Westkapelle,
a tranquil and sunny
dike village

Imagine this: you are standing on a wide sea dyke, the wind blowing through your hair, and in front of you the North Sea stretches all the way to the horizon. Behind you lies a modest, authentic coastal village with white houses, a striking lighthouse and a history that leaves a lasting impression. Welcome to Westkapelle, the westernmost village of Walcheren, tucked away behind one of the most impressive sea defences in our country.

Sights in Westkapelle

Westkapelle is no ordinary seaside resort, and that is exactly what makes it so special. There are no busy boulevards or tourist arenas here, but rugged nature, fresh sea air, a rich wartime history and a community that is proud of its past. Whether you want to spend a day on the beach, are fascinated by the Second World War, want to enjoy fresh Zeeland food or simply want to get a breath of fresh air, Westkapelle has it all.

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.

• 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 short history of Westkapelle

The name Westkapelle may sound simple, but its origin is more interesting than you might think. The name is derived from West-Kapel, referring to a church that stood here until 1067, dedicated to Saint Willibrord and one of the five mother churches of Zeeland. That church quite literally disappeared into the sea, but the site remained a place of pilgrimage for a long time. 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. Westkapelle has therefore been inhabited for more than a thousand years.

The Second World War left a deep mark on the village. On 3 October 1944, the RAF bombed the sea dyke at Westkapelle. The Allies' aim was to make the heavy German bunker positions, the notorious Atlantic Wall, on Walcheren untenable by flooding the island. They succeeded, but at a terrible cost. Almost 160 residents were killed in the bombardment, around ten per cent of the entire population. A huge tragedy. In the cellar of a mill, 47 villagers had sought shelter; not one of them came out alive. By the end of the afternoon, Westkapelle had been largely destroyed and the village was partly under water.

On 1 November 1944, Allied troops, British and Canadian, landed through the breach in the dyke on both sides of Westkapelle. At that moment, only six residents had remained in the village. In the words of contemporaries, the village looked "as if it had been devastated by an atomic bomb." Reconstruction took a long time, and the landscape is still influenced by those wartime events to this day. The creeks and woods south of the village were created directly as a result of those bombings: seawater cut deep channels into the ground that were never fully restored.

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.