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City in Zeeland, Netherlands
Photo: Simone, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Westkapelle is a coastal town on the far west end of the Walcheren peninsula, a former island on the North Sea coast of the Western Netherlands. It's a small town with a tumultuous but proud past and for long, this was a rather closed community. Today, Westkapelle has embraced tourism and visitors flock to its still relatively quiet beaches and cosy establishments.
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Light Tower
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.
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.
Windmill
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.
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.
This military 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.
This place gets the best reviews in town. It serves a good selection of nicely plated seafood dishes, prepared with local catches. There are some meat and vegetarian options as well, however. Call ahead in high season, as this place gets sold out regularly.
Despite the name, this place serves more than just a wide range of pannenkoeken, or pancakes. It's open for late breakfast, lunch and dinner and on its menu you'll find sandwiches, salads, pastas and a good selection of meat and fish dishes in the evening.
Rixx eten&drinken
Italian-styled restaurant with self-made pizzas and all kind of Italian themed dishes.
Restaurant with nice out-door seating, but primarily a pub with live-sports and a range of Dutch and Belgian beers
Hip beach pavilion
This place can get very crowded on weekends, so arrive early.
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.
formerly Hotel de Valk
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.
Vikingpark en Duinpark
Flats for 2, 4 or 6 people, tennis court , swimming pool.
Has a shop with fishing gear on the premises.
A mid-sized camp site and very close to the beach. It has well-maintained facilities, bike rental and a small supermarket.
10 min walk to the beach
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.
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.
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.
By public transport
There's no train service to Westkapelle, but buses connect this (and other towns on the peninsula) to the train stations of Middelburg and Vlissingen.
Hiking or biking
If you're looking to cycle here, you are in luck. Both the long distance EV12 North Sea Cycle Route and Euroroute-R1 pass through here.
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.
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