A picturesque house on Schiermonnikoog with a cyclist riding past on a brick pathway, surrounded by greenery and trees. Zuidertoren on Schiermonnikoog: A white lighthouse stands behind a modern black house with colorful windows and a green garden.
Netherlands

Schiermonnikoog: Island of the Grey Monks

The Zuidertoren, Schiermonnikoog’s second lighthouse, was deactivated in 1910 and now serves as a water tower.
 Schiermonnikoog, Netherlands, July 2022

Schiermonnikoog is an island of vast open spaces. The beach is so enormous that you could lose yourself in it—at some points, more than a kilometer wide, an endless stretch of sand between the dunes and the sea. Walk here, and your only companions are often the wind and the waves.

The name means “Island of the Grey Monks”, a tribute to the Cistercian monks in their grey robes who lived here centuries ago. Today, instead of monks, two lighthouses stand watch over the island. The red lighthouse, nestled in the dunes, is still in operation. The white lighthouse, in the middle of the village, has been retired for over a hundred years—now serving only as a silent backdrop.

In the heart of the village stands something unusual: a gate made of two massive whale bones—a relic from a time when whaling was part of the region’s history. Today, it feels more like a curious monument, a reminder of something long gone. Just like the grey monks.

Map of Schiermonnikoog
Lighthouse on Schiermonnikoog: A red lighthouse stands amidst green dunes under a cloudy sky.
Noordertoren, the red lighthouse of Schiermonnikoog, has been a landmark on the island since 1853, guiding ships safely along the Wadden Sea coast.
Beach in Schiermonnikoog: Two women walk barefoot in the sand, surrounded by grass and dunes.
Beach hut on Schiermonnikoog: A cozy seating area with blankets and drinks, overlooking the sandy beach and sea.
A beach path leading to a prominent building on Schiermonnikoog, with people walking and bicycles parked in sandy grasslands.
House on Schiermonnikoog: A two-story holiday home with a red roof, surrounded by grass and trees, in front of a wooden fence.
Zuidertoren on Schiermonnikoog: A white lighthouse stands behind a modern black house with colorful windows and a green garden.
The Zuidertoren, Schiermonnikoog’s second lighthouse, was deactivated in 1910 and now serves as a water tower.
A charming traditional house in Schiermonnikoog with a sloped roof, surrounded by greenery and a paved path leading to the entrance.
A row of charming houses in Schiermonnikoog, surrounded by lush greenery and colorful flowers.
A lively café in Schiermonnikoog with outdoor seating, patrons enjoying drinks, and a charming building with flower-decorated windows.
A large whale bone archway in Schiermonnikoog, leading to a pathway lined with bicycles and greenery.
A striking landmark on Schiermonnikoog, this whalebone arch recalls the island's history of whaling. The bones were placed here in 1956 as a monument to the past.
A picturesque house on Schiermonnikoog with a cyclist riding past on a brick pathway, surrounded by greenery and trees.
Cycling is the main mode of transport on Schiermonnikoog, where cars are largely restricted. The island’s quiet roads and scenic routes make it ideal for biking.