Vlissingen is Zeeland's largest port city, a place of sea heroes, screeching seagulls and centuries of maritime history. You can see, smell, and taste the sea in this city on the Westerschelde, one of the few Dutch places with an English translation. Spaniards, French, Germans, and English alike set foot in Flushing, so strategically located at the mouth of the North Sea.
Flushing is the birthplace of Michiel de Ruyter, Holland's most famous admiral, who is still widely honored in the city. Napoleon built a fortress there and in World War II, the Germans and Allies fought fiercely for Vlissingen during the Battle of the Scheldt. You can soak up that turbulent maritime past everywhere in the city, but the sea still plays an important role today. Nowhere else in Europe do cargo ships sail so close to the coast as here and pilot boats sail back and forth to guide those container giants.
After a day of soaking up the history and maritime culture of Vlissingen, you'll be wanting a cozy place to rest. Why not consider staying in a hotel to make your trip that much more comfortable and memorable?
However, Vlissingen is also a bustling seaside resort, with lovely sandy beaches, the longest promenade in the Netherlands and cosy terraces overlooking the sea. The city has fun attractions for children, modern architecture and an old town centre where surprisingly many 17th-century mansions survived the war bombings. Vlissingen is the perfect destination for a weekend break, but feel free to stay longer if you fancy a beach holiday. Immerse yourself in this nautical idyll: here are 15 tips what to do in Vlissingen!
Longest promenade in the Netherlands
You haven't seen Vlissingen without a walk along its promenade: the longest in the Netherlands! The boulevard stretches for over 2 kilometres along the Westerschelde estuary, from the statue of Michiel de Ruyter in the east to the 'wind organ' at Nolle beach in the west. The wind organ is a sound sculpture of bamboo tubes that blows out different tones driven by the wind.
The promenade is Vlissingen's calling card, but it is not equally beautiful everywhere. On the city centre side, it runs parallel to a lower quay with ugly graffiti on the walls and repulsive flats along the street. Here you can stretch your legs on a stainless steel bench no less than 133 metres long, overlooking passing cargo ships. It is said to be the longest bench in Europe. The promenade gets cosier as you walk towards the beaches, with restaurants and terraces. Fun fact: this is the only boulevard in the Netherlands facing due south.
Zeeland maritime muZEEum
Several centuries-old buildings in Vlissingen's old port house the Zeeuws maritiem muZEEum, one of the largest maritime museums in the Netherlands. Here you can learn all about Zeeland's proud maritime history, from naval battles and misfortunes to victories and special finds unearthed from shipwrecks.
Of course, there is a lot of attention for Michiel de Ruyter, the famous naval hero born in Vlissingen. You can see his briefcase in which he kept important documents, as well as his death shirt, his death mask and the wooden wheel he used to navigate his ships across the sea. Part of the museum is in the Lampsin House, an old city palace from 1641. Here you can take the lift to the observation tower on the fourth floor, for stunning views over the Westerschelde and Vlissingen's rooftops. Address: Nieuwendijk 11, 4381 BV Vlissingen. Website: www.muzeeum.nl
Pirate park Het Arsenaal
Want to do something in Vlissingen with the kids? Take them to Het Arsenaal, is the largest pirate park in the Netherlands with numerous pirate-themed attractions. You can experience the wildest pirate adventures in the ship simulator, get seasick in a pirate ship or scare yourself in a pirate haunted house. You will discover stories about legendary pirates such as Black Bart, the most 'successful' pirate in history who managed to hijack as many as 450 ships between 1719 and 1722.
You will see original pirate accessories, such as the jewellery they wore and the pipes they smoked. Modern piracy also comes along, such as the pirates who hijacked cargo ships off the coast of Somalia for years.
You can take the lift to a 65-metre observation tower for panoramic views over the Westerschelde, Vlissingen and the Walcheren peninsula. There is also a sea aquarium with native and tropical fish, crabs and lobsters, including from the North Sea and the Westerschelde. In a basin swim rays that you can pet. The Arsenal is housed in a former armoury from 1823. Allow around 1 to 1½ hours if you want to see everything at The Arsenal. Address: Arsenaalplein 7, 4381 BL Vlissingen.
Catch some sun on one of the beaches
Vlissingen is not exactly known as a seaside resort, but it is still the ideal place to work on your tan. Vlissingen has no fewer than six beaches, including the only city beach in the province of Zeeland. This is the Badstrand, one of the most popular spots for swimming and sunbathing. This is a beautiful sandy beach 750 metres long and 100 metres wide that you can walk straight to from the promenade.
