The small city of Veere has an illustrious past. Today it only has about 750 residents, but in the 15th and 17th century Veere used to be a prosperous trading city with more than 5,000 inhabitants. This attractive old city oozes charm and the atmosphere of a time gone by, combining the past with modern-day liveliness in a stunning setting with water galore.
De Kaai near the marina and the Markt square are dotted with beautiful merchant’s houses and warehouses with stepped gables, spout gables, cornice gables and bell gables.
Today, much of the city’s heritage is still alive, such as the impressive Grote Kerk, the elegant town hall on the Markt square, the gothic Scottish houses along the Kaai and, last but not least, the fortifications. Veere also has many traditional shops.
With the most sunshine in the Netherlands, Walcheren is a great destination for walking.
There are lovely hikes through the dunes and along the shore a stone’s throw from the beautiful esplanade with its cosy terraces and restaurants.
What could be better than exploring Zeeland by boat? Vlissingen and Middelburg offer plenty of cruises for you to take.
We have listed several tour operators below:
Further along the coast at about an hour’s drive from Vlissingen lies Knokke, a stylish seaside resort often described as ‘Belgium’s Saint-Tropez’. It’s a perfect place for shopping and enjoying the beach and the promenade. An excellent time to visit Knokke is in summer when there are lots of events on and the nightlife is bustling.
Knokke also has beautiful nature reserves. The Zwin plain has a unique biotope of mudflats and salt marshes – the largest in Belgium. The reserve is inhabited by a remarkably wide range of European water birds and its landscape is truly breathtaking.
Here is a taste of the attractions and sights that Knokke has to offer:
Bruges is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe: it is not without reason that in 2000 its entire centre historic city centre was included on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Bruges’ winding alleys and romantic canals will transport you back to the Middle Ages. With an abundance of places of interest, there is always something to see and experience. In addition to a wide selection of museums and historic monuments, Bruges has also seen an influx of modern architecture in recent years. The city was one of the two European Capitals of Culture in 2002, which provided the perfect framework for a number of contemporary architectural projects in the city centre.
Here is a taste of the attractions and sights that Bruges has to offer:
Middelburg, the capital of the province of Zeeland, has preserved much of its historic and picturesque character and offers a large variety of events and shops. This makes it a very popular tourist destination. Combine a tour of the fabulous town hall or a walking tour of the city with a visit to the many shops in town. Don’t forget to stop at one of Middelburg’s many terraces, cafes or restaurants along the way.
One of the most famous tourist attractions in Middelburg is the abbey complex, established around 1100. When exploring the city by foot, take a moment to wander through the alleyways and narrow backstreets in the old city centre.
Here is a taste of the attractions and sights that Middelburg has to offer:
Goes is the only town on the Beveland islands with an urban feel. It is a relatively big market town with a protected cityscape. Medieval streets with historic buildings lead to the Grote Markt square and town hall. With its picturesque old port and numerous listed monuments, Goes is one of the loveliest towns of Zeeland. In summer, you can take the Goes-Borsele steam train, a ride that will take you back to the past.
You can also combine your train ride with a cycling or walk tour. For more information, see www.destoomtrein.nl. Goes has a bustling market that is famous throughout the area. If you want to spot locals in traditional costume, market day is probably the best opportunity.