The Hanseatic town of Harderwijk is a lovely place to visit all year round, but in winter there’s no better way to unwind than by the water. Strolling along the promenade with a warm cup of hot chocolate feels just like a winter walk in the Mediterranean. Slow down and join me in enjoying my favourite waterside activities in Heerlijk Harderwijk.
Island hopping on the lakes around Harderwijk
Did you think you could only go island hopping in Greece? Think again – you can also go island hopping in Harderwijk and the surrounding area. The Wolderwijd is home to several small islands that are definitely worth a visit. We hired a boat from B&B Bootverhuur in Zeewolde, near Harderwijk, and set off in this lovely sloop. The boat hire company also offers advice on the various sailing routes in the area. We opted for the Island Hopping route. Do yourself a favour in winter by bringing plenty of blankets and wrapping up warm.
Island-hopping route
- De Biezen: a beautiful natural island and, as far as we’re concerned, the perfect spot for our picnic (we’d had a large bag and a cool box packed in advance by the Italian caterer Umberto in Harderwijk, and brought along a generous thermos flask of mulled wine). De Biezen has 35 mooring spots.
- Knarland: With 36 mooring spots, Knarland is a green oasis. Take a short stroll across the island. You’ll pass Knarland on your way to De Biezen. So even if you don’t want to moor everywhere, you’ll still pass it automatically.
- De Zegge: Would you like to hire a boat with the children in Harderwijk and the surrounding area? Then it’s best to moor at De Zegge. The island even has a small playground with a slide
Boat hire in Harderwijk
Hiring a sloop in Harderwijk and the surrounding area is a lovely experience. On a boat trip lasting around two hours, you’ll sail past all these little islands and stop off briefly. Fancy making a half-day or even a full-day of it? Stop off for lunch in Harderwijk, cross over to Zeewolde for a drink, or head out to Lake Veluwe. There is more than enough to discover from the water. And on the way back, don’t forget to sail through the aqueduct – a unique experience to float over the motorway.
TIP: Bring some cash with you; you may be asked to pay a mooring fee. Often one euro per person.
Culinary delights on Harderwijk’s beach promenade
As far as we’re concerned, Harderwijk has long deserved to be called a culinary capital. The number of (good) restaurants per resident is high, as is the quality of the food. Just want to relax and enjoy yourself? Head to the promenade for lunch, drinks or dinner; here are three of our favourites:
- Imagine yourself in Italy whilst having lunch on Harderwijk’s boulevard. Pull up a chair at Bella Ciao, order a glass of wine and treat yourself to a Caprese or some homemade pasta.
- Beach vibes at Walhalla. For a laid-back atmosphere, head to Walhalla; with its surf shack look, this is the place to go for that ‘feet in the sand’ feeling. Grab a drink and sink into a comfortable armchair by the open fire. Or round off your day by the water with a cosy dinner. It’s up to you.
- Nibble on some fish at Johannes. Of course, you can’t come to Harderwijk and leave without first having a bite to eat. The best place to do this is at Johannes on the boulevard. Whether you fancy a fresh herring, smoked eel or a massive portion of kibbeling. Fancy a drink? They bottle the sparkling water themselves and a portion of the proceeds goes to charity.
Staying overnight by the water
Round off your day on the water in Harderwijk in style with a stay at Loft Harderwijk. Located in a boathouse on the Waterfront (a beautiful new neighbourhood situated on the waterfront). From top to bottom, Loft Harderwijk is decorated with a water theme. A luxurious interior with navy blue and beautiful photos of boats on the walls. A view that never gets boring. From early morning until late at night, life on the water passes you by here. From SUPs and inflatable canoes to the most beautiful boats, they all sail past the jetty here.
Start your day with coffee and breakfast in the winter sun and round off your day with a glass of bubbly on the balcony. You can have this delicious breakfast delivered by Y.A.M., complete with a good cup of coffee. Homemade scones, fresh croissants – the ladies know what makes for a good start.
Stand-up paddleboarding on the water in Harderwijk
Sup&Go Harderwijk is just a stone’s throw from the boathouse where we were staying. Even in winter, you can go for a paddleboard tour through Harderwijk’s town centre wearing a thick wetsuit. After a brief introduction to paddleboarding – it looks easier than it is – we set off. On the city tour, you paddle through the Waterfront straight into Harderwijk harbour, along the... and then past the back of the Dolfinarium back to the starting point. A fantastic route, relaxing and intense at the same time (depending on the weather). It’s always a unique experience to see a city from the water.
Bonus tip: do you live in Harderwijk and want to help keep the town clean? SUP & Go sometimes looks for volunteers to join them for a paddle and help fish plastic out of the water. A great initiative!
Harderwijk, you’re lovely!
Even after visiting Harderwijk several times, the town still managed to surprise me. The instant holiday atmosphere that the town exudes, even in winter, combined with the warmth of the locals, makes it the perfect destination for a day trip within the country. I’m already looking forward to my next visit.
