In my opinion, the Zeeland peninsula of Walcheren is an ideal holiday destination with something for everyone. You have beautiful wide beaches to relax on, but you can also go out into nature or to one of the charming historic towns. Take a look at my best tips for things to do in Walcheren!
#1 Discover the beaches and dunes of Domburg
My most visited place in Zeeland is undoubtedly Domburg. I came here as a child and even now I still think it is one of the nicest and most relaxed places in our country. I prefer to visit Domburg in the low season, as it can get very busy in the summer months. The colored houses on the beach immediately make me happy. You can also enjoy walking over the dunes in Domburg. Be sure to take a walk to the viewpoint Hoge Hil, from where you have a great view of the beach, the dunes and the city. Domburg is also ideal if you visit the beach with a wheelchair or stroller. The beach crossing on Badstraat is wheelchair-friendly and there is also a path of decking on the beach itself that you can easily cross with a pram or wheelchair.
#2 Spend the night in an old castle
Westhove Castle is located near Domburg and is really worth a visit. Even though the castle has been renovated so many times and therefore no longer completely resembles the original, this castle and its gardens are still very impressive. It almost feels like you are walking around in the Middle Ages here. The castle and associated coach houses now house a StayOkay hostel. So you can even spend the night there. Even just a walk in the castle gardens is worth it. You have a beautiful view of the castle from every angle. The former orangery of the castle now also houses a nice museum. In the Terra Maris museum you can learn everything about the nature and landscape of Zeeland.
#3 Take a walk through the Manteling nature reserve
Adjacent to Westhove Castle is the Manteling nature reserve. This area of approximately 740 hectares protects the north of Walcheren against the fierce sea wind, hence the name De Manteling. The area itself consists mainly of sand dunes and forests. Several hiking trails have been laid out here and you can even walk from the castle parking lot to the beach in fifteen minutes via a beautiful path. There are also various walking and cycling routes that show you the most beautiful places in this special nature reserve. There is also a special wheelchair-accessible route of 2.5 kilometers long. In addition to the walking and cycling routes, De Manteling is also known for the many birds and deer that can be found there. Early in the morning you have the best chance of spotting a deer or roe deer.
#4 Visit the Zeeland capital Middelburg
In addition to beautiful nature and beaches, there are also a number of nice towns in Walcheren. A city that you should certainly not miss is the beautiful Zeeland capital Middelburg. Middelburg is bursting with history and before the Second World War, after Amsterdam, even had the most historic buildings in the Netherlands. Unfortunately, many buildings were destroyed during the war, but there are still more than 1,100 national monuments in the attractive city center. In addition to a city full of beautiful historic buildings, Middelburg is also a very lively city full of nice shops, cozy terraces, nice restaurants and great events.
View all tips for a visit to Middelburg here.
#5 Discover colorful Vlissingen
I heard varying stories about Vlissingen. There wouldn't be much to do besides the boulevard, but I found the city center of Vlissingen very nice and atmospheric. In many places you will still find the characteristic colored houses with old facades and the harbor and various squares are also very pleasant. You can take a beautiful walk along the coast and afterwards enjoy one of the many terraces. If you visit Vlissingen, you can park for free for the first three hours at the parking lot on Koningsweg. From here you can walk straight into the city.
#6 Take a walk through the dunes between Vlissingen and Dishoek
From Vlissingen you can also walk all the way to Dishoek along the coast. A beautiful walking path runs straight through the dunes between these two towns. You always have a great view of the sea and the surrounding area. When you get closer to Vlissingen, you also walk along the Nollebos for a while. This forest is completely different from the meadows and dunes along the rest of the route. Along the way you will find plenty of benches to enjoy the view. Haven't you finished walking yet? Then you can also walk from Dishoek along the coast to Zoutelande.
#7 Go back in time in picturesque Veere
In my opinion, Veere is one of the most beautiful places in the Netherlands. It used to be one of the richest places in the country. Because the city was directly connected to the sea, Veere played an important role in trade. This led to much prosperity and therefore to the construction of several beautiful and grand buildings. The town hall, the church, the city walls and the fifteenth century defense tower are all well preserved. You will also find some Scottish influences in Veere, because this city used to be the official warehouse for Scottish wool. The center of Veere is very compact, making it easy to visit the city in a morning or afternoon. Don't miss this beautiful town when visiting Walcheren.
View all tips for a visit to Veere here.
#8 Taste a real Zeeland bolus
Of course you cannot visit Walcheren without tasting the real Zeeland bolus. This delicacy is made from bread dough rolled in brown sugar and cinnamon. It should be nice and sticky and soggy. I ate the tastiest Zeeland bolus at Bakkerij Koppejan in Koudekerke. This bakery also has a branch in Meliskerke and Westkapelle. If you are really hungry, try a bolus filled with yellow cream. Divine, but very powerful. The only disadvantage of the Zeeland bolus is that you are a bit ruined afterwards and that every other bolus after that tastes a bit mediocre compared to the real Zeeland boluses.
#9 Enjoy the beach in Zoutelande
Until recently I only knew Zoutelande from the BLØF song that was played on the radio until the end of the day. Still, it made me curious about this place and we decided to visit it during our last holiday in Zeeland. I immediately understood the ode to Zoutelande from the men of BLØF. The beach of Zoutelande is beautiful and the village is nicely hidden behind the high dunes. It is best to cross the dunes at the Duinstraatje. Here you will find a Spar just before you go to the beach, where you can stock up on something to drink and snacks. You will also find a dune crossing suitable for wheelchairs or prams here. If you are in Walcheren, you should not miss the famous Zoutelande.
#10 Go sailing on the Veerse Meer
The Veerse Meer is located between the Walcheren peninsula and the island of Noord-Beveland. This brackish water lake, 22 kilometers long, is ideal for water sports. You can enjoy sailing, surfing, canoeing or SUPing there. There is also a cable ski track on the lake so you can go water skiing. Do you like diving? Then visit one of the special diving spots and discover the Veerse Meer underwater. Boat trips on the Veerse Meer are also offered from various places. From Veere, for example, you can take a beautiful boat trip where you can see the most beautiful places on the Veerse Meer in one hour. For more information, visit rondvaartveere.nl.
Spend the night in Walcheren
There is more than enough to do in Walcheren to keep you entertained for a long weekend or longer. There are plenty of nice options to stay overnight. If you like to stay in a holiday home, you can go to holiday parks in Zeeland such as Europarcs, Roompot and Center Parcs. You can find smaller-scale accommodations on Heerlijkehuisjes.nl or Booking.com, for example. Are you looking for a truly special accommodation? For example, spend the night at Auberge de Campveerse Toren in the old fortress tower of Veere or in a real castle at StayOkay Domburg.
In my opinion, the Zeeland peninsula of Walcheren is one of the nicest holiday destinations in the Netherlands. Would you like to read more about the most beautiful places in our own country? View all articles about the Netherlands.