Discover Koudum: Culture, Lakes and Routes

Historic buildings, named routes, and activities on the water offer different starting points for planning your trip. When looking for a hotel, you can first consider which of these themes you want to shape your stay.

Cultural history at the Martinikerk and De Vlijt

The Martinikerk in Koudum was built in 1857. It contains the complete furnishings of the predecessor church, which was demolished and dated from the 17th century. The organ also brings the building’s history to life: the one-manual organ was made in 1858 by L. van Dam en Zonen, using pipework from the Bader organ it replaced. The church building, its older furnishings, and the organ’s construction are distinct aspects of the Martinikerk’s history.

De Vlijt is a gallery-type Spinnekop grain mill. In 1986, it was moved to Koudum and converted to this type of mill. In contrast to the Martinikerk, the historical focus here is on the mill’s relocation and transformation. The two buildings thus offer different cultural themes to consider when planning a stay.

Landscape and routes around Koudum

Koudum is centrally located in Nationaal Landschap Zuidwest Friesland and close to lakes and forests. The village lies on Lake De Fluessen and in the Friese Meren area, where the lakes are interconnected. The waterways are therefore an important feature of the landscape around Koudum.

There are various landmarks to guide you on walks. The Koloniale wandeling Koudum is nine kilometres long and starts and ends at the Martinikerk in the centre. The Poelspaed is a walking route around Koudum that runs along the Morra and the Jan Broerskanaal. The two routes differ in how they are described: for the Koloniale wandeling, the length and start and end points are specified; for the Poelspaed, the route along the two waterways is specified.

The “Wind en zuivel” cycling route leads from Koudum towards Balk and then back to Woudsend along Lake De Fluezen. Koudum, the direction of Balk, De Fluezen, and Woudsend as the return point are therefore important for navigating this route. This offers a different route perspective from the walking routes, which are described as circling Koudum or starting from the Martinikerk.

Activities on the water and on land

On the Friese Meren, you can go boating, sailing, stand-up paddleboarding, and flyboarding. One specific option for boaters is the 33.7-kilometre “Rondje Fluezen-Luts” route. It passes over the Sleattemer Mar and De Fluezen, as well as through the forest along the Luts. Boats can moor in Koudum along the route; availability may be subject to seasonal arrangements. If you plan to moor in Koudum, check current availability before setting out.

Pitch & Putt Golf Koudum also offers several ways to play: you can play nine or 18 holes, and footgolf is also available. The facility is suitable for adults and children aged eight and over. This age information may help when planning an activity for companions of different ages.

Planning your stay

The Koudum VVV information point at Muizelaar bookshop provides tourists, day-trippers, and residents with information about walking, cycling, boating, and regional events. The Skûtsje Grytsje Obes has been in Koudum since 2000 and is another named landmark in the village.

When looking for a hotel in Koudum, you can use your travel plans as a guide: are you mainly interested in the Martinikerk and De Vlijt, would you like to include one of the named routes, or are activities on the water your priority? This helps you choose Koudum based on the themes that matter for your stay.

Discover more destinations: Lollum, Ysbrechtum, Woudsend, Makkum, Workum, Arum, Heeg, Hindeloopen

For the broader travel overview: Súdwest Fryslân.