Vlieland
Vlieland is a small island and municipality in the northern Netherlands. It is one of the West Frisian Islands in the Wadden Sea, sitting between Texel and Terschelling. The island became separated from the mainland long ago after a flood in 1287. The name comes from the Vlie sea passage that used to separate Vlieland from Terschelling.
About 1,200 people live on Vlieland, making it one of the least densely populated places in the country. The landscape is mainly sand dunes with some woods and meadows. The island has one village, Oost-Vlieland; a second village, West-Vlieland, disappeared into the sea in 1736.
How to get there: Vlieland is reached by ferry from Harlingen on the mainland. The trip takes about 45 minutes to 1.5 hours, and cars are not allowed on the ferry. In summer there is also a ferry from Texel to Vlieland. Once on the island, most people ride bicycles. A bus runs from the ferry terminal to the village and campsites. There is a small heliport for rescue flights.
History and language: During World War II the island was part of the German Atlantic Wall, with anti-aircraft batteries and more soldiers than residents. After the war, Vlieland moved from the province of North Holland to Friesland. The local Vlielands dialect was not Frisian; the last native speaker died in 1993.
Climate and nature: The island’s climate is moderated by the sea and is very windy. Extreme temperatures are rare, with plenty of sunshine compared to many other places in the Netherlands. Much of the western part is bare sand dunes, and Vlieland is a protected Ramsar wetland called Duinen Vlieland since 2000.
Economy and culture: Tourism is the main income. There are about 15 hotels, many apartments, and several campsites. Two music festivals are held on the island: Here Comes The Summer in spring and Into The Great Wide Open in late summer.
Government: Vlieland has a nine-member municipal council. The mayor is Michiel Schrier (SP), in office since 2021.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 10:18 (CET).