Unwind on the West Frisian Islands!

Nature, wildness and great hostels are the perfect ingredients for a green holiday on the Wadden Islands

When putting these travel notes altogether, here at Hostelsclub we got amazed by how much the Frisian Islands have to offer to its visitors: wide beaches, stress free landscapes, bike and walking routes, grey seals and bird watching and hassle free accommodation in some of Stayokay's best hostels.

Doesn't all this just tick the box as perfect summer holiday destination that mixes beaches, nature and relax, action and sport (surfing, parachuting, kite surfing, catamaran sailing)? If you've planned a trip to The Netherlands it's worth thinking about island hooping on the Frisian Islands.

The whole archipelago is composed by the islands of Texel, Terschelling, Ameland, Vlieland, Schiermonnikoog, Rottumeroog and Rottumerplaat. Easily connected by ferry from the mainland, they can be visited all year around.

Let’s take a look at Texel, Terschelling and Ameland.

TEXEL
Once you arrive on Texel expect a beautiful landscape including stolpfarms (farms) and barns, birds, sheeps, snowdrops and millions of wild orchids (best spots: on the banks of the Roggesloot and at De Bol). Texel's highlights are Dijkmanshuizen, Fort de Schans, the Eierland (lighthouse), the National Park Dunes of Texel, the Hoge Berg Nationaal Park. The main village is the Den Burg while the most deserted beaches are Paal (pool) 9 and or the ones located between Paal 22 and 27 (beaches have in fact no names but are named after numbers).

Where to sleep on Texel. Located in Den Burg, only 6 km from the beach, Stayokay Texel provides private rooms and beds in dorms, all with private bathrooms. Facilities are modern despite materials used are as natural as possible. It’s served by an in-house bar and restaurant. Guests can relax on the terrace or in the private garden. Beds in dorms en-suite from 16.50euro pppn.

TERSCHELLING
Nature, landscape and mud! Yes, we said mud! Terschelling is one of the best locations for mud hiking with an experienced guide during the low tide. Oerol Festival is also another big event not to be missed: since 1982 it has been bringing cabaret, music, theatre, circus and mime performances on the islands. Cranberry products are the culinary delight to try which go very well with local cheese home-made by local farmers.

Where to sleep on Terschelling. Stayokay Terschelling is ideally located on West Terschelling and boasts of a convenient location close to the beach and the sand dunes. It can accommodate up to 155 guests in private ad multiple bed rooms all with fully private shower and toilet. Common spaces are great to socialise and include a common room (with a wide range of board games, pc, wi-fi and books), an in-house bar and outdoor sport facilities. All of this starting from only 24.59 euro pppn

AMELAND
Ladies and Gentlemen, here comes the “Wadden Diamond”, Ameland, with a rich past into merchant shipping and a unique present of nature and natural reserves. Check out the natural parks of De Hôn and Het Oerd, De Oerdblinkert -a 24-metre high dune - and the Commander’s house, the islands' oldest building. Get to know the local fauna better by visiting a seal colony. When it comes to food, Ameland also boasts of its very own culinary specialties such as farm cheese, catfish, rye bread and Nobeltje, a local liqueur.

Where to sleep on Ameland. Set in the picturesque village of Hollum, Stayokay Ameland can accommodate up to 144 guests. It’s ideal for families, groups of friends and individual travellers since it provides private rooms as well as beds in a dorm from as little as 24.30 euro pppn. It boasts of great facilities such as restaurant, café, play-ground and soccer/basketball court and of a great location: only 200 metres from the lighthouse.

All pics used have been generously provided by Stayokay; Stayokay provides hostels in some of The Netherland's most amazing locations; hostel premises are one of a kind and range from castles to country houses. Check out here in which destination you can find one of the 26 Stayokay hostels when traveling in The Netherlands.