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Discover the most beautiful spots in Zeeland

Cycling and walking with an experienced guide

Discover Zeeland’s hidden gems

Leave the beaten track, accompanied by an experienced guide

Zeeland, a province of nature and culture. Where the people of Zeeland have cultivated a culture amidst the natural elements for centuries. At a pace that’s truly relaxing, it offers an environment where you can enjoy peace and quiet. Unpretentious yet full of character, the region presents itself naturally with beaches on the North Sea coast and the Western and Eastern Scheldt estuaries. Water sports on the Veerse Meer, Grevelingenmeer, and the Oesterdam, and of course, the famous Delta Works.

Among all that attracts people to a coastal province, authentic Zeeland life is a welcome change from the hectic pace of life for many tourists.

Many people have already discovered the tourist side of Zeeland on a coastal trip with the wind in their hair and the sun on their heads, on the Vlissingen boulevard, a ‘cycling tour of Walcheren‘ or a natural walk through the unique nature reserve of the Kop van Schouwen.

But Zeeland is home to so many more gems. From the southwesternmost coastal village of Retranchement in the Netherlands to the historic town of Tholen. From the southern, Burgundian fortified town of Hulst to the characteristic streets and gates of Zierikzee. Or within the larger gems like Middelburg, Goes, Terneuzen, and Vlissingen, many more gems can be found off the beaten track with the right guide.

This spring in the spotlight: Middelburg

City Bike Tour Middelburg – Discover Zeeland’s capital by bike

Beleef Zeeland - City Bike Tour Middelburg

Middelburg, a city of many faces

A stronghold with waterways, harbors, and quays

Middelburg boasts a wealth of sights scattered throughout its historic city. A pleasant bike tour takes us past the various quays, locks, and marina, well-preserved since the heyday of the Dutch East India Company (VOC), when ships were built in Middelburg and many goods were transported there.

It’s therefore no surprise that Middelburg boasts 1,200 protected monuments, most of which have been beautifully restored or maintained. During the bike tour, we’ll pass the imposing Abbey complex, with the 90.5-meter-high Lange Jan (Long John) as Middelburg’s landmark.

Like a true local, you’ll cycle through the authentic streets and alleys and see the round Oostkerk (East Church), the late-Gothic town hall, the Kuiperspoort (Kuipers Gate), and many other striking gems that tourists sometimes miss.

This bike tour guarantees a relaxing and enjoyable activity during your holiday, city break, family weekend, or company outing.

A truly fascinating journey

Accessible to everyone

With an experienced guide, you’ll have a fun morning or afternoon for any occasion. While conviviality is paramount, over the approximately 7 kilometers you’ll cycle, you’ll hear a lot about the origins of buildings, streets, alleys, quays, and canals. From the Walburg, to the Dutch East India Company, to the Second World War, you’ll discover the traces and hear the metaphors that still bear witness to them.

For €30 per person, you can ride through the city like a local. Halfway through, we’ll take a break at a scenic spot and enjoy a small snack. If you’d like to use one of the second-hand city bikes, you can do so for €5, but of course, you’re also welcome to use one of the numerous bike rental locations in Middelburg. The tour covers a short distance, but if you prefer to rent an e-bike, we recommend booking in advance.

The tour departs every Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday at 9:30 AM and 2:30 PM and lasts approximately 2.5 hours. You’ll join a group of up to 12 people, but an average of 8. If you’d prefer to join with your own group, family, friends, or colleagues, we can arrange group activities in consultation.

You can register here.

DISCOVER MIDDELBURG BY BIKE (Tour 2h30min)

More information and registration

The story of Zeeland

Where history, culture and water converge

Whimsical origin story

Zeeland has a turbulent history, with all the islands in the Delta forming at the mouths of the Meuse and Scheldt rivers. For 15,000 years, people in Zeeland have adapted to the natural elements. Sometimes dry, sometimes storm surges, sometimes cold, but ultimately (fortunately) the mild maritime climate of today. Despite their reverence for “the water,” the people of Zeeland are not fazed by a little wind.

External Influences

Various foreign peoples have had their influence on both the land and the waters. The Romans conquered Zeeland around the turn of the century and established trading settlements in present-day Domburg and Colijnsplaat, as well as a fort in Aardenburg. About nine centuries later, the Vikings briefly occupied Zeeland, leading to the establishment of several “burgen” (towns) after their departure: Burgh, Domburg, Middelburg, Souburg, and Oostburg. At the behest of various Flemish abbeys that ruled the region until the Golden Age, several islands were drained, giving impetus to their final shape.

Influence of Big Money

In the 16th century, Zeeland was an economically flourishing region, and Middelburg became one of the four largest cities in the Netherlands, with the second-largest port, hosting the Dutch East India Company (VOC) and the Dutch West India Company (WIC). Vlissingen and Zierikzee were also important economic centers, a fact still clearly evident in Zierikzee and Middelburg, particularly in the many (well-preserved) monumental buildings.

Under the influence of Napoleon’s rule, this flourishing period ended, and the islands reverted to agriculture, which had been the main source of income for thousands of years on the higher peatlands, and livestock farming on the lower polders, alongside fishing.

The Influence of Water

The fact that we can now enjoy all that the water has to offer is thanks to the struggle against the many storm surges that shaped Zeeland’s existence. However, this was sometimes also caused by human activities. During the Walcheren flooding, the German Atlantic Wall was breached by bombing the dikes near Westkapelle and other locations, driving the German army out of Zeeland. However, Walcheren remained underwater until mid-1946, with all the ensuing negative consequences.

However, thanks to restoration work and raised dikes, Walcheren remained protected from the terrible 1953 flood disaster, which claimed many lives in large parts of Zeeland, West Brabant, and South Holland. Through collective efforts, Zeeland was shielded from the harsh forces of the North Sea by the world-famous Delta Works. They are a tourist attraction and a subject of study for many water-rich countries.

Overnight stay in Middelburg, the heart of Zeeland

B&B De Zilveren Reiger – A historic building in Middelburg’s most beautiful alleyway