{"id":12823,"date":"2026-02-02T13:15:21","date_gmt":"2026-02-02T13:15:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/yachtcharterdedrait.nl\/?p=12823"},"modified":"2026-02-05T10:50:02","modified_gmt":"2026-02-05T10:50:02","slug":"discover-the-eleven-cities-route-yachtcharter-de-drait","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/yachtcharterdedrait.nl\/en\/blog\/discover-the-eleven-cities-route-yachtcharter-de-drait\/","title":{"rendered":"Discover the Eleven Cities Route by boat with Yachtcharter De Drait."},"content":{"rendered":"

‘It giet oan!’<\/h1>\r\n

Discover the Eleven Cities Route by boat with Yachtcharter De Drait.<\/h2>\r\n

Say Friesland and you say ‘Elfstedentocht’: a tour of nearly 200 kilometers that was originally skated along the 11 cities of Friesland. Over the years, many other variations of the Elfstedentocht have emerged. For example, you can cycle or walk past the 11 Frisian cities, collecting a stamp in each city. Once your stamp card is full, the tour is completed and participants earn their Eleven Cities Cross. But did you know you can also experience this iconic route beautifully from the water? Rent a boat<\/a> from Yachtcharter De Drait and cruise at a relaxed pace past historic Frisian cities, through picturesque villages, lakes, and canals. Have you already filled your stamp card?<\/p>\r\n

Eleven Cities<\/h2>\r\n

The eleven cities of Friesland together form the heart of the famous Eleven Cities Tour. Each city has its own character and history, connected by water, culture, and Frisian pride. From the vibrant Leeuwarden to the picturesque Sloten, the cities together tell the story of Friesland. The lakes and canals connect the cities, making a boating trip along the Eleven Cities an unforgettable adventure.
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(left: Finish arch Bonkevaart (Leeuwarden), center: skater (Tjerkwerd), right: Eleven Cities Monument Tegeltjesbrug (Gytsjerk))<\/p>\r\n

11 Fountains<\/h2>\r\n

The 11 Fountains in Friesland form a unique art project spread across the eleven historic Frisian cities. In 2018, when Leeuwarden was the Cultural Capital of Europe, each Eleven Cities city received a fountain created by an international artist, translating the character of the city into water and sculpture. Together, these artworks\u2014sometimes featuring splashing water, mist, or even ice\u2014form Europe\u2019s largest open-air sculpture garden. You can admire all the fountains during a journey along the eleven Frisian cities: from Love<\/em> in Leeuwarden to the Ice Fountain in Dokkum, each with its own story and atmosphere.
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(left: Leeuwarden, right: Dokkum)<\/em><\/p>\r\n

The Eleven Cities boating route<\/h2>\r\n

Sailing the Eleven Cities Route by boat is a unique way to discover Friesland. To complete the full Eleven Cities Route by boat, you will need approximately two to three weeks. Are you boating through Friesland for one week? Then choose whether you want to explore the Northern or Southern Eleven Cities Route<\/a>. On our website, both boating routes<\/a> are fully mapped out with starting and ending points in Drachten<\/a> and Woudsend<\/a>. Click on the map below to view the routes.<\/p>\r\n\r\n