Zeeland
5
Day Itinerary •
Netherlands
Five days in Zeeland gives you the complete extraordinary sweep of the Netherlands' most distinctive province, from the medieval abbey of Middelburg and the Delta Works engineering marvel through the Belgian border fortress of Hulst and the prehistoric shark fossil beaches of Cadzand to the finest seal colony in the Netherlands in the National Park Oosterschelde and the extraordinary clear-water diving in the Grevelingen salt lake. This route covers the complete Zeeland experience from the provincial capital and the greatest storm barrier in history through the oyster culture of Yerseke and the fortified border town of Hulst to the wild salt marsh of Saeftinghe, the beach and dune forests of Renesse and the underwater soft coral of the Grevelingen. Five extraordinary days in the finest water landscape in the world.
Best Time To Visit
May to September
Getting There
Car from Rotterdam or Antwerp
Getting Around
Car essential for all days
Budget Per Day
Approx 110 to 280 EUR per person per day
Difficulity
Easy, flat cycling and coastal 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
ZEELAND FLANDERS AND THE BELGIAN BORDER
MORNING
HULST, THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY FORTIFIED TOWN IN THE NETHERLANDS
Hulst in Zeeland Flanders is the most extraordinary star-shaped fortified town in the Netherlands, its extraordinary intact Renaissance ramparts of 1649 surrounding the finest medieval town centre in the Dutch-Belgian border region. The extraordinary Sint Willibrordus Basilica, the largest church in Zeeland, the remarkable Basilica tower and the extraordinary rampart walk above the moat make it the finest hidden town in the province. Tower entry approx 3 euros. Train/Travel: 45 min drive
MIDDAY
THE WESTERSCHELDE TUNNEL AND THE SOUTHERN ZEELAND SHORE
The Westerschelde Tunnel connecting Zeeland to Zeeland Flanders is the longest road tunnel in the Netherlands at 6.6km, remarkable for passing 60 metres under the shipping lanes of the Westerschelde estuary. The southern shore of the estuary gives the finest view of the container ships approaching Antwerp and the extraordinary flat polder landscape of Zeeland Flanders. Tunnel toll approx 6 euros. Train/Travel: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
CADZAND, THE FINEST BEACH IN ZEELAND FLANDERS
Cadzand-Bad on the North Sea coast of Zeeland Flanders is the most extraordinary beach resort in the province, its extraordinary wide beach facing the open North Sea, the remarkable shark teeth and prehistoric shark fossils found at low tide on the beach at Cadzand and the extraordinary dune nature reserve of Het Zwin on the Belgian border making it the finest coastal destination in the southern Netherlands. Beach and fossil hunting free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Verdronken Land van Saeftinghe east of Terneuzen is the largest tidal salt marsh in western Europe, a vast abandoned polder flooded in 1584 during the Eighty Years War and never reclaimed, its extraordinary maze of creeks, mudflats and salt marsh vegetation accessible only by guided tour giving the finest
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: De Koperen Knop, Hulst Outstanding fortified town breakfast at the finest cafe inside the extraordinary Renaissance ramparts. | Lunch: Restaurant De Brakke Grond, Terneuzen Outstanding Zeeland Flanders lunch at the finest bistro in the border region. | Dinner: Cadzand Bad Hotel dining room Outstanding North Sea dinner at the finest hotel in the southernmost beach resort in the Netherlands.
DAY 5
SCHOUWEN-DUIVELAND AND THE NORTH
MORNING
THE NATIONAL PARK OOSTERSCHELDE AND THE FINEST NATURE IN ZEELAND
The National Park Oosterschelde is the most extraordinary protected tidal landscape in the Netherlands, its extraordinary 370 square kilometres of tidal flats, salt marshes and sandbanks containing the finest seal colony in the country with over 8,000 common and grey seals, the remarkable spoonbill nesting colony and the extraordinary sea lavender flowering in August giving the finest wildlife spectacle in Zeeland. Seal boat tours approx 25 euros. Park entry free. Train/Travel: 30 min drive
MIDDAY
RENESSE, THE FINEST BEACH AND VILLAGE IN SCHOUWEN-DUIVELAND
Renesse on the island of Schouwen-Duiveland is the most extraordinary combination of beach and nature reserve in Zeeland, its extraordinary Westduinen coastal dune forest directly behind the finest beach in the province, the remarkable Meeuwenduinen tidal nature reserve and the extraordinary village market giving the finest coastal experience in the northern Zeeland islands. Beach and dune forest free. Train/Travel: 20 min drive
AFTERNOON
BRUINISSE AND THE GREVELINGEN DIVING
Bruinisse at the eastern end of Schouwen-Duiveland is the most extraordinary diving destination in the Netherlands, the entrance to the Grevelingenmeer with the finest underwater visibility in the country after the North Sea salt water was locked into the lake by the Delta Works creating an extraordinary stable underwater landscape with the finest soft coral and sea anemone colonies in the Benelux. Dive trips from approx 40 euros.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The lighthouse at Westkapelle Hoog on the western tip of Zeeland, one of only two church-tower lighthouses in the Netherlands, operated from 1470 until modern times and is the oldest lighthouse structure in the Netherlands. The tower is open for climbing in summer. Entry approx 2 euros. The view of
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Strandpaviljoen De Zeeuwse Stromen, Renesse Outstanding Zeeland beach breakfast at the finest dune pavilion on Schouwen-Duiveland. | Lunch: Bruinisse harbour cafe Outstanding Eastern Scheldt seafood lunch at the finest harbour on the Grevelingen lake. Local mussels. | Dinner: Restaurant t Veerhuis, Zierikzee The finest dinner on the island. Outstanding Zeeland seafood at the historic ferry house. Book ahead.
Where To Stay
Middelburg, Nights 1 to 2 Hotel de Huifkar. Approx 80 to 160 euros per night. Zierikzee, Night 3 Mondragon Hotel. Approx 90 to 180 euros per night. Hulst, Night 4 Hotel de Koperen Knop. Approx 80 to 150 euros per night. Renesse, Night 5 De Zeeuwse Stromen. Approx 100 to 200 euros per night.
Top Tips
1. Saeftinghe guided tour: book months ahead. The largest tidal salt marsh in western Europe. Extraordinary.
2. Cadzand fossil hunting: go at low spring tide after a storm. The finest shark teeth are near the high water mark.
3. Grevelingen diving: the lake has 10 metre visibility in summer. The soft coral below 10 metres is extraordinary.
4. Hulst rampart walk: the complete circuit around the 1649 fortifications takes 45 minutes. Entry free.
5. National Park Oosterschelde seals: the finest seal viewing in the Netherlands. Morning boat tours from Yerseke.
6. Bruinisse at dawn: the Grevelingen lake at sunrise with the mist over the water is the finest view in Zeeland.
Total Budget
110 to 275 EUR/day