Go to the homepage
Go to the homepage
Rain? Fine. Wind? Lovely. Cold? Bring it on.
Sleeping in a church? In ‘ Hoorn ’, that’s just what we do. At Heavens Hotel, you’ll sleep beneath high vaults, surrounded by stained-glass windows. Now that’s what we call a heavenly night’s sleep!
First, get some fresh air in the polder. Then, head to B&B Binnen en Buiten to relax in your own sauna and enjoy the warmth.
Here you can stay in a detached cottage, right in the heart of the West Frisian countryside. The Omringdijk and the Markermeer are just round the corner. And breakfast? It’s simply brought to you.
You used to be locked up here. Now you can book a night’s stay of your own free will in this former prison on the harbour in Hoorn. And believe us: it’s no punishment.
Spend the night in a traditional farmhouse dating from 1870, right in the heart of the West Frisian countryside. At B&B De Tocht, you’ll wake up surrounded by greenery and water. And you can sit down to a breakfast featuring local delicacies.
A breeze across the water, warmth in your own holiday home. At EuroParcs IJsselmeer, you’re right in the heart of it all. And if you fancy warming up properly? Book a cottage with a sauna or jacuzzi.
First, a stroll through the historic centre of Hoorn , then sit down to a delicious meal. At Ysbrantsz Boutique Hotel, you can enjoy fine dining and rooms full of style and character.
With your feet in the clay and peace and quiet all around you. At B&B De Weelen, you’ll stay close to West Frisian nature, in your own holiday flat. First, enjoy the fresh air, then put your feet up.
Spend the night in the heart of the West Frisian meadows, but with a twist. At Camping Boven ‘t Maaiveld in Hoogwoud, you’ll find the Wijland Cabins. These aren’t your average holiday cottages, but quirky Wikkelhouses, made from sustainable materials. With views over the sweeping landscape and plenty of space to simply do nothing. During the day, put on your walking boots and head out. Facing a headwind? Great – it’ll clear your head.
And afterwards? Light the wood-burning stove, pop a record on the turntable and just settle in. Because indoors, you’ll want for nothing. With your own shower, toilet and heat pump, you’ll be nice and cosy even in autumn. Want to go all out? Then opt for the Wikkelhouse Dompel, complete with its own hot tub. And tomorrow morning, you’ll simply wake up again to views over the West Frisian countryside. Sounds like a brilliant plan, doesn’t it?
Staying in a Wijland Cabin
Camping Boven ‘t Maaiveld is situated between the North Sea and the IJsselmeer. You can stay on spacious camping pitches, in fully equipped tents or in a tiny house, with campfires, a greenhouse and pizza evenings.
Fancy a walk or a cycle in ‘ Stede Broec ’? In this blog, you’ll find six routes and tips for exploring Bovenkarspel, Grootebroek and Lutjebroek. Take a walk through Het Streekbos and De Weelen, discover Broekerhaven or follow the Westfriese Omringdijk.
A bit of wind, the odd shower, and then warming up again with a coffee and a treat: autumn is a great time to vis Enkhuizen . Stroll along the harbours, pop into a museum and discover the cosiest spots in the city centre. Check out our 9 tips.
There are plenty of days out and activities for children. At Hoorn , you can take them out on the water, let off steam at a trampoline park and play amongst the trees.
As soon as the leaves start to fall and autumn sets in, there’s plenty to do in Westfriesland. Climb amongst the trees, wander amongst the pumpkins and go on a steam safari through the West Frisian countryside.
Drechterland? Not the first place that springs to mind for everyone. All the better. Because it is precisely here that surprises are just waiting to be discovered.
Even when it rains, there’s plenty to do in Westfriesland. From swimming and stargazing to museums, theatre and a tasty treat for the journey. Discover rainproof activities for a successful autumn day.
Discover this 48-hour itinerary for a fun weekend break in Westfriesland, full of historic harbour towns and quintessentially Dutch landscapes featuring windmills, polders and dykes.
Just north of Amsterdam lies Westfriesland: an area where you can experience the real Holland at a much more leisurely pace. Discover the finest highlights of Westfriesland!
This blog is for anyone who enjoys the peace and quiet of the countryside. Discover six special places to stay in the West Frisian countryside at Koggenland. From mini-campsites to traditional farmhouses and dykeside warehouses.
Visiting Westfriesland for the first time? Discover tips across seven municipalities: from Hoorn and Enkhuizen to Medemblik, including dyke routes, museums, restaurants and nature.
With the wind in your hair and the Markermeer right in front of you. De Zwarte Schuur stands on the West Frisian Omringdijk in Scharwoude. A sturdy wooden dyke storehouse dating from 1923, where sandbags, poles and sails used to be stored. Everything needed to keep the dyke firmly in place. These days, it sleeps up to six people. The dyke? It’ll manage just fine without you for the time being.
Robust on the outside, surprisingly comfortable on the inside. The old warehouse has been given a new lease of life, with modern design, a spacious kitchen-diner and two king-size box beds. During the day, you can head out along the Omringdijk, with the wind in your hair and views across the water. Afterwards, you can light the pellet stove and settle down comfortably. Rain tapping against the windows? No problem. You’ll be nice and warm in here. And with that view over the Markermeer, even doing absolutely nothing is a great plan.
