In Nes, the village’s cultural history meets a range of opportunities for outdoor exploration. The village centre is traffic-calmed and largely car-free. Prominent historic buildings include a 17th-century bell tower, a church with a turbulent recent history, and a restored grain and oil mill. If you want to explore nature and the landscape, you’ll find, among other things, trails through forest and dune areas, as well as a cycling route towards ’t Oerd.
Cultural History in Nes
The Amelander Cultuurmuseum is housed in a former church building on Kerkplein. The building dates from 1824 and is a Rijksmonument (national heritage site). You’ll also encounter traces of different eras elsewhere in the village: one of the oldest houses in Nes stands in Rixt van Doniastraat and dates from 1625. The Dorpstoren, a historic bell tower dating from 1664, stands in the centre of Nes.
The Sint-Clemenskerk was originally designed by Pierre Cuypers in 1878. Following a major fire in 2013, the church was rebuilt. It is used for church services, and concerts are also held there. At De Phenix, the mill’s history continues into the present day: the grain and oil mill underwent extensive restoration in 2018 and 2019, and oil has been pressed there since early 2022. The public “Free Tours” introduce visitors to the island’s cultural history.
Enjoy Nature and Choose Your Routes
The Natuurcentrum Ameland offers insights into nature and natural processes on and around the island through distinctive and innovative displays. The centre has several small aquariums and a large aquarium, where presentations take place at set times. The tower’s viewing terrace offers views across the Wadden Sea and the North Sea.
De Vleijen, a green recreational area with water, lawns, and shell paths, lies between Nes and Buren. There is plenty of space to play outdoors. Northwest of Nes is the Kwekerijbos. It was deliberately planted to protect Ameland’s villages from the wind and drifting dune sand, and is one of the island’s most bird-rich forests. Several trails let you explore at your own pace. The Kaapsduun, a high dune, is also located in the Nesserbos.
Walking Trails and Cycling Route
For a walk through the Kwekerijbos and Briksduinen, a route of about 3.8 kilometres marked with green signs starts at the Staatsbosbeheer workshed on Ballumerweg. Another option is the approximately 3.5-kilometre “Junior-Boswachter” backpack route in the Nesserbos. It starts at the Natuurcentrum, can be completed independently with children, and is intended for children aged about three to 14. For comparison, the approximately 8.5-kilometre walking route through Nes and the surrounding area starts at the VVV Ameland in Nes.
A specific direction is also given for a cycling trip: the route to ’t Oerd starts at the ferry terminal in Nes, first heads towards Buren, and then continues by following the signs to ’t Oerd. The routes therefore differ not only in length, but also in whether you want to walk in the forest, take a route with children, or choose a cycling route.
Discover more destinations: Ballum, Buren, Hollum, Buren.
Go to the main travel overview: Ameland.
