# De Fryske Marren

De Fryske Marren (Dutch: De Friese Meren) is a municipality in southwest Friesland.

## Understand

De Fryske Marren (Dutch: De Friese Meren; English: The Frisian Lakes) is a municipality in Friesland created in 2014 out of the former municipalities of Gaasterland-Sloten (Frisian: Gaasterlân-Sleat), Skarsterlân, Lemsterland and a part of Boornsterhem (Boarnsterhim). The municipality counts some 51,200 inhabitants and is the fourth biggest municipalities of the Netherlands, being behind on Noordoostpolder, Súdwest-Fryslân and Hollands Kroon. Amongst the towns in the municipalities you will find the fortified town of Sloten, with the biggest places being Balk, Joure and Lemmer.
Being named after the biggest and most predominant feature of the region, the Frisian lakes, has a large quantity of water. Some of the biggest lakes are the 52.8785.6941 Groote Brekken (Grutte Brekken) , 52.9525.6922 Koevordermeer (De Kûlfurd) , 52.9185.6263 Slotermeer (Sleattemer Mar) , 53.0335.7484 Sneekermeer (Snitser Mar) and 52.8955.85 Tjeukemeer (Tsjûkemar). Water infrastructure in general is highly represented, with over forty canals, streams and waterways spanning between the different lakes. The highlight of the area is the Ingenieur D.F. Woudagemaal (Engineer D.F. Wouda Pumping Station) in Lemmer, which is listed as UNESCO World Heritage. Historical and noteworthy buildings can be found throughout the region, though Sloten, Balk and Lemmer make up the top ten, with 50, 33 and 29 respectively.

## Get in
### By car

By far the easiest way to get to De Marren is by car. The A6 and A7 highways meet at the interchange just south of Joure, which can be found in between Sneek and Heerenveen (both on the A7) and Lemmer (A6). Exits 17 and 19 of the A6 are the best exits to use, with them connecting to Lemmer and Sint Nicolaasga respectively, while Joure has an entire interchange with off-ramps for itself.

### By public transit

The Frisian Lakes have no train connection to be found. Instead, buses make up the public transit in the area, with the main hubs being in Joure, which is accessible from Groningen and Emmeloord (line 315), Heerenveen (lines 41 to Balk, 98, 99 and 199), Leeuwarden (line 95) and Sneek (line 99 and 199). All of these destinations have their bus halts right outside the station, with Heerenveen being the closest station that is serviced with Intercity trains.

### By boat

The region, being littered with waterways and lakes, has, to no-ones surprise, some twenty marinas$^{[deadlink]}$. When coming from outside the region, the IJsselmeer is most likely your best way in.

## Get around

If you do not have access to a car, your best chance at getting from A to B is by public transit. Bus lines aren't numerous, but they get the job done. If the weather allows for it, renting a bike is advised. De Fryske Marren is mostly flatland, so cycling won't take too much effort. Bikes can be rented at three locations. Some of them allow for online orders, but do require you to have an address in the Netherlands. It's best to drop by the shop sometime and ask them if they have a bicycle to let.
* 52.971935.794251 Tweewielercentrum Joure, Tolhûswei 5, Joure, ☏ +31 513 412 143. (updated Jan 2018)
* 53.042265.780922 Fietsverhuur Terherne, Grintdyk 1A, Terherne, ☏ +31 630 245 556. (updated Jan 2018)
* 52.897775.579753 Mous Rijwielen, Van Swinderenstraat 45, Balk, ☏ +31 514 602 284, fax: +31 514 602 531. (updated Jan 2018)

