Natuurmuseum Fryslân

Current exhibitions

About the museum

The museum goes back to a private initiative in 1923: Gerrit Bosch, then thirty years old and popularly known as "Fûgeltsje Bosch" ("Little Bird Bosch"), called on nature lovers throughout Friesland to found a natural history museum. His own collection of mounted birds, bird skins and a few mammals formed its foundation.

After years without a permanent home, the museum moved after World War II into a building on the Heerestraat, which it used until 1987. It then gained considerably more space in the Nieuwe Stadsweeshuis on the Schoenmakersperk. This national monument served as the municipal orphanage from 1675 to 1953, at times housing hundreds of children. In 2005 the inner courtyard was covered with a glass roof and has since served as an atrium.

The collection now comprises more than 360,000 objects. Across four floors the museum links the nature of Friesland with animals from all over the world, from insects to whales, with a strong emphasis on hands-on discovery. The big draw is the OnderWaterSafari, a ride through the underwater world of the Netherlands; the whale hall displays skeletons of several marine mammals, including a sperm whale. Rooms such as the Voogdenkamer (regents' room) and the orphanage schoolroom recall the building's history. Children have voted it the most child-friendly museum in Friesland several years in a row.

Highlights

• OnderWaterSafari: a ride through the underwater world from ditch to Wadden Sea (ages 4 and up)
• Sperm whale skeleton and whale hall with minke whale, harbor porpoise, narwhal and bottlenose dolphin
• Giant dragon Li-Ming in the attic with fairy-tale tours for ages 4 to 8
• Darwins Zolder on the background to the theory of evolution
• Original Voogdenkamer and orphanage schoolroom
• Travel cabinet of the Frisian captain Severein

Permanent exhibitions

• OnderWaterSafari – An interactive ride in a car from the fresh water of the ditches to the Wadden Sea in search of beaver, otter, catfish, seal and harbor porpoise.
• Walviszaal – Hall of marine mammals with skeletons including minke whale, harbor porpoise, narwhal and bottlenose dolphin.
• Draak Li-Ming – A walk-in giant dragon in the attic, where children aged 4 to 8 search for the key to the treasure chest on a fairy-tale tour.

Founded

1923

Operated by

Stichting Fries Natuurhistorisch Museum

Director

Froukje Hernamdt

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Every Tuesday outside the Region Noord school holidays (applies in 2026, not for school classes)

Free with the Museumkaart, as well as with a VriendenLoterij VIP card and for subscribers or holders of the Vriendenpas. Online tickets guarantee a spot on the capacity-limited OnderWaterSafari; the museum itself can be visited without a reservation. With a ticket from the Mummiekelder Wiuwert, 25% off admission (April 1 – November 22, 2026).

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

A historic building about 300 years old: almost all rooms on the four floors can be reached by elevator, except the dragon Li-Ming. Ramp to the raised entrance, one loaner wheelchair (reserve by phone), two paid accessible parking spaces in front of the building. The OnderWaterSafari can be used if you can get in and out independently. Low-stimulus openings during the Week van Autisme (usually late March), otherwise one hour earlier on request.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Kids’ birthday parties

Repeatedly named the most child-friendly museum in Friesland by the Museuminspecteurs (kids up to 12); activities, experiments and games on every floor. Holiday programs, and an ice rink in the atrium during the Christmas holidays. Children's birthday parties, including a smartpad scavenger hunt in the Leeuwarder bos (ages 7–12, €25 plus deposit); no birthday parties on free Tuesdays.

Getting there & parking

In downtown Leeuwarden, parking is paid until 22:00.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

Museumcafé It Nêst with free coffee, tea and lemonade from vending machines; you may eat your own packed lunch here. The museum shop is accessible without an admission ticket.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

Up to 400 guests.

Atrium under the glass roof (up to 400 guests, exclusively after closing; currently not available for rent due to temporary exhibitions), the historic Voogdenkamer, screening room and classroom; catering by Onder de Luifel.

Plan your visit