Autumn on Ameland
Experience the magic of Ameland in autumn! Breathe in the fresh sea air and be surprised by the colourful splendour of the island.
Whether you opt for an adventurous walk through the dunes, a bike ride along the coast, or cosy indoor activities when it rains - Ameland offers fun for young and old.
Discover the perfect mix of nature and culture and experience an unforgettable autumn (holiday) on Ameland!
What to do in autumn
When you think of Ameland, you think of a beach holiday? You can, but did you know that Ameland is just as beautiful (maybe even more so) in the autumn? Whether it's for a weekend away with friends, a (short) holiday with children or just to relax, on Ameland everything is possible and there's lots to do!
And is the weather a little less clement? Even then Ameland offers plenty of fun activities for young and old!
A few of our tips:
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Top 6 Autumn indoor activities
- 1 | Visit a museum
- 2 | Go shopping
- 3 | Climb the lighthouse
- 4 | Play a game of indoor miniature golf
- 5 | Complete a puzzle
- 6 | Taste Amelander beer
Read more >>
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Top 6 Autumn outdoor activities
- 1 | Take a nature excursion
- 2 | Take a walk on the beach
- 3 | Climb the lighthouse
- 4 | Go bird watching
- 5 | Go on a seal hike
- 6 | Go cycling
Of course, these are not the only activities you can do. Read on to discover even more fun activities awaiting you!
Go on an adventure
The autumn colours make the island beautiful. Enjoy endless walks through the dunes, forests and along the beach. Put on your outdoor clothes and go on an adventure on Ameland. Check out our tips for outdoor activities in autumn here:
Go outside
Nature excursions
During your stay on Ameland, a close encounter with the mud flats, dunes and forest should not be missed. View the excursions
Eco safari
With electric trolleys, the guide takes you through the beautiful nature of Ameland. This way, you get to places you wouldn't normally go! View the Ecosafari
Watch the most beautiful sunset
For the most beautiful place on Ameland to watch the sun set, head to the beach near Hollum.
Mucking about in the mud
On a mudflat excursion! Get your feet in the mud while learning about the wondrous Wadden Sea. World heritage for a reason! Come muddling along
Seal spotting
Up close and personal! Board one of the tour boats and go on a seal tour. All on board!
Sunrise
Cycle to the Oerd nature reserve. Here you can watch the sun rise beautifully from the 24-metre-high Oerdsduin. Off to the Oerd
Beach ride
Book one of these fun tractor rides. You will be transported by tractor with wagon or special beach bus over the beach to the most eastern point of Ameland: nature reserve ‘De Hôn’. Ride along!
Scavenger hunts
If you want to discover the island in a fun and original way, choose one of these fun routes and treasure hunts! Discover them all
Wind in your hair
Feel the wind in your hair as you enjoy actively braving the elements on the beach or on the water. Go beach sailing, wingfoiling or kitesurfing
Horseback riding
Experience nature from the back of a horse or take a tour of Ameland by horse and carriage and enjoy the villages, nature, dunes and beach! Trotting to more info
Bird watching
Autumn is the time of migratory birds. Birds migrate south and you can see large flocks of waders and waterfowl. Watch them soar
Out into nature
What does autumn have in store for you?
Chestnuts can be found from late September to mid-November, so too on Ameland. This is the place to be:
- Nursery forest Nes (near the former Staatsbosbeheer shed)
- Kardinaal de Jongweg (opposite St Clemens Church)
- Kardinaal de Jongweg (near the statue of Cardinal de Jong)
- Church square in Nes
Looking for pine cones, acorns, beautiful coloured leaves and/or want to see mushrooms? Then head to one of the island's forests!
Hiking in autumn
Routes and maps
On the basis of sophisticated hiking routes, you walk along the most beautiful spots on the island.
In our webshop and in our shops on Ameland, you will find fun walking routes and a beautiful topographical map of Ameland. Published by VVV Ameland and Staatsbosbeheer, among others.
With children
Especially for families with children, we have some great routes on Ameland, how about:
- The Krûmeltjesspoor
- The rucksack route junior forester (available in dutch)
With dog
Celebrating holidays with your dog? You do that, of course, on Ameland! Because what could be more enjoyable than taking endless beach walks with your dog?
Do you want to know where your dog should be on a leash and where not? We have listed the options for you.
Tips from our colleagues
Tip by Wilma
"Kijk ik om me heen, blijk ik midden in mijn leven te staan" (Looking around, I appear to be in the middle of my life)
If you go for a walk at the Kooikersduinen (Buren), you will come across this stone with beautiful text. In addition, you will have a beautiful view of the Wadden Sea. Really worth a visit!
Tip by Gabriëlle
De Hôn is a special nature reserve on the eastern part of Ameland.
