excursions
Here you will find some suggestions for your holiday in Lauwersoog. Of course there is much more to see and experience. We have compiled further tips such as delicious restaurants, shopping opportunities, interesting towns, beautiful walking routes and bike tours in our local guest books.
Seal center
The Seal Center from June 2025 in the port of Lauwersoog the Seal Center is the largest hospital in Europe specializing in seals and provides insights into its work and the life of the seals. There is also an exhibition, a mudflat playground, a small café and a gift shop. Boat trips to the seals' natural habitat can also be booked.
Island of Schiermonnikoog
Schiermonnikoog is car-free and, at 16 x 4 km, is 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 Nederlandse Christelijke Radio-Vereniging in 2006. There you will find the endless sandy beaches that you might miss on the Wadden Sea. Ferries leave the adjacent ferry port every hour, every day and very easily, all year round.
Lauwersmeer National Park
Alongside the Wadden Sea, the Lauwersmeer National Park is one of the most important bird areas 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 water and on land. Collected information can be found here:
https://www.np-lauwersmeer.nl/deutsche-informationen/
Dark Sky Park Lauwersmeer
The Lauwersmeer National Park is a Dark Sky Park and is therefore one of the darkest places on earth. Here you can experience nature in total darkness. The darkness is important so that nature is not disturbed. On the beach in front of the chalet, the stars and the Milky Way are particularly visible. On some days you can even admire the Northern Lights. There is a star telescope and night walks are offered. An unforgettable experience.
Here you can find the night that leads you through the darkness --->
Groningen & Leeuwarden
If you fancy city life, we can 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 culture and events, as well as beautiful historical monuments such as the Martinitoren, pretty shopping streets for a relaxed day of shopping and numerous good restaurants.
The city center of Leeuwarden is one of the insider tips in Holland. It is the birthplace of the graphic artist MC Escher and the mysterious, exotic dancer and spy Mata Hari. Shop in the small shopping streets, take a boat trip on the centuries-old canals, and discover the cultural roots of Friesland in the Fries Museum.
What to do...
Welcome to one of the most beautiful nature reserves in the Netherlands.
The visitwaddeen.nl/ and visitgroningen.nl/ websites give a great overview of everything that the Friesland and Groningen regions have to offer in terms of excursions and events in connection with the Wadden Sea. Take your time to get an insight into the wonders of nature.
