Vlissingen
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Vlissingen (historically known as Flushing) is a port town in the Dutch province of Zeeland, situated on the northern bank of Western Scheldt, just at its estuary on the North Sea.It is the second largest town of Zeeland with 34,000 inhabitants. The town is industrial in character and is connected by a large canal to Middelburg and onwards to the inland lake of Veerse Meer. In summer, tourists and day trippers flock to the city's well-known 2.6-km-long boulevard, which is also a sweep spot for maritime aficionados, as large ships pass by the Vlissingen coastline perhaps closer than anywhere else in the world.
Understand
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Tourist Information Office (VVV)
phone: +31 118-715320address: Spuistraat 46The VVV tourist information office is combined with an ANWB-shop, which means they also sell some travel products and a range of guides.
Get in
Vlissingen is at the end of the motorway A58 (Eindhoven-Vlissingen), which is the main road in. Coming from the south, the Westerscheldetunnelweg allows you to cross the water of the Westerschelde near Terneuzen. Smaller, non-highway roads lead to town as well, making it possible to get here by bike, although they take detours to connect neighbouring villages.
As the town is an ancient harbour, it's reachable by boat.
Rotterdam Airport is one of the closest options when flying in, but is mostly served by discount carriers. Brussels has a larger international airport and is a good option when flying in. Amsterdam Schiphol is slightly further away but does have descent connections, making it still a logical pick.
Get around
See
The closeness of the sea, the regular sea breeze that blows through town and some of its architecture five Vlissingen a typical maritime character. There are many historic buildings around, reminding of the harbour's golden ages and of the daily life of the people who lived there.
Pretty much everything that is of regular tourist interest can be found in the very compact centre, or Binnenstadt. The old town of Vlissingen, which used to be a fortress, is centred on the Koopmanshaven (merchants' haven), with the Beursplein, or market square, extending directly to the east from it. Most of the historic buildings are contained within the former fortress and thus within walking distance from there.
On the Spuistraat, the Belgian Loodshuizen, pretty Jugendstil mansions commissioned by Belgian Maritime Pilots, were built in 1910. Pilots still board visiting ships to steer them through the tricky waters of the Westerscheldt. Watching the massive ships up close as they make their way towards and from the harbour of Antwerp is a popular pass-time for the crowds on the boulevards. On the Beursplein you'll find the 1648 Beursgebouw, a historic commodity exchange in Dutch Renaissance-style and now a restaurant. The 1730 Beeldenhuis, now on the Prins Hendrikstraat, was built at the Dokkade as a city palace for a local adventurer who returned from his Far East travels a rich man and later became a leading figure in the Dutch West India Company. As the harbour industry along the Dokkade grew, the building was scheduled to be demolished. A plan to save it came trough the last weeks and the precious façade was carefully taken apart and later rebuilt at the current location.
The North Sea side of Vlissingen is lined with boulevards, starting at the Koopmanshaven with Boulevard de Ruyter, and then extending northwestwards with Boulevard Bankert, with an increasing height of buildings and a beach.
Pretty much everything that is of regular tourist interest can be found in the very compact centre, or Binnenstadt. The old town of Vlissingen, which used to be a fortress, is centred on the Koopmanshaven (merchants' haven), with the Beursplein, or market square, extending directly to the east from it. Most of the historic buildings are contained within the former fortress and thus within walking distance from there.
On the Spuistraat, the Belgian Loodshuizen, pretty Jugendstil mansions commissioned by Belgian Maritime Pilots, were built in 1910. Pilots still board visiting ships to steer them through the tricky waters of the Westerscheldt. Watching the massive ships up close as they make their way towards and from the harbour of Antwerp is a popular pass-time for the crowds on the boulevards. On the Beursplein you'll find the 1648 Beursgebouw, a historic commodity exchange in Dutch Renaissance-style and now a restaurant. The 1730 Beeldenhuis, now on the Prins Hendrikstraat, was built at the Dokkade as a city palace for a local adventurer who returned from his Far East travels a rich man and later became a leading figure in the Dutch West India Company. As the harbour industry along the Dokkade grew, the building was scheduled to be demolished. A plan to save it came trough the last weeks and the precious façade was carefully taken apart and later rebuilt at the current location.
The North Sea side of Vlissingen is lined with boulevards, starting at the Koopmanshaven with Boulevard de Ruyter, and then extending northwestwards with Boulevard Bankert, with an increasing height of buildings and a beach.
