Holiday home rental on Terschelling

The stays on the island are quite varied, from simple bungalows to very luxurious homes. When looking for a place, it is useful to first determine how much space you really need. This is because many cottages on the island are privately owned, which means that each place has its own style and decor. Also note that prices in summer and during school vacations are a lot higher than in winter. In the low season you can often get a weekend away for next to nothing, while in July you really have to book far in advance to find a nice place.

Most people who rent a cottage on Terschelling choose West or Midsland. In West Terschelling you are close to the harbor and the famous lighthouse the Brandaris, which is convenient if you like stores and restaurants. Midsland is more central and has a very pleasant village street with many pubs. Do you prefer the real peace and quiet? Then look at cottages in villages like Hoorn or Oosterend. There you are much closer to Boschplaat, a huge nature reserve where it still gets really dark at night and you can see thousands of stars.

Nothing is better than waking up and immediately feeling the sand between your toes. There are specific places, such as Midsland aan Zee or West aan Zee, where the holiday homes are literally in the dunes. You walk straight from your living room across the dune to the wide North Sea beach. Other people prefer to choose a cottage on the edge of the forest near the inner dune edge. Here you often have more shelter from the wind, which is especially nice in spring and autumn. It is quite a contrast with the vast polders on the Wadden side, where you can look far across the dike.

Once you have made your choice, don't forget about the boat trip. Rederij Doeksen's ferry service departs from Harlingen and it is smart to reserve your spot on the boat right after you book your cottage. Especially if you want to bring your car, the boats fill up quickly. By the way, many people leave the car on shore and rent a bike on the island. This is also the easiest way to get everywhere on Terschelling. The bike paths are excellent and you never have to worry about parking spots at the beach.

Terschelling is a paradise for dogs because they are allowed to run free in many places. On most beaches and in the woods your dog can run around, as long as you keep an eye on things. When choosing a place, it is good to check if the garden near the cottage is fenced off. Nothing is more restless than your dog wanting to chase rabbits in the dunes all the time. Even in the villages, dogs are welcome at most terraces and often a bowl of water is already there.

There are a few moments in the year when the island is completely full. The most famous example is the Oerol Festival in June. The whole island turns into a big stage then, and renting a cottage on Terschelling during that week is almost impossible if you don't book a year in advance. The Berenloop in November also attracts thousands of runners. Don't feel like those crowds? Then September is highly recommended. The seawater is then still warmed up from the summer, the worst crowds are over and nature starts to color beautifully.

From your cottage there is always something to do. You can of course go mudflat hiking, but a trip in a covered wagon over the seabed to the drowning house is also an experience. For children, the bunker museum near West Terschelling is often a great success. If you enjoy cooking yourself, be sure to stop by the local cheese farms or cranberry barns to pick up supplies for dinner in your own kitchen. The nice thing about a cottage is that you have the freedom to do everything at your own pace and really be part of island life for a while.