Content Overview
Situated within a gap amidst towering dunes on the western coast of Walcheren, Zoutelande is a charming village, renowned as part of the Zeeland Riviera.
The Blue Flag beach at Zoutelande is positioned at a notable bend in Walcheren’s coastline, oriented southward and thus enjoying more sunshine hours than any other location in the Netherlands.
In the early 20th century, Zoutelande’s picturesque light and coastal vistas attracted the attention of artists such as Piet Mondrian and Jan Toorop, both of whom created works inspired by the scenery surrounding the village.
The dunes flanking Zoutelande are substantial, and until recently housed the tallest dune in the Netherlands, reaching 54 metres, complete with a lookout tower and a wartime bunker.
1. Strand Zoutelande
Stretching five kilometres, Zoutelande’s expansive sandy beach extends elegantly in both directions.
To reach the beach from the village, one must ascend the dike, whereupon the scale of the beach becomes strikingly apparent, along with unobstructed views of the dunes flanking Zoutelande on either side.
This beach is unique in being the only south-facing beach on Walcheren, contributing to its reputation as the Zeeland Riviera.
Having received a Blue Flag designation every year since the early 1990s, it was recognized as the “Schoonste Strand van Nederland” (Cleanest Beach in the Netherlands) in both 2003 and 2004.
The North Sea breeze can provide a refreshing contrast on a warm day, particularly enjoyed by kite enthusiasts.
For those seeking relaxation, numerous beach pavilions, such as De Strandzot, De Branding, Neptunus, and De Zeeuwse Riviera, offer inviting terraces for lunch, dinner, or casual drinks.
2. Langstraat
Nearly all of Zoutelande’s amenities and dining establishments are concentrated along this vibrant pedestrian street located behind the dike.
Langstraat hosts a lively weekly market each summer, which transforms into a shopping event for four weeks during peak season.
As you traverse Langstraat, you will encounter numerous café and restaurant terraces, optimally oriented south to enjoy sunlight, alongside ice cream parlours, fashion boutiques, and a supermarket.
Approximately midway along the street, visitors will find the base of the dike, providing access to Zoutelande’s pristine beach via a flight of steps.
3. Bunker Museum
During the Second World War, Zoutelande was part of a continental coastal defense network constructed by the Germans, known as the Atlantikwall.
This extensive array of bunkers, command posts, and tank barriers extended from Norway down to the French-Spanish border.
Within Zoutelande, two bunkers from the Stützpunkt Lohengrin complex, built around 1942, have been restored and reopened to the public.
The first structure served as a bomb-proof shelter for 20 individuals, featuring walls and a roof that are two metres thick.
The second bunker functioned as an artillery observation post situated on one of the tallest dunes in the Netherlands.
This facility includes a steel cupola equipped with a periscope for monitoring sea activity; in the event of an invasion, coordinates would be calculated in a dedicated room and communicated via radio or telephone.
The bunker museum provides guided tours through both facilities and operates on Sundays throughout the summer months.
4. Duintop
The highest elevation on Walcheren is also situated within Zoutelande’s dunes, accessible by a picturesque pathway meandering through the area’s flora.
This location, known as the Duintop, rises to 54 metres above sea level, offering splendid views of the beach, North Sea, and Walcheren’s countryside, deserving of at least a brief visit.
On a clear day, ten distinct church towers can be spotted from this observation point.
Although it once held the title of the tallest dune in the Netherlands, it ceded that distinction in 2014 when a dune in Schoorl, North Holland, was measured at 55.5 metres.
5. Cycling
The island of Walcheren features an extensive network of safe, paved cycling paths totaling over 140 kilometres.
This is remarkable considering that the island spans a mere 15 kilometres in both width and length.
Departing from Zoutelande, cyclists can reach the historically significant city of Middelburg, formerly a hub for the Dutch East India Company, in just thirty minutes.