Do
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phone: +31 118 415-400address: Arsenaalplein 7This is a pirates and aquarium attraction park for children. It is possible to get atop the "Crow's Nest" to get a view of the city from a high altitude.
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phone: +31 118 430-152address: Arsenaalplein 3This is the place to be if you like arcade halls. There are more than one hundred arcades in this beautifully designed entertainment centre, that is in a traditional Dutch funfair style. Upstairs are the slots and the children games, while downstairs have more graphically enhanced games. It is a lot of fun, especially if you're in a group. Don't play for the rewards though, as you'll need to spend a lot of money in order to win something decent. It's not worth it. There's also a restaurant upstairs that serves simple dishes.
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phone: +31 118 412-498address: Nieuwendijk 11MuZEEum means MuSEAum in Dutch, a word-play as it is the maritime museum of Zeeland. Vlissingen has been a maritime stronghold of Zeeland for centuries with its seafront, harbours and shipbuilding. The museum is housed in buildings from the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries, fused together by modern 21st century architecture.
- Vlissingen Cycle Route - Exploring the Walcheren peninsula (south). Distance: 49 km.
Buy
- The largest supermarket of Zeeland, Albert Heijn XL.
Eat
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phone: +31 118 - 410516address: Bellamypark 14Trendy, laid back place with tasty food. Great quality for money, with anything from lobster to the cheap dish of the day. Many of the dishes use biological and seasonal products.
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Albatros
phone: +31 118 430-092address: Beursplein 3This restaurant/bar serves the seafood common in Vlissingen. On the menu are many kinds of fried fish, including kibbeling and squid. It doesn't look fancy, but is an option if you're looking for cheaper fare. The staff are really friendly and willing to give you advice on where to go and what to do in Vlissingen and Zeeland. Order the Fish Mix if you want to try all the fish in one go. -
Foppe
phone: +31 118 412-261address: Bellamypark 8Very simple snackbar in between the bars of the Bellamypark. If you're looking to save money, and don't expect any service, then this is the place. Try some fried kibbeling (fish snack) with fries here. They are even prepared in an unusual way with Asian spices.
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De Leugenaar
phone: +31 118 412 500address: Boulevard Bankert 132Nicely located on the boulevard with a good view. Simple but tasty bistro dishes.
Drink
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phone: +31 118 419-476address: Bellamypark 22This is quite a traditional bar, but it has a nice atmosphere. In the afternoon and evening, music is not that loud so you can easily have a conversation. Simple pub grub is served, though at €17-20, the mains are quite overpriced. Better come here for the drinks as they have some nice beers on tap. Try the Vedett on hot summer days, a light Belgian wheat beer.
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phone: +31 118 431-267address: Nieuwendijk 7Café Popeye has live music every Wednesday and a second bar in the basement where they play a lot of club music. The student association throws a party every Thursday and the bar is crowded during the whole weekend. The basement bar opens on Thursdays and Saturdays since the upper level of the bar gets so crowded on those days that more space is needed.
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phone: +31 118 441-3333address: Bellamypark 12The most bustling bar of Vlissingen that has the interior of a British pub. At day-time it is a relaxed place to have a beer or sit on the outside terrace. There are many different kinds of beer on tap, inform with the waiter. At night it turns into a hip bar with loud pop music. It is popular among the locals, especially with younger audiences.
De Vic
Sleep
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phone: +31 118 410 921address: Nieuwendijk 39Sea-side boutique hotel with modern rooms. The ones on the city side can be a bit noisy, but earplugs are provided. The reception isn't open 24/7 but there's staff on call if needed.
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Amadore Hotel Restaurant Arion
address: Boulevard Bankert 266Nice sea views from many of the rooms (the others look out over the city) and good breakfast buffet. The rooms are nothing out of the ordinary, but well equipped and spacious. There's parking and facilities including a sauna available. -
phone: +31 118-415200address: Kerkstraat 10This hostel has rooms and dorms. They're all simple, with pine furniture and a separate bathroom for each room. Towels and bed linen are for rent. It's located conveniently in the centre, but bring earplugs as the next door church bells ring every half hour, also at night.
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phone: +31 50 317 5510address: Beursplein 7Friendly, small, 3-star hotel in the historic part of town. Rooms on the front side have a nice view over the Westerschelde.
Go next
- Middelburg — the capital city of Zeeland
- Goes — on Tuesday there's a market