Zeeuws-Vlaanderen, Zeeland: 7 places to visit »

Located in the Netherlands, at the border with Belgium and in the province of Zeeland, you can find the region of Zeeuws-Vlaanderen. A region with beautiful beaches, historical towns and vast polders. And a perfect getaway in the Netherlands. In this post I’d like to share with you five places to visit when travelling to Zeeuws-Vlaanderen.

About Zeeuws-Vlaanderen

Zeeuws-Vlaanderen is the most southern region of the Dutch province Zeeland. The regions in Zeeland consist out of north- and south-Beveland, Schouwen-Duiveland, Tholen & St. Philipsland, Walcheren and Zeeuws-Vlaanderen.

Zeeuws-Vlaanderen is the perfect destination for beach and nature lovers. There’re also some beautiful areas where you can have a nice walk or bike trip. As the region is located at the border of Belgium, it has a Burgundian atmosphere. Zeeuws-Vlaanderen offers magnificent beaches, dunes and vast polders.

7 places to visit

Below I’ll share my favorite places in Zeeuws-Vlaanderen, which are definitely worth a visit.

Hulst

Hulst is a fortified city with a diversity of history, shops and cozy eateries. In the past, Hulst was an important fortress and harbour town. You can still see this in the town walls and the gates which lead you to the center of Hulst. These town walls are perfect for a beautiful walk, during which you come along the city mill. The city hall and H. Willibrordus Basilica are also sights which are worth a visit.

Would you like to read more about Hulst? I’ve written a guide to this town, which you can find by clicking here.

Sluis

This place probably is my favorite town of Zeeuws-Vlaanderen. It’s a very lively town, rich of shops & eateries, but also of history. It’s a perfect place to stroll around, explore some history, go for some shopping and take place on one of the terraces for a nice drink or something to eat. Sluis also has (just as Hulst) city walls which are perfect for a beautiful walk.

During my trip in Zeeuws-Vlaanderen, I hiked a 16,5 kilometers route which started in Sluis, went to Retranchement and then back to Sluis. Would you like to read more about this day hike? You can find all information back here.

Verdronken Zwarte Polder

Nature reserve the “Verdronken Zwarte Polder” literally means “drowned black polder”. It thanks its name as a result of a situation which has happened in the past: the Black Polder was built in 1623, but in 1802 it flooded, or ‘it drowned’.

Nowadays, it’s a beautiful nature reserve with beach, dune and thicket. The Verdronken Zwarte Polder is the habitat of many bird- and plant species. It’s nice to have a short walk here or to pay a visit to the beach.

Breskens

The charming harbor town Breskens has its own fishing port, a marina with 850 moorings, many beach pavilions, a variety of shops, and fantastic terraces. In addition to the beach and the sea, there is plenty to see and to do in Breskens and its surrounding area. Since the 20th century the fishing industry has declined, but its memory lives on in a fishery museum in the harbour. The town is well known for the Visserijfeesten (Fishery Festival), the largest festival in Zeeland and is the perfect place to enjoy a beautiful view of the sea as you stroll along the beach.

Would you like to read more about this harbor town? You can find an extensive guide to this town by clicking here. Furthermore, I’ve written a post about my favorite restaurants in Breskens.

Het Zwin

Het Zwin is a nature reserve which is located partly in the Netherlands and partly in Belgium. It’s a beautiful nature reserve where you can have some lovely walks. Absolutely a recommendation and definitely a good combination with a visit to Belgium.

Retranchement

Just as Sluis and Hulst, the town of Retranchement also has city walls on which it’s nice to have a long walk. Although the town is a lot smaller compared to Sluis, it’s still absolutely worth a visit. Retranchement and its surroundings has some beautiful nature and viewing points you’ll get during your walk over the city walls. The town itself isn’t that big. There’s, for example, only one restaurant.

Groese Polders

Are you a fan of nature? If yes, than the Groese Polders is the place to be. It’s a beautiful nature reserve where you can have a nice walk or where you can go biking. On your way, you can come across a diversity of animals, like sheep, horses and cows.

The visit to the Groese Polders can be combined with a visit to Groede Podium, which is a former World War II military site turned into a woodland recreation area. Here you can check out the bunkers and call in at the visitor center, while there’s a hands-on playground and a farm park for children.

During my time in Zeeland, I went for a coastal route which included most of the places above. Would you like to read more? Click here!

There’s enough to see and do in the region during your trip to Zeeuws-Vlaanderen. It’s a beautiful region with something for everyone. If you have more than enough time, of course you can also pay a visit to some other places in other regions of Zeeland, like Vlissingen, Zierikzee and Veere.

Author: Tamara