Sneek

Sneek, in Frisian called Snits, is a pleasant city right in the heart of the Frisian Lakes district, in the Northern Netherlands. It's a bustling centre for water sports, boating and ice skating, but also home to monumental architecture and lovely town views.

Understand
With some 34,000 inhabitants (2021), Sneek is not a particularly large city. It is well-known in the Netherlands however, as it is one of the eleven cities in the famous Elfstedentocht and also for the Sneekweek, a major water sports event organized here every year.



Get in
Unless you're coming from nearby, the A7 is likely your way by road into town. It connects Sneek to Groningen and the German border and (via the Afsluitdijk, a large causeway that separates the IJsselmeer from the North Sea) to Zaandam and all the major destinations in the Western Netherlands.

The N354 is the major provincial road, connecting Sneek to the nearby destinations of Leeuwarden, Grou and Lemmer. Sneek has a ring road, which makes it easier to navigate from anywhere in the city to either of the main access roads.

There are trains to Leeuwarden on average every 20 minutes, operated by Arriva (€4.30, 20 minutes). From there, you can transfer on trains to other major destinations. Buses in this region are also operated by Arriva and connect Sneek to most of the towns in the region.

As those travelling by boat will find, Sneek is very reachable over water. The Zwette is the waterway connecting Sneek to Leeuwarden, the Franekervaart connects the city to Franeker and the Houkesloot to the larger Prinses Margrietkanaal, a major shipping canal leading from Lemmer to Groningen city, and beyond that to the Sneekermeer. Lastly, the Geeuw is your waterway into Sneek when coming from IJlst.

Get around
The inner city is small enough to discover on foot. A bike can be a nice alternative, for which you're advised to ask your local host which bicycle shop would be closest.

If you're here by car, there are plenty of places to park it, although a lot of them are in part paid parking garages and terrains (€2.00/day).

See
Like several other Dutch cities, the old town of Sneek is characterized by canals, historic houses and bridges, offering plenty of charming town views. The city had its golden age in the 15th and 16th century, when its location on the major trade route from Leeuwarden (the region's capital) to Stavoren (the harbour from where the western Netherlands could be reached) led to flourishing trade and great wealth in Sneek. It was in this period that many of the monumental houses and the city walls were built, as well as a new harbour. A pretty Manierist Waterpoort (Water gate) was built to connect the new harbour with the rest of the city. Today, the Waterpoort with its two towers has become a symbol for the city and is one of the few remaining parts of the town walls, as much of it was demolished in the early 18th century.

Other interesting sights include the 1550 Town hall and the 1498 Martini church (Grote Kerkstraat 5), which has a carillon of 50 bells.

The

Do

 * For locals and visitors alike, Sneek is almost a synonym for water and water sports, and no visit this area is complete without at least some experience on the water. You have a wide choice of ways to join the crowds, but if you're not a water sports aficionado, boating is a good pick. As in all the towns along the Frisian lakes, several places rent out canoes, sloops and sailing boats. For the inexperienced, a canoe or sloop is the best option. You don't need any permits or licenses, for small boats, and navigating is easy enough to be explained on the spot. If you're not on a budget, there are even some larger yacht-like motorboats that you can rent without a boating license, provided they are less then 15m in length. They are often rented out for a week, allowing for more extensive trips around the Frisian lake area and the IJsselmeer. You'll pay a large deposit, and smaller damages (up to €500 or so) are typically covered by that deposit, not the insurance. If you feel insecure, ask for a short course, as they are generally available. Whatever you do, don't miss out on this: You can't say you've seen this region if you haven't seen it from the water!
 * Sailing requires a bit more technique, and if you don't have proper sailing experience, it's not advisable to rent a real sailing boat. You could however book some sailing classes, which are typically great fun and will leave you with some handy skills for another time. Sailing classes come in all kinds: in groups, private, for half a day or for two full weeks. Make sure to make reservations in advance though.
 * Sailing requires a bit more technique, and if you don't have proper sailing experience, it's not advisable to rent a real sailing boat. You could however book some sailing classes, which are typically great fun and will leave you with some handy skills for another time. Sailing classes come in all kinds: in groups, private, for half a day or for two full weeks. Make sure to make reservations in advance though.

Buy
The town centre has many large and small shops, including plenty of souvenir sellers. You'll find anything from keychains to bathing suits with the Frisian flag on it.

For an actual Sneek specialty, look for Drabbelkoek, a local round and crunchy cookie made by pushing the dough through a small funnel. They're often sold in tins with the Waterpoort on it, making for a nice souvenir.

Eat
As Sneek attracts rather large watersports crowds in summer, there's a wide selection of restaurants available. Many have nice outdoor terraces, often along the water side.

Drink
The old town is dotted with establishments, and in summer there's a nice vibe with all the outdoor terraces and bars. If you're looking to go clubbing, Club 1841 (Kleine kerkstraat 4b) is where you should go.

Go next
Nearby destinations of interest include:
 * Franeker, with its lovely historic planetarium
 * Leeuwarden, the province capital
 * Heerenveen, centre for ice skating sports

Via the Afsluitdijk it's a short drive to the northern tip of the Northern Netherlands, making destinations like Den Helder, Alkmaar and Enkhuizen an easy next destination too. If you want to cross the Afsluitdijk by public transport, head to Bolsward and take a bus (Qliner 350) to Alkmaar.