A holiday home in Westkapelle takes you to the westernmost point of Walcheren, a place where the sea and history have profoundly shaped the landscape. The village lies directly behind the imposing Westkapelle Seawall and is surrounded by beaches, dunes, and nature reserves. Two lighthouses dominate the skyline of Westkapelle, and reminders of World War II are still visible in various places. From your holiday home, you can also easily bike to Domburg, Zoutelande, and other towns on Walcheren. On Vipio, you’ll find unique holiday homes for a beach vacation, an active weekend, or a few days of fresh air on the Zeeland coast.
Holiday Home in Westkapelle
Holiday home in Westkapelle
Westkapelle is not your typical Zeeland seaside resort. The village is located at the westernmost tip of Walcheren and is surrounded by water on several sides. On one side lies the North Sea; on the other, the mouth of the Westerschelde begins. In between, the village lies sheltered behind the dunes and the Westkapelle Seawall.
It is precisely this location that makes Westkapelle an attractive destination for a seaside holiday. From the village, you can quickly reach the beach, but the dike, the creek, and the Walcheren polder landscape are also nearby. You can choose a holiday home close to the center or opt for a stay closer to the coast and nature.
Westkapelle is also compact enough that you can explore much of it on foot or by bike. This means a holiday here doesn’t have to involve driving to a different destination every day. The beach, restaurants, walking trails, and nature are all close together.
The Westkapelle Seawall Defines the Landscape
Anyone visiting Westkapelle simply can’t miss the seawall. The Westkapelle Seawall, approximately five kilometers long, protects the village from the sea and has been closely linked to Westkapelle’s history for centuries. Construction began in the fifteenth century, after which the seawall was continuously reinforced.
From the dike, you look out over the sea on one side and over Westkapelle and the surrounding countryside on the other. Large seagoing vessels sail relatively close to the coast here toward the Westerschelde. As a result, a walk along the dike is very different from a typical walk through the dunes.
At the same time, the dike tells a story about the village’s identity. Generations of Westkapelle residents worked to protect the village from the water. As a result, Westkapelle developed into a true dike-workers’ village with its own traditions and a strong local culture.
Beaches on Both Sides of Westkapelle
Thanks to its location on the western tip of Walcheren, there are several beaches surrounding Westkapelle. You can follow the coast toward Domburg, or head south toward Zoutelande.
This gives you more variety during a longer stay than if you always went to the same beach. One day you might seek out a quiet stretch of beach; the next, you could combine a beach walk with a bike ride along the dike.
In the summer, of course, it’s all about swimming, sunbathing, and long days outdoors. Outside the high season, the atmosphere changes. Then the beaches are especially inviting for long walks, and you can watch the ships pass by from the shore.
For a holiday home, this means you don’t necessarily have to stay right on the beach to still spend plenty of time by the sea. Westkapelle is small, and the coast is never far away.
Two lighthouses in one village
Westkapelle has not one, but two striking lighthouses. Interestingly, the Hoge Licht is not located directly by the sea, but on the landward side of the village. The 53-meter-high tower was originally the steeple of St. Willibrord’s Church. After the church was destroyed by fire, the tower remained standing and was converted into a lighthouse.
Those who climb the 207 steps are rewarded with a view of Westkapelle, Walcheren, and the coast. The tower also gained fame because Piet Mondrian painted it several times.
On the seawall stands the much smaller Lage Licht, also known as Noorderhoofd. This cast-iron lighthouse dates from 1874 and, together with the Hoge Licht, forms a line of lights for maritime navigation.
The two lighthouses are iconic landmarks of Westkapelle and make for pleasant destinations on a walk from your holiday home.
The history of 1944 is still visible
Westkapelle has an impressive wartime history. During the Battle of the Scheldt in October 1944, the Allies bombed the seawall. The goal was to create a breach in the seawall so that Walcheren would flood and the German defenses could be weakened. A large part of Westkapelle was destroyed in the process, and there were many civilian casualties.
Anyone interested in learning more about this history can visit the Polderhuis. You’ll also come across various monuments while taking a walk through the village and along the seawall.
For example, on the seawall stands a Sherman tank commemorating the Allied landing and the liberation of Westkapelle. Behind the Hoge Licht is a monument to the civilian casualties of October 1944.
This makes a walk through Westkapelle all the more meaningful when you know the story behind the landscape. The current creek, dike, and various monuments are directly linked to events from that period.
Walking Around the Westkapelse Kreek
The Westkapelle Creek is located right next to Westkapelle. It was formed as a result of the dike breach during World War II and, together with the surrounding greenery, now forms a nature reserve. Several walking trails wind around the creek.
A walk around the creek offers a nice change of pace from the beach. The route is more sheltered here, and you’ll see a different landscape than along the open coast. You can also combine this route with the dunes, the dike, and the village.
On the north side lies the Noordervroon, a nature reserve teeming with birds between Westkapelle and Domburg. This way, you can discover multiple types of landscapes from a single holiday home without having to travel long distances.
Cycling to Domburg and Zoutelande
Westkapelle is located exactly between two well-known coastal towns in Zeeland. Heading north, you’ll cycle along the coast to Domburg. If you head south, you’ll reach Zoutelande via the dunes and the coast.
This makes Westkapelle an ideal base for cyclists. You don’t have to take the same route both ways, because the network of cycling junctions lets you easily combine the coast, polders, and villages into your itinerary.
For example, a wonderful day of vacation could start with a ride toward Domburg, followed by a return trip through the Walcheren countryside. On another day, you might head toward Zoutelande and Vlissingen instead.
If you’re bringing your own bikes, look for a holiday home with a storage shed. If you don’t have bikes with you, there are places in Westkapelle where you can rent them.
Westkapelle, Domburg, or Zoutelande?
The three towns are close to one another, but each has its own distinct character. Domburg is the most quintessential seaside resort of the three, with plenty of shops, restaurants, and outdoor cafes. Zoutelande is known for its location behind the high dunes and also has a lively vacation atmosphere.
Westkapelle has a different feel. The seawall, lighthouses, creek, and wartime history give the village a more rugged character. It’s a destination for travelers who enjoy staying by the sea but aren’t exclusively looking for a classic seaside resort.
Since Domburg and Zoutelande are easily accessible by bike, you don’t necessarily have to choose the liveliest town when booking. You can stay in Westkapelle and head out to the hustle and bustle whenever you feel like it.
Holiday Home in Westkapelle with Kids
For families, Westkapelle offers a combination of beach time and short excursions. On warm days, a day at the beach is a natural choice, but a walk to one of the lighthouses or around the creek can also be part of the holiday.
The history of Westkapelle can be interesting for older children. At the Polderhuis and the monuments around the village, it becomes clear why the dike, creek, and various war memorials look the way they do today.
A holiday home also offers families practical freedom. With multiple bedrooms, a private kitchen, and possibly a garden, you don’t have to plan a full itinerary every day.
Visiting Westkapelle with Your Dog
The combination of beach, dike, and walking trails also makes Westkapelle an attractive destination for a holiday with your dog. From the village, you can choose different directions for a short or longer walk.
However, rules regarding dogs may apply on beaches and in nature areas. These rules can vary by location and time of year. Therefore, during your stay, be sure to check where your dog is allowed to run free and where a leash is required.
Even when it comes to the holiday home itself, it’s wise to look beyond just the statement that pets are welcome. If you’re traveling with a dog that loves to be outdoors, a fenced-in yard, for example, can make a big difference.
Westkapelle Outside the Summer Season
If you’re mainly looking for peace and quiet, you don’t have to wait for summer vacation. Westkapelle actually has a lot to offer in the spring and fall. The beach is quieter, and the surrounding area is perfect for walking and biking.
In the fall, the weather on the coast can get rougher. That suits Westkapelle well, where the dike and the sea play an important role anyway. After a brisk walk, you can return to your own holiday home.
Winter, too, has its own charm. A vacation home with a wood-burning stove, fireplace, sauna, or hot tub makes a few days on the Zeeland coast especially comfortable.
Discover more unique accommodations on Walcheren
See also:
- Oostkapelle Holiday Home
- Holiday Home in Domburg
- Holiday Home in Zoutelande
- Holiday Home in Veere
- Holiday Home in Vrouwenpolder
- Holiday Home in Nieuwvliet
- Holiday Home in Cadzand
- Holiday home with Jacuzzi in Zeeland
- Romantic Getaways in Zeeland
- Holiday Home by the Sea (Dogs Welcome)
Rent out your own holiday home in Westkapelle
Do you own a unique holiday home, beach house, or other accommodation in Westkapelle? Through Vipio, you can reach travelers who are specifically looking for unique places to stay on the Zeeland coast. Register your accommodation at vipio.com/nl/aanbieden or contact us at [email protected].
Frequently asked questions
What makes Westkapelle different from other seaside resorts in Zeeland?
Westkapelle is strongly defined by its seawall, its two lighthouses, and the village’s history. In addition, the beach, the Westkapelse Kreek, and various nature reserves are all located close together. As a result, a stay here combines the beach with nature and cultural history.
Does Westkapelle have more than one beach?
Westkapelle is surrounded by a long stretch of coastline with beaches on various sides of the village. From Westkapelle, you can walk along the coast toward Domburg or toward Zoutelande. This makes it easy to explore different sections of the beach during your holiday.
Which lighthouses can you visit in Westkapelle?
Westkapelle has two lighthouses. The Hoge Licht is a former church tower 53 meters high, located in the village. The smaller Lage Licht stands on the seawall. Together, the two towers form a line of lights for maritime navigation.
Can you bike from Westkapelle to Domburg and Zoutelande?
Yes. Westkapelle is located between Domburg and Zoutelande and is part of Walcheren’s cycle junction network. This allows you to explore the coast, dunes, polders, and various villages all in a single bike ride.
Is Westkapelle a good place for a holiday with kids?
Yes. Westkapelle combines wide beaches with short distances and a variety of excursions in the surrounding area. You can alternate beach days with bike rides, visits to the lighthouses, or trips to Domburg and Zoutelande. A holiday home also offers families extra space and the freedom to plan their day at their own pace.