Europe
The Netherlands
Friesland Province
Leeuwarden
Things to do in Leeuwarden
Blokhuispoort

Blokhuispoort, Leeuwarden: Address, Phone Number, Blokhuispoort Reviews: 4.5/5

See all things to do

Blokhuispoort

See all things to do
See all things to do
Blokhuispoort
4.5
219
#2 of 44 things to do in Leeuwarden
Points of Interest & Landmarks
Read more
Write a review
About
Suggested duration
< 1 hour
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listing
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.

Top ways to experience Blokhuispoort and nearby attractions

The area
Address
Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Restaurants
195 within 5 kms
Restaurant By Us
348
0.3 km€€€€ • French • Dutch • Seafood
Eindeloos
170
0.2 km€€€€ • Dutch • Seafood • International
Jamuna
218
0.4 km€€ - €€€ • Indian • Asian • Vegetarian Friendly
Grand Café Post-Plaza
282
0.2 km€€ - €€€ • Dutch • Seafood • European
De Walrus - Leeuwarden
798
0.4 km€€ - €€€ • Dutch • Bar • European
Banhs & Boba
76
0.4 km€ • Cafe • Asian • Vietnamese
Keukencafé TOTT
134
0.3 km€ • Dutch • European • Asian
Barrevoets
139
0.7 km€€ - €€€ • Dutch • European • Vegetarian Friendly
Stadswaag Leeuwarden
79
0.3 km€€ - €€€ • Dutch • Bar • European
Double B Bar & Kitchen
119
0.4 km€ • American • Vegetarian Friendly • Gluten Free Options
See all
Attractions
53 within 10 kms
Podium Asteriks
0 mTheatres
Provincial House (Provinciehuis)
9
0.2 kmGovernment Buildings
Winkelstraat Nieuwe Oosterstraat
31
0.2 kmPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Historic Walking Areas
Mercuriusfontein
4
0.2 kmMonuments & Statues • Fountains
Fries Museum
921
0.4 kmSpeciality Museums
Historische binnenstad Leeuwarden
667
0.4 kmNeighbourhoods
Bibliotheek Leeuwarden Centrale
5
0.3 kmLibraries
Leeuwarden Visitor Center
1
0.3 kmVisitor Centres
Museumhuis Van Eysinga
14
0.3 kmSpeciality Museums
Frisian Resistance Museum
73
0.4 kmHistory Museums
See all
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
We perform checks on reviews
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
4.5
219 reviews
Excellent
92
Very good
102
Average
17
Poor
7
Terrible
1
Oksana V
3 contributions
Hotel inside
This former prison got a hotel called Alibi, and the prices are very covenient. Next time I'll book it. Had I known it before!
Written 23 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Voorburg_Holland
Voorburg, The Netherlands154 contributions
Good use of an old prison
Due to covid we couldn’t visit the museum, which was a pity. One of the old prison wings was open and had little shops in the old prison cells, and that was great. The courtyard has turned into a cafe with terrace. There is also a hostel situated in the prison. Worth a visit!
Written 22 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Jack R
Exeter, UK551 contributions
Really interesting project
These are the old prison buildings in Leeuwarden, which have been redeveloped. The front part houses shops, museums, public art and cafes, and in the summer the huge central square is one big meeting place with bars, food and drinks and lots of tables and benches. At the back some of the buildings have been converted to residential, while inside many of the old cells are now tiny shops. Best of all is the old prison garden, which has been taken over by the community and artists to grow plants for dyes and herbs etc. That part also has sculptures and is attractively landscaped. The whole complex is lovely, and a splendid reclamation of space for the community to use.
Written 9 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Yeronim0
102 contributions
Awesome complex with great functions
Couples
An beautiful old jail with all kinds of great new functions.
Little shops in former jail cells, tattoo shops, several artists and even a hostel.
Restaurants, library, several cool businesses...

Most definately worth a visit!!!
Written 4 April 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Ingrid de Graaf
Grou, The Netherlands41 contributions
Prison :)
Friends
Get a guided tour in this former prison and experience some awfull minutes in a prison cell. They put you in and close (NOT lock) the door. One cell is below the surface of the earth. No daylight, fit for solitary confinement. They kept some convicts here for weeks.
Glad they turned it into a museum and some restaurants. The Library is in the same building and also a very nice bar and a restaurant. A tattoo shop is there as well.
Written 16 January 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Rich V
Beverley, UK832 contributions
Outstanding
If in Leeuwarden you should visit here, an outstanding piece of architecture and visually rich. Lots of amazing start ups are based here now and the Friesland Design Factory. Go there, take a coffee, soak up the good vibes.
Written 28 December 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Gerald v
Leeuwarden, The Netherlands9 contributions
nice jail
Business
costly, but very nicely, transformation of the former jail into a large library, shops, cafés, a restaurant and offices.
Written 13 December 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
PieterBolinder
Franeker, The Netherlands327 contributions
Convicted, not guilty
Couples
Great place not to have been in former days. Get a guided tour and experience some gruesome minutes in a prison cell dating back to the early 1900s. They put you in and close (NOT lock) the door. One cell is below the surface of the earth. No daylight, fit for solitary confinement. They kept some convicts here for weeks. Pure torture.
Glad they turned it into a museum and some restaurants.
Written 11 December 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
oved
Tiberias, Israel37 contributions
Very Interesting Combination
Couples
This old prison was converted to "artists heaven", where each cell is rented to a different artist of various disciplines, and they use them as working studios. While the building reminded me of my visit to Alcatraz in San Francisco, the art products in each cell were like "flowers in gun barrels". Very unusual experience.
Besides - entry is free!
Written 17 October 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Rose S
Nanaimo, Canada528 contributions
Very Cool!
Couples
This was a great transformation from an (1800’s)old jail into shops, restaurant museum, hostel and library. You can get a tattoo, go for a massage, buy nice little gifts, read a book or two or take a break and have a nice lunch. Throughout the buildings there is a few cells you can walk into and learn about its history. It truly is a cool building.
Written 11 September 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
2
3
Showing results 1-10 of 29
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
Anything missing or inaccurate?
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listing
Frequently Asked Questions about Blokhuispoort
We recommend booking Blokhuispoort tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 2 Blokhuispoort tours on Tripadvisor