From picturesque waterways to wooden windmills, Sneek brims with quintessential Dutch charm. Behind the grand medieval water gate is an atmospheric centre crisscrossed with canals and filled with handsome historic architecture. Visit local museums, dine at canal-side cafes and make a splash with water sports on nearby lakes.
Things to do in Sneek
The Waterpoort, a medieval gate and symbol of Sneek, stands proudly at the entrance to the city centre. Behind the gate is a series of canals, best explored by boat. As you cruise along the waterways, you’ll glide past historic buildings and pass beneath postcard-perfect bridges.
Visit the Fries Scheepvaart Museum to learn more about the city’s maritime heritage. Exhibits explore the role Frisian waterways played in establishing the Netherlands as a shipping and seafaring giant. Highlights include models of traditional “koff” sailing ships and “skutsje” flat-bottomed barges.
Wander around the historic heart of Sneek and discover gems like Martinikerk, a beautiful church built in the 15th century. Marktstraat, the bustling main thoroughfare, is lined with shops and cafes. Claim a table on the cobblestones and enjoy Frisian favourites like “suikerbrood” sugar bread and “drabbelkoek” crunchy cookies. Canal-side pubs offer a perfect setting to enjoy a glass of Frisian pilsner.
The lakes surrounding Sneek provide a perfect backdrop for water sports. Sneekermeer is one of the largest and features sandy swimming beaches, grassy sunbathing areas and centres where you can rent kayaks, canoes and sailboats. Off the water, bicycles are a great way to explore the postcard-perfect Friesland countryside. Windmills dot the surrounding farmland and recall the region’s agricultural roots.
Getting around Sneek
Sneek is pedestrian-friendly and easy to get around on foot or by bicycle. The city is in Friesland, a one-hour drive from Groningen and 1.5 hours by train. Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is a 1.5-hour drive away.