At the beach pavilions Pier 7 Sand Pavilion(www.pier7.nl) and Brasserie Blvd(www.brasserieblvd.nl) you can go for a cool drink or a hot cup of coffee. Pier 7 gives you a bit of an Ibiza feeling, with palm trees and relaxing music. A little further on is Nolle beach, also one of Vlissingen's favourite beaches. You can eat and drink here at beach pavilion Panta Rhei(www.strandpaviljoenpantarhei.nl).
A special feature of Vlissingen's beaches is that from your towel you can see gigantic container ships sailing past, towards the Westerschelde. This is fun, but this can also cause a tidal wave on the beach. So don't put your towel too close to the surf. At Badstrand and Nollestrand, lifeguards walk around in high season to keep an eye on things. Both beaches also have the Blue Flag, which means they are clean and safe.
Want to do something active in Vlissingen? Then you can walk all the way from the beaches through the dunes to Zoutelande, the 'capital of the Zeeland Riviera'. It's a walk of about 8½ kilometres (2 hours). Of course, you can also take a bike.
Iguana Reptile Zoo
From venomous scorpions to hissing snakes: you'll find it at the Iguana Reptile Zoo. It is a shelter for discarded reptiles, amphibians and arthropods opposite the Bellamypark in Vlissingen, where the animals are fortunately behind glass. This is Europe's largest indoor reptile zoo with more than 500 snakes, lizards, salamanders, scorpions, frogs, turtles, spiders and insects from all over the world.
The venomous Emperor scorpion is the smallest (5 centimetres), the Net python is the largest at over 7 metres. There is also a baby room where eggs are hatched. The reptiles can be seen in four buildings surrounding a subtropical conservatory. The zoo is open every day until 5pm and adult admission is €9.50. Address: Bellamypark 31-37, 4381 CH Vlissingen. Website: www.iguana.nl
Take a ride on the Zonnetrein
Tired from a day wandering around Vlissingen? Take a ride with the Zonnetrein Zeeland where you tour through the centre of Vlissingen in a relaxed manner. The tourist tour lasts an hour and takes you past all the city's highlights, such as the boulevard, the old market and pirate park Het Arsenaal. You can hop on and off wherever you like.
By the way, you can also use a shuttle service from the station to the centre of Vlissingen. In any case, it is an eco-friendly way to explore Vlissingen, as the Zonnetrein is a modern solar train powered by solar energy and barely makes any noise. Address: Oude Markt 45, 4381 ER Vlissingen. Website: www.zonnetreinzeeland.nl
The corridors of the Casemates
If you want to do something exciting in Vlissingen, dive into the ghostly corridors and vaults of the Kazematten. This is a military structure near the waterfront that was built in 1811 by order of Napoleon to protect Vlissingen from enemy fire. There are holes in the walls through which soldiers could fire.
They were part of the Keizersbolwerk, a fortress built as early as the 16th century for its strategic location. The Casemates were last used in World War II. Now you can see the soldiers' sleeping quarters, the room where weapons were stored and the old garrison bakery, where 4,800 loaves of bread were baked every 24 hours. The Kazemats are managed by the muZEEum and can be visited Thursday to Sunday from 1pm to 5pm. Address: Nieuwendijk 11, 4381 BV Vlissingen. Website: www.muzeeum.nl
Museum ship Mercuur
Would you like to see the inside of a real naval ship? Step on board Museum Ship Mercuur, a former naval vessel from the 1950s. It came from America as an ocean minesweeper in 1954 as the Hr. Ms. Unverschrokken. The minesweeper was built of wood to avoid any danger when clearing magnetic mines in the sea. In 1972, it was converted into a torpedo warship to assist Dutch submarines. Until 1987, it was in use by the navy as the Hr Mr Mercuur.
Now you can see on board how mines were defused and how the ship could fire torpedoes. See the commander's cabin, the officers' cabins and crew sleeping quarters, the command centre, the radio shack and the engine room. You can see the naval ship lying in the Dokhaven in the centre of Flushing. It is located next to Perry's Dock, Europe's oldest dry dock dating back to 1704. Address: Houtkade, 4381 HA Vlissingen. Website: www.museumschip-mercuur.nl
Admire the Oranjemolen
Vlissingen once had 23 windmills, but the Oranjemolen is the only one left. It is a corn mill from 1699 just a few metres from the waterfront. It is therefore the mill closest to the sea in the Netherlands. Due to its location near the sea, the mill was regularly in the middle of a line of fire, so it is actually a miracle that it is still there.
