Surroundings

There is always something to do around Suvelfabryk . It just depends on what you feel like doing.

Welcome to the area around Suvelfabryk, where peace and adventure come together. Escape the hustle and bustle and be enchanted by the rugged countryside, characterful villages and endless nature. Cycle along the iconic dikes, walk through the breathtaking Lauwersmeer and spot special birds such as the sea eagle. Enjoy local delicacies in village cafés or cook for yourself with fresh regional products in your own apartment. Be inspired by art and culture in mini-museums and studios, or discover the atmospheric streets and unique shops of Dokkum. All this is within easy reach. Experience the real Friesland!

UNESCO World Heritage Wadden Sea

Just a short drive from the Suvelfabryk lies one of the most extraordinary natural areas in the world: the Wadden Sea. This unique tidal zone, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2009, stretches along the coasts of the Netherlands, Germany, and Denmark. The constant interplay between water, wind, and sand creates a dynamic landscape teeming with life. During low tide, vast areas fall dry, offering sweeping views — or even the opportunity to go mudflat hiking! A visit to the Wadden Sea is an unforgettable experience for nature lovers, peace seekers, and adventurers alike.
 

The World Heritage Center (WEC) in the harbour of Lauwersoog is a stunning new building where you can learn everything about the Wadden area — from the seabed, plants, and fish to birds and, of course, seals! On the rooftop of the WEC, you'll find large pools for rescued seals. The staff and seals from the renowned Pieterburen Seal Sanctuary have moved to this location, where they now care for injured seals and release them back into the Wadden Sea once they're fully recovered. And sometimes, visitors can even join them! In short, it’s an inspiring destination to explore — and also a lovely spot to enjoy a drink, lunch, or dinner on the beautiful harbour terrace. The sunsets are complimentary! 

The Bantpolder: a bird paradise near Lauwersmeer

Close to the Suvelfabryk lies the Bantpolder, a 113-hectare nature reserve and true birdwatcher's paradise. It is part of Lauwersmeer National Park, which was formed after the Lauwerszee was cut off from the Wadden Sea in 1969. Where saltwater once flowed, you’ll now find a mosaic of wet grasslands, mudflats, and rare flora.

The area bursts with life: in spring, meadow birds such as the black-tailed godwit, redshank, and lapwing breed here; in winter, thousands of geese gather, and rare bird species are often spotted. Thanks to smart water management and the transition from salt to freshwater, the Bantpolder is not only vital for birds but also for rare plants. A must-visit for birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts.

  • Village life. Real life.

    The unspoilt, rugged countryside of Northeast Friesland is unique in the Netherlands.

    The vast surroundings and the beautiful farmlands surrounded by endless dikes invite you to explore the area on foot or by bike.

    Along the way you will pass through characterful fishing and farming villages, each with its own unique culture. Here you will find real village cafés where people share their joys and sorrows. Where village festivals and activities are organised. And you are warmly welcome everywhere.

  • Really dark.

    Here in NoardEast Fryslan it gets really dark. And in addition to the light of the Schiermonnikoog lighthouse, you can sometimes see the Northern Lights. The Lauwersmeer National Park is an official dark sky area. That is very special because there are very few of them in the Netherlands. Most people here take it easy with their outdoor lighting, except during the Christmas season. And the street lighting here is also as minimal as possible. The darkness is very good for the peace of birds and other animals. But as a human being you also get back into a kind of natural rhythm of day and night. Because of all that darkness you can see an unimaginable number of stars and planets when the sky is cloudless. In the Lauwersmeer area you can really experience the darkness under the guidance of experienced guides. You experience the real darkness in special places. One of those places is Suvelfabryk.

    Did you know that in apartments 1, 2 and 4 you have a great view of the stars? From your bed, from your bath or from the couch you can enjoy an enchanting starry sky.

  • Nature.

    Here you will find vast plains with thousands of birds, grazing geese and frolicking sheep on the meter-high dikes. The Lauwersmeer National Park is breathtakingly beautiful and is one of the few Dark Sky parks in Europe. Have you ever seen a sea eagle? You can see one here.

    You can cycle ‘a round of Lauwersmeer’ where you can spot special birds in many places or enjoy the hundreds of wild horses that live around the lake. You won’t believe your eyes.

    Take a Wadden tour to Schiermonnikoog with a professional Wadden guide and you will experience this unique world heritage to the bone. Very impressive and an experience for life.

    The sound of the millions of migratory birds alone that return to the Wadden Sea each year is unforgettable.

  • Art and culture.

    In almost every village you will find an atelier by a local artist. And you will find mini museums where you can get to know the unique local culture in an accessible way. Exhibitions are organised in many cultural churches and there are theatre performances by local, regional and nationally known artists and companies.

    In the big cities there are countless galleries and museums with fascinating exhibitions. And if you take a bike ride along the sea dikes you will automatically come across large works of art made by famous artists, often inspired by local stories, the sea or nature.

  • Real food.

    At Suvelfabryk everything revolves around real food.

    Not surprising because our food is grown here in the area.

    Endless fields with all kinds of potatoes, cauliflower, curly kale (cabbage), onions, just about everything you find in a the vegetable section of the supermarket grows here in the country. It doesn’t become any more authentic than this. You simply buy your food at one of the many stalls that farmers have on their yards or next to the road or in farm shops. From delicious cheese to the meat of Frisian Angus cows. Or you can get it from one of the traditional butchers in the area.

    In the most unexpected places you will find restaurants that serve honest food. Often prepared with local ingredients or vegetables straight from the land, from the orchard or a greenhouse. Cheese and butter from our own farm, fresh meat and fresh fish, it's all there.

    All apartments have an extensive kitchen where you can perfectly cook yourself, but if you don't feel like doing it yourself, you can eat delicious and honest food at:

    - Restaurant Het Raadsel van de Wadden Oostmahorn
    - Herberg de Pater Dokkumer Nieuwe Zijlen
    - De Waegh Dokkum
    - Stadscafé Artisante Dokkum
    - Mearkas Eastermar
    - 't Ailand Lauwersoog

  • Store and enjoy.

    In cities like Dokkum you will find special shops that you won't find anywhere else. But of course also all the well-known supermarkets. Here you will also find restaurants from all over the world, and in different price ranges. Something for everyone, and always tasty. In any case, the many terraces of Dokkum invite you to relax by the water or on a square.