Zeeland
3
Day Itinerary •
Netherlands
Three days in Zeeland reveal the most extraordinary combination of Delta Works engineering, medieval heritage and North Sea coastal landscape in the Netherlands. The finest provincial capital in the country at Middelburg, the perfectly preserved port town of Veere, the greatest storm surge barrier ever built at the Oosterscheldekering, the finest oysters in Europe from Yerseke and the wide dune beaches of Domburg are all within easy reach of a Zeeland base. This route moves from the medieval abbey town of Middelburg and the 15th-century port of Veere through the extraordinary Delta Works barrier and the hidden town of Zierikzee to the oyster beds of Yerseke and the finest North Sea beach resort in the Netherlands. Three extraordinary days in the most extraordinary water landscape in Europe.
Best Time To Visit
April to October
Getting There
Car from Rotterdam 1.5 hours or train to Vlissingen
Getting Around
Car essential throughout
Budget Per Day
Approx 110 to 265 EUR per person per day
Difficulity
Easy, coastal and dune walking
DAY 1
MIDDELBURG AND WALCHEREN
MORNING
MIDDELBURG, THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY PROVINCIAL CAPITAL IN THE NETHERLANDS
Middelburg is the most extraordinary provincial capital in the Netherlands, its extraordinary medieval abbey complex with the longest town hall facade in the country, the remarkable Zeeuws Museum with the finest collection of Zeeland tapestries in the world, and the extraordinary ring of 17th-century canal houses making it the finest historic town in Zeeland. The abbey tower climb gives the finest view of the Walcheren polder. Abbey entry approx 6 euros. Train/Travel: 1.5 hours drive from Rotterdam
MIDDAY
VEERE, THE MOST EXTRAORDINARILY PRESERVED HISTORIC TOWN IN ZEELAND
Veere on the Veerse Meer is the most extraordinary and best preserved small historic town in Zeeland, its extraordinary Gothic Grote Kerk, the remarkable Schotse Huizen merchant houses built by Scottish wool traders in the 15th century and the extraordinary harbour with traditional botter fishing boats giving it a character entirely unlike any other Zeeland town. The Veerse Meer sailing lake is the finest in the Netherlands. Entry to Schotse Huizen approx 4 euros. Train/Travel: 20 min drive
AFTERNOON
THE WALCHEREN CANAL CYCLE ROUTE AND THE FINEST POLDER CYCLING IN ZEELAND
The Walcheren canal cycle route is the most extraordinary flat cycling landscape in Zeeland, its extraordinary network of canals, polders and windmills connecting Middelburg to Veere through the finest agricultural polder landscape in the province. The Walcheren windmill complex at Domburg gives the finest cycling viewpoint in the region. Cycle hire from Middelburg from approx 12 euros per day.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Nolledijk coastal walk in Flushing gives the most extraordinary view of the Westerschelde estuary in Zeeland, the deep-water shipping channel where the largest container ships in the world pass within 200 metres of the dike footpath. The naval history of Flushing as the birthplace of Dutch admiral Michiel de
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe De Spot, Middelburg Outstanding Zeeland breakfast at the finest independent cafe near the abbey. Local Zeeland bread and butter. | Lunch: De Mug, Veere Outstanding harbour lunch at the finest restaurant in Zeeland's most beautiful town. Local mussels and oysters. | Dinner: De Gespleten Arent, Middelburg The finest restaurant in Middelburg. Outstanding Zeeland seasonal cuisine. Book ahead.
