Discover the Wadden Islands in the Netherlands

Discover the Wadden Islands in the Netherlands

The Wadden Islands, the perfect place to get away from it all and still be close to home. The opportunity to celebrate holidays for every target group. Peace seekers, nature lovers, day trippers, sun, sea and beach enthusiasts and people who just want to get away from everyday life. The Dutch islands are perfect for a short holiday. All tips for your holiday to discover the Wadden Islands in the Netherlands.

Weekend getaway to the Wadden Islands

I don’t have to tell you that my own country is beautiful. The Netherlands has plenty of nice cities and beautiful nature reserves to discover. The Wadden Islands are also a beautiful piece of nature in the Netherlands. You often have the feeling that you are completely away here, and yet you are close to home. Ideal for a weekend away or perhaps even longer.

Discover the Wadden Islands – The Dutch islands at a glance

Discover Texel

The largest island in the Netherlands. With several villages and a diversity of nature, perhaps the island where you can stay the longest to discover new places. Yet Texel is also popular with day trippers because of the relatively short sailing distance. Texel has more than forty official nature reserves. The Dunes of Texel National Park takes up a quarter of the island. There is a lot to do on the island. Both walking and cycling enthusiasts can indulge themselves, and there are also plenty of places to discover for nature lovers.

Helpful links: Book the boat & accommodations on Texel

What to do on Texel

There is plenty to do during a weekend or week on Texel. The island is large enough to discover during a walk or bike ride. There are various activities for many different target groups:

• Walking in various nature reserves
• Visiting the various villages on Texel
• Take walks on the beach
• Explore the island by bike or by e-chopper
• Watching seals at Ecomare
• Visit the Aviation and War Museum
• Parachuting
• Climb the lighthouse
• Climb the Fonteinsnol viewpoint
• Explore the most beautiful nature reserve the Slufter
• Taste Texel beer
• Spotting seals on a sandbank

Discover Vlieland

Vlieland is a car-free island and you will notice this immediately upon arrival. Cyclists and walkers go to their destination via the village. Only the residents of the island have access to a car. Vlieland is the smallest island of them all and full of unspoilt nature. The beaches are extensive and quiet. Vlieland is the perfect island for those seeking peace and quiet. Due to the size of the island you can basically do everything on foot, but sometimes a bicycle is more convenient, for example to have a drink at Het Posthuys. The only village on Vlieland has a lively main street with nice shops and restaurants.

Helpful links: Book the boat & accommodations on Vlieland

What to do on Vlieland

Even though Vlieland is not a very large island, there is plenty to do. There are numerous walking and cycling routes. You can also undertake various activities:

• Vliehors Express excursion
• Climb the lighthouse on Vlieland
• Visiting a bunker on Vlieland
• Walking on Vlieland
• Visit the cheese bunker

Discover Terschelling

In my youth, Terschelling was known as the place to go for one of your first holidays. There are many youth campsites and entertainment venues on the island. Does this make Terschelling less fun for other target groups? No definitely not. There are plenty of nature reserves on the island, the Boschplaat is a recognized European Nature Reserve for cyclists and walkers. Terschelling’s cranberries are famous and the fields can be found everywhere on the island. You will find quite a few villages on Terschelling, with West Terschelling being the largest. You arrive here by boat and you see the icon of the island: the Brandaris. Various popular events are held during the year. The ‘Oerol’ festival is one of them in July and the ‘Berenloop’ is on the program in November.

Helpful links: Book the boat & accommodations on Terschelling

What to do on Terschelling

Terschelling is about thirty kilometers long, approximately half of which is accessible, the rest is a nature reserve. There are many villages that you can visit, as well as nature reserves and beaches. What you can do on Terschelling?

• Brandaris, the oldest lighthouse in the Netherlands
• To the beach at West aan Zee
• Visit the many villages such as Oosterend and Midsland
• Walking and cycling on the island
• Mudflat walking
• Seal tours
• Going out on Terschelling

Discover Ameland

Ameland is a mix of different islands, you can take your car to the island, but you will still find the simplicity of nature there. The entire north side of the island is covered with a beach of 27 kilometers, it has already been declared the most beautiful and cleanest beach of the Wadden Islands. On Ameland you will find more than 100 kilometers of cycle paths, so bringing or renting a bicycle is definitely recommended. It is also a convenient way to get around on Ameland, because there are easily twenty kilometers between Oerd in the east and Hollum in the west. Ameland also offers the opportunity to practice various water sports.

Helpful links: Book the boat & accommodations on Ameland

What to do on Ameland

All villages on Ameland have their own character and are all fun to visit during your weekend away. In terms of nature reserves, Oerd and De Horn are the places to relax. What to do on Ameland:

• Climb the Ameland lighthouse in Hollum.

• Rent a bike and explore the many cycle paths on the island

• Drink a Nobel at Nobel in Ballum

• Visit the bunker museum

• Mudflat walking and wandering across the mudflats

• Walking through the Oerd

• Kitesurfing and wave surfing

Discover Schiermonnikoog

The island I visit several times every year. That I know quite well by now, but where there is still plenty to discover. Schiermonnikoog is the smallest municipality in the Netherlands and also the northernmost place. No cars are allowed on the island, except for those of residents, and that makes it wonderfully quiet. The entire island is a National Park and there are plenty of hiking and cycling trails. Schiermonnikoog beach is often seen as the widest beach in Europe. There is only a small village on Schiermonnikoog. A cozy and pleasant village full of characteristic houses.

Helpful links: Book the boat & accommodations on Schiermonnikoog

What to do on Schiermonnikoog

Even though Schiermonnikoog is small, there is plenty to do on the island. You can walk and cycle across the 18 kilometer long island, there are various excursions and there is also plenty to do in the village:

• Walking Schiermonnikoog
• Kite flying and other activities on the beach
• With the Balg express to East
• Drink coffee or tea for 80 cents at van der Werff
• Going out at the Toxbar
• Climb the Wasserman bunker
• Get a breath of fresh air on the widest beach in Europe
• Bunker Museum Schlei
• Birdwatching hut Westerplas
• View the oldest house on Schiermonnikoog
• Excursion Engelsmanplaat

You don’t know what is the best island to visit? A little help from a local

Nature: Schiermonnikoog, Terschelling and Vlieland
Cozy cafes and restaurants: Texel, Vlieland and Ameland
Cycling: All islands, most island feeling on Schiermonnikoog, Terschelling and Vlieland
Walking: Schiermonnikoog, Terschelling and Vlieland
Activities: Texel, Terschelling and Ameland
Rest: Schiermonnikoog, Terschelling and Vlieland
Island feeling: Schiermonnikoog, Terschelling and Vlieland