Excursions
Here are some suggestions for your holiday in Lauwersoog. Of course, there is much more to see and do. We have compiled further tips for you in our guest books on site, including delicious restaurants, shopping opportunities, charming towns, beautiful walking trails and bike tours.
Seal Centre
The Seal Centre in the port of Lauwersoog is the largest seal hospital in Europe, offering insights into its work and the lives of seals. It also features an exhibition, a mudflat playground, a small café, and a gift shop. Boat trips to the seals' natural habitat can also be booked.
The seal center is located in the WEC at the port of Lauwersoog.
WEC Lauwersoog
The WEC Wadden Experience Centre is a brand new building located in Lauwersoog, right by the harbor. It's an interesting outing for children and adults alike. Here you can learn a lot about the UNESCO World Heritage Wadden Sea. And it truly lives up to its name as an "Activity Centre." From here, you can book excursions – by boat, mudflat hikes, and more.
Seal spotting and much more. And the best part: you can reach it on foot from our chalets.
Lauwersmeer National Park
Besides the Wadden Sea, the Lauwersmeer National Park is one of the most important bird habitats in Europe. It consists of water, islands, forests, scrubby meadows, and reeds. Scottish Highland cattle and wild Komik horses graze there. This nature reserve can be explored in a variety of ways, both on land and water. You can find more information here:
https://www.np-lauwersmeer.nl/deutsche-informationen/
Dark Sky Park Lauwersmeer
Lauwersmeer National Park is a Dark Sky Park, making it one of the darkest places on Earth. Here, you can experience nature in complete darkness. The darkness is essential to protect the ecosystem. The stars and the Milky Way are particularly visible on the beach in front of the chalet. On some nights, you can even admire the Northern Lights. A stargazing telescope is available, and guided night walks are offered. An unforgettable experience.
This way leads to the night, which will guide you through the darkness --->
Groningen & Leeuwarden
If you fancy city life, we can highly recommend these two major cities.
Groningen, the capital of the province of the same name, is a young, diverse city with a wide range of cultural offerings, events, beautiful historical monuments such as the Martinitoren, pretty shopping streets for a relaxed day of shopping, and numerous good restaurants.
Leeuwarden's city center is one of the Netherlands' best-kept secrets. It's the birthplace of graphic artist M.C. Escher and the mysterious, exotic dancer and spy Mata Hari. Shop in the charming little streets, take a boat trip along the centuries-old canals, and discover the cultural roots of Friesland at the Fries Museum.
What to do...
Welcome to one of the most beautiful nature reserves in the Netherlands.
The websites visitwaddeen.nl/ and visitgroningen.nl/ provide a great overview of everything the Friesland and Groningen regions have to offer in connection with the Wadden Sea, including excursions and events. Take some time to discover the wonders of nature.
Island Schiermonnikoog
Schiermonnikoog is car-free and, at 16 x 4 km, the smallest of the five inhabited Dutch Wadden Islands. It has 944 inhabitants and was named "the most beautiful place in the Netherlands" by the Dutch Christian Radio Association in 2006. There you will find the endless sandy beaches that you might miss on the Wadden Sea. Ferries depart hourly from the adjacent ferry port every day, all year round.
Verhildersum Estate
The Verhildersum estate is worth a visit at any time of year.
It's located in Leens, about 14 km from Lauwersoog. Take a stroll through the sculpture garden or across the fields, past the orchard and livestock. It's a lovely experience for children, too. Along the way, you can visit the workers' cottage and the museum farm. The manor house and the coach house are also open to visitors. There's a café on site, and exhibitions are held regularly.
Fishing village Zoutkamp
The fishing village impresses with its colorful houses and beautiful harbor.
Before the Lauwersmeer was separated from the North Sea, Zoutkamp was a major fishing port. Even today, fishermen still venture out to sea across the Lauwersmeer to catch fish. The town is home to a large shrimp farm, whose shrimp are sold at the local fish shop by the harbor. Zoutkamp also boasts delicious restaurants and a fishing museum.
