On a Camper Elfstedentocht with Goboony
Cruise through Friesland with the camper and sleep in eleven different cities. The Camper Elfstedentocht came up with this great combination. Enjoy behind the wheel instead of skating in the cold. Both nice, but warm and dry in the camper sounds more like music to the ears. Not just any cities, no, they are the Eleven Cities. You not only get to know the history of each city, but also the conviviality. We love.
Stamping, stamping and more stamping. The concept of Camper Elfstedentocht is actually quite simple: you go to each city to have your stamp card – specially designed for the Camperelfstedentocht – stamped. There is something to do in every city, from experiencing culture to nice restaurants. In addition, we don't forget to spend the night in one of the cities, otherwise you will have to turn around later (although that is easier with the camper than with the skate). The Camper Elfstedentocht was the idea of five camper pitches/campsites and other affiliated companies. These are namely; Camper place Leeuwarden, Marina and Camping De Domp, Marina Stavoren, Camping Sudersé and finally Camping De Zeehoeve.
If you no longer have time to visit all the eleven cities: no stress! You can also split it into stages. This way you have plenty of time to discover the most beautiful places in Friesland. Once you have obtained all the stamps, just send them in for a chance to win great prizes. The organization also donates to the Maarten van der Weijden Foundation.
Don't own a camper, but have become a fan of this concept? What now? Correct, goboony to the rescue! goboony has a choice of more than 30.000 campers throughout Europe. RV owners do not take their RVs out all year round, which is why they often sit idle and not used. And that is of course a shame. Goboony therefore came up with the great idea of renting out campers for and by campers. This way, almost everyone can get acquainted with camping life. But what makes Goboony so different from others? That's right, it is a lot cheaper to rent a camper at Goboony than if you do it through a camper rental company, for example. In addition, Goboony has had a major success in recent years Community built up. This Community consists of rental companies throughout the Netherlands who are eager to let you go out with their camper. Go, Goboony!
It is not difficult to guess that the Eleven Cities Tour covers eleven cities. But what can you do there? That's why we've listed them with the best tips for things to do and see:
Leeuwarden: This city has been the capital of Friesland since 1524. There is a lot of history here that the people of Leeuwarden are proud of, and which is of course not bad for visitors to the city. We previously wrote about Leeuwarden and gave a tip the best thing in Leeuwarden. Enjoy culture in the The Frisian Museum to shop at Nørd Concept Store and eating at Spinoza restaurant (a household name in Leeuwarden for 30 years), we will get through the day. There is also one miniature route and a nice one city walk as to do. It is a nice delicatessen House of Taste. Or choose at Ut Streekie, upon presentation of your stamp card, you will receive (free) something tasty.
Sneek: Sneek is generally known for the Frisian lake area and of course the Sneek Week. But there is more to discover. It Frisian Maritime Museum the city center is a good starting point for this. Conviviality and enjoyment are of course important in this water city. So be sure to drop by Biercafé 3B for a wide range of beers. We can read more of the best things about Sneek here.
ice cream: Elfstedenstad IJlst is located only five kilometers south of Sneek. Cycle or sail there and view the unique gardens on both sides of the river Ee that runs straight through the city. With its dozens of national monuments, IJlst served as the setting for the film 'Schippers van de Kameleon'. But IJlst has more 'gold' to admire. Discover it during this super fun one city walk along the treasures of IJlst.
Locks: Small but nice, so to speak. Sloten is the smallest town of the Eleven Cities Tour and was granted city rights in 1426. Even though it is a small city, you can easily stay here for a few days. Visit in the former town hall Museum Sloten and for good food is Restaurant de Seven Forests in the heart of Sloten, definitely recommended. Take your bike to Sloten and from here you can take beautiful trips through the rolling and wooded Gaasterland.
Stavoren: This is the oldest city of the Frisian Eleven Cities. This was also once the home port of Frisian kings and seafarers. In the harbor there is the statue of the Lady of Stavoren gazing over the IJsselmeer. Also interesting and something you should definitely not miss during your visit to Stavoren Tone room 't Ponthús where the history of Stavoren is retold.
Hindeloopen: Hindeloopen was further away from the rest of Friesland and had an important position for global trade and shipping due to its good connection with Amsterdam. This city is also small, but nice. You will find it in Hindeloopen Frisian skating museum including a unique pancake restaurant. So enjoy!
Workum: This city is one of the youngest Frisian eleven cities. There used to be a lot of fishing in this city and that can still be seen in many things. This is how you will find the Blazerhaven where many historic ships are located. Also nice to see is the old lighthouse and also visit the Jopie Huisman Museum in Workum. We also go to for a nice coffee El Cafetin.
Bolsward: Bolsward was, like Stavoren, a Hanseatic city. There is a beautiful town hall in Bolsward, a super beautiful building that was built around 1615 and renovated in 1765. Fun to do and something you shouldn't skip is, after showing your stamp card, picking up a free Sonnema drink at Hotel De Wijnberg.
Harlingen: This city used to be a university town. It was not until 1234 that Harlingen received city rights. A fun fact about this city is that it used to be much further west, because the sea regularly washed away land. Every year in August the Fisheries Days are held in Harlingen and there is a four-day celebration. This city also has a beautiful cycling route. Read more about this here 5x the best things in Harlingen.
Franeker: Franeker, like the other eleven cities, has a rich history. From 1585 to 1811, Franker also had its own university. This attracted many scientists, which in turn had a positive impact on the entire economy of the city. This city has the oldest working planetarium in the world. Definitely worth a visit. You can also enjoy the Slachtedijk walking, this road is almost 42 kilometers long. Or choose at Ut Streekie, upon presentation of your stamp card, you will receive (free) something tasty.
dockum: This is the northernmost city on the Eleven Cities Route. You can find the Boniface Chapel and for the beer lovers among us there are no fewer than nineteen beer breweries in Dokkum and go to KB Foods & Drinks for good food. You can read more about the best things about Dokkum here.
You drive from city to city past beautiful small villages, plus you also have an incredibly beautiful view of the Frisian landscape as you drive from place to place. Isn't this a dream come true?
Also available as a roadbook with many more great tips for Friesland: Camper Elfstedentocht
