The route “De geheimen van Sluis en Sint Anna ter Muiden” begins in the square in front of the Belfry. It leads into the car-free Meerminnestraat opposite and past the statue of Johan Hendrik van Dale on Walplein. These stops offer concrete points of reference for the town’s history, without limiting you to a single building.
Route and town history
The Damse Vaart also helps orient you to the town’s history: the canal, also known as the Sluis-Brugge Canal or Napoleons Canal, was extended to the centre of Sluis in 1854. Over the course of its history, Sluis became Flanders’ most important port. The connection between the canal and the port explains another aspect of the town’s history, alongside its visible buildings and monuments.
De Steenen Beer, also known as Westpoort or Brugse Poort, is a fortified town gate. Master mason Hendrik Timmerman built it between 1444 and 1456. Another historical trace leads further back: the Sint-Janskerk was a cruciform church dating from the mid-14th century and once stood in Dinsdagstraat, near Sint-Janskerkhof. Molen De Brak was built in 1739 and was the region’s first stone mill.
Ramparts, nature and routes
The Wallen van Sluis are of both ecological and cultural-historical value. Rare species found there include the European tree frog, though sightings are not guaranteed. A circular route along the ramparts is about 4.5 kilometres long. This approximate distance gives you a concrete point of reference for planning, without specifying a particular walking time.
For cyclists, the network of paths around Sluis offers a different perspective: it runs along quiet polder roads and dikes. You can choose between a circular walk along the ramparts and a cycling trip through the polder landscape. The two options have different focuses, and different information is available for each route.
Museum and playground
The Belfry is the only belfry in the Netherlands and is now an interactive museum. Activities include a quiz, a dialect game and climbing the Belfry tower. This connects the building’s historical significance with hands-on activities centred on knowledge, language and the tower.
Klein Ravelijn is a public playground on Kloosterstraat, next to the school or MFC De Keure. Its theme is knights and castles. If this place fits your plans, bear in mind that the facilities may change, and check current visiting options.
Mills and seasonal offerings
Molen De Brak is still in operation and is used regularly. Its brasserie makes apple pie and pancakes using its own flour; availability may vary. If you are planning a visit, check the current visiting options before you travel. This means the historic mill is not merely a building dating from 1739, but also offers a connection to its use and to dishes made with its own flour.
Struisvogelboerderij Monnikenwerve offers guided tours covering incubators, eggs, chicks and adult ostriches. The farm operates seasonally. Its tea room serves ostrich cake and ostrich liqueur and has a terrace; availability may vary by season. So check visiting options in advance if you plan to include a tour or tea room visit in your itinerary.
Discover more destinations: Groede, Aardenburg, Cadzand-Bad, Waterlandkerkje, Retranchement, Cadzand, Sint Kruis, Zuidzande.
Back to the main travel overview: Sluis.
