The Netherlands is full of beautiful places! My Mom and I used our birthday weekend to explore Ameland, one of the Northern Dutch islands.
Getting there
To get to Ameland it is a 2 hour drive from Amsterdam to Holwerd. From here the ferry departs every hour to the island and takes about 50 minutes. For an extra €8 one-way we booked the fast ferry at 10:30 AM that brought us to the island in only 20 minutes.
The ferry terminal has 2 parking areas, where you pay €6,75 per day. P1 right next to the terminal and P2 at a 2,5 km distance. As we arrived on a busy Saturday morning, P2 was the only option. Luckily there is a free shuttle bus that frequently goes back and forth, but it’s still wise to arrive on time!
Exploring Ameland
Arriving in Ameland, next to the ferry terminal is Kievit’s bike rental. Perfect to immediately pick up our rental electric bikes. For an electric bike it’s definitely a must to reserve in advance! The basic, but still very good electric bike was €35 for two days.
Our hotel was in the town Nes, right in the center of the island. On the first day we toured the West side of the island. A scenic seashell path led us through the dunes. The complete Northern side of the island has stunning white sandy beaches. At the far West of the island is the lighthouse that is open to climb the 230 stairs with an entrance fee of €6,50.
The Southern side of the island is where the mud flats are. Not necessarily pretty, but on this part you can find seals or some enthusiasts who like to walk across the mud flats.
After a good night of sleep and a delicious breakfast buffet in our hotel, it was time to spend our last day on the East side of the island. This part is less traveled and doesn’t cater any food or drinks, therefore be sure to bring your own bottle of water and maybe some snacks.
At the end of the track we were rewarded with a viewpoint plateau where we could see all across the island.
At 4:45 PM we took the fast ferry back from Ameland to Holwerd. Before parting ways and driving back home, we enjoyed a last meal in Dokkum.
Enjoying the white sand beach
Stumbling upon a group of horseback riders
Scenic roads with the lighthouse in back
Cycling along the coast with the town of Hollum in the distance
Southern part of the island
The viewpoint at the East side of Ameland
