Boat hire for a week in Friesland

This is what the perfect boating holiday looks like

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Why it's so different from other provinces

A long weekend on the water is lovely. But a week? That's when Friesland really starts to reveal its secrets.

With a whole week, you don't go from place to place as if ticking off a list. You moor where you feel like it, stay longer where it feels good and discover the quiet behind the well-known routes. Hiring a boat for a week in Friesland is, for many guests, the start of a habit they keep up for years. At Familieboten we help you find the right boat and the right route for a week's boating in Friesland. No boating licence needed, but real attention to what suits you.

Why a week makes all the difference

If you book a week, you cruise differently. More slowly. On the first day it takes a while to get used to the rhythm of the water, the low speed, the mooring manoeuvres, the art of doing nothing. But by day two it clicks. And that's when Friesland really begins.

A week on the water gives you the time to sail most of the Elfstedenroute, explore the loveliest lakes and stroll around a town for an afternoon without rushing. You don't have to choose between nature and culture, between peace and quiet and fun. In a week, you have time for everything.

A week's hire is also simply more practical. You load the boat properly, settle in on board, and don't have to pack everything up again after two nights. You live on the water for a while. That feeling is something quite different from a short stay.

What you can see in a week boating through Friesland

Friesland has eleven historic towns, all reachable by water. In a week of boating you can comfortably visit six to eight of them, depending on your pace and how long you want to stay out in nature.

A popular weekly route takes you past Sneek (the Waterpoort, a lively marina), IJlst (characterful and peaceful), Sloten (the smallest town, with a canal the boat barely fits into), Stavoren (on the IJsselmeer, with a beautiful view), Hindeloopen (a picturesque Frisian town beach) and Workum (an old merchant town with a wide waterway). Return via the lakes and you have a week you won't soon forget.

If you'd rather seek out nature than the towns, choose the more southerly route past the Tjeukemeer, the Fluessen and the vast polders of Gaasterland. Fewer crowds, more space, a different kind of beauty.

And then there's the Elfstedenroute: the complete route past all eleven Frisian towns, a week of boating with a new town every day and a mooring every evening that's worth it. Read all about this route in our blog: Boating the Elfstedenroute: enjoying the Frisian Eleven Towns.

Which boat suits a week boating in Friesland?

A week on the water makes different demands on a boat than a weekend does. Comfort counts for more when you spend several nights on board. Think of a good bed, a proper toilet and shower, plenty of storage space for clothes and provisions, and a kitchen you can really cook in.

For a week of boating we recommend a boat with at least one proper cabin and a separate bathroom. Larger groups are better off with a roomier cruiser with several cabins. That way everyone has their own space and there's enough privacy for the longer trip.

Would you like to know exactly which boat best suits your group and your plans? Get in touch with us. We'd be happy to help you decide.

Plan smartly: how to get the most out of a week on the water

The best boating holiday starts with a rough direction: north, south, east or west. Friesland is small enough to be flexible, but big enough to keep surprising you.

The mistake many people make is trying to fit too much into too little time. On the water everything moves more slowly, and that's the whole point. Allow for an average of three to four hours of cruising a day and leave the rest open.

Also pack layers, sunscreen, sturdy shoes with good grip and provisions for the first few days. Moorings often have a supermarket or local market nearby. Read our full packing list for the perfect boating holiday for more tips.

Think about the season too. Friesland is worth visiting throughout the boating season — from early spring with its quiet waters and fresh air to late summer with calmer lakes and beautiful autumn colours. Read more about the best time to go boating in our blog Friesland by season: when will you sail?

How long is a 'week' at Familieboten?

We hire out per night, with a minimum of two nights. A full week is seven nights. You choose the arrival and departure dates that suit you best.

Do I need a boating licence for a week's boating?

No. All our boats can be hired without a boating licence. When you arrive, the hirer gives you thorough boating instruction.

Can I sail the Elfstedenroute in a week?

The full Elfstedenroute is about 200 kilometres long. In a week you can comfortably do it if you spend an average of four to five hours a day on the water. Several boats in our range are specifically suited to the Elfstedenroute.

Are there extra costs for fuel or mooring?

This varies by boat and hirer. Some boats are hired out with fuel included, others without. Mooring at Marrekrite spots is free. Municipal marinas charge a small harbour fee. Check the specifications for each boat on the booking page for exact information.

Ready for a week on the water?

Hiring a boat in Friesland for a week with Familieboten? Take a look at the current range and search for your chosen week via familieboten.nl/boten/. Let the loveliest boating routes in Friesland inspire you too, and who knows, this might be the start of an annual tradition. If you can't decide, you can call us on +31(0)6 15855843. We'll be happy to help.

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