Leeuwarden, Netherlands

Capital City

With a population of just 93,765, Leeuwarden is a modest provincial capital that may leave some transplants yearning for the energy of a larger Dutch city. The historic city center and natural surroundings offer charm, but bureaucracy can be a persistent headache. Winters are long and dreary, with the occasional ice skating spectacle to break up the gloom. Overall, Leeuwarden caters best to those seeking a quieter pace of life in a compact, well-preserved slice of the Netherlands.