For instance, the Oranjemolen was damaged in late 1944 during the Battle of the Scheldt, a major Allied offensive to gain access to the port of Antwerp. You can visit the mill free of charge for an exhibition on World War II. Address: Oranjedijk 9, 4381 AV Vlissingen.
St James' Church
On the Oude Markt in Vlissingen's historic city centre, you can walk around the Sint Jacobskerk, one of the oldest monuments in the city. The Protestant church was consecrated in 1572, but the oldest parts may date back to the early 14th century. A major fire in 1911 largely destroyed the church, but it was then rebuilt brick by brick.
The story goes that as a 10-year-old boy, Michiel de Ruyter secretly climbed the church tower. What is certain is that the famous naval hero was baptised and married in St James' Church. The church is still used for Protestant services, but also regularly hosts concerts (check the agenda). Opposite the church is the Sintjacobs Café(www.sintjacobscafe.nl), a pleasant coffee, tea and wine bar with a terrace where you can have lunch and drinks. Address: Oude Markt 2, 4381 HK Vlissingen. Website: www.sintjacobskerk.nl
Film festival Film by the Sea
Film lovers should keep a space free in their diaries for a trip to Vlissingen in September. Since 1999, the port city has then been the scene of Film by the Sea, a major international film festival with some attention to literature as well. For ten days, you will be immersed in the best that film and books have to offer. More than 120 films and documentaries will be screened from around the world, both well-known and unknown.
There is also a programme of events with lectures, talk shows, lectures and concerts. The main venue is CineCity, an eight-screen cinema. In addition, there are screenings at a few other venues, such as the drive-in cinema in the Machinefabriek. For the full programme, visit the website: www.filmbythesea.nl
Take a seal safari
You wouldn't expect it with all that maritime activity, but the waters around Vlissingen are home to the largest seal population in the entire Westerschelde. Porpoises and dolphins also swim by regularly. You won't see them from the promenade, but during a seal safari there is a chance of seeing animals. In Vlissingen's Binnenhaven, you can board a tour boat that takes you to sandbanks where seals are resting. You also sail between the large coasters. Rederij Dijkhuizen operates round trips in July and August. Website: www.rederij-dijkhuizen.nl
Second World War in Vlissingen
The Second World War clearly left its scars in Vlissingen. Of all the cities in the Netherlands, Vlissingen was bombed the most. At the end of the war, no less than one house was undamaged. Many historical buildings were later renovated, but the centre is still a mishmash of new and old houses.
During the Battle of the Scheldt in November 1944, Allied troops landed in Vlissingen to liberate the city and the rest of Zeeland. The stretch of beach where they landed was called Uncle Beach. This area along the coast around the Oranjemolen is all about the war years in Vlissingen. You will see the Uncle Beach Monument in memory of fallen soldiers and a monument to the Jewish inhabitants of Vlissingen who perished in German concentration camps.
Also take a stroll through the Kerkstraat in the old centre of Vlissingen. This is where filming took place for the 2020 film Slag om de Schelde. The street was decorated in the style of 1944. The bakery shop on the corner remains as a prop, with 'Elec. Bakery' on the window.
Check out the crooked flats
Do you like modern architecture? Then take a walk past the five leaning residential towers in Gravestraat, known as the Dancing Floating Boxes (because they seem to float in the water like packages). The five flat blocks are all slanted and the windows are also crooked in them. Only the floor is vertical of the towers, which are all a different colour. Most striking is the 10-storey grey tower on the corner, which is the most out of plumb. The flats with 45 flats were built in 2015 to revitalise the neighbourhood. You'll find them near The Arsenal.
Fort Rammekens
If you want to do something outside Vlissingen, you can take a trip to Fort Rammekens. This is the oldest sea fort in Western Europe, built in 1547. The fort was built to guard the shipping route to the important trading town of Middelburg. Like Vlissingen itself, the fort played an important role in Zeeland's maritime history.
