Municipality in Friesland, Netherlands
Photo: Uberprutser, CC BY-SA 3.0 nl via Wikimedia Commons
Schiermonnikoog (West Friesian: Skiermûntseach, local dialect: Schiermonnikeig) is the easternmost of the inhabited West Frisian Islands, that being the Dutch islands in the Wadden Sea.
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Conch Museum
A small museum focussing on molluscs and their shells. The museum is owned and operated by the De Boer family, who have themselves collected the entirety of the over 1500-piece collection on display. For groups of more than ten people, they are willing to open outside of their conventional hours, as well as organise a conch-excursion on the beach. At their desk you can also present your own beach finds and have them identified.
A 31.5 m tall lighthouse near the town centre. The all-white "Soutern Tower", as it is called in English, was built in 1854 alongside the still active Noordertoren. The Noordertoren was equipped with a rotating light in 1910, making this lighthouse redundant. The building was instead repurposed into a water tower by 1950. This use it lost in 1992. Telecommunications provider KPN acquired it in 1998, and used it as a radio tower for two decades. Since 2018, the tower is owned by a non-profit set up by several islanders, who have restored the lighthouse and its grounds, and operate it as a small museum. Alongside the lighthouse you will also find the former lighthouse keeper's house named Duinoord, as well as a small oil shed. The lighthouse is also used as an event venue from time to time.
Gribus Cabinet of Curiosities
Originally occupying the entirety of its building, the cabinet of curiosities is a small museum displaying items that pique the mind. Amongst its collection you'll find items like an alleged mermaid foetus, the foot of a mammoth, and many seafaring and island-related items.
The Wassermann-bunker is one of two bunkers of this type. Its counterpart can be found on Terschelling. The 27 m-long bunker was erected during Nazi German occupation and was equipped with a type S (Schwer (Heavy)) radar. Both bunkers were a part of the Nazi German coastal defence line, the Atlantikwall. The radar at Schiermonniksoog's bunker has never been operational, but a replacement was placed in the nearby dunes instead. The bunker opened to the public in 2004.
Counterpart of the aforementioned Zuidertoren. Where it is all white, the Noordertoren is completely red. The 37 m tall lighthouse is, unlike its counterpart, still operated. Its dome has been replaced in 1979, equipping it with a radar antenna as well. Like the Zuidertoren, the lighthouse is a national monument, though unlike it, only the Noordertoren's stonework is registered as a monument.
The Westerplas used to be an inlet for the sea, but was dammed off in the 1960s. The water slowly desalinated, and became a hotspot for birds. The lake is also the main potable water supply for the island. The dune valleys surrounding it bloom up in colour during spring, due to different types of orchids, sea-lavender and violets popping up. The Westerplas is also home to a spoonbill colony.
Restaurant, ice cream parlour and hotel.
Dutch snacks and ice-cream.
Schiermonnikoog Fish Parlor
Small fish parlour that mostly sells fish and a quick bite.
Has the novelty of being the northernmost beach pavilion in the Netherlands.
The only discotheque on the island.
A long-term staple on the island, having been in business for well over half a decade. Their rental pool consists of some 4000 bikes, including tandems, e-bikes, mountain bikes, fatbikes, and more. In addition, Soepboer has a depot at the ferry harbour as well, though it doesn't stock the speciality bikes that you'll find in their main location.
Present on the island since 2006, the Badweg rental agency prides itself in its low prices. The bikes can be reserved in advance, and even delivered to your holiday address free of charge.
The only supermarket on the island, located in the middle of town.
Bakery found in the middle of town.
Calls itself "The Netherlands' smallest supermarket". The shop, however, is a small shop telling tapas, nuts and alcoholic beverages.
By car
Lauwersoog in turn can be reached from Leeuwarden using the N355 towards Hurdegaryp, after which you take the N356 northwards towards Dokkum.
By public transit
Lauwersoog does not have a train station. The nearest stations are found in Buitenpost, Zuidhoorn and Winsum.
By public transit
Public transit on Schiermonnikoog consists of five bus lines, operated by Arriva. Like the rest of the country, you can use buses using the OV-Chipkaart or an accepted bank card.
Taxi
Two taxi companies operate on Schiermonnikoog. They are:
By bike
You do not need to own a bike in order to cycle on Schiermonnikoog. The island has two rental companies which are all to eager to lend you a bike in exchange for some money.
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Groningen · International · GRQ
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