Book your autumn stay
Sleep like a dyke warden. But with a comfortable bed, a cosy stove and no duty to perform. Here, you can enjoy a peaceful and private stay amidst the sweeping countryside of Westfriesland.
Museum
Fancy following the scent of fresh biscuits? Then you’ve come to the right place. For almost forty years, this has been regarded as the tastiest museum in the Netherlands.
In Medemblik
Museum
The Flessenscheepjesmuseum is located in the 17th-century Spuihuisje, near the Drommedaris. Inside, over a thousand bottle ships from all kinds of periods are on display....
In Enkhuizen
Castle or manor house
Radboud Castle stands on the shores of the IJsselmeer in Medemblik. This 13th-century castle takes you on a journey through the history of Count Floris V, past medieval walls and exhibitions...
In Medemblik
Museum
Discover the diversity of the 20th century at this unique museum in Hoorn. See toys from days gone by – fun for today’s children and familiar to...
In Hoorn
Museum
At the Dutch Steam Engine Museum in Medemblik , you can discover the impact of steam power. The museum is housed in the former Vier Noorder Kog steam pumping station...
In Medemblik
Museum
At the Medemblik War Museum, you can view the Second World War from two perspectives. You’ll discover what life was like for civilians as well as the military conflict. Not only...
In Medemblik
Children’s farm
The Aat Grootes Cattle Museum in Aartswoud is the first living museum in the Netherlands. It is home to rare, ancient breeds of cattle that would otherwise become extinct...
In Aartswoud
Museum
Discover the fascinating world of science and nature at the Sow to Grow Museum in Enkhuizen.
In Enkhuizen
Museum
At the Zuiderzee Museum, you step into life around the old Zuiderzee. You walk through 't Zuiderzee village, see crafts and sail on the museum ferry....
In Enkhuizen
Every municipality in Westfriesland has something unique to offer. From historic towns and villages to harbours, polders and the West Frisian Omringdijk. Discover all there is to see and do.
Ports, historic facades and the IJsselmeer define Enkhuizen. Visit the Zuiderzee Museum, stroll through the old town or take to the water. Here, maritime history is still evident everywhere.
More about Enkhuizen
Historic streets, old warehouses and a harbour on the Markermeer. In Hoorn you’ll find museums, shops, outdoor cafés, the town beach and plenty of stories from the area’s rich trading history.
More about Hoorn
Medemblik is where town, countryside and water come together. You’ll find harbours, Radboud Castle, museums and plenty of space for sailing, cycling and walking through the West Frisian countryside.
More about Medemblik
Opmeer It’s all about villages, farmland and West Frisian heritage. Walk or cycle past traditional farmhouses, meadows and old ribbon villages such as Hoogwoud, Spanbroek and Aartswoud.
More about Opmeer
Drechterland is pure West Frisian countryside. Cycle past traditional farmhouses, fields of flowers, small villages and the Omringdijk. On the Markermeer you’ll find harbours, beaches and sweeping views.
More about Drechterland
Meadows, dyke roads, thatched farmhouses and water: Koggenland is delightfully rural. You can cycle or walk from village to village, with nature reserves and waterways always nearby.
More about Koggenland
In ‘ Stede Broec ’, villages, water and green spaces are all close together. Discover Bovenkarspel, Grootebroek and Lutjebroek, go for a walk through Het Streekbos or head to Broekerhaven to explore the Markermeer.
More about Stede Broec
There’s plenty to do in Westfriesland in autumn, even without sunshine. Put on your walking boots for a brisk walk along the West Frisian Omringdijk or discover the autumn colours in the Streekbos. Prefer a bit of culture? Take a ‘podwalk’ through Hoorn or discover the unusual street names at Enkhuizen. Check out our tips for a day out in Westfriesland and head out and about.
Rain? No problem. In Westfriesland, you won’t get bored even in bad weather. Discover history at Radboud Castle, step back in time at the Museum of the 20th Century, or delve into the art of baking at De Oude Bakkerij in Medemblik. The Zuiderzee Museum in Enkhuizen is also well worth a visit. Check out all the museums in Westfriesland and simply make the most of that rainy day.
With the wind in your hair and your feet firmly on the ground. The West Frisian Omringdijk is a lovely spot for a brisk autumn walk alongside water, polders and historic villages. In the Streekbos near Bovenkarspel, you can walk amongst trees, grassland and water. The historic town centres of Hoorn, Enkhuizen and Medemblik are also well suited to exploring on foot. Take a look at the walking routes in Westfriesland and choose your own path.
Absolutely, because after just one day in Westfriesland, you’ll still have plenty left to discover. Combine a walk along the dyke with a visit to a museum, a good dinner and a unique place to stay. In Westfriesland, you won’t be sleeping within four ordinary walls everywhere you go. At the Oostereiland Hotel in Hoorn , you’ll stay in a former prison, and at Heavens Hotel, you’ll sleep in an old church. Prefer to be surrounded by nature? Choose the Wijland Cabins at Camping Boven ’t Maaiveld or a stay at B&B De Weelen in Lutjebroek. That’s how you turn a crisp autumn day into a proper weekend break. Take a look at our accommodation options in Westfriesland and enjoy a good night’s sleep.