## See

* 52.8458335.6788896 D.F. Wouda Steam Pumping Station, Gemaalweg 6, Lemmer. Designed by D.F. Wouda, this is the largest steam-powered pumping station in the world that is still in operation, although due to developments in pumping stations and land reclamation it nowadays only works one week a year. It dates from 1920, and has been pumping away excess water in Friesland ever since. It can pump 4,000 cubic metres of water per minute at full power. It is just outside of Lemmer and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1998.
* Joure has three old churches, all of them along the main street. Most notable is the Hobbe van Baerdt Tsjerke with its early 17th-century clock tower. The rest of the church was destroyed by fire and rebuilt after the Second World War.
* 52.967955.79697 Museum Joure, Geelgietersstraat 1-11, ☏ +31 513 412 283. Tu-F 10AM-5PM, Sa-M 2PM-5PM. A large museum consisting of 10 old buildings, covering everything that makes Joure what it is today; like the history of coffee and tea, old Frisian clocks, a local metal workshop and old (newspaper) printing methods. Also has a lovely shop selling Dutch candy from yesteryear. €5, kids for €2.50.
* 52.89445.64538 Sloten, Heerenwal 48, Sloten, ☏ +31 514 531 541. Sloten is a lovely and small fortified city and is one of the Eleven Cities. The town was founded in the 13th century and has been fortified sometime in the 15th century. The town that stands today is loved by watersports enthusiasts. (updated Jan 2018)
* Friese Ballonfeesten (Frisian Hot Air Ballooning Festival), ☏ +31 513 416 030, info@ballonfeesten.nl. Roughly €5. (updated Jan 2018)

## Do

* As the region is nearly literally drowning in water, it should not come as a surprise that water sports are a popular activity. Whether you're looking for a canoe (kano) or kayak rental, windsurfing school or general sailboat rental, a watersportcentrum shouldn't be hard to come across.

## Eat

* 52.928885.542991 De nieuwe melkfabriek, De Mardyk 13c, Elahuizen, ☏ +31 514 700 224, info@denieuwemelkfabriek.nl. (updated Mar 2018)
* 52.899325.582982 Bij de Luts, Meerweg 3, Balk, ☏ +31 514 601 334. (updated Mar 2018)
* 52.895175.647223 De Koepoort, Koestraat 42, Sloten, ☏ +31 514 531 949. (updated Mar 2018)
* 52.894455.645214 Taveerne 't Bolwerk, Voorstreek 116/117, Sloten, ☏ +31 514 531 405, info@restauranthetbolwerk.nl. (updated Mar 2018)
* 52.894755.644895 De Zeven Wouden, Voorstreek 120, Sloten, ☏ +31 514 531 270, info@dezevenwouden.com. (updated Mar 2018)
* 52.893755.644296 De Mallemok, Baanweg 96, Sloten, ☏ +31 514 531 300, info@mallemok.nl. (updated Mar 2018)
* 52.848945.533317 De Brink, De Brink 8, Oudemirdum, ☏ +31 514 571 890, info@brasseriedebrink.nl. (updated Mar 2018)

### In Lemmer

* 52.85145.68258 De Eerste Aanleg, Plattedijk 20A, Lemmer, ☏ +31 6 5130 5155, info@eersteaanleg.com. (updated Mar 2018)
* 52.85495.68949 De Brekken, Brekkenweg 10, Lemmer, ☏ +31 514 564 571, info@debrekken.nl. (updated Mar 2018)
* 52.859065.699710 De Markol, Zilverplevier 1, Lemmer, ☏ +31 514 566 295, info@restaurantdemarkol.nl. (updated Mar 2018)
* 52.84395.701511 Beachclub Lemmer, Industrieweg 2, Lemmer, ☏ +31 514 593 590. (updated Mar 2018)
* 52.843565.711512 Sam's Grillroom, Schans 6, Lemmer, ☏ +31 514 563 777. (updated Mar 2018)
* 52.843795.7112613 Centrum, Burgemeester Krijgerplein 12, Lemmer, ☏ +31 514 561 360. (updated Mar 2018)
* 52.843885.7112914 Tapa Tapa, Burgermeester Krijgerplein 13, Lemmer, ☏ +31 514 561 594. (updated Mar 2018)
* 52.844495.7102415 Âld Lemmer, Oude Sluis 9, Lemmer, ☏ +31 514 562 977, info@horecabedrijventijsseling.nl. (updated Mar 2018)
* 52.845425.709516 Brasserie №14, Kortestreek 14, Lemmer, ☏ +31 514 850 388, info@brasserie-no14.nl. (updated Mar 2018)

