Visit Vlissingen
Vlissingen has the longest sea walk in the Netherlands. The **Boulevard** here is a balcony over the ocean where you can feel the spray on your skin. Ships sail so close to the path that you could almost wave to the crew on the deck. It is a city of heroes and pirates that has defended the coast for many ages. The wind always blows with a bit of history here as it whistles through the old rigging. You can walk for miles while watching the sea change from green to grey. The **Prison Tower** stands on the edge of the dunes like a lonely guard from the Middle Ages. It is one of the few pieces of the old city walls that survived the heavy naval wars of the past. Near the harbor you will find the statue of **Michiel de Ruyter** the most famous admiral in Dutch history. He was born here and learned to sail in these tricky currents before becoming a legend of the waves. You can feel his bold spirit in the crashing water below the stone walls. The beach here is wide and perfect for a sandy stroll between the historical sights. Visit the **MuZEEum** to dive into the stories of sea battles and lucky shipwrecks. It is located in a grand old house that once belonged to a wealthy lampshade maker from the trade years. The city feels open and brave with its face turned toward the Atlantic and the heavy wind. It is a perfect place to watch the sunset over the water before you rest for the night. Vlissingen is the ultimate end point for any trip along the coast because it feels like the edge of the world. The bells of the carillon provide a musical backdrop to your evening walk by the sea.Top sights to visit
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The Scenic Route
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Best match
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Historic City Hotel
Design hotel · City Centre · Free bikes
from€195/night
Hotel
Canal View Suites
Boutique suites · Waterfront · Breakfast included
from€245/night
Museum
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National History Museum
Art & culture · City Centre · Guided tours
from€18/person
Spa
Spa
Wellness & Spa Centre
Thermal baths · Art Deco · City centre
from€35/session
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History of Vlissingen
Vlissingen is a city with its face turned directly toward the wind and the waves. It has been a strategic **naval port** for centuries and was often the first line of defense for the entire country. The city was the birthplace of **Michiel de Ruyter** the most famous admiral in Dutch history who saved the nation in many sea battles. Every brick in the old walls seems to hold a story of pirates, sailors, and naval heroes who braved the Atlantic storms. The city is famous for its **Boulevard** which is the longest sea walk in the country. Because the shipping lane is so deep the massive cargo ships sail right past the town and offer a view you can't find anywhere else. For hundreds of years the people here watched the horizon for returning trade fleets or invading armadas. It was a place of high tension and high rewards where fortunes were made on the unpredictable currents of the **North Sea**. Today the city feels brave and open with a very wide sense of space. It has a gritty maritime atmosphere that is balanced by wide sandy beaches and modern art. You can explore the old **Casemates** or underground bunkers where soldiers once hid from cannon fire. It is the perfect end point for a coastal trip because it feels like the place where the land finally gives way to the endless blue of the ocean.Stay in the loop
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