Arnemuiden combines local history and maritime heritage with opportunities for hiking, cycling and water sports. This makes the town interesting for a variety of interests: you can explore its history and the everyday lives of its residents, or focus on the trails and outdoor activities.
Local History and Traditional Costume
The Arnemuiden Museum is housed in the former town hall and an old house opposite. It covers local history, traditional costume, maritime history and notable archaeological finds. The exhibition on Arnemuiden traditional costume explains its history through four scenes. Alongside the archaeological and maritime topics, local clothing offers another way to explore the past.
’t Uusje van Eine is a 19th-century house that illustrates the everyday lives of Arnemuiden’s residents around 1900. The town’s history can also be placed in context: Arnemuiden was founded at its current location in 1462; in 1574, Prins Willem van Oranje granted the town city rights. In the center, information panels, walking routes and murals convey local history, customs and identity.
The history of Arnemuiden’s shrimp fishing also offers a glimpse into family life. Fishing was done from Hoogaarsen; the shrimp were cooked on board and then peeled at home by the whole family, including the children. This connects the maritime history with a concrete look at the work that continued after the catch.
Shipyard Visit and Routes Through the Surrounding Area
The C.A. Meerman shipyard is still in operation and also serves as a museum: it preserves, maintains and displays historic maritime heritage. Visitors can see historic tools, machinery and shipbuilding equipment, as well as restoration work and traditional techniques. The shipyard is about a five-minute walk from Arnemuiden station. This approximate walking time provides a practical guide for your visit.
For a walk, there is a hiking map with a route through and around the town that passes sights from the Second World War. Other walking trails run through Arnemuiden and the surrounding countryside. The entrance to Heggengebied Arnemuiden is right by Oranjepolderseweg; parking is available along De Blikkendijk in Arnemuiden. Check the access and parking information again before you travel.
Arnemuiden lies on the border between Walcheren and Zuid-Beveland, two former Zeeland islands. From here, you can cycle towards Middelburg, Vlissingen, Veere, Goes and the surrounding area. Cycling and walking offer different ways to spend your stay than visiting the historical exhibitions or the shipyard.
Water Sports and a Small Museum Tip
For water sports, Watersportbedrijf De Arne offers wakeboarding, kneeboarding, tubing and water skiing on a course equipped with various obstacles. The company also rents sailboats, cabin boats and motor yachts for day trips or longer stays. The different boat types and rental periods offer concrete options for a range of plans on the water.
Het Oude Toonkamertje combines a traditional Dutch sweet shop with an upstairs museum themed around a journey back in time. If you plan to visit, check the current opening days beforehand. This lets you fit it into your stay without assuming that it will be open on a particular day.
Discover more destinations: Middelburg, Nieuw- En Sint Joosland.
Return to the main travel overview: Middelburg.
