Have you ever been on workation in the Netherlands? I have done it several times and love it. The other day I went on workation to Friesland and I can tell you: I really recommend it. The great advantage of a workation in your own country is that you have little travel time and don’t have to get on a plane. You can get there by car or public transportation, which means your trip has less impact on the environment. In this blog I will tell you exactly where I went during my midweek and what I did. I went for a few days to unwind, recharge and enjoy the outdoors. Here you can read more about the benefits of working (outdoors) in Friesland. In the north of the country you have lots of space, fresh air and nice down-to-earth people. The perfect recipe for a remote work adventure. Do your work during the day and then go out in the area.
Unique accommodations for your workation
In Friesland you can find a lot of nice places to stay. After quite a bit of comparison, I chose two different accommodations to stay at. One is more industrial and rural, the other is a creative oasis in nature. Both are small-scale, which I like.
Suvelfabryk in Lioessens
This brand new accommodation used to be (you guessed it) a dairy factory. You’ll still find some authentic elements, but it’s mostly very modern and incredibly stylish. In the canteen you can work and eat at long tables, plop down on a straw bale or play a game of table tennis. You can sit in the sheltered courtyard of the Suvelfabryk, or have fun on the trampoline or gymnastics equipment. The apartments are very modern, fully equipped and have another nice surprise!
The Low North in Marrum
Het Lage Noorden is a fine campsite in the north of Friesland; and not just any campsite! You’ll mostly hear sheep, you’ll enjoy the calm and creative vibe. Many artists come here. The ideal place to relax, to pay attention to your personal development or to concentrate on your work in one of the Writers’ Homes. In the vicinity you can make beautiful walks, cycle tours and in the evening look at the stars. There are also regular performances and cozy dinners.
Delicious restaurants in Friesland
For the vacation part of the workation, good food and drink is, of course, very important. There is more than enough choice, especially for seafood lovers. Here are my favorites:
- Riddle of the Wadden in Anjum
Here you sit very attractively by the water and under the bunches of grapes. Tip from owner Arend: come and work quietly on your laptop in the afternoon and enjoy a delicious dinner afterwards. - ABDIJ Dokkum
This beautiful small-scale hotel in Dokkum is really worth a visit. The styling is really beautiful, both in the rooms and the restaurants and lounges. Have delicious filled sugar bread with whipped cream with your coffee here, hmmmm! - Sea of Time in Holwerd
If there is anywhere you can eat well and enjoy a wonderful evening it is here. The service is tremendously welcoming and the food delectable. You can’t miss it, everyone in the area is talking about it. - Wadden Pavilion de Noorman in Lauwersoog
When you’re in Friesland, of course you have to dine by the water. You can enjoy that at the Noorman. You can also go there for a few hours and then have a nice lunch, overlooking the Wadden Sea. Afterwards it is fun to do all kinds of activities on the water there. - Haagens Lunchroom
I got the tip to go eat a healthy sandwich at Haagens in Dokkum, which seemed crazy, because it’s not that special, right? Well I can only say one thing: do it and then you will understand. I went out rolling again. By the way, you can also work here in a very cool hip atmosphere.
What you can do in Friesland
Dark Sky Park at Lauwersmeer
The Dark Sky Park at Lauwersmeer is one of the darkest places in the Netherlands. You can do great stargazing here late at night. There is also a walking trail in the dark for the brave hiker who wants to experience the darkness. Bellows wading tour
Something I really enjoyed during this workation in Friesland was wading. I had never done it before and it seemed like a unique experience. It certainly was! You walk on a quiet stretch of mudflats and can enjoy the surroundings while getting more information from your guide. It is so crazy to walk on the sea floor and stand in sometimes the middle of the water.
Tip from flip: put on shorts and high shoes (also rentable there), because I made a misstep and got quite wet haha.
Waddenexperience Experience Lauwersoog
When you think of the Wadden Sea you think of boats. At least, I do. So we took a rescue boat out on the Wadden Sea, where you can make quite a lot of speed on some stretches. We even came across a seal and a porpoise! In between, the skipper tells you about the UNESCO World Heritage area you are in. Walking coaching
Meindert van dijk is a walking coach for those seeking peace and quiet and helps people in the field of personal development. He knows the surroundings like the back of his hand and during the walk he sometimes tells you some background information, which makes it a very light-hearted conversation, while in the meantime it makes you think about the choices in your life. A workout in Friesland did me a lot of good. I came home relaxed and recharged. There is so much to do that I would love to go back again. Want more tips for accommodations or activities in Friesland? Then check out the Meet in Friesland website.