In the VOC era, sailors were nursed there, in the French era Napoleon interfered and in World War II the fort became part of the German defence line, the Atlantic Wall. Wander around former powder rooms and enjoy the beautiful view of the Westerschelde. Fort Rammekens is located in the hamlet of Ritthem, eight kilometres east of Vlissingen. Address: Rammekensweg, 4389 TZ Ritthem. Website: www.fortrammekens.nl
What to do in Vlissingen: practical tips
Staying in Vlissingen
To stay in Vlissingen, you can go to various hotels, flats, bed & breakfasts and holiday homes. In summer, some beach houses can be rented on the beaches. For the summer months and during the film festival, it is advisable to book early. For views over the Westerschelde estuary, it is best to choose a hotel on the promenade, but good accommodation can also be found in the centre of Vlissingen. Keep in mind that screaming seagulls can keep you awake early in the morning, so bring earplugs just in case.
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A special place to stay is the Gevangentoren Suite, in a prime location at the beginning of the promenade. It is located at the top of the 17th century Gevangentoren were the scum of Vlissingen used to be held. It is a super romantic spot where you can peer endlessly through four surrounding windows at passing ships and people on the promenade. Weather permitting, you can see the skyline of Middelburg, Terneuzen and even Knokke. The suite has a double bed, a private bathroom and a sitting area where you can relax. You reach the suite via an 80-step staircase. This is the place to be if you are a romantic couple with something to celebrate in Vlissingen. ► Book a night in the Gevangentoren Suite from € 359
The Amadore Hotel, a 4-star hotel on the promenade and close to the beach. You can stay here in spacious hotel rooms with sea or city views. The hotel has several terraces where you can sit sheltered outside, a brasserie and an Asian restaurant. In the old town of Vlissingen HOTELdeBEAUTEL is highly recommended, a small charming boutique hotel with five rooms all decorated in their own style. You get breakfast in a picnic basket in the morning and there is a rooftop terrace. The hotel is part of Brasserie Jong, which also rents out three holiday flats.
Prefer to stay in a holiday park? Close to the two most popular beaches is LARGO Noordzee Resort Vlissingenwhere you can stay in a villa, dune lodge or beach house. The beach houses are located directly by the sea! That means falling asleep and waking up to the sound of breaking waves. The holiday park also has a sandwich service, bicycle rental and a playground. ► Book your stay at LARGO Noordzee Resort Vlissingen here.
Eating and drinking in Vlissingen
The promenade is lined with numerous restaurants, cafés and outdoor cafés, with views of the sea-going vessels that sail close to the coast. There are several beach bars on the beaches (read more under the heading 'beach' above). In the city centre, Bellamypark is the most popular nightlife area, a square with many restaurants, bars and terraces. There is also plenty of choice around the Vissershaven and in the streets around the Sint Jacobskerk. A local delicacy is Zeeland mussels, which can be found on countless restaurant menus.
On the promenade, you can reserve a table at Restaurant De Gevangentoren(www.restaurantdegevangentoren.nl), where you can enjoy stunning views of the Westerschelde and the container giants sailing by from the terrace. On a clear day, you can even see the skyline of the Belgian seaside resort Knokke. The restaurant is in a 16th-century tower that served as Vlissingen's city prison in the 17th century. You can go there for lunch and dinner, with tastings and wine pairings also on the menu.
On the Vissershaven next to the muZEEum you will find two good addresses. De Gecroonde Liefde(www.degecroondeliefde.nl), named after a ship on which Michiel de Ruyter sailed, is a great place for lunch or coffee and cake. At weekends, you can also go for dinner (reservations are recommended). Next door is Brasserie Jong(www.brasserie-jong.nl), a wine and cocktail bar with tasty snacks and tastings. For breakfast, CityBeanz(www.citybeanz.nl) is a relaxed place with friendly staff, open daily from 08.00.
Travelling to Vlissingen
Vlissingen is located on the Walcheren peninsula in the south-west of the province of Zeeland, at the mouth of the Westerschelde estuary. The city is easy to reach, both by car and public transport. By car, you can reach Vlissingen via the A58 motorway, which crosses all of Walcheren from Roosendaal in North Brabant. You can also reach Vlissingen from the north via the main N57 motorway, via the Brouwersdam and Oosterscheldekering. From Amsterdam, it is about 2 to 2½ hours' drive.
In the city centre and along the promenade, there are several car parks where you can pay to park. There are also two covered car parks in the city centre, De Fonteyne(www.defonteyne.nl) and Scheldeplein(www.mobilitybooker.com). Parking here is cheaper than on the street.
Vlissingen is also easy to reach by train. From Amsterdam CS, a direct NS intercity train takes about 3 hours. Bus company Connexxion(www.connexxion.nl) provides regional bus services from other places in Zeeland to Vlissingen.