Vlieland
Photos from Google
One village, no cars for tourists and a beach that runs the full length of the island: Vlieland is one of the five Dutch Wadden Islands and is reached by boat from Harlingen. Counting from the west, it is the second inhabited Wadden Island. Texel lies to the south-west, Terschelling to the north-east.
The island belongs to the province of Friesland, although until 1942 it came under Noord-Holland. Besides the island itself, the municipality also takes in part of the Wadden Sea. With a dune top of 45 metres, Vlieland has the highest dune of all the Wadden Islands.
By the sea you will find three beach clubs with an average rating of 4.0 out of 5. The offering ranges from breakfast and brunch to lunch and dinner, so you can drop in early in the day as well as in the evening. The atmosphere is lively and suits both an evening for two and a day with the family.
The North Sea side is one long stretch of sand, with the dunes forming the transition to the island's interior. On the Wadden Sea side lie the calmer waters and the view across the shipping channel. The village sits on that Wadden side, within walking distance of both the harbour and the dunes.
Because cars are not allowed for visitors, you get around Vlieland on foot or by bike. The distances are short and the cycle paths run through woodland and dunes to the beach. If you arrive by boat at the harbour, the village is just a few minutes' walk away.
The beach clubs are dog-friendly and family-friendly, there is room for a corporate outing and a seaside wedding is among the possibilities. For a stop on the terrace, a long walk or a day with the children on the sand, you will find plenty of space on the island.
Beyond the beach there is the natural landscape of dunes, woodland and the Vliehors on the western side. If you would like to explore more islands, you can also travel from Vlieland to Terschelling, which lies 18.8 kilometres away.
Great for
The beach slopes broad and gently, with plenty of room for the children to play. The beach clubs are known for being family-friendly and serve breakfast and brunch as well as lunch. Because no cars run for visitors, you can travel safely on foot and by bike from the village to the beach across the island.
Dogs are welcome at several of the beach clubs. On the beach and in the eastern part of the island your dog may be off the lead, with a few exceptions where dogs must be kept on a lead. The exact rules are set out under the beach zones further down this page.
The beach clubs serve dinner with a view of the North Sea, and the atmosphere is described as romantic. For an evening for two there are spots right by the sea. Getting married on the beach is among the possibilities on Vlieland.
For lunch you can head to the three beach clubs, which have an average rating of 4.0 out of 5. Breakfast and brunch are on the menu too. After a walk or a cycle ride through the dunes, a stop on a seaside terrace is easily done.
A corporate outing is possible on Vlieland. The island lends itself to a programme of cycling, walking and a shared meal by the sea. The boat from Harlingen brings the group to the island in a single crossing.
When it rains or the wind picks up, the beach clubs offer an indoor spot for breakfast, lunch or dinner. The offering runs from early in the day into the evening. The island's woodland and dunes remain walkable for a stroll even in poorer weather.
In summer Vlieland is at its busiest. The boats from Harlingen bring day-trippers and holidaymakers to the island, and the beach and the three beach clubs fill up. This is the season when the terrace stays open longest and the full offering, from breakfast to dinner, is up and running.
Outside the summer months the island grows quieter. The beach remains accessible and the dunes and woodland are ideal for walks all year round. Walkers and birdwatchers come to the island in spring and autumn too.
In winter it is quiet. The beach clubs' opening hours are reduced and the weather on the North Sea side can be bleak. Anyone who comes then finds an empty beach and the open space of the Vliehors on the western side.
Bear in mind that on Vlieland you depend on the ferry service. In high season, book a crossing in good time and plan your day around the sailing times from Harlingen.
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Last updated: 23 June 2026