Buren on Ameland: Mudflats, cycle paths and local history

Buren lies on the eastern side of Ameland, between the Wadden Sea, dunes and beach. The landscape and local history lend a stay here different points of interest: from the Oerdblinkert viewpoint, you can look out over the mudflats, dunes and sea, while the museum and statue reveal other sides of the village. Guided activities add to these impressions and vary by target group, location and schedule.

Landscape and views

The Oerdblinkert viewpoint is accessible year-round. Near Buren, it offers views across dunes, mudflats and salt marshes, as well as over the Wadden Sea and the North Sea. Buren’s beach is also part of the landscape. It has held the Blue Flag for decades; this status can change over time. If the award matters to your travel decision, check its current status.

Cycle paths and birdwatching

A signposted route leads from Nes to Buren and on to ’t Oerd. If you cycle from the southern side of Buren towards the Wadden Sea, you pass the Buresteiger. The Blauwe Keet is located on the cycle route near Buren. Today, it serves as a birdwatching point and houses a small permanent exhibition about the dike watch. Nature observation and a topic from the island’s history thus come together here.

Local history and the museum

Buren was once a village of farmers who collected flotsam; the goods they found supplemented their meagre rations. At the Landbouw- en Juttersmuseum Swartwoude, visitors can see old agricultural machinery. The flotsam collection is on display in the Juttersschuur and outdoors. The museum also processes wool from Amelander sheep into sustainable products. Production processes can change, so if you are interested, check before your visit.

A statue of Rixt van het Oerd has stood in the village since 1980. It was created by artist Annet Haring; many people on Ameland call her Ritskemooi. The museum and statue offer different cultural points of interest: one focuses on agricultural machinery and flotsam, the other on a named landmark in Buren.

Guided activities

The Natuurcentrum Ameland MINI-Wad excursion starts at the southern end of Reeweg, at the top of the dike. Accompanied by a mudflat guide, children up to the age of 8 and their parents venture a short way onto the mudflats, using a landing net and a bucket. Dates and booking details can change, so check them before your trip.

East of Buren, at Kooiplaats, a guided excursion visits an Eendenkooi (duck decoy). Check the seasonal schedule in advance. Joh. de Jong Strandritten offers beach rides on Ameland; departures depend on the activity schedule. The offers also differ in their planning: the target group and meeting point are set for the MINI-Wad excursion, the season determines the Kooiplaats excursion, and the activity schedule determines the beach rides.

Discover more destinations: Hollum, Ballum, Nes.

For the main travel overview: Ameland.