You can spend hours there, walking and enjoying the unspoilt nature that makes Ameland so unique. You will also find the Beacon here, a piece of maritime heritage.
Tip by Carla
Walk by the BP pond and enjoy dune grassland, heather, shrubs and an attractive reed marsh with open water.
The BP pond near Ballum was created in the 1960s during British Petroleum's research into oil and gas. The site, once a munitions depot and later used as a sand extraction site for dune reinforcement, has now been transformed into a beautiful nature reserve by the Forestry Commission.
Autumn holidays
Experience autumn on Ameland: a perfect destination for a relaxing autumn holiday. Stroll through colourful forests, where nature shades itself in warm hues of gold and red.
🍂🍄🍁
The fresh sea air and the silence of the vast dunes provide pure tranquillity.
Especially for this enchanting time of year, we have put together some beautiful packages:
Stay in
Although Ameland is one of the places in the Netherlands with the most hours of sunshine, it still sometimes happens that it rains on the island. Not bad in itself... provided you have a good mackintosh.
By the way, did you know that rain often seems to clear away when the tide goes out? Just another benefit of a holiday on an island 😊!
We also understand that with rain, you might prefer an indoor activity. We have therefore listed some options for you, check out our 3 tips below.
Tip 1: Visit one of the Amelander museums
Ameland has the highest museum density in the Netherlands, measured by population. The island has seven museums, two windmills and one lighthouse. Each museum offers a unique perspective on Ameland's rich history, from maritime traditions to agriculture and fishing. The influence of whaling and merchant shipping is also covered.
Tip 2: blijf gezellig in je accommodatie
Make a puzzle
With no less than 1000 pieces, the VVV Ameland puzzle offers hours of puzzle fun. Perfect for a quiet evening or a rainy day. Great for yourself or as a gift for an Ameland fan.
Read a book
The days are getting shorter, so curl up on the couch with a good glass of wine, drinks board, nice cup of coffee etc (Tip: Amelands Produkt!) and read a good book.
Forgotten a book? Then drop by the library on Ameland! We also have German and English-language books on offer.
Cooking with local products
Ameland has a varied range of its own regional products: the Amelands Produkt. What could be more fun than cooking on Ameland with these delicious products! We have listed a number of recipes for you.
Tip 3: do a tasting
November art month
Say autumn on Ameland, you say Kunstmaand Ameland. The whole month of November, the island is dedicated to Art. (Inter)national artists exhibit their work at various locations on the island (indoors and outdoors). There are workshops, concerts, lectures, film evenings and much more!
Both inside and outside
Climb the Lighthouse
Ameland's lighthouse; an iconic monument.
The view from the top? Breathtaking! Especially in autumn, when the colours change the Ameland landscape.
And is the weather a little less good? Even then the lighthouse is highly recommended! The climb up is dry and after 236 steps you can enjoy the view when the sky clears.
Eating & drinking on Ameland
Enjoy autumn on Ameland with local flavours: game, mushrooms and seasonal vegetables. Sample freshly caught fish and artisanal dishes in cosy, convivial restaurants. After a day in the fresh, salty air, treat yourself to hot stews and fragrant herbs or warm up with a delicious cup of coffee or hot chocolate! With whipped cream, of course...
Come to Ameland for a tasty autumn experience!
Restaurants Hollum
Restaurants Ballum
Restaurants Nes
Restaurants Buren
Where the nights are dark
The Wadden area and the Dutch Wadden Islands are among the darkest places in the Netherlands. On the islands, light pollution is the least in the whole of the Netherlands. And although Ameland is not an official Dark Sky Park, you can enjoy beautiful dark skies and the starry sky there.
So when the sun goes down, go to the beach, look up and enjoy!
Autumn events
Demonstration Horse-drawn rescue boat
Don't miss it this autumn; the demonstrations of the Amelander Horse Rescue Boat. Unique in the world! More info
Hiking event Tussen Slik en Zand
Walking across Ameland between Wad and North Sea with varied routes of 11, 17, 25 and 35 km. Will you join? More info
Arth Month Ameland
November Art Month Ameland is an international, cultural highlight with an island-wide exhibition where the sea marks the boundary. More info
Tasting Tour Ameland
With the ProefRoute, enjoy the Month of Art on Ameland even more! Join us and tour Ameland's restaurants and enjoy refined snacks with matching wine. More info
What we forgot to mention:
There is so much to do on Ameland in autumn, isn't there? And we haven't even mentioned everything!
- Walk through the Koaikersdunen
- Go in search of ‘Kakebienen
- Visit the Corn- and mustard mill and the mill shop
- Book a wellness treatment
- See a nice exhibition in one of the museums or galleries
- See the 10 most beautiful viewpoints on the island
- Go shopping in one of the cosy villages
- Enjoy the peace and quiet
But above all: make new memories!