Zierikzee combines a historic center with maritime themes and nature experiences. More than 500 monuments, an extensive municipal collection, restored ships and a walking route for birdwatching offer different focal points for a stay. You can shape your time around your interests in architectural history, seafaring or nature.

Monuments and museum collection

Visitors can see more than 500 monuments in the historic city center. Notable examples include the Nobelpoort, an imposing medieval city gate dating from the 14th century and one of Zierikzee’s three surviving city gates. The Sint-Lievensmonstertoren, also known as the Dikke Toren, is 62 meters high. Both buildings reveal different facets of the city’s history.

Stadhuismuseum Zierikzee is housed in the monumental former town hall in the city center. It manages the Schouwen-Duiveland municipal collection, which contains almost 9,000 objects. These include ship models, silverwork, historical maps, paintings, archaeological finds and exotic souvenirs. The collection offers a variety of ways to explore the area’s history if you are interested in seafaring, art or regional history.

Tower and routes through the city

Construction of the Sint-Lievensmonstertoren began in 1454 and was halted around 1510. Visitors can climb the Dikke Toren by ascending 278 steps and enjoy far-reaching views of Zierikzee, the Oosterschelde and the Zeelandbrug from a height of 62 meters. If you plan to climb it, check the visiting options before your trip.

The Stadsjuwelenroute passes city gates, manor houses and other monuments in Zierikzee. Another option is the Walk of Fame van Zierikzee, which runs through the traffic-calmed city center. It is easily accessible from the parking areas around the historic old town and suitable for strollers and wheelchair users. Zierikzee also has a weekly goods market on Thursdays. If you want to visit the market, you can take this weekday into account when planning your stay.

Ships and nature experiences

Museumhaven Zeeland has two locations: a shipyard and a harbor with authentic vessels. Old ships and marine engines are restored at the shipyard. A visit to Museumhaven can also include a boat trip through Zierikzee harbor.

A walking route around Zierikzee passes an area that has been converted into nature as part of Plan Tureluur and is suitable for birdwatching. The route therefore offers a connection with nature in addition to the monuments in the center. At a listening station on the harbor point in Zierikzee, visitors can also hear the underwater sounds of harbor porpoises.

When choosing how to spend your stay, you can weigh these different interests: historic buildings and the museum collection, ships and a possible boat trip, or walking and birdwatching. The topics that matter most to you will determine how you spend your time in Zierikzee.

Discover more destinations: Dreischor, Ouwerkerk, Noordgouwe, Bruinisse, Zonnemaire, Kerkwerve, Ellemeet, Brouwershaven

For the main travel overview: Schouwen-Duiveland.