Lauwersoog
The harbour on the Lauwersmeer, a national park full of water and birds.
Route by public transport ↗
One village, no cars, endless sky.
Schiermonnikoog is the island of the grey monks. There is one village; the rest is dune, salt marsh and beach. Visitors leave their cars on the mainland.
Almost the whole island is a national park. The village is small and easy to explore on foot, with the Langestreek as its main street. At the bunker museum and the bunkers in the dunes you can follow the story of the war on the island. At the Het Baken information centre you get to know the landscape before heading out into it. Rent a bike, start in the village and end the day on the beach or by the mudflats.
How to get to Schiermonnikoog. Always check current sailing times with the ferry company.
One day, four moments. How to get the most out of your visit.
Six places to complete your museum day.
A German wartime communications bunker, now a museum about Schiermonnikoog from 1940 to 1945.
A wartime bunker on top of the Bunkerduin, which you can look inside.
The starting point for the national park, explaining the dunes, salt marsh and mudflats.
Two towers from 1854. The northern one still shines; the southern one spent decades as a water tower.
A wide, open beach on the north side, an easy bike ride from the village.
Across the salt marsh and through the dunes to the quiet eastern end of the island.
From Schiermonnikoog, boat and bus take you back to the mainland in no time. Three places to combine.
The harbour on the Lauwersmeer, a national park full of water and birds.
Route by public transport ↗A student city with the Groninger Museum and the Martini Tower.
Route by public transport ↗The Frisian capital, with the Fries Museum and the leaning Oldehove tower.
Route by public transport ↗Travel times are indicative. Live times on 9292.nl ↗.
The island has hotels, B&Bs, holiday homes and a campsite, nearly all in or near the village. You get around by bike or on foot, with space everywhere. In the evening, once the last boat has left, it goes very quiet. Stay the night and you will see the stars as in few other places in the Netherlands.
Restaurants, shops and hotels near the museums, picked for museum visitors.