Westkapelle, a quiet and sunny dyke village on the North Sea

Picture this: you are standing on the broad sea dike, the wind in your hair, and before you the North Sea stretches all the way to the horizon. Behind you lies Westkapelle, the westernmost village of Walcheren, with white cottages, two lighthouses and a history that stays with you.

• Sheltered behind an impressive dike: where almost the entire Dutch coast is protected by a belt of dunes, that belt is missing here. Instead, the five-kilometre Westkapelle sea dike holds back the sea, one of the most impressive coastal defences in the country.
• Not your average seaside resort: there are no busy promenades or tourist crowds here, but rugged nature, fresh sea air and plenty of space. That is precisely what makes Westkapelle so special.
• A village with two lighthouses: the striking 't Hoge Licht (53 metres, the tallest lighthouse in the Netherlands) and the photogenic red Noorderhoofd together define the skyline, a rarity for such a small place.
• A rich wartime history: Westkapelle bears the marks of 1944, when the village played a key role in the liberation of Walcheren. That history is still tangible at the monuments and in the Polderhuis.
• A proud community and Zeeland flavours: the locals cherish their traditions, such as the characteristic sport of ring riding, and you can taste the real Zeeland on your plate with fresh mussels, samphire and a sweet bolus.
• Something for every visitor: whether you want to clear your head on the beach, are fascinated by the Second World War, come to surf or simply enjoy the peace and quiet, Westkapelle has it all.
• Explore: read more about nature and landscape, activities, the history and day trips.
• Eat and sleep: see food and drink and staying in Westkapelle.

Nature and landscape around Westkapelle

The nature around Westkapelle is truly special. The village lies on the westernmost tip of the Walcheren peninsula, surrounded by beaches, dunes, polders and woods. This creates a variety of landscapes that you will not find so compactly anywhere else in the Netherlands.

• The beach of Westkapelle: Westkapelle has several beaches.
  • On the north side of the village is 't Gat beach, a small, cosy beach that you reach by crossing the sea dyke from the village centre.
  • Would you rather take a long beach walk? Then head south towards Zoutelande, along the expansive Erica beach. This is a wide and relatively quiet beach with lively surf and beautiful views across the North Sea.
  • The total beach area around Westkapelle is almost five kilometres long. Even in high season, you will find plenty of peace and space here.
• The dunes: The dunes around Westkapelle are among the highest dunes in the Netherlands. You really notice this when you stand on top: the view over the surrounding area is stunning. You look out across the North Sea and the green polder landscape of Walcheren at the same time. The dunes are also ecologically valuable, with rare plants and animals that are seldom found elsewhere in the country.

Activities & excursions

• Surfing and kitesurfing: The stretch of coast between Westkapelle and Domburg is regarded as the surfing hotspot of the Netherlands. Thanks to its favourable location, the waves here are bigger than elsewhere along the Dutch coast. The surf spot at the end of the Panoramaweg is particularly popular with experienced kite surfers and windsurfers.
• Walking: Around Westkapelle there are countless walking routes for every level. Choose a short beach walk, a route through the dunes, a route along the creeks or an excursion through the Manteling. In spring and autumn, walking is extra special: nature is at its most beautiful then, and you will often have the paths almost to yourself.
• Cycling: Walcheren is a dream destination for cyclists. The roads are quiet, the landscape is flat and the routes are well signposted. From Westkapelle you can enjoy beautiful cycling trips towards Domburg, Veere, Middelburg or through the polders. The lighthouse is visible from afar and always helps you find your way back. Bicycles can be hired locally.
• Events and markets: In the summer months, there is a weekly tourist market in Westkapelle and the surrounding villages. There are also annual recurring events such as a classic car day, a fair, concerts, flea markets and the characteristic ring riding, a centuries-old Zeeland tradition in which riders or carriage drivers aim at a small ring. A fun way to experience local culture up close.

Food & drink in Westkapelle

Westkapelle may be small, but its hospitality scene is surprisingly good. From a quick bite after a day at the beach to an extensive dinner with fresh sea aster and mussels, you are in the right place here. Most venues work with seasonal and day-fresh products, often straight from the land or the sea.

