Westkapelle (Netherlands)

Historians believe this was once a thriving fishermen's town and known place of commerce. It suffered from repeated viking raids and the location on the edge of Walcheren (then still an island) made it vulnerable to the force of the sea. Over the centuries the town was repeatedly struck by floods. By the end of the 14th century, the sea had claimed ever larger parts of the dunes and outer parts of town were swallowed by the water. It was only through the following construction of the large sea dike that the rest of the town could be secured. Still today, this dike is one of the sturdiest ones, strengthened from both sides since no other part of the Dutch dikes suffers more attacks from the water than the Westkapelle dike does. In the centuries that followed, however, the commerce disappeared and the once lively city became a poor village of dike workers. A rather closed community emerged, with strong cultural traditions of which, to some degree, glimpses can still be found during celebrations today.

While times improved in the early 20th century, the town was largely destroyed by a British bombing in World War II. German troops had set up several strongholds on Walcheren. Although the allied forces had freed Antwerp and Zeelandic Flanders, the German positions made it impossible for them to use the strategically important water way to Antwerp, which became vital to bring in Allied troops and machinery for the Battle of the Bulge. In order to weaken the German position, Walcheren was flooded by bombing the dikes. In these bombings, the Westkapelle community suffered 158 casualties and the town was ruined. The Kreek, a salty lake next to the village, remained after the hole in the dike was finally closed over a year later.

Today, tourism is an important aspect of life in the area. Westkapelle has some 2600 permanent inhabitants (2021) and is an administrative part of the Veere municipality.

The town is small and easy to explore on foot. From the village centre, it's a 15-minute walk to the pavilions on the south beach, and all the other sights are within the same kind of distance. A bicycle makes the distances even shorter, and also makes it easy to explore the rest of the Walcheren peninsula and nearby towns. Out of the town centre, there are plenty of dedicated cycling paths. If you didn't bring your own, it's possible to rent a normal or electrically supported bike. While elevation is limited, keep in mind that on a windy day, the sea winds can make cycling slightly challenging.

• 🌍 Fietsverhuur Westkapelle, Zuidstraat 125, ☏ +31 118 572258. Daily from 09:00-12:00 and 13:00-18:00, closes at 16:00 on Saturdays. If you're looking to rent for more several days, it's possible to make a reservation. Especially in high season, it's a good idea to call ahead. From €6 per day, or €16.50 for an electric bike. (updated Aug 2015)
• 🌍 Olaf's Bike clean & repair, Markt 90, ☏ +31 6 23416984. M-Sa 09:00-17:30, Su 10:00-17:00. (updated May 2022)

• 🌍 Westkapelle Hoog (Light Tower), Kerkstraat 1. Closed in winter (Oct-Mar). The rest of the year open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 18:00-20:00, Wednesdays from 13:00-16:00, Saturdays from 10:00-13:00. Westkapelle has two light towers. The highest one, Westkapelle Hoog, is the most prominent landmark and its bright (2.600.000 cd) light can be seen from a distance of 28 nautic miles. Remarkably, it doesn't sit on the sea side of town, but on the land side, protecting it from damage in the historically frequent floods. The approximately 50 meter high brick tower was constructed in 1470 as a church tower. After the church was destroyed during the Eighty Years War, the light was placed in 1817. The light tower is still active today, showing a light flash every 3 seconds and guiding ships through the ship canal. Together with Westkapelle's second light tower, the so-called Noorderhoofd, it forms a white line of light in north west direction and, with a smaller light beacon in nearby Zoutelande, a red line towards the south-east. Visitors can climb the 207 stairs to the top of the brick part of the tower, from where you get excellent views over the surrounding area. (updated Aug 2015)
• 🌍 Westkapelle Laag (Noorderhoofd, Light house). The smaller light house of the two sits on the north side of town. It's an iron, 11.5-m-high structure and, contrary to its larger counterpart, sits along the sea dike on the beach. It was designed in 1875 by Quirinus Harder, who designed many light houses in the Netherlands, and it has been painted in typical red and white colours. The main, 6000 cd strong light is seen every 10 seconds, but the structure has additional green and red lighting too. It's not possible to climb it, but it makes a perfect destination for an evening stroll. (updated Aug 2015)
• 🌍 De Noorman (Windmill), Molenwal 25. This 1852 windmill is open to visitors on Saturdays from 10:00 to 16:00. There were once three windmills in town, but the other two were destroyed in the 1944 bombing. At a height of 23 m, De Noordman is the second highest building in Westkapelle, after the light house, and is a determining part of the town's skyline. (updated Aug 2015)
• 🌍 Het Polderhuis, Zuidstraat 154-156. The local history museum covers the town's past through archeologic finds, historic photography, films, costumes, model interiors and more. There's a lot of information about the World War II era here, and the flooding of Walcheren. A special bridge connects the museum garden to the military tank on the dike. On the bridge are the names of those who died here in the war and of those who have helped to make the memorial bridge possiblem. From the museum's watch tower you'll have some nice views over the town, the dike and the beach. There's also a small café and a museum shop, selling books and souvenirs. €5.50 for adults, €1 for children. (updated Aug 2015)
• 🌍 Sherman tank. This militairy tank overlooks the beach and is a reminder of the huge impact World War II had on this village. There's some information available. The tank is connected to the museum garden with a memorial bridge, but is freely admissible. (updated Aug 2015)

