan event
12 to 14 June
Hoorn city centre is one big stage during the city festivals. Sing, dance and party along as the city fills with music and conviviality. On fresh...
In Hoorn
Huifkartocht
Saturday 13 June
Ready to be surprised? Hop on board for a unique bus tour through West Friesland!
In Hoogkarspel
Lecture/Debate
15 June, 29 June
Art historian Juliette Verhofstad takes you through a variety of art movements and makes you look at them in a different way. With her pointers, you will go...
In Hoogkarspel
Walking tour
17 June, 1 July and 3 more days
Wander through alleys, along canals and centuries-old facades. In Enkhuizen, you can walk straight into history. The Oud Enkhuizen Association organises these so...
In Enkhuizen
Market
Saturday 20 June
Browse gardens, paths and driveways. On Saturday 20 June, Opperdoes will once again join in with its own rummaging tour. Just through the village, on its own h...
In Opperdoes
Market
Saturday 20 June
Almost the longest evening of the year. So what do we do? A market, of course. During the day, because in the evening there is World Cup football on TV. Also important.
In Enkhuizen
Other outdoor sports
Sunday 21 June
Swim, cycle and run as fast as you can on 21 June. not so sporty? Then why not just come and cheer? Swim through Hoorn's historic harbour...
In Hoorn
Music other
Sunday 21 June
On Father's Day, Sunday 21 June, the Zuiderzee Museum will once again ring like a bell. Together with The Guitar Salon, we will celebrate the thirteenth edition of the Guitar Fes...
In Enkhuizen
Canal tour
25 June to 1 September
With your head in the wind and homegrown stories. Step aboard for a historic boat trip through Westfriesland. You sail past cheese-cover farmhouses,...
In Bovenkarspel
Metropolitan event
26 to 28 June
From 26 to 28 June, it's party time at the quayside in Medemblik. With Flag Day, nautical events, a concert in the Oosterhaven and a dragon boat race zi...
In Medemblik
Concert
28 June, 12 July and 4 more days
Six Sunday afternoons, six top organists and one organ that sounds like its old self. Just sit, listen and let yourself be taken away.
In enkhuizen
Metropolitan event
30 June to 5 July
From 30 June to 5 July, the port of Hoorn is once again buzzing with cosiness. During Water Week Hoorn, everything revolves around water, atmosphere and bel...
In HoornDiscover the Zuiderzee Museum and step into life around the former Zuiderzee. Stroll through 't Zuiderzee village with authentic crafts and houses, or see the exhibition 'Sea full of stories.' Together, they show life back then.
First, experience the historical highlights of Hoorn in a multimedia show, voiced by Gijs Scholten van Aschat. Then explore the city centre with a podwalk, with Edson da Graça as audio guide. Choose from the 1-hour city route or the 1.5-hour port route. Prefer walking without a smartphone? Then a walking guide is available. The show and walks can also be experienced in English and German.
'Effe de biene strekken,' say the West Frisians. And that is perfectly possible here. Westfriesland is bursting with beautiful walking routes.
Discover cosy restaurants, eateries and pubs, as well as fruit farms, vineyards and farm shops where you can taste regional products.
From the most exciting playgrounds and coolest swimming pools to the most beautiful places in nature and the most special cinemas.
Westfriesland is actually too big and beautiful to explore in one day. So come and spend the night in one of the awesome hotels or cosy B&Bs.
Drive between meadows with cows and sheep, along the beautiful Markermeer, along narrow roads in picturesque villages, through bustling towns or past magical monuments and windmills.
