On the IJsselmeer, Lemmer combines a technical World Heritage site with maritime history and a wide beach. The Ir. D.F. Woudagemaal is the largest steam pumping station ever built and also the largest steam-powered pumping station still in operation. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1998. If you are looking for accommodation in Lemmer, you can choose what to focus on: World Heritage and engineering, the harbour and maritime history, or the beach and routes through the town.

Woudagemaal and World Heritage

The Woudagemaal visitor centre offers an interactive exhibition and guided tours of the machine hall and adjoining boiler house. In addition to the Woudagemaal, the UNESCO World Heritage site includes the dykes along the IJsselmeer and the surrounding expansive pastureland. The dykes and pastures broaden the view from the individual structure to the surrounding World Heritage landscape.

Museum and maritime history

The Lemmer Museum displays a special collection of Lemster carved ceramics in six showcases. It also has models of Lemsteraken, Botters and Schouwen. The Fiskerhaven is Lemmer’s museum harbour and is home to Lemsteraken, which reflect the town’s rich maritime history. Maritime connections therefore take two forms: models of various types of boats in the museum’s collection and Lemsteraken in the museum harbour.

At the Lemster Sluis, the lock keepers’ houses, the lock and the two small buildings together form a Rijksmonument. The distinctive small buildings on either side of the lock date from 1888.

Beach, routes and boat trips

Lemsterstrand is a wide beach on the IJsselmeer. Part of it is designated as a dog beach; access with dogs is subject to seasonal rules. Check these for your travel dates. For walks, you can compare two routes by length and course: the four-kilometre Dorpskuier starts at the VVV in Lemmer; Rondje Dok is about two kilometres long, runs through the centre and passes historic buildings protected as national or municipal monuments. According to the stated lengths, the Dorpskuier is about twice as long as Rondje Dok. This brings together different kinds of links to monuments: a group of buildings registered together at the Lemster Sluis and protected historic buildings along a route.

The Zuiderzeeroute runs from Lemmer in Friesland to Kraggenburg in the Noordoostpolder. The historic LE50 offers trips on the IJsselmeer from Lemmer; in bad weather, trips take place on inland waters. Check the current sailing schedule before your trip.

Events in Lemmer

The Lemster Dickens Festijn takes place every two years and features a three-kilometre route through the centre of Lemmer, with performances, craftspeople and music. Check future dates before your trip. During the Lemster Visserijdagen, the centre of Lemmer, including the Fiskerhaven or Museumhaven, serves as a maritime event venue. The programme may change, so check the dates and programme details for your travel period.

Discover more destinations: Delfstrahuizen, Echten, Follega, Bantega

Return to the main travel overview: Lemsterland.