• The liveliest streets: In the village, most places to eat are around the Markt and in the Zuidstraat, while the beach bars and pavilions line the sea dyke and the beach.
• Brasserie De Zeezot: One of the most popular places to eat in Westkapelle. In a cosy conservatory, you can enjoy a well-prepared lunch or an extensive dinner. The menu revolves around seasonal products, with Zeeland flavours taking centre stage. Think fresh mussels, fried fish and other regional dishes.
• Dijkpaviljoen De Westkaap: Located on the sea dyke, this pavilion offers fantastic views across the North Sea. Ideal for a drink at sunset or lunch with a sea view. When the sea is rough, it is especially spectacular here, with the water seeming very close by.
• Strandbar Bombaai: This trendy beach bar has a menu with a mix of regional dishes and international flavours. On sunny days, you can watch the sun sink behind the horizon from the spacious terrace. A perfect spot after a day of surfing or beach walking. The atmosphere is informal and the cocktails are good.
• Strandpaviljoen Bluv: This pavilion is also located on or near the beach and is ideal for a snack or drink during or after a beach day. Relaxed, good food, and you feel as though the sea is within easy reach.
• Melis Frituur: At the foot of the sea dyke you will find Melis, a well-known name in the area. Hand-cut chips, prepared in the traditional way. After a long day outdoors, a cone of chips from Melis might just be the best thing that could happen to you. Small, popular and always busy in the season.
• Zeeland specialities: Do not leave without trying a few Zeeland delicacies. Zeeland mussels are a must, fresh, served with chips and a glass of chilled white wine. Zeeland shrimps, oyster salad, sea aster and Arnemuiden sprat are also well worth trying. And do not forget the Zeeuwse bolus: a sweet, sticky pastry with cinnamon and dark brown sugar. A Zeeland icon.

Staying overnight in Westkapelle

• Holiday homes and apartments: The most popular way to stay overnight in Westkapelle is in a holiday home. There are various providers of furnished holiday homes and apartments in and around the village. Ideal for families or couples who want to stay for a few days and explore the area at a relaxed pace.
• Campsites: There are several campsites in the immediate surroundings of Westkapelle. From small, atmospheric family campsites to larger holiday accommodation with more facilities. Camping by the sea in Zeeland has an unmistakable atmosphere of its own: in the evening you hear the waves and the wind, and in the morning you wake up cheerfully beside your tent.
• Hotels and B&Bs: If you prefer a bed & breakfast or hotel, Westkapelle and the immediate surroundings also offer good options. For a wider choice of hotels, you can also look in Domburg or Zoutelande, both just a short distance away.

Practical information

• Access by car: Westkapelle is easy to reach via the N57 from Middelburg. The drive from Middelburg takes about twenty minutes. Via the A58 motorway, you can easily travel towards Walcheren from Belgium or Brabant.
• Parking: In Westkapelle there are plenty of parking spaces available, including along the Zuidstraat, on the Markt and in a car park at Abraham Calandplein. In high season, however, it can take some searching. Arrive early or park a little further outside the centre and walk or cycle the final stretches. Paid parking spaces are also available close to the beach.
• Best time to visit: Westkapelle is beautiful all year round. In summer, from June to August, it is at its busiest and sunniest. Spring and autumn offer peace, beautiful light conditions and a rugged, fresh atmosphere. In winter, Westkapelle is almost deserted, ideal if you really want to get away from the world and do not need an open restaurant.
• Dogs welcome: Dog owners take note: dogs are welcome all year round on large parts of Westkapelle beach. Do pay attention to the seasonal rules for certain designated zones. The creek area and the nature around Westkapelle are also great for a dog walk.
• Family outing: Westkapelle is excellent for families with children. The wide beach is safe, there is plenty to do, and the Polderhuis museum also manages to fascinate children with its stories and exhibits, such as the tank and the landing craft outside. The peaceful atmosphere of the village makes it pleasant for young and old alike.

Day trips from Westkapelle

A brief history of Westkapelle

Westkapelle has been inhabited for over a thousand years and has a history that stays with you, from a church lost to the sea to the dramatic war year of 1944.

• Origin of the name: the name derives from West-Kapel and refers to a church that stood here until 1067, dedicated to Saint Willibrord and one of the five Zeeland mother churches. That church literally disappeared into the sea, yet the site remained a place of pilgrimage for a long time afterwards.
• Centuries of settlement: people were already active in the area around the year 900, as proven by an earthenware pot found in 1945 and dated to between 1050 and 1150.
• The bombing of 1944: on 3 October 1944 the RAF bombed the sea dike at Westkapelle, in order to make the heavy German bunker positions of the Atlantic Wall on Walcheren untenable by flooding the island. It worked, but at an enormous cost.
• An immense tragedy: the bombing killed almost 160 inhabitants, around ten per cent of the entire population. In the cellar of a mill, 47 villagers had taken shelter; not one of them came out alive.
• Liberation and destruction: on 1 November 1944 British and Canadian troops landed through the breach in the dike on either side of the village, where by then only six inhabitants remained. Westkapelle lay largely destroyed and half under water.
• Traces to this day: the creeks and woods south of the village arose directly from the bombing, when the seawater cut deep channels into the ground that have never fully recovered.

Finally: why Westkapelle?

Westkapelle is a place you will not quickly forget. It is not the largest, not the busiest and not the best-known seaside resort in the Netherlands, and that is precisely its strength. Here you can unwind. Here you can feel the history. Here you eat fresh mussels while the wind tugs at your jacket and the lighthouse casts its light across the sea.