Lemmer, Friesland, is a small and medieval town that you should visit in The Netherlands. There are plenty of things to do in Lemmer and you can easily spend one day in one of the best destinations in Friesland.
The town of Lemmer is a beach town in the province of Friesland, The Netherlands, and most famous for housing one of the Unesco World Heritage Sites in The Netherlands, the Wouda pumping station. Though it’s a small town, there’s still enough to do in Lemmer that keeps you occupied for 24 hours. As I’ve said before, Lemmer is in the province of Friesland. That means that the town of Lemmer is not located in Holland.
People often refer to Lemmer as the gate of Friesland. Mainly because Lemmer is the door between Friesland and the biggest lake of The Netherlands, the Ijsselmeer. The small town of Lemmer used to be a fishing village, however after the construction of the Afsluitdijk was completed, the fishing boats disappeared.
The best things to do in Lemmer, Friesland, in one day
From sporty activities to historical attractions in Lemmer. And from the Lemmer Woudagemaal to the top things to see and do to enjoy Lemmer in 24 hours. It’s all here and more.
Eat the best breakfast of Lemmer
One of the best places to eat breakfast in Lemmer is bakkerij Breimer. This bakery offers a cheap breakfast with three different kinds of bread, juice, toppings, coffee and tea, and plenty of more for around 5 euros. You cannot get a cheaper breakfast in Lemmer than that. Breakfast is served until 10/10:30. When you’re there anyway, don’t forget to buy a Jouster/Lemster pof.
Vissersburen 76/78, Lemmer
Discover and visit the Wouda pumping station in Lemmer, The Netherlands
If you’re still wondering what is there to do in Lemmer that must be a part of my itinerary, then this is it. One of the top museums and activities of Lemmer and Friesland is visiting the Wouda pumping station in Lemmer. This pumping system is a Unesco World Heritage site and still helps Friesland to stay dry during the autumn and winter. If you’re interested in knowing how this pumping station works, what it’s exactly used for and more you’d have to visit this museum in Lemmer. I have written a full article about the things you can expect when you visit the Woudagemaal, and all the information you should know, here.
Explore Lemmer with a free walking tour
Lemmer has around 10.000 inhabitants, though it feels much smaller. That’s also because the beautiful centre of Lemmer is not that big, and because I won’t show you the ‘uglier’ part and with that, I mean houses that date back to the 60s, not the 1700s. But still big enough to visit the town and explore a little. This won’t take a long time, but nonetheless, it’s one of the things you must do when you’re in Lemmer for one day.
We start the walking route through Lemmer at the Kortestreek. From this street, you will walk via Oudesluis, Gedempte Gracht, Nieuwburen, Binnenhaven, Schulpen to Turfland. From here you will walk to Langestreek and finally to the Vuurtoren or the lighthouse of Lemmer. Unfortunately, you are not allowed to climb the lighthouse anymore.
But, if you walk further towards the Ijsselmeer you still have a beautiful view of the whole lake. The view is definitely different than when you look at the Ijsselmeer from the beach of Lemmer. The view is wider. During Tsjerkepaad you can visit the churches of Lemmer as well, click here for more information on the dates and more.
Have a great lunch in Lemmer
For a great lunch I’d recommend you to visit Brasserie NO 14. Not only is this a great little place to enjoy a lunch in Lemmer, but the atmosphere is very lovely as well. Combine that with good food and nice staff, and you have a perfect place for a good lunch.
Kortestreek 14, Lemmer
Get sporty and take a kitesurf or other class in Lemmer
If you’re a fan of adventurous sports, or love to be anywhere near water, then you’ll definitely like this idea. One of the great things you can do in Lemmer is kitesurfing, windsurfing, wakeboarding or even supping. You can hire boards or take a lesson. Have a look here for more information. This is definitely one of the best things that there’s to do in Lemmer. Lessons start at 49 euros.
Or hire a boat in Lemmer
If you’re more interested in exploring the Ijsselmeer or surroundings of Lemmer by boat, then continue reading. You can discover what there’s to see in Friesland by boat and it’s easy to spend a weekend in Lemmer and surroundings when you hire a boat. Whether you enjoy sailing or not, there’s a perfect boat in Lemmer for you. From big sailing boats to perfectly fine small boats. That makes it one of the top things to do in Lemmer and Friesland.
Visit the museum of Lemmer
In this museum of Lemmer, you’ll discover the history of the fishing town of Lemmer. From a complete decorated room that brings you back to the high days of the town, to products and materials that were used to fish. It might sound a little bit dusty, but when you exit the little museum after your visit, you’ll be glad that you went inside. It’s one of the activities you must do when you visit Lemmer.
The museum is only opened during the high season from the beginning of April until the end of October. From 10:00- 17:00 Tuesday – Friday. The admission fee is 3 euros.
Nieuwburen 1, Lemmer
Relax at the beach of Lemmer
The beach of Lemmer is the perfect spot for a sunset, some relaxing drinks at the beach club and to watch the surfers pass by. As you’re enjoying the magical view of the biggest lake in The Netherlands, you will hear the laughing of people, the sharping of the birds and the sound of the water washing ashore. You can never spend enough time at the beach. Visiting the beach of Lemmer is one of the highlights and a must see in your time in this Frisian fishing town.
Eat dinner at one of the best restaurants in Lemmer
The best restaurant for a great dinner in Lemmer is Restaurant De Specerij. Not only is the food really good, but the price is also nothing too bad as well. The atmosphere in this restaurant is great and the staff are friendly. So, if you’re looking for a good restaurant in Lemmer, then Restaurant De Specerij is the place to be.
Langestreek 3, Lemmer
Finish a day in Lemmer with drinks in a brown cafe
A typical Dutch place you should visit when you travel to The Netherlands and Lemmer is a ‘bruin café’, or brown café. These authentic cafes often give you the perfect local experience. And there’s a perfect bar in Lemmer that will make your dreams come true. Café “De Laatste Stuiver” is one of the best brown cafés that can be found in Lemmer and its surroundings. Enter the bar, order a beer and talk to the locals and that will be the best way to finish your 24 hours in Lemmer.
Schans 10, Lemmer
The best hotels in Lemmer, Friesland, The Netherlands
Whether you’re looking for the best hotels in Lemmer, Friesland, or for bed and breakfasts. Here you will find the perfect hotel in Lemmer, The Netherlands, for you. For the most nearby StayOkay hostel to Lemmer, you’d have to stay in the town of Heeg.
Disclaimer: There may be affiliate links in this part of the article. This means that when you book through my link, I get a small commission at no extra cost to you. Read my full disclaimer here.
Bed & Breakfast Easy to Sleep, click here for the current prices and availability.
Hotel Lemmer, click here for the current prices and availability.
Stayokay Heeg, click here for the current prices and availability.
For more information, you can go to the tourist info. In Lemmer, you can find the tourist information at Nieuwburen 1 in Lemmer and they open from April until the end of October.
I hope this itinerary to spending one day in Lemmer, Friesland, helped you to discover what there’s to do and see in Lemmer. As well as the best activities, hotels and restaurants in Lemmer, The Netherlands. If you have more time to spend in the surroundings of Lemmer I can recommend a day trip to Sloten as well. I can also recommend you to have a look at more day trips within Friesland. Share this post!
