A former monastery that served as an orphanage for a long time houses the Historisch Museum De Bevelanden. It displays regional costumes from De Bevelanden spanning the past 150 years, as well as four life-size paintings depicting the old tradition of the local marksmen’s guild. Here, you can encounter regional clothing and an older tradition portrayed in large-scale paintings.
Monastery, Church and Market Tradition
The Grote of Maria Magdalenakerk in Goes offers another glimpse into history. The church is a late Gothic cruciform basilica; it probably originated as a tuff-stone hall church in the second half of the 12th century. Individual visitors can visit it from early April to the end of October. Visitor information and guided tours of the church are available. Check the current visiting hours before your trip.
The Grote Markt is a historic, car-free square. A market has been held there since 1350. From May through October, a free guided walking tour of historic Goes takes place every Wednesday afternoon. It offers a glimpse of the old town centre and a practical opportunity to explore the city on foot.
Slot Oostende is considered the oldest building in Goes. A historical tour for a maximum of 15 people is offered there on Saturdays at 10 a.m. The brewery tour takes you to the fermentation and storage tanks and the Brouwzolder, and ends with a tasting of four different beers. You can choose between a tour of the building’s history and a closer look at the brewing process.
Music and theatre are also part of the cultural offering: open-air concerts take place in the Manhuistuin in Goes from April to September. Theatre de Mythe offers a varied programme of performances throughout the season and also provides amateur ensembles and schools with a professional stage.
History in Motion
A ride on the Stoomtrein Goes-Borsele offers an experience similar to travelling by train in the early 20th century. At the museum depot in Goes, volunteers restore and maintain trains in a workshop; visitors can watch the work in the traction building. This combines a historic travel experience with a glimpse of the work involved in maintaining the trains. The entrance is about 400 metres from Goes NS railway station. Check the signs before you travel.
Two routes also offer different points of reference for planning. The Goes–Kloetinge–Kattendijke Heritage Route is 20 kilometres long. Stage 16 of the Oosterscheldepad passes through Kattendijke and the Wilhelminapolder, then follows the Kattendijksedijk to the Goese vesten. While the Heritage Route gives its total length, the Oosterscheldepad description makes its course tangible by naming specific places and sections of the route. The Goese vesten form a walking area around the city, with trees along the water, artworks in the water and habitats for numerous ducks and geese.
Water, Trails and Recreation
The municipality of Goes borders Oosterschelde National Park and Veerse Meer. Goese Sas is a popular sports diving site on the Oosterschelde. KANOA is located in Wolphaartsdijk, on Veerse Meer by Haven de Piet. Activities on offer include canoeing and stand-up paddleboarding; KANOA also has a climbing tower with a zipline over the water. As activities may vary by season, check the latest information before planning your visit.
The Poelbos, a multifunctional woodland with walking trails, amphibian ponds and play meadows, lies in the area around Goes and Heinkenszand. De Hollandsche Hoeve is a recreation park with play meadows and walking trails. Omnium in Goes brings a different range of activities together under one roof: a swimming paradise and four sports halls.
In the centre of Goes, Vlot rents out bicycles, tandems, scooters, kick scooters and electric boats. For cycling trips elsewhere in Zeeland, the regional FIKS cycling junction network lets you choose your own route length and plan your route using a route planner. De Goese Golf is a challenging 18-hole championship course designed by Donald Steel. The TrackMan® Range is also open to non-members and can be used without prior booking.
Discover more destinations: Goes, Wolphaartsdijk, Kattendijke, Kloetinge, 's-Heer Hendrikskinderen, Sluis, Vlissingen, Reimerswaal.
For the overview of the wider region: Zeeland.
