Vlieland, Netherlands

Vlieland

A car-free Wadden island of dunes, forest and empty beaches.

  • Apr–Oct
  • 2 nights
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Things to do

2 days in Vlieland

Day 1

  1. MorningRent a bike at the harbour and cycle through the pine forest to the long North Sea beach.
  2. AfternoonWalk or ride the beach bus out to the Vliehors, a vast empty sand plain at the island's tip.
  3. EveningWatch the sunset from the dune by the lighthouse above the village.

Day 2

Take the boat to Terschelling, or join a seal-spotting trip on the Wadden Sea.

What to eat

Wadden Sea shrimp, fresh fish and a local island beer.

Local tips

Make the most of Vlieland

Beat the crowds

Summer is busier, but the island always stays peaceful.

Best photo spot

The long, empty beaches and the dunes from the Vuurduin lighthouse.

Getting there

Ferries from Harlingen take about 1.5 hours, or 45 minutes by fast ferry.

Don't miss nearby

Terschelling, reached by a summer boat across the Wadden Sea.

Good to know

Visitors can't bring cars; rent a bike at the harbour. There's only one village, Oost-Vlieland.

Secret spots

3 secret spots near Vlieland

Our most hidden places around Vlieland: fewer people, same wow. Unlock them with a route in Google Maps and a PDF guide of Vlieland to take with you.

68 km away
75 km away
100 km away
Unlock the secret spots · €2.99+ VAT · one payment, valid for a year

Plan your visit

Getting to Vlieland

Getting there

  • Groningen Airport Eelde (GRQ)100 km away
  • Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS)110 km away
  • Groningen100 km away
  • Amsterdam105 km away

Reachable by car or public transport; a car gives you more freedom to explore the area. Distances are in a straight line.

At a glance

Best timeApr–Oct
TypeNature spot
Good forNature, Coast
Getting thereCar or public transport
Stay2 nights
CountryNetherlands

Questions

Vlieland: good to know

Is Vlieland worth visiting?

Yes, especially if you like nature and the coast. A car-free Wadden island of dunes, forest and empty beaches.

How many days do you need in Vlieland?

Plan 2 nights. Our free 2-day plan above shows how to spend your time.

When is the best time to visit Vlieland?

The best time to visit is Apr to Oct. Summer is busier, but the island always stays peaceful.

How do you get to Vlieland?

The nearest airport is Groningen Airport Eelde (GRQ), about 100 km away. Ferries from Harlingen take about 1.5 hours, or 45 minutes by fast ferry.

What is there to see near Vlieland?

Nearby hidden places include Texel (32 km), Hoorn (73 km) and Edam & Volendam (87 km).

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