Schiermonnikoog

Schiermonnikoog is an island in the Wadden Sea, and it is on the list of World Heritage Sites of UNESCO. Schiermonnikoog is a national park.

The first residents were Cistercian monks, whom the island was named after; the island of the “schiere” (= grey) monks.

The car-free Schiermonnikoog is a purely natural area.

There is a lot to do, such as relaxing on the widest beach of Europe, hiking, cycling, horse riding, mudflat hiking and kite surfing. There are all kinds of excursions, such as seeing the seals, birdwatching, yoga and taking a ride in a covered wagon. Aside from all the impressive flora and fauna, there is a lot to see; the historical village centre with typical island houses, the big German radar Wassermann bunker, 2 small museums, and Drenkelingenkerkhof Vredenhof, a cemetery for people who drowned, including many soldiers of different nationalities who died in World War II.

On Schiermonnikoog – the darkest place in the Netherlands – you can admire a starry sky with up to 3,000 stars.

There are several restaurants in the village and on the beach. In the village you will also find a supermarket, various small shops, bicycle rental companies and small art studios.

According to CNN, Schiermonnikoog is one of the 10 best islands in Europe to get away from almost everyone.