Harlingen

A historic sea city

Harlingen is a historic sea city and still strongly linked to the sea and shipping. In the Noorderhaven and Zuiderhaven, in the middle of the city, ebb and flow prevailed. Cargo ships from Russia, Scandinavia or England, ferries to Terschelling and Vlieland, fishing cutters, numerous tjalks, clippers and yachts contribute to activity in the harbours. The centuries-old centre has many monuments such as patrician houses, warehouses, the town hall, towers and churches, canals and bridges.

Present-day Harlingen

In total, Harlingen has more than 500 monumental buildings with beautiful facades reminiscent of the heyday of trade and shipping (whaling). Two of the seven bastions, part of the city’s landward defences, are still intact and surrounded by canals. The old pattern of streets and alleys defines the character of the cosy city centre. Restaurants, cafés and, in summer, the pavement cafés on Noorderhaven, Waddenpromenade and Voorstraat, make for lively crowds. The port is home to the largest brown fleet in the Netherlands; countless tjalks and clippers have Harlingen as their home port and once every few years the Tall Ships come sailing into the port. An event definitely worth a visit!