Data Source: Safety, crime, and quality metrics are sourced from Numbeo, a crowd-sourced global database of reported data.
All scores are relative comparisons on a 0-100 scale, where 50 = global average. Higher scores mean better than average, lower scores mean worse than average.
Leeuwarden features an Oceanic climate (Cfb) characterized by mild summers and cool, damp winters, consistent with the Netherlands' temperate maritime conditions. Average annual temperatures hover around 10-11°C, with frequent rainfall totaling about 850 mm and high humidity year-round. Winters see temperatures of 2-5°C with occasional snow, while summers are comfortable at 17-20°C but often cloudy and windy.
Summer Average
18°C
Winter Average
3°C
Climate Type
Oceanic
Rainy Days
170
Sunny Days
1600 hours
Humidity
82%
Spring
March - May
5-15°C
Spring brings gradually warming temperatures with frequent showers and increasing daylight hours. Winds remain brisk, and occasional late frosts are possible.
Moderate rainfall
Summer
June - August
15-20°C
Summers are mild and comfortable with average highs around 20°C, though often cloudy and rainy, especially in August. Winds moderate slightly but persist.
Moderate rainfall
Autumn
September - November
8-16°C
Autumn cools progressively with increasing rain and wind, peaking in December. Days shorten rapidly, and humidity stays high.
High rainfall
Winter
December - February
2-6°C
Winters are cold, damp, and very windy with frequent overcast skies and rain or occasional snow. Average highs are around 5°C and lows near freezing.
Moderate rainfall
Loading Weather...
Air Quality
Leeuwarden
Leeuwarden offers a refreshingly authentic Dutch experience outside the typical expat hotspots, blending historic charm with modern livability. As the capital of Friesland, it provides a more relaxed, community-oriented alternative to Amsterdam, with reasonable living costs and a high quality of life. The city's compact size means excellent walkability and cycling infrastructure, making daily life convenient and environmentally friendly.
While Leeuwarden's job market is smaller and more regionally focused compared to major Dutch cities, it compensates with lower housing expenses, strong social cohesion, and proximity to nature. Professionals in education, healthcare, and regional government will find particularly good opportunities. English proficiency is high, but learning some Dutch will significantly enhance your integration and local connections.
Advantages
Leeuwarden
Historic Frisian cultural center
Beautiful canal-lined streets
Excellent cycling infrastructure
Rich water management heritage
Friendly, close-knit community
Disadvantages
Leeuwarden
Limited job market
Small city constraints
Fewer entertainment options
Relatively isolated location
Modest cultural diversity
Safety & Security in Leeuwarden
Overall Safety Score
Includes resilience and environmental factors
Good
70
/100
Netherlands Avg
63
Europe Avg
59
Worldwide Avg
56
Crime & Safety Metrics
Thermometer compares Leeuwarden to Netherlands averages using different marker styles.Compare:
Leeuwarden
Netherlands Average
Safety Index
0510
Moderate
Safety from Crime
0510
Moderate
Safe Alone (Day)
0510
Good
Safe Alone (Night)
0510
Moderate
Safety from Violent Crime
0510
Safe
Safety from Property Crime
0510
Moderate
Environmental & Natural Hazard Risks
Resilience Score: 80/100
No data for Leeuwarden — showing hazard indicators from nearby Assen (~55 km).