• Enjoy the beach - The blue flag on Westkapelle indicates the clean quality of its sea water, and its narrow but sandy beaches are the main reason for many people to come here. Like on most beaches, swimming, sunbathing and building sand castles are the main activities, although strolling along the beach and having a drink in a pavilion is an excellent alternative, especially when the unreliable Dutch summer makes swimming a chilly affair.

During the main "bathing season" from May 1st to September 15th, extra regulations apply. Dogs must be on a leash, horses, surfing, double-line kiting and approaching the beach with a motorized boat is not allowed, while they are allowed outside these hours. Open fire, camping, and nude swimming and sunbathing are prohibited at all times.

• Water sports varying from kite-surfing to swimming to sailing can be practised on the North Sea or on lakes such as the Veerse Meer, in between Westkapelle and the island of Noord-Beveland.
• Several cycling routes cross through the municipality of Veere, amongst which are the Middelburg and Vlissingen cycle routes.

There's no large shopping area, but the town centre has a few shops to meet daily needs of tourists and visitors alike. You'll also find basic things a tourist might search for, including greeting cards, some souvenirs and beach supplies.

• 🌍 Spar supermarkt Kesselaar, Koestraat 14, ☏ +31 118 820993, sparwestkapelle@despar.info. Winter: M-Th 08:00-18:30, F 08:00-19:30 Sa 08:00-17:30, Su 09:00-12:30 ; Summer: M-Sa 08:00-20:00, Su 08:00-18:00. (updated May 2022)
• 🌍 Bakery Koppejan, Zuidstraat 134A, ☏ +31 118 571227. M Tu Th F 07:00-17:30, W, Sa 07:00-16:00. (updated May 2022)
• 🌍 Butcher Koets, Markt 88, ☏ +31 118 572329. This family-run store sells a rather wide range of things, including drug store articles, gifts, beach supplies and toys. It also sells fishing gear. (updated May 2022)
• 🌍 VOF Melis, Zuidstraat 59, ☏ +31 118 571580. M-F 08:30-12:00, 13:00-17:30; Sa 08:30-17:00. This family-run store sells a rather wide range of things, including drug store articles, gifts, beach supplies and toys. It also sells fishing gear. (updated May 2022)

There are plenty of establishments, both on the sea dike and the beach and in town. They serve a range of dishes and are also fine for a cup of coffee and a piece of cake. Keep in mind that in winter the beach pavilions close and many of the other establishments have limited hours too.

• 🌍 Fletcher Zuiderduin Beachhotel, De Bucksweg 2, ☏ +31 118 56 18 10. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Close to the beach with modern facilities, a cocktail bar and a swimming pool, this mid-sized hotel is one of the most popular options and is usually sold out in high season. Reserve well in advance. from €79 for a double. 
• 🌍 Boutique Hotel Charley's (formerly Hotel de Valk), Zuidstraat 97, ☏ +31 118 571294. Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 11:00. Clean, classically decorated hotel on the market square. Breakfast is included in the price and is also available for visitors who are not staying here. Early booking is advised, but only part of the rooms are sold through large online booking sites, so even when those state that the hotel has no available room, check the hotel's own website. From €95 for a double in high season. (updated May 2022)
• 🌍 Vakantieappartementen Zuiderstrand (Vikingpark en Duinpark), Duinweg 1, ☏ +31 118 562614, appzuiderstrand@zeelandnet.nl. Flats for 2, 4 or 6 people, tennis court , swimming pool. 

Most of the hotels and camp sites offer WiFi, although quality varies and some only have it in a central area. Mobile coverage is good.

Post cards and stamps are available from several shops around town, but there's also a postal service point in the Spar supermarket.

There are quite a few worthwhile destinations in the area, and especially those on the Walcheren peninsula are easy enough to reach for a day trip, even by bike. Plenty of school kids cycle to Vlissingen or Middelburg every day, so nothing should stop you from doing the same, although catching a bus is just as easy.

• Vlissingen
• Middelburg

Slightly further, off the peninsula is Zierikzee, another typical Dutch coastal town. If you have your own car, Sluis is a comparable option, but the major Belgian city of Antwerp and the Dutch city of Breda are, at about an 80 minute drive, just as far. Rotterdam is the nearest large city in the Netherlands, and is a 90 minute drive.