In the north of our country, you will find a beautiful nature reserve: the Dutch Wadden. Here you will not only encounter dunes, stretched sandy beaches and mussel beds, but also a number of islands: the Wadden Islands. Who didn't memorise the mnemonic TVTAS in primary school? We from thegreenlist.nl are big fans of the Wadden Islands. For instance, Saskia goes to Terschelling with her family every year and Vlieland is also well liked. In this article, we tell you all about the unique beauty of the Dutch Wadden Islands.
The Wadden: a beautiful area for people and animals
In collaboration with the Netherlands Board of Tourism & Conventions and Unesco
The Wadden area consists of eight different parts that you can actually visit. These are the Wadden Islands of Texel, Vlieland, Terschelling, Ameland and Schiermonnikoog and the coasts of North Holland, Friesland and Groningen. So there is more than enough to experience and discover here for many days out, weekends away and numerous holidays!
The Wadden is a special and varied area, created under the influence of low and high tides, and it is the habitat of thousands of, often rare, plant and animal species. Birds rest during their migration on one of the many sandbanks or mussel beds that have run dry, seals hunt for flatfish and the bottom of the Wadden Sea is home to numerous lugworms and sea centipedes. Many nature organisations work daily to preserve the splendour of the Wadden Sea region for the future, so that future generations can also enjoy this unique area. This is why the Wadden Sea of the Netherlands and Germany has been on the Unesco World Heritage List since 2009; in 2014, the Danish part was also added. In this article, we focus on the Dutch Wadden Islands, but there is so much more beauty to visit.
Mudflats photographed by Frisia Coast Trail. On the right photo: Texel photographed by Sabrina Gaudio.
Get a breath of fresh air on the three largest Wadden Islands
Want to learn more about the Wadden Sea World Heritage Site and nature on Texel, or just admire seals? Then you are at Ecomare on Texel to the right place! This is not only an educational nature museum, but also a seal sanctuary. We can definitely recommend the audio tour, of course you can also just walk around independently. There are plenty of activities for young and old, especially during the (school) holidays.
Terschelling is of course known for its annual theatre festival Oerol in June, but there is also plenty to do on Terschelling during the rest of the year. For example, visit the Wrakkenmuseum in Formerum, where you can see all kinds of finds from shipwrecks and listen to exciting stories. Next to the museum you will find a fun playground and around the corner The Cranberry Shop, the place to buy tasty souvenirs. You can take a break at Eatery and Terrace Café De Rustende Jager.
Ameland has been a very popular residence for artists for years. The combination of the beautiful landscape and the special light is the basis for beautiful paintings. That is why Art Month Ameland is also organised every year in November. Always wanted to visit a windmill? Then drop by windmill De Verwachting in Hollum. Would you like to know more about the island's wartime history? Then drop by the Bunkermuseum Ameland. We also definitely recommend spending an afternoon wandering around the villages of Hollum, Ballum, Nes and Buren. Here you can not only admire beautiful old commander's houses, but also buy nice souvenirs at one of the many shops. Or take a long beach walk with the children on a sunny day and enjoy a well-earned lunch afterwards at Beach pavilion Sjoerd.
Left: Saskia with her infant son at Terschelling. Right: dry-docked ship photographed by Cris Toala Olivares.
Unwind on the two smaller Wadden Islands
Are you ready for a quiet holiday? Then Vlieland or Schiermonnikoog are ideal for this! On these Wadden Islands, tourists are not allowed to bring cars, which immediately creates more space for cyclists and walkers. In 2022, Schiermonnikoog even won the title of Cycling city 2022 from the Cyclists' Union. Of course, just because these islands are quieter does not mean there is nothing to do. On Vlieland, you can not only enjoy the beautiful nature, but also visit the De Noordwester visitor centre, Tromp's Huys Museum or climb the lighthouse. You can also take part in numerous excursions, for example to learn more about Vlieland's wild flowers and plants or discover the hidden forest. For children, there is a fun Gnome scavenger hunt or the Beertje Buiten family programme.
Although Schiermonnikoog is the smallest Wadden Island, the calendar here is also packed with fun activities. For example, you can visit the educational Shell Museum visit and then immediately go on an excursion with islander and beachcomber Thijs de Boer. With children, you can have fun all day in The play forest near Birch Lake. Here you can also plop right down on De Berkenplas' terrace for a tasty lunch. Are you ready for some more peace and quiet? Want to enjoy your book with a view of the beautiful mudflats? Then go to the terrace of Wad Anderz sit and enjoy the splendour of the Dutch Wadden Sea.
For all Wadden Islands, we recommend renting bikes. This can be done in numerous places and makes it many times easier to explore the island, take breaks and see as much as possible.
Left: Wadden Sea photographed by Janis Meyer via Waddenagenda. Right: reclaimed ship photographed by Cris Toala Olivares.
Exploring the Dutch coast
As you have read, on the Dutch Wadden Islands you can not only enjoy the peace and nature, but also take part in numerous fun excursions, eat delicious food and, of course, spend hours cycling and hiking. And fortunately, you can do the same on the other side of the Wadden Sea, on the mainland of the Dutch coast. For example a wonderful bike ride around Pieterburen, in Groningen. The route starts at Seal centre Pieterburen (definitely worth a visit too!) and takes you past historic churches, monastery gardens and even a real artisanal mustard factory.
Would you rather go out in Noord-Holland? Then choose the NS Helderse Duinen walk. After starting at Den Helder Zuid station, you will pass forts, walk through the dunes and, of course, the lighthouse is not skipped. The route ends in the centre of Den Helder, where you can enjoy an ice cream at ice cream paradise or a full lunch or dinner at Nozems. Staying a night in Den Helder? Visit the next day the Naval Museum. This museum is also great fun for children. So they can climb aboard one of the ships and do a cool scavenger hunt.
Looking for a fun cultural weekend away? Then port city Harlingen is definitely a tip! Discover the history of this town in The Hannema House or board Wilem Barentsz's expedition ship. After walking around Harlingen for a day, it's time to explore the surrounding area. You can do so with this fun bike ride towards Makkum or choose a beautiful bike ride towards Franeker. From Harlingen, the Wadden Islands Vlieland and Terschelling are nearby, so if you have the time: make a long holiday of it right away!
The Dutch Wadden: a unique experience!
Whether you have visited the Wadden before, are a big fan of one of the Wadden Islands or have never been to this area before, we promise you: this is a truly unique experience. Enjoy the unique beauty of the Dutch Wadden Sea!
More holiday tips from thegreenlist.nl
- View here Saskia's list of the best tips for a holiday on Terschelling.
- Texel is the perfect destination for a family holiday. Take a quick look at the list of top tips.
- Vlieland is also an ideal holiday destination with children: things to do during a holiday on the wadden islands.
- There is also plenty to do on mainland Friesland: View tips for a week's road trip through Friesland here.
Sources: Wadden Sea Worldheriatge, Visit Wadden, Unesco World Heritage Site, Municipality of Texel, Municipality of Terschelling, Municipality of Ameland, Municipality of Vlieland, Municipality of Schiermonnikoog. Photo credits: Janis Meyer, Cris Toala Olivares, Frisia Coast Trail, Sabrina Gaudio, thegreenlist.nl.
