After Leeuwarden, Drachten is the largest town in Friesland and the main town of the municipality of Smallingerland. Drachten is a lively place with many shops, boutiques and inviting terraces. It is characterised by its pleasant neighbourhoods, such as the Papegaaienbuurt. In this area, only primary colours were used to paint the houses, resulting in a colourful streetscape, fully in line with the principles of the De Stijl movement.
Many people wonder whether Drachten is a town or a village. This may be because Drachten is not one of the eleven historic cities of Friesland. Drachten originated from the merging of two villages: Noorderdragten and Suyderdragten. Between these villages ran a main waterway, constructed in 1641 and filled in during the 1960s. The villages gradually grew together along this canal, giving rise to Drachten. The town expanded significantly when Philips established a factory here. The resulting employment attracted new residents, and today Drachten can rightfully be described as a city.
In and around Drachten there is plenty to discover, not only for visitors but also for local residents. You will find beautiful walking and cycling routes, hidden gems and attractive natural areas. Museum Dr8888 and De Lawei theatre should certainly not be missed. Art and culture play an important role in Smallingerland, partly due to the influence of De Stijl. Galleries can be found throughout the municipality, and public artworks are visible everywhere. And did you know that Drachten also has a rich food culture? The municipality is affectionately referred to as “Smullingerland” by Platform Gastvrij Smallingerland for a reason.
