Summary
The resort town of Oostkapelle is situated along the serene northwest coast of Walcheren, which transitioned from an island to a peninsula following the construction of the Oosterscheldekering dam in 1986. The capital of Zeeland, Middelburg, lies just ten kilometers to the south, and during the 17th and 18th centuries, affluent citizens from this capital established country estates along the coast in Oostkapelle.
The remnants of these estates can be observed in De Manteling, now a designated nature reserve.
Oostkapelle’s unspoiled Blue Flag beach, which can be accessed via a pathway through the dunes, is exceptional even by Walcheren’s high standards.
1. Oostkapelle Beach
To illustrate the quality of the beach at Oostkapelle, this resort has been awarded the “Cleanest Beach in the Netherlands” accolade four times over the past 15 years.
The most recent recognition occurred in 2017, alongside annual Blue Flag and Quality Coast designations.
It is safe to conclude that Oostkapelle Beach is immaculate, both on the expansive sandy stretch and in the sea.
One notable advantage of a small, tranquil resort like Oostkapelle is the absence of intrusive developments along the dunes; only beach pavilions such as Berkenbosch, Lage Duintjes, Zeecafe, and De Piraat exist, providing lunch options and relief from the occasionally gusty winds.
You may choose to relax on these sheltered sun terraces and witness the mesmerizing sunsets.
2. Terra Maris
The 18th-century orangery of Kasteel Westhove serves as a delightful venue for a museum dedicated to the province of Zeeland’s nature and landscape.
This location, positioned at the edge of the dunes, is merely a few hundred meters from the North Sea.
The physical history of Zeeland is a captivating subject, particularly in a region where extensive areas have been reclaimed from the North Sea, and where the monumental Delta Works projects in the 20th century helped secure the Netherlands against catastrophic floods.
Some exhibitions focus on Zeeland’s approximately 100 villages that have succumbed to the sea, enriched with artifacts retrieved from these underwater sites.
Models depict 11th-century farms, as well as the dikes constructed in the 1600s, while an aquarium provides insight into the marine life surrounding Zeeland.
Outdoors, a 2.5-hectare landscaped garden showcases the diverse habitats of the region.
3. Kasteel Westhove
Located halfway to the neighboring Domburg, Kasteel Westhove is a moated Medieval castle that can be viewed externally.
The origins of this stronghold are somewhat ambiguous, but historically, it was governed by Middelburg Abbey, which held considerable regional influence during the Medieval period.
Notable figures, including Philip I of Castile (1478-1506) and his family, have passed through these doors. The castle sustained significant damage during the Eighty Years’ War later in the century, leading to the establishment of new estates on its grounds.
Presently, a youth hostel operates within the castle, and the outbuildings, including the orangery housing Terra Maris, were reconstructed in the 18th century.
4. Molen D’Arke
As you enter Oostkapelle via the Noordweg, you may overlook this windmill concealed behind the residential properties.
Molen D’Arke is a tower mill established in 1858 to replace an older post mill while reusing some components from that earlier structure.
This windmill has remained within the same family since 1950 and was restored to operational status in 2007. Two of the original three pairs of stones are still functional, and during summer, you have the opportunity to visit on Fridays and Saturdays to purchase bags of organic flour milled at this historic monument.
If you are curious about the mill’s mechanics, the miller will gladly provide a brief guided tour.
5. De Manteling
From Kasteel Westhove and Terra Maris, you can venture into a stunning 740-hectare nature reserve, shaped by human intervention over centuries.
Beyond the dunes, the reserve encompasses historic estates established by the elite of Middelburg during the 17th and 18th centuries.
Among the remnants from this period are grand avenues and herds of fallow deer.
You may find it intriguing that many of the flowering plants, including daffodils, snowdrops, rhododendrons, primrose, and wood anemones, are not indigenous and were brought in by the estates.
A variety of woodpecker and songbird species breed in De Manteling, creating a constant chorus during the summer months.
6. Oranjezon
Opportunities for walking are abundant in Oostkapelle, as to the east of the town lies another serene natural area.
Comprising a coastal section and its surrounding land, Oranjezon offers a rich diversity, including beaches, towering dunes, scrubland, and forest.
You may encounter herds of wild Konik horses that graze on the dune grasslands, promoting a wider variety of plant species.
Amidst the meadows and rising dunes, dense hawthorn and blackberry thickets provide habitat for numerous breeding bird species.
During autumn, Oranjezon is a stopover for migratory birds, increasing the variety of species observed each year to 130. Visitors can enjoy the area during daylight hours while adhering to designated trails to preserve this important environment.
7. Willibrordkerk
The hallmark of this church located on Waterstraat is its tower, erected at the conclusion of the 14th century.
This structure withstood the Siege of Middelburg (1572-74) during the Eighty Years’ War, which resulted in the destruction of the remainder of the church, along with subsequent reconstructions in the 1820s.
In the summer months, visitors can ascend the stairs to the top for a nominal fee, allowing them to view the two bells—one of which was cast in 1620. Inside, you will find a wooden pulpit crafted in 1650, along with sculptures of angels, including St. David playing a harp, which once adorned an 18th-century organ case.
8. Cycling
Even within this tranquil corner of Walcheren, a comprehensive network of cycling paths connects you to the remainder of the peninsula.
You can utilize knooppunten (nodes) at the intersections of the paths to explore all that the peninsula has to offer.
At just a half-hour distance, Middelburg, along with its rich Dutch East India Company heritage, is readily accessible.
Locally designated routes, such as Fietsroute in en om Veere and Fietsroute Oostkapelle en Kamperland, meander through the dunes in the Veere area or lead you to the impressive Oosterscheldekering storm surge barrier in Kamperland.
This tourist-friendly area features a couple of rental shops, Robbert Boogaard Tweewielers and Bicycle Rental Festina Lente, so there is no need to worry if you do not have a bicycle.
9. Domburg
The subsequent resort along the coast is merely a ten-minute drive away and, much like Oostkapelle, began attracting vacationers in the 17th and 18th centuries.
During the 1880s, physician Johann Georg Mezger played a pivotal role in placing Domburg on the maps of Europe’s nobility, welcoming aristocrats and magnates seeking restorative treatments.
A remnant of this era is the magnificent neo-Renaissance Badpaviljoen (bathing pavilion), constructed between 1888-89 and currently housing apartments.
Domburg boasts another splendid beach along with several historic monuments in its center, including a Baroque former town hall dating back to 1667. It also offers additional amenities, such as a swimming pool, a highly-rated golf course (Domburgsche Golf Club), and a surf school, all within close proximity to Oostkapelle.
10. Toeristenmarkt
Every Thursday, a market is held in the center of Oostkapelle, catering to the seasonal influx of tourists during the summer months.
This market operates from 10:00 to 19:00 and offers a variety of products.
You will find beach-related items such as books, toys, and towels, as well as clothing, postcards, perfumes, nuts, candies, jewelry, leather goods, and ready-made snacks and meals including freshly cut sandwiches, stroopwafels (caramel pancakes), and poffertjes (mini-pancakes).
