De Dorpsplein

The Dorpsplein is the central square of the main village on Schiermonnikoog, the smallest of the inhabited Dutch Wadden Islands, and it is the place where the life of the island is most visible. Schiermonnikoog has fewer than a thousand permanent residents, which makes it the smallest municipality in the Netherlands by population, and it is almost entirely car-free. The island's quiet streets are shared by pedestrians, cyclists and the occasional small vehicle, and the square at the centre of the village has the relaxed atmosphere of a place where nobody is in a hurry.

The square is surrounded by low buildings in the traditional island style, with brick houses and small shops. Cafes and restaurants put tables outside in good weather, and bicycles are parked in rows, since the bicycle is the main means of transport. The village also has the local tourist information centre, where visitors can find maps, advice on routes and information about tide times, guided walks and events. It is a natural meeting point for those arriving by ferry and setting out to explore, and it is a pleasant place to sit with a coffee and watch island life go by.

The island's history adds colour. Schiermonnikoog takes its name from the grey monks, the Cistercian monks of the Frisian mainland, who owned the island in the Middle Ages and farmed there. After the Reformation, ownership passed through several hands, and for a long time the islanders lived from fishing, farming and salvaging wrecks. Today the economy depends largely on tourism, though the character of the community remains strong, and the whole island is protected as a national park.

From the square, many of the island's attractions are within easy reach by bicycle. The paths lead to the old harbour, the two lighthouses, the church, the beach pavilions on the North Sea side and the dunes and salt marshes that cover much of the island. The tidal flats of the Wadden Sea lie to the south, and guided walks across them can be arranged. Shops in the village sell groceries, souvenirs and bicycle repairs.

The square suits any visitor to the island, and there is nothing to pay. Come early in the morning or in the evening for a quiet atmosphere. Because the island is small and the ferries limit the number of visitors, it never becomes crowded in the way of mainland resorts. Book accommodation ahead in the summer.