DAY 2
THE DELTA WORKS AND ZEELAND'S ISLANDS
MORNING
THE OOSTERSCHELDEKERING, THE GREATEST ENGINEERING ACHIEVEMENT IN DUTCH HISTORY
The Oosterscheldekering storm surge barrier is the largest Delta Works structure and the greatest engineering achievement in Dutch history, a 9km barrier of 65 sliding steel gates protecting Zeeland from North Sea storm surges while maintaining the tidal estuary. The Neeltje Jans Delta Park visitor centre gives the most extraordinary account of Dutch water management. Drive along the barrier in your car for free. Park entry approx 20 euros. Train/Travel: 45 min drive
MIDDAY
ZIERIKZEE, THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY MEDIEVAL TOWN IN ZEELAND
Zierikzee on the island of Schouwen-Duiveland is the most extraordinary medieval port town in Zeeland, its extraordinary unfinished St Lievensmonstertoren at 56 metres the finest tower in the province, the remarkable historic harbour with traditional fishing boats and the extraordinary Nobelpoort medieval town gate making it the finest hidden town in Zeeland. The Zeeuws-Vlaanderen ferry crosses to Belgium. Tower entry approx 3 euros. Train/Travel: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
THE GREVELINGENMEER, THE FINEST INLAND SEA IN THE NETHERLANDS
The Grevelingenmeer between Zeeland and South Holland is the most extraordinary salt water lake in the Netherlands, created by the Delta Works closing of the Grevelingen estuary, its extraordinary clear water giving the finest snorkelling and diving in the country and the remarkable colony of common seals making it the finest wildlife destination in Zeeland. The Brouwersdam gives the finest view of the lake. Entry free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Markiezenhof in Bergen op Zoom near Zeeland is the most extraordinary late Gothic palace in the southern Netherlands, a 15th-century courtly residence preserved intact with the finest interior court in the region. Entry approx 9 euros. Bergen op Zoom Carnival is the finest in the Netherlands outside Maastricht.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Strandpaviljoen Neeltje Jans Outstanding Zeeland breakfast at the Delta Works visitor island. Sea views and local Zeeland produce. | Lunch: De Oesterput, Zierikzee Outstanding Zierikzee oyster restaurant at the finest harbour in medieval Zeeland. Local Eastern Scheldt oysters. | Dinner: Mondragon, Zierikzee The finest restaurant in Zierikzee in a 15th-century building. Outstanding Zeeland seafood. Book ahead.
DAY 3
THE ZEELAND BEACHES AND THE OOSTERSCHELDE
MORNING
DOMBURG, THE FINEST SEASIDE RESORT IN ZEELAND
Domburg on the Walcheren North Sea coast is the most extraordinary small seaside resort in Zeeland, its extraordinary wide beach backed by the finest dune nature reserve in the province, the remarkable history as the Netherlands' first seaside resort from the 1830s and the extraordinary Zeeland Beach walking route connecting the finest dune landscapes in the country. The Domburg Badhotel is the finest historic hotel in Zeeland. Beach entry free. Train/Travel: 30 min drive
MIDDAY
THE YERSEKE MUSSEL AND OYSTER HARVEST
Yerseke on the Eastern Scheldt is the most extraordinary shellfish harvesting town in the Netherlands, the finest producer of Eastern Scheldt oysters, the only flat oyster grown in the Netherlands and considered the finest oyster in Europe. The mussel culture in the Eastern Scheldt is the finest in the country. Boat tours of the oyster and mussel beds give the finest shellfish heritage experience. Tour approx 20 euros. Train/Travel: 45 min drive
AFTERNOON
THE WESTKAPELLE DIKE AND THE FINEST COASTAL PANORAMA IN ZEELAND
The Westkapelle dike on the western tip of Walcheren is the most extraordinary coastal fortification in Zeeland, the highest dike in the province built after the catastrophic 1953 flood that killed 1,836 people in Zeeland and rebuilt to protect the lowest-lying land in the Netherlands. The remarkable lighthouse and the extraordinary panorama of the North Sea and the Westerschelde estuary make it the finest coastal viewpoint in the province. Entry free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Nehalennia temple ruins at Colijnsplaat on the Eastern Scheldt shoreline are the most extraordinary Roman archaeological site in Zeeland, hundreds of votive altars to the Roman goddess Nehalennia dedicated by sailors crossing the North Sea recovered from the estuary. The altars are displayed in the extraordinary Zeeuws Museum in
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Badhotel Domburg dining room Outstanding North Sea breakfast at the finest historic hotel in Zeeland. Local smoked eel and Dutch bread. | Lunch: Yerseke harbour restaurant Outstanding fresh Eastern Scheldt oysters and mussels straight from the beds. The finest in the Netherlands. | Dinner: De Oranjezon, Domburg Outstanding Zeeland dinner at the finest hotel restaurant facing the extraordinary North Sea dunes.
DAY 4
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
DAY 5
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Where To Stay
Middelburg, All 3 Nights Hotel de Huifkar or Hampshire Hotel Middelburg. Approx 80 to 160 euros per night. Domburg option Badhotel Domburg. Approx 100 to 200 euros per night. Best for beach access.
Top Tips
1. Yerseke oysters: the Eastern Scheldt flat oyster is finest from September to April. Book a boat tour ahead.
2. Delta Works drive: the N57 coastal road across the barriers is the finest drive in the Netherlands. Free.
3. Domburg beach: arrive before 9am in summer. The finest beach in Zeeland fills completely by 11am.
4. Veere harbour at dusk: the reflection of the Grote Kerk in the Veerse Meer is the finest sight in Zeeland.
5. Middelburg abbey tower: climb at opening time for the finest morning view over the polder landscape.
6. 1953 flood memorial: the Delta Expo at Neeltje Jans has the finest account of the catastrophic Zeeland flood.
Total Budget
110 to 260 EUR/day