Exploring Terschelling in just one hour—an impossible task. But with tightly scheduled ferry connections, that was all the time I had. A frantic hour, nowhere near enough. And yet, even in this brief window, the island made an impression.

In West-Terschelling, the main village, the Brandaris lighthouse towers above everything—a massive, centuries-old landmark that has shaped the town’s skyline for over 500 years. Climbing it isn’t an option; today, it serves as a radar station. But from the surrounding dunes, the views are just as striking—stretching out over the sea, the mudflats, and the rooftops of West-Terschelling.

Walking through the village, I noticed the variety of facades. No two streets look the same. Each house has its own character—some in brick, some in wood, some modern, some historic. I wished I could have stopped more often, taken in more details—but the clock was ticking.

Far too soon, it was time to head back to the harbor, back to the ferry. Terschelling is an island that can’t be seen in just an hour. Not even close.