The next Blue Flag beach is a mere 15-minute ride away at West Kapelle, with opportunities to navigate through stunning dune landscapes.
Additionally, Walcheren’s countryside is cherished for its historic estates, established by affluent families from Middelburg, and is noted for its unique oak and beech woodlands in close proximity to the seashore.
As a tourist-friendly destination, Zoutelande offers several bicycle rental companies, including Fietsverhuur Wim Koppejan located on Duinweg and De Vriewieler on Timmermanstraat.
6. Catharinakerk
Zoutelande’s Protestant church is recognized as a Dutch heritage site (Rijksmonument) and has endured various challenges throughout its long history.
During the Eighty Years’ War in 1573, the choir and north aisle were destroyed, and during the final months of the Second World War, services ceased following a bombardment on November 2, 1944. The exterior of the church displays clues to its extensive past, particularly visible on the tower, which features early Gothic elements from the 13th century, including blind arches and slender window openings.
A notable aspect of the tower is its greater size, as the lower sections were obscured by a Medieval sand drift.
Piet Mondrian also created a painting of the Catharinakerk during his visit to Zoutelande in 1909.
7. Zoutelandse Molen
On the northern edge of the village stands an elegant smock mill, constructed in 1722 and commissioned by the city of Vlissingen.
From 1801 until 1970, four generations of the same family operated the Zoutelandse Molen, which utilized millstones dating back to the 1500s, later replaced with 17th-century stones sourced from Westkapelle.
As a general guideline, if the sails are turning on a Saturday, the mill is open for visitors, and a volunteer miller will be present to welcome guests.
8. Speelboerderij Mariekerke
This dairy farm and petting zoo located in Zoutelande’s picturesque hinterland charges a modest fee of €3.00 per person.
For families traveling with children, such a location can be immensely beneficial, providing ample activities at the Speelboerderij Mariekerke for several hours of enjoyment.
Children can interact with and care for large rabbits and dwarf goats, while lambs and baby rabbits are born each spring.
Additionally, there are gentle Highland cows to feed, as well as various breeds of chickens, geese, and ducks.
Alongside the petting zoo, visitors will find a playground, maize maze, play barn, a hayloft complete with a slide, a large trampoline, and a garden for flower picking in spring and early summer.
9. Lichtopstand Zoutelande
A small yet intriguing structure in the dunes is the lighthouse, constructed around 1951. The Lichtopstand Zoutelande is part of a series of lights on Walcheren’s western coast, designed to guide ships navigating the narrow but deep Oostgat channel at the entrance to the Western Scheldt estuary.
The brick tower stands at a height of 12.8 metres and features a conical roof, while the automatic white beacon has a range of 12 nautical miles.
10. Toeristenmarkt Zoutelande
For four weeks during the peak season in July and August, an extensive market operates from 10:00 to 21:00 on Tuesdays along Langstraat and on the Willibrordusplein in front of the Catharinakerk.
The first market takes place in mid-July, featuring various useful items for the beach, including towels, buckets, spades, inflatables, and books.
Visitors can also browse through a selection of postcards, jewelry, clothing, regional delicacies, and freshly prepared treats such as waffles and pancakes.
Outside of these weeks, a weekly market is held from May to September at the same location on Tuesdays; however, it features fewer stalls and operates from 12:00 to 19:00.
11. Kustmarathon
At the outset of October, the Willibrordusplein becomes the finish line for the most picturesque and challenging marathon in the Netherlands.
Starting from Burgh-Haamstede on the island of Schouwen-Duiveland to the north, the Kustmarathon leads runners along a windswept coastal route, traversing dikes and dunes before concluding by the Catharinakerk.
The main race commences at 12:00 on Saturday, yet a diverse schedule of smaller events also takes place, including an illuminated run from nearby Domburg to Zoutelande on Friday night, a mini marathon, 5 and 10 km races for women, an MTB race, and a walking marathon on Sunday.
