Lauwersmeer National Park

Friesland


Nature lovers are in paradise in this tiny national park protecting the man-made watery shallows of Lauwersmeer, split between Friesland and the neighbouring province of Groningen. The lake was formed in 1969 when the dyke between the Lauwerszee, formed by a flood in 1280, and the Waddenzee was closed. Keen-eyed ornithologists can spot the rare sea eagle, white-tailed eagle and dozens of migratory birds in the shallows, while wild geese and Konik horses inhabit the surrounding grasslands.

Fishing remains the traditional industry in Zoutkamp, a tiny fishing village where fishers' houses are painted a rainbow of colours and eels are still smoked in its quayside rokerij (eel smokehouse). From the port village of Lauwersoog, ferries sail to the national-park island of Schiermonnikoog. A 1.5km-long nature trail at the visitor centre here provides a good introduction to the park; book guided nature walks and birdwatching expeditions with a park ranger.

In 2020 a new seashore seal centre is slated to open in Lauwersoog. Designed by Danish architect Dorte Mandrup, the contemporary glass building will be constructed on stilts above the water and feature exhibitions on the Waddenzee ecosystem, a research centre, a cafe and rooftop seal pools where the once-endemic grey seal can be observed.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Friesland attractions

1. Schiermonnikoog National Park

7.33 MILES

The entire island, except for its single town and surrounding polder, was designated the Netherlands' first national park in 1989. It's easy to lose…

2. Zeehondencreche Pieterburen

9.11 MILES

Devoted to the rescue and rehabilitation of sick and injured seals, this centre houses 20 to 30 sea mammals, which can be seen lounging and swimming in…

3. Noordpolderzijl

14.72 MILES

The tiniest harbour in the Netherlands is 29km north of Groningen and 4.5km northwest of the village of Usquert. Its desolate beauty is striking and is…

4. Nederlands Stripmuseum

17.7 MILES

This museum covers the work of Holland's and Belgium's most renowned comic artists and their creations, including Tintin (here known as Kuifje), Suske &…

5. Academiegebouw

17.77 MILES

The stunning, Dutch Renaissance Academiegebouw is the main building of the university, with a breathtaking, richly decorated exterior from 1909.

6. Noordelijk Scheepvaartmuseum

17.79 MILES

This engaging tour of the lives of seamen and the ships they sailed unfolds through the set of buildings that once made up a 16th-century distillery…

7. Urinoir

17.81 MILES

This urinoir was designed by no less than Rem Koolhaas, with an arresting photo collage. For once it also includes a female facility. It's two blocks west…

8. Prinsentuin

17.84 MILES

Take a breather at the serene gardens of Prinsenhof, a 15th-century mansion-turned–luxury hotel with peaceful Renaissance-style gardens fragranced with…