With landscapes ranging from beaches to woods and salt marshes, Ameland packs a lot into its small area. Centrally located among the Dutch Wadden islands, it is also centrally positioned in what it offers: plenty of natural beauty and moderate nightlife.
Its North Sea coast has Blue-Flag beaches that culminate in the De Hôn and Oer sand dunes, one of which is over 24 metres tall. Hundreds of bird species live here and over the island, and seals can be seen on nearby sandbanks.
In addition to nature holidays, Ameland is popular for sport fishing. There are over 100 km of cycle paths, and you can go horseriding on the beach. Horses also launch the island’s lifeboat once a month.
Booking.com offers accommodation including apartments, guest houses and hotels in Ameland. Most are in Nes, arrival point for ferries from neighbouring Terschelling and Schiermonnikoog, and Holwerd on the mainland. It has a working flour mill and a bell tower designed by the architect of Amsterdam’s Rijksmuseum.
To its east is the small village of Buren, while east a statue of dike watchers with lanterns is found between Nes and Ballum, home to Ameland Airport. At the island’s western point is Hollum, site of a golf course, the island’s lighthouse and historic houses of former whaling boat commanders.