Wouda Steam Pumping Station
D.F. Woudagemaal

See one of the most unique sights in Friesland! Wouda is the biggest steam powered water station in the world. See how it works on a guided tour.

• Wouda is the biggest steam-powered water station in the whole world. Well-known to the locals and tourists, the pumping station is a UNESCO World Heritage site. To get inside to see all the machinery, you’ll have to get a tour. The tours are mostly in Dutch, but some guides do speak German and English. On the tour, you’ll have an hour to see the machines up close and try out the interactive section.
• The Interactive museum part of the station is in Dutch. This part teaches you how the station works and details about the equipment with a mix of things to do and videos. Here you can take a pic of yourself as a worker or director of the water pumping station.
• Even if you can’t get in for a tour, it’s worth checking out the outside of the water station. It was built in 1920 and the tower is 60m tall! Cyclists often drop by here as they travel over to Leeuwarden. The water pumping station is also open for 1 week a year to the public without booking a tour, so keep your eyes on their announcements - this is when the station gets super busy!