Day Itinerary
18 Activities
Day 1
290 mi3 mi
Unknown Towns and Wonderful Dutch Windmills
You will start this day with all the energy traveling to surprising and unknown places.
First you will walk through the ancient streets of Leer and see the stunning sights from the bridge over the Leda Canal.
Then you'll cross the border into The Netherlands and visit Groningen, where a tower almost 100 metres high will challenge your vertigo and then you'll have lunch in one of the biggest pubs in Europe.
From there you will head to Elburg, a curious fishing village, very peculiar for the way it is laid out and at the same time very picturesque. The cherry on the cake is the magnificent windmill village of Zaanse Schans. A magical Dutch peasant village that looks like taken out of a painting from centuries gone by.
Finally, you will spend the night in Leiden, which, even at night, you will enjoy the charm of its narrow streets.
Then you'll cross the border into The Netherlands and visit Groningen, where a tower almost 100 metres high will challenge your vertigo and then you'll have lunch in one of the biggest pubs in Europe.
From there you will head to Elburg, a curious fishing village, very peculiar for the way it is laid out and at the same time very picturesque. The cherry on the cake is the magnificent windmill village of Zaanse Schans. A magical Dutch peasant village that looks like taken out of a painting from centuries gone by.
Finally, you will spend the night in Leiden, which, even at night, you will enjoy the charm of its narrow streets.
70 mi
1 hr 30 min
10:401 min
Parkplatz Waage
Parking
Open Details
First stop not far from a beautiful bridge in the city of Leer.
0.1 mi
5 min
10:505 min
Dr.-vom-Bruch-Brücke
Open Details
This will be a journey that will cover long distances, but there will always be a stop along the way to admire charming and often little-known places. Like this bridge in Leer with an amazing sight of the Leda Canal.
0.2 mi
5 min
11:0015 min
Altstadt Leer
Open Details
Is advisable to walk along the Rathausstraße, a quaint street where you will come across charming shops and antique buildings.
It is a short walk to delight yourself in the beautiful old part of Leer.
It is a short walk to delight yourself in the beautiful old part of Leer.
0.1 mi
5 min
11:201 min
Parkplatz Waage
Parking
Open Details
Time to get the car as there´s a border to cross.
45.4 mi
1 hr 10 min
12:401 min
Interparking Centrum
Parking
Open Details
A very well located car park that will leave you close to the main sights of Groningen.
0.2 mi
5 min
12:5015 min
Grote Markt Groningen
Landmark
Open Details
This is where all of Groningen's social life and cultural events are centred. Surrounded by picturesque and interesting buildings, this square is a must-see when exploring the city.
0.1 mi
5 min
13:1015 min
Martinitoren
Landmark
Open Details
This is the city's most important tourist attraction and a source of pride.
It has stood tall for over 500 years and has survived wars, fires and storms. It is almost 100 metres high and more than 250 steps take you to the top, from where you can see incredible views of the city and the surrounding area.
It is important to know that you must be in good shape to climb this monument, as the spiral staircase is very steep and long. In case you want to climb the monument here is the link to get tickets.
The monument can be visited: Mondays from 12:00 - 17:00 h. Tuesdays to Saturdays: 11:00 AM - 17:00 h. Sundays from 12:00 - 16:00 h.
It is important to know that you must be in good shape to climb this monument, as the spiral staircase is very steep and long. In case you want to climb the monument here is the link to get tickets.
The monument can be visited: Mondays from 12:00 - 17:00 h. Tuesdays to Saturdays: 11:00 AM - 17:00 h. Sundays from 12:00 - 16:00 h.
0.1 mi
5 min
13:3045 min
De Drie Gezusters
Restaurant
Open Details
This building, which from the outside looks more like a museum than anything else, is one of the largest pubs in Europe. No, not that it has a pub inside. The whole building is a gigantic pub.
It's a good moment to get to know it from the inside and sit down to recharge your batteries.
0.3 mi
10 min
14:2515 min
Via Vecchia
Landmark
Open Details
This picturesque alleyway will lead you to one side of the canal.
This beautiful city, unlike other cities such as Amsterdam, is surrounded by a single canal.
It's a good idea to wander along the canal before continuing on your trip, for some of the best sights of the city.
It's a good idea to wander along the canal before continuing on your trip, for some of the best sights of the city.
0.5 mi
10 min
14:5030 min
Interparking Centrum
Parking
Open Details
Time to leave this big city behind and discover unknown places.
76.5 mi
1 hr 30 min
16:501 min
parkeerplaats Elburg
Parking
Open Details
Elburg is a curious place that few people know about and is well worth a visit. This car park is at the gates of the historic centre of this peculiar city.
0.4 mi
10 min
17:0515 min
Vischpoort
Landmark
Open Details
This curious fishing town seems to have been designed by a modern urban engineer. Its square ground plan and the grid layout of its streets are surprising for its age.
Elburg was a prosperous town in the 15th century thanks to its access to the sea, and was part of the Hanseatic League. It was a kind of federation for trade made up of more than 200 towns in northern Europe.
Walking through its narrow streets you can still see the prosperity of that time. The medieval fishermen's gate stands out as an emblematic monument.
Elburg was a prosperous town in the 15th century thanks to its access to the sea, and was part of the Hanseatic League. It was a kind of federation for trade made up of more than 200 towns in northern Europe.
Walking through its narrow streets you can still see the prosperity of that time. The medieval fishermen's gate stands out as an emblematic monument.
0.4 mi
10 min
17:301 min
parkeerplaats Elburg
Parking
Open Details
But you still have a road ahead of you and something that will fascinate you, it's time to move on!
0.3 mi
5 min
19:1030 min
Windmill boats dock boat tour
Landmark
Open Details
You'll arrive here at sunset, which has its charm although as you can imagine, many places will probably be already closed. However, the greatest charm of this place are the old windmills, the houses from the past that represent the lifestyle of the Dutch peasants and their heritage.
It is ideal to wander along the canals and cross the small bridges. A place full of magic and one of the most picturesque places you can see in Holland.
It is ideal to wander along the canals and cross the small bridges. A place full of magic and one of the most picturesque places you can see in Holland.
0.2 mi
5 min
19:451 hr
De Hoop op d'Swarte Walvis
Restaurant
Open Details
A charming place, with a unique atmosphere, superb dishes and wonderful views. The right place to savour extraordinary Dutch cuisine.
Open hours: Wednesday: 18:00 - 00:30 h. Thursday to Sunday: 12:00 - 00:30 h. Monday & Tuesday: Closed.
To book a table in advance click here.
Open hours: Wednesday: 18:00 - 00:30 h. Thursday to Sunday: 12:00 - 00:30 h. Monday & Tuesday: Closed.
To book a table in advance click here.
0.3 mi
10 min
20:551 min
Schansend
Open Details
As you can imagine, the fact of covering so much territory means that the time available to visit each of the points is not very long. So it´s time to head one last place today.
36.2 mi
50 min
22:0010 hrsHotels
ExLibris Boutique Hotel
9
This cosy hotel is located in the historic centre of Leiden. If you still have energy, you can stroll through its lovely narrow streets after checking in.
Important: Remember to book in advance and, when booking, check where to park your car, as the hotel has parking facilities available.
Important: Remember to book in advance and, when booking, check where to park your car, as the hotel has parking facilities available.