{"id":5264,"date":"2026-08-06T15:16:42","date_gmt":"2026-08-06T13:16:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/visitvlissingen.nl\/?post_type=spot&p=5264"},"modified":"2026-09-09T15:53:48","modified_gmt":"2026-09-09T13:53:48","slug":"discover-the-history-of-vlissingen","status":"publish","type":"spot","link":"https:\/\/visitvlissingen.nl\/en\/spots\/ontdek-de-historie-van-vlissingen\/","title":{"rendered":"Discover the history of Vlissingen"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Discover the history of Vlissingen<\/h1>\n

Discover the history of Vlissingen<\/h1>\n \n

Step back in time and discover the rich history of Vlissingen during this 6-kilometer walk. The route leads you past historic streets, impressive monuments, and places where the maritime past is still visible. Along the way, you will learn more about the stories, events, and figures that have shaped Vlissingen into the city it is today.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \n \n \n <\/div>\n

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The Bellamy Park<\/h3>\n
The Bellamypark is the beating heart of Vlissingen - a lively square where everything comes together: conviviality, culture and gastronomy. <\/div>\n \n
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Reptile Zoo Iguana<\/h3>\n
Reptile Zoo Iguana is one of the largest indoor reptile zoos in Europe, located in the center of Vlissingen.<\/div>\n \n
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Casemates (temporarily closed)<\/h3>\n
The Vlissingen Casemates are an impressive historic structure that is part of the coastal defense system.<\/div>\n \n
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Statue of Michiel de Ruyter<\/h3>\n
Michiel de Ruyter defended the Dutch fleet in the 17th century. So it's not just a place to look at ships, but also to take a moment to reflect on Vlissingen's rich maritime history.<\/div>\n \n
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Keizersbolwerk Lighthouse<\/h3>\n
The lighthouse on the Keizersbolwerk is one of the most famous spots in Vlissingen and offers a wonderful view over the Westerschelde.<\/div>\n \n
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Belgian Pilot's Society<\/h3>\n
Located on Vlissingen's boulevard, Hotel Restaurant De Belgische Loodsensoci\u00ebteit offers a unique combination of history, comfort and culinary indulgence. <\/div>\n \n
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Timeline Boulevard de Ruyter<\/h3>\n
On Boulevard de Ruyter lies a historical timeline that tells the rich history of Vlissingen.<\/div>\n \n
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The Prison Tower<\/h3>\n
The Gevangentoren in Vlissingen, a monumental structure from the 16th century, has been transformed into an attractive restaurant and unique accommodation option.<\/div>\n \n
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Hotel the Naval School<\/h3>\n
Four-star hotel De Zeevaartschool on Vlissingen's boulevard uniquely combines character and comfort. This special hotel is housed in the former building of the Maritime School.<\/div>\n \n
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Bathing beach<\/h3>\n
The Badstrand in Vlissingen is a popular destination for locals and tourists alike. Located along the promenade, this beach offers stunning views of the Westerschelde River.<\/div>\n \n
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Wind Organ<\/h3>