### In Joure

* 52.965215.8004517 De Jongens van Joure, De Merk 13, Joure, ☏ +31 513 410 014, info@dejongensvanjoure.nl. (updated Mar 2018)
* 52.967935.7945218 De Jouster Toer, Midstraat 54, Joure, ☏ +31 513 418 216. (updated Mar 2018)
* 52.967985.7949619 Marco's Eetcafé, Midstraat 71, Joure, ☏ +31 513 417 172. (updated Mar 2018)
* 52.968395.7941920 Die Gasttube, Midstraat 53, Joure, ☏ +31 513 414 100, info@diegaststube.nl. (updated Mar 2018)
* 52.969395.7922321 't Plein, Douwe Egberts Plein 1A, Joure, ☏ +31 513 417 070. (updated Mar 2018)
* 52.97015.7921822 Het Tolhuis, Appelwyk 11, Joure, ☏ +31 513 853 300. (updated Mar 2018)
* 52.97185.788723 De Oranjerie, Grienedyk 6, Joure, ☏ +31 513 413 890, info@oranjeriejoure.nl. (updated Mar 2018)

## Sleep

* 52.843895.715421 Hotel Lemmer, Polderdijk 1, Lemmer, ☏ +31 514 533 090, info@hotellemmer.nl. €73. (updated Jan 2018)
* 52.85015.68542 Sporthotel Iselmar, Plattedijk 16, Lemmer, ☏ +31 514 569 096, info@iselmar.nl. €71. (updated Jan 2018)
* 52.895475.644733 Logement Stedswâl, Kapelstreek 222, Sloten, ☏ +31 514 854 636, info@logementstedswal.nl. €81. (updated Jan 2018)
* 52.903785.567674 Landgoed-Hotel Welgelegen, Welgelegen 15, Harich, ☏ +31 514 605 050, info@landgoedwelgelegen.nl. €72. (updated Jan 2018)
* 52.862585.500675 Hotel Gaasterland, Marderleane 21, Rijs, ☏ +31 514 581 741, info@hotel-gaasterland.nl. €75. (updated Jan 2018)
* 52.863845.498656 $^{[formerlydeadlink]}$ Mooi Gaasterland, Marderleane 1, Rijs, ☏ +31 514 594 598, info@mooigaasterland.com. €82. (updated Jan 2018)
* 52.898945.582077 It Bûterhûs, Van Swinderenstraat 8, Balk, ☏ +31 612 865 018, info@buterhus.nl. (updated Jan 2018)
* 52.942865.628638 MID83, Midstrjitte 83, Woudsend, ☏ +31 646 842 912, benb.mid83@gmail.com. €72. (updated Jan 2018)
* 52.93525.75539 De Oorsprong, Huisterheide 7, Sint Nocolaasga, ☏ +31 513 432 662, info@hoteldeoorsprong.nl. €71. (updated Jan 2018)
* 52.93745.724610 $^{[deadlink]}$ Hampshire Hotel Sint Nicolaasga, Legemeersterweg 1a, Legemeer, ☏ +31 513 432 999. €79 to €139. (updated Jan 2018)
* 52.873255.8245311 Tjongervallei, Marwei 14, Delfstrahuizen, ☏ +31 514 541 122, info@tjongervallei.nl. €80. (updated Jan 2018)
* 52.95975.811412 Hajé Hotel Joure, Klokmakerij 1, Joure, ☏ +31 513 413 555, joure@haje.nu. €52. (updated Jan 2018)

## Go next

* Sloten is one of the eleven cities that make up the route of the Elfstedentocht, following the course, the next cities are:
* Stavoren (Starum) — The oldest city of Friesland, ironically, lacking the feel of a city with under a thousand inhabitants.
* Hindeloopen (Hyplen) — Another small city along the former Zuiderzee and a former member of the Hanseatic League.
* Workum (Warkum) — Small historical city with a protected monumental city centre.
* Bolsward (Boalsert) — Historical city with the appeal of a town.
* Harlingen (Harns) — Gateway to the Waddeneilanden of Vlieland and Terschelling.
* Franeker (Frjentsjer) — Small city known best for its planetarium.
* Dokkum — One of the larger eleven cities, known for the murder of Northumbrian Saint Boniface around 750-760 CE.
* Leeuwarden (Ljouwert) — Start and finish of the Elfstedentocht, as well as the capital of Friesland.