Port Harlingen

The majority of our sailing ships set out from our home port Harlingen. Located right near the beautiful Wadden Sea, port Harlingen is the best place to start your sailing trip. With the Afsluitdijk closeby, Lake IJssel and the Frisian Lakes are easily reached as well.

Step aboard our traditional ships and explore the Netherlands!

Port Harlingen is the most important harbour of the province of Friesland.
Around the year 1157, the monks of monastery Ludingakerke in the small village of Almenum decided to dig canals to improve the looming trade by water. This smart piece of landscaping made Ludingakerke one of the wealthiest monasteries of Friesland, which turned out to be most profitable for the nearby township of Harlinga. In 1234, Harlingen gained its city rights and 1644 saw the Dutch Admiralty move from Dokkum to the blooming Frisian harbour.

Craftsmanship and industry formed the city’s main business. Numerous wharfs, breweries, mills and lime kilns started business in Harlingen and over the years the city grew even larger. Merchandise and cargo shipped out on a daily basis, with barges sailing to the Wadden Islands and the larger ports such as Amsterdam.

The Dutch however, did not limit themselves to just the Netherlands.
Old warehouses still bear witness to a time of international trade and carry the names of transports to Russia, Java and Sumatra. Sadly, in the following centuries, Harlingen got outrun by the harbours of Amsterdam and Rotterdam.

Nevertheless is still serves a very important an economical purpose today, for coasting as well as transport. Also ranking high are charter companies renting out traditional sailing ships, called the Bruine Vloot (Brown Fleet).
Most of these authentic clippers and barges find their roots in an impressive history of trade.

They eventually refurbished for a final career in cruising guests over the Wadden Sea, Lake IJssel and the Frisian Lakes.

Rent a ship

Feel like setting sail with a traditional sailboat from Rederij Vooruit? Simply contact us by phone or by clicking the button below. We will then get back to you as soon as possible.