Lighthouse Ameland
An impressive appearance on the island is the lighthouse, built in 1880 of cast iron and 55 metres high.
Since 2005, the lighthouse has not been used by the coast guard and has not been manned (there are camera's now to keep an eye on the shore).
The lighthouse is now in use as an exhibition location and is accessible to the public. In the top of the lighthouse there is a work room, just like it was used by the lighthouse keeper in the past.
Lighthouse Ameland
Oranjeweg 57
9161 CB , Hollum
0031519-542737
Bundles of light
The characteristic bundles of light still shine over the island and the lighthouse is now open to the public. On different floors the visitor can find fascinating exhibitions and former lighthouse keepers digitally tell their stories.
Those who take up the challenge and climb the 236 stairs of the lighthouse, are treated to a stunning and unique view upstairs.
King Willem III
The lighthouse on Ameland was built in 1880, and was commissioned by King Willem III. It counts 15 floors. The tower was designed by Quirinus Harder and was built by foundry Nering Bögel in Deventer. The individual sections were shipped to Ameland and locally constructed. The current optical system of the lighthouse originates from the old "Westhoofd" on Goeree. The optical system turns around the lightsource ( one halogen bar). The refraction of the glass ensures 3 flares per 15 seconds (2 times 3 light rays). On 10 May 1881, the lights in the tower were lit for the first time.
Since 2004, the lighthouse has been owned by the town of Ameland.
The lighthouse without a name
Ameland's lighthouse has no name and is simply called ‘lighthouse’. When it was built in 1880 and opened in 1881, the tower was given no name. So unlike the Brandaris on Terschelling and Lange Jaap near Den Helder, Ameland's lighthouse is nameless. Many lighthouses are named after the sandbanks they warn against, which is why Ameland's lighthouse is sometimes called ‘Bornrif’: Bornrif is one such sandbar between Ameland and Terschelling. Although the name appears in some sources, it is not used on Ameland.
Visit the lighthouse
You can visit the lighthouse on the days listed below:
Opening hours 2025:
- 1 January:
- 13:00 - 17:00
- 2 - 5 January:
- 10:00 - 17:00
- 6 January - 14 February:
- Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday 13:00 - 17:00
- other days closed
- 15 February - 5 March:
- Monday - Sunday 13:00 - 17:00
- 6 - 30 March:
- Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday 13:00 - 17:00
- other days closed
- 1 April - 31 October, excluding public holidays*:
- Monday - Saturday 10:00 - 20:00
- Sunday 10:00 - 17:00 - outside holiday periods
- Sunday 10:00 - 20:00 - during holiday periods
*Public holidays:
- Sunday 20 and Monday 21 April (Easter): 10:00 - 20:00
- Saturday 26 April (King's Day): 10:00 - 20:00
- Monday 5 May (Liberation Day): 10:00 - 20:00
- Thursday 29 May (Ascension Day): 10:00 - 20:00
- Sunday 8 June (Whitsun): 10:00 - 17:00
- Monday 9 June (Whitsun): 10:00 - 20:00
Admission 2025:
- Adults: € 7,00
- Children (5 - 12 years old): € 5,50