Nes: Cultural History and Nature Trails

Cultural history and historic buildings

The Amelander Cultuurmuseum is housed in a former church building on Kerkplein in Nes. The building dates from 1824 and is a Rijksmonument (national heritage site). The public “Free Tours” introduce island visitors to the cultural history of Ameland.

One of the oldest houses in Nes stands on Rixt van Doniastraat and dates from 1625. Another historic building is the Dorpstoren bell tower in the centre of Nes, which dates from 1664. In Nes, you can encounter buildings from different periods and in a variety of styles.

The Sint-Clemenskerk in Nes was originally designed by Pierre Cuypers in 1878. It was rebuilt after a major fire in 2013. The church is used for services and also hosts concerts. Its design, reconstruction and use represent several clearly distinct stages in its architectural history.

The De Phenix grain and oil mill is also part of the village’s architectural history. It underwent extensive restoration in 2018 and 2019. Oil has been pressed there since early 2022.

Nature and trails

At Natuurcentrum Ameland, visitors learn about nature and natural processes on and around the island through special forms of presentation. These include several small aquariums and a large aquarium, where demonstrations take place at set times. If you plan to attend a demonstration, check the relevant times in advance. The tower’s viewing terrace offers views over the Wadden Sea and the North Sea.

The routes vary in length and character. A route of about 3.8 kilometres through Kwekerijbos and the Briksduinen is marked in green; it starts at the Staatsbosbeheer workshed on Ballumerweg in Nes. The 3.5-kilometre “Junior-Boswachter” backpack route runs through Nesserbos and starts at Natuurcentrum. It can be done independently with children and is intended for children aged about 3 to 14. Another walking route covers about 8.5 kilometres through Nes and the surrounding area; it starts at VVV Ameland in Nes.

Kwekerijbos lies northwest of Nes. It was deliberately planted to protect Ameland’s villages from the wind and drifting dune sand, and is one of the island’s most bird-rich woodlands. Several paths make it easy to explore on foot. Nesserbos is also home to Kaapsduun, a high dune.

De Vleijen is a green recreation area between Nes and Buren. Water, lawns, shell paths and plenty of space for outdoor play define the area and set it apart from the woodland and dune trails.

The centre of Nes is a traffic-calmed area. A cycling route to ’t Oerd starts at the ferry landing in Nes, heads towards Buren and then follows the signs to ’t Oerd.

Discover more destinations: Hollum, Ballum, Buren, Buren.

Return to the main travel overview: Ameland.