Press and PR for friesland
Just an hour from Amsterdam and three hours from Antwerp and Bremen, Friesland is a province full of unexpected discoveries. With four national parks, three UNESCO World Heritage Sites, eleven historic cities, the islands of the Wadden Sea and the vast Frisian lakes, it is impossible to see it all in one visit. Whether you love culture, crave the Wadden’s raw beauty, enjoy peaceful forests or want to explore the eleven cities, Friesland is the place to recharge.
Visit Friesland is here to support you with all press enquiries. We can provide information about Friesland, our campaigns and projects, as well as text, image and video material. Need an interview? We can arrange that too.
welcome to friesland
Wolkom yn Fryslân. In the far north lies the Netherlands’ largest province when you include water. Fryslân is its official name, as Frisian is the country’s second national language. Here, land and water are equally divided. The islands, mounds, dikes and the famous cows shape the landscape. Friesland is known for that. But there is so much more, and we would love to introduce you to our province and its independent‑minded people.
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Culinary Friesland
Friesland is developing as a culinary destination. Talented chefs are opening excellent restaurants in their homeland. This means that the province, which already has its own language and national anthem, is now also gaining its own signature when it comes to food. This is the Frisian Cuisine. Discover more.
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Culture
Friesland is the only province with an official second national language, three World Heritage sites, and the titles of Cultural Capital and Unesco City of Literature. With the 11fountains, a rich cultural history, and an impressive number of museums per capita, Friesland breathes culture like no other province in the Netherlands.
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Water
Friesland has the most lakes, canals, and bridges in the Netherlands, making it the ultimate water sports province. Thanks to a unique interplay of dikes, salt marshes, mounds, and pumping stations, Friesland has a centuries-long history of living with and against the water.
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Eleven Cities
In Friesland, the cities are smaller than villages, but their historical significance makes them unique, ranging from port cities to university towns and from fortified cities to pilgrimage sites. The Elfstedentocht connects these cities, each with its own character and charm, from bustling to serene and timeless.
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Frisian Wilderness
Friesland is the only province with four National Parks, two Dark Sky Parks, and the Unesco World Heritage Wadden Sea, where nature and cities blend seamlessly. Thanks to the diversity of forests, meadows, heathlands, dunes, sea, lakes, and islands, Friesland offers an unparalleled variety of landscapes in a limited area.
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Wadden area
Friesland is the only province with so many Wadden Islands and the largest tidal area in the world, the Wadden Sea, which is constantly in motion due to ebb and flow. This unique landscape, part of the Unesco World Heritage, offers a dynamic natural wonder found nowhere else in the Netherlands.
Annual events - in friesland
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Skûtsjesilen is an annual sailing event in Friesland, where traditional sailing ships, known as skûtsjes, compete on the Frisian lakes.
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The PC is a renowned event in Friesland and the most important kaats (Frisian handball) competition of the year, held annually on the 'sacred grass' of the Sjûkelân in Franeker.
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The Elfstedentocht cycling route is an annual bike tour of approximately 260 kilometers along the eleven historic cities of Friesland.
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Oerol is an annual ten-day cultural festival in June, held on the Dutch island of Terschelling, which is part of the province of Friesland.
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The Admiraliteitsdagen is an annual maritime festival in Dokkum featuring music, historic ships, activities, and street theater.
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Museumnacht FRL lights up the night like never before. Visit one or more of the 25 museums for an enchanting night full of stories, art, and performances.
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The LUNA Festival, held in the station quarter and the city center of Leeuwarden, is an annual media and light art festival.
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Explore the North is a festival and production house with its own stage in Leeuwarden: Podium Explore. This venue offers a café, a large hall, a studio, and various smaller spaces for creating, presenting, and meeting.
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For Questions, Contact Emily
- pers@merkfryslan.nl
- +31622887215 (available Monday to Thursday)
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Image Material
We offer a collection of royalty‑free images for use in promoting Friesland. These images can be downloaded via our image bank (account required). Please credit both the photographer and Visit Friesland when using the images.
Looking for a specific image or want to use the images commercially? Get in touch. Visit the Image Bank.
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Press Trips
Visit Friesland regularly organises and coordinates press trips built around relevant themes and topics. Journalists and influencers are warmly invited to come and experience Friesland.
Group Press Trips Friesland 2025:
- Friesland as a Cultural Hotspot
- Culinary Flavours of Friesland
- Recharge & Slow Travel in Friesland
- Press Trip (DE): Slow Travel in Friesland