The isle of Noord-Beveland | The pristine 'Provence' in Zeeland

Life is good on the isle of Noord-Beveland. The people are friendly, the pace is slightly lower than in the rest of The Netherlands. And it is an island for epicureans and gourmets. With a variety of good restaurants and cozy shops where you can buy pure products from the island.  

The nature is enchantingly beautiful. The islanders have learned to live with it and from it. There is a lot to pick on the island, from oysters to Zeeland fruit. Noord-Beveland is a true delight for the senses. Zeeland.com offers all kinds of sights, shops, restaurants and events. A source of inspiration for your visit. We recommend some special places to visit and good restaurants to eat.

The over 800-year-old artist village of Kats, with its charming church, galleries, and outdoor artworks, is a sight to behold. The unique spots in and around Kats are best experienced on foot or by bike. Just outside Kats lies De Zeeuwse Oase, a creative retreat featuring a rose nursery, a small shop, a restaurant, and a stunning rose garden perfect for leisurely walks.

Bakery, fish and supermarkets on the island
In the village community center of Kats, you'll find an "Albert Kleijntje," a small neighborhood grocery store run by volunteers. The store is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:00 PM to 6:30 PM and on Saturdays from 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM. Payment by card is accepted. On Sundays, the little shop 'Katse Fratsen' at Dorpsstraat 26 is open, where homemade cakes are for sale. In the nearby village of Colijnsplaat, there’s a warm bakery, Wim & Francien, and a small SPAR supermarket. Albert Heijn supermarket and Lidl are situated next to each other in Zierikzee. 

For a delicious fish meal at the harbor of Colijnsplaat, you can visit John's Zeevishandel during the day. The opening hours can be found on Facebook.

Foto: kerkje van Kats | Michiel Verbeek

The historic towns Zierikzee and Goes are just a 10 minutes drive away from De Zwaluwenhof. The historic village Veere and the village Yerseke (a.o. for eating oisters) are 20 minutes away. Middelburg, the capital of the province of Zeeland, is a 25-minute drive from De Zwaluwenhof and is a historic gem well worth a visit.

Beaches
The island of Noord-Beveland boasts numerous small beaches along the Oosterschelde. The beaches in Kats (view map) and Colijnsplaat are just a few minutes away. The large 'Banjaard' beach (ranked among the top 3 in the Netherlands) on the North Sea near the village of Vrouwenpolder is just a 15-minute drive from De Zwaluwenhof.

Sailing Along on the Oosterschelde
You can join one of the historic sailing ships for a trip lasting from a few hours to a full day—no experience required. These voyages on a historic vessel are small-scale, adventurous, and educational. The calendar on the website shows, for each day, which ships are sailing, the type of trip, and the departure and arrival ports with their times.

Walking and Cycling
Exploring Zeeland on foot or by bike is pure enjoyment. There are dozens of walking and cycling routes laid out throughout Zeeland—along the coast, through nature reserves, and past charming villages. For walking routes, click [HERE]. For cycling routes, click [HERE]. Bicycles and e-bikes can be rented in Colijnsplaat, a nearby village. For more information and reservations, click [HERE].

Restaurants
We highly recommend some special restaurants in the area of De Zwaluwenhof:
In Zierikzee: Grand Café De Werf, Brasserie De Kaoie, Mon Dragon, De Zeeuwse Hemel en Hector. Free parking on P1 Havenpoort.
In Kats: Het Katse Veer (Michelin-star). In Kamperland: Ristorante Basilic. We advise you to make reservations in advance.  

If you visit Zierikzee, make sure to visit the ice cream parlor Capri. An absolute must for delicious and homemade ice cream. All touristic information, also about museums, festivals and marketdays, is available at Zeeland.com.