Camping de Achte

With exhibits including shipbuilding blueprints, ship ornaments and boat models (plus temporary art displays), the Frisian Maritime Museum in Sneek illustrates the history of the town’s seafaring heritage. Sneek is also known for its 15th-century Waterpoort, a large city gate flanked by two tall towers. The ceiling of a small canalside building in Franeker (20 minutes’ drive) features what is thought to be the world’s oldest working model of the universe, dating back to the 18th century. The Eise Eisinga Planetarium also displays astronomical instruments and a digital collection of scientific manuscripts. The watery landscape of De Alde Feanen National Park (35 minutes) is a great spot for birdwatchers, who might catch glimpses of cormorants and herons diving into canals, peat holes and lakes to catch fish. There are plenty of waterside trails in this nature area, but the best way to explore is on a canoe or by electric boat.