Seven days in Friesland: plenty to do!

A week in Friesland? We'd say there's plenty to do for at least a month! Want to experience the heart of Friesland for seven days first? Here are a few tips:

Day 1

Arrival: Park in front of the, uh... church? Yes, in your own parking space * , beneath the church tower of Jirnsum. Wow, that's quite a 'homecoming'. So we're really spending a whole week sleeping in a church!? Right in the heart of Friesland, no less. After settling in—and enjoying a cup of coffee or Chinese tea—explore Jirnsum, one of the oldest villages in Friesland. Stroll along the old Rijksweg, once the highway between Leeuwarden and Heerenveen with more than 30 shops—look out for the beautiful facades and nameplates! Did you know that the Frisian flag with its famous Pompeblêden (pom-blossom leaves) was invented in Jirnsum and first made in a local sewing workshop in our village? A selfie at the famous Cat Monument on the Rijksweg roundabout is a must (Jirnsum is the cat village of Friesland). It brings good luck if you pet its snout!

You can sit on the terrace 6 days a week at the famous Friesland cafe-restaurant De Twee Gemeenten or sometimes at the weekend at café De Fantast in the village centre.

Did you know that Jirnsum once had five churches, ranging from Protestant to Catholic? None are still in use. Most have been converted into homes, B&Bs, or barns. A fun quest : find the former Catholic clandestine church from 1703 (now a barn).

Day 2

Is the weather nice? Then let's go to the beach ! Enjoy sunbathing, water skiing, or a game of football on the sand. This is possible at De Potten , a recreation area, beach, and swimming lake (free admission) near Sneekermeer . Climb the observation tower by the lake and marvel at the panoramic view over the water. In the distance, you can see our Mauritius church tower, where you'll be sleeping. Snacks are available at the restaurants and cafes at RCN De Potten holiday park.

You could also visit the chameleon village of Terherne . Along the way, stop at the IJSboerderij (Ice Cream Farm) in Akkrum and watch the cows and calves in the straw while licking the cold treats.

Day 3

B&B guests are welcome to visit the church tower – and ring the church bell in the morning. The clock dates from 1870, the church bell from 1488 (!). And what a beautiful view from that tower, built by Frisian architect and social entrepreneur Nijdam.

Then: take a boat trip on the Frisian waters - plenty of rental options nearby. In Jirnsum, you can rent a sloop at Bauke Watersport , near Café De 2 Gemeenten. If you expect good weather, we recommend booking early, otherwise the 10 boats/sloops will be gone!

Oh, boating is pure bliss. Sailing on open water or among the meadows, wow, wow, wow. Am I sailing next to a cow? A beautiful loop, popular with our churchgoers, is Jirnsum-Grou-Pikmeer-Nes-Akkrum-Jirnsum . Wave at the church! Just duck under the bridge at Nes!

A stroll through the boat village of Grou is always enjoyable. And in picturesque Akkrum, a visit to Coopersburg is worthwhile, a courtyard with 20 homes for the elderly. It was built by a businessman from Akkrum who became incredibly wealthy in the United States. Folkert Harmens Kuipers, who called himself Frank Cooper in the US, lies with his wife in the Mausoleum in the garden, which is freely accessible. So, have you seen Lenin and Mao? Then Cooper should definitely be on your mausoleum bucket list.

You can have lunch or dinner at the local Chinese restaurant on the terrace by the water or at the local Eetcafé Kromme Knilles .

Day 4

Leeuwarden, bye! The Frisian capital is just 14 kilometers from Jirnsum. So, by bike, bus, train, or car? The old, medieval royal city center is surprisingly charming. Terraces line the canals on old barges and bridges. Church streets lined with culinary and creative shops. Wonderful museums like the Fries Museum, the Princessehof Ceramics Museum (surprisingly beautiful!), or the Natural History Museum. Don't forget to climb the leaning Oldehoven Tower for the view!

And don't forget Prinsenpark – yes, Leeuwarden is traditionally a City of Orange. Oh, and a boat trip through the canals. And the many (free) walking tours through the city center... how do you find time for shopping? We also think De Blokhuispoort , the former prison famous for the Assault, is worth a visit: it now houses the DBieb library with a wonderful newspaper and magazine table and numerous creative businesses. You can take a tour of the prison, and there's a café-restaurant by the water.

What and where are we going to eat? Frisian steak? Fish or sushi? Fries? Indian? Pakistani? Persian? Indonesian rice table? Table BBQ? Korean? Thai? Top-notch burgers? Or a delicious pizza? Leeuwarden offers almost every cuisine of the world. You can also take it to go – or have it delivered to eat at your own outdoor table in our church garden.

Oh yes, Friday and Saturday are market days in Leeuwarden. And every Thursday in the summer: an antiques and curio market in the city center, perfect for browsing!

Day 5

Rest day. Relax in the church garden. Or read in our library. Enjoy your purchases. Still want to get some exercise? Walk the 5km route through the meadows, the Jirnsum-Friens-Jirnsum loop . Or the recently opened Kuierpad (walking path) through farmland between Jirnsum and Grou.

Or cycle the Jirnum-Sneekermeer-Jirnsum loop , and make a pit stop at the Sneekerhof for lunch or dinner. A bike ride through the Greidhoeke is also delightful and still relatively unknown; this Frisian landscape, with our village of Jirnsum at its southernmost tip, is known for its expansive meadows and rich terp villages. The Greidhoeke lies between the cities of Leeuwarden, Franeker, Bolsward, and Sneek.

Can't sit still? Do you relax by doing something? There are always chores to do in a church. :-) Feel free to ask if you can volunteer in the garden, our vegetable patch, or on the building. It can be enjoyable with a cup of coffee or other treats.

Day 6

What?! Is it already the last day of vacation? We can go to Oranjewoud , the "royal" forest and park near Heerenveen, 19km from Jirnsum. Besides the forest, there's also a beautiful modern art museum: Museum Belvédère , worth it, with delicious coffee for museum visitors.

On the way back, stop by the Wine and Whisky Barn just outside Sneek (over 1500 varieties and what wines! They've been around since 1919). And if you like fresh eel , visit eel farmer Ale de Jager in the village of Reduzum . He's the only one authorized to fish for eel in the Pikmeer lake, and he smokes it himself. Smoked and raw eels are available for sale at his eel shop on Fridays and Saturdays. You can also join him for a day out on his boat: eel fishing! A real treat!

Day 7

Should we eat leftovers in the morning, or order a delicious local breakfast from Bonnie as a farewell? A final walk or bike ride through the meadows before departure? A final cappuccino on the terrace or in the traditional Dutch café at De 2 Gemeenten. Feel free to leave your suitcases in the church if you 'd like to take a dip in the Boarn River at the harbor in front of De Fantast, like the locals do. Deliciously ice-cold!

On Saturday mornings from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM, you can also visit the organic vegetable garden Yn'e Sinne Farm (In de zon) for some delicious fresh, local vegetables and dairy. You're always welcome to pop into the greenhouses along the Boarn River. It's truly admirable what these local, sustainable entrepreneurs have accomplished. The coffee is always ready.

Pack your bags and head back to the Kameleondorp Ter Herne? Along the way—4km from Jirnsum—we'll pass the IJSboerderij (ice cream farm)... creamy ice cream in various flavors, watch cows, and jump in the Frisian playground... Or should we drive back via the Afsluitdijk and to the museum there?

Anyway… back home. Friesland boppe – see you next time! Oant sjen!!!

* If you're coming by public transport: Arriving by bus from Leeuwarden or Heerenveen; uh... does the church have its own bus stop, really? Yes, it does, just around the corner, at the Hervormde Kerk stop – that's handy, Arriva!

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