The isle of Noord-Beveland and the village of Kats | The pristine 'Provence' in Zeeland

Life is good on the isle of Noord-Beveland. 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. 

The over 800-year-old artist village of Kats, with its charming church, small but stunning beach, 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. 

Besides Kats, the villages of Colijnsplaat, Kortgene and Geersdijk are also well worth a visit.

Photo: the church of 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.

Other highlights on Walcheren include the villages of Wolphaartsdijk, Oostkapelle, Domburg, and Zoutelande.

During the summer season, regional markets are regularly held throughout Zeeland. The dates and locations can be found in the events calendar. All touristic information, also about museums, festivals and marketdays, is available at Zeeland.com.

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]. 

Another beautiful walk between Oostkapelle and Domburg is called De Manteling, near Westerhove Castle. This route also passes through a nature reserve with ancient oak forests and along the North Sea. For more information and photos, click [HERE].

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.

The island of Noord-Beveland boasts numerous small beaches along the Oosterschelde. The beach in Kats (view map) and the beach in 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.

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

At Seafarm restaurant, located at the foot of the Oosterscheldekering storm surge barrier, you can fully enjoy the finest, freshest, and most sustainably sourced fish, shellfish, and crustaceans. Purified in Oosterschelde spring water—salty and pure, and you can taste it! Seafarm is a European leader in the trade of its own oysters and razor clams.

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.

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 in Kats is open, where homemade cakes, sandwiches and homecooked dinners are for sale. In the nearby village of Colijnsplaat, there’s a warm bakery, Wim & Francien, and a small SPAR supermarket. The organic shop ‘De Kleine Deugniet’ at Voorstraat 26 in Colijnsplaat is also highly recommended (open on Fridays and Saturdays). A large Albert Heijn and a nearby Lidl can be found in Zierikzee.

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

At the base of the impressive Oosterscheldekering, you will also find the Waterbuffalo farm producing buffalo dairy, buffalo mozzarella, and meat. The farm shop is open on Fridays.