Between the Westerschelde beach, the lighthouse and maritime art, Breskens reveals several distinct sides: connected stretches of beach, walking routes with different viewpoints and a long-standing August tradition. When choosing where to stay, you can first decide whether the coast, art and history, an event date or the crossing to Vlissingen will be the deciding factor in your travel plans.

Beach and walking routes

’t Zandertje beach is located in Breskens on the Westerschelde. Together with ’t Fort and het Halve Maantje, it forms one connected beach. The Panoramaweg offers a different viewpoint: it runs outside the dike and provides views of the Nieuwe Sluis lighthouse and the beaches.

If you would like to focus on art during a walk, the “Beelden in Beeld” walking route offers a distinct theme. In Breskens, it passes various works of art. The Panoramaweg and “Beelden in Beeld” therefore offer different perspectives: one on the lighthouse and beaches, the other on the artworks along the route.

Lighthouse, art and maritime history

The Nieuwe Sluis lighthouse dates from 1868. It is the oldest surviving cast-iron lighthouse in the Netherlands, stands 28.4 metres tall and has five floors. The Red Penguins have a very different form: a 14-metre-high structure featuring twelve giant red penguins rises above the Breskens marina. Local culture therefore ranges from the historic lighthouse to a striking art installation at the harbour.

The Visserijmuseum Breskens tells stories about fishermen and Breskens’ rich maritime history. Unique fossils are on display there, and the museum also has an aquarium with marine life. In August 2026, the museum was closed and hoped to welcome visitors to its new museum from mid-September 2026. If you are planning a visit, please check the latest visitor information.

A visit in August

The Visserijfeesten Breskens have been held every year in August since 1953. The programme includes performances by artists and street performers, a large funfair, a flea market and a food truck festival. Individual offerings may vary from year to year. If you are travelling specifically for the Feesten, check the dates and programme for that year before planning your trip.

The August date gives the event a clear seasonal focus. When looking for hotels in Breskens, you can first decide whether the Visserijfeesten will determine your travel dates or whether you are more interested in the beach, walking routes, lighthouse and maritime art. This helps you tailor your choice to the reason for your trip without assuming that every experience follows the same schedule.

Travelling across the Westerschelde

The Westerschelde Ferry connects Vlissingen and Breskens for pedestrians, cyclists and moped riders. During the crossing, you can enjoy views across the water and of passing container ships. The ferry may therefore be of interest both as a connection between the two towns and for the perspective from the water. If you are planning to use it for your journey, check the timetable for your chosen date.

Discover more destinations: Aardenburg, Oostburg, Eede, Nieuwvliet, Sluis, Sint Kruis, Hoofdplaat, Ijzendijke

Back to the main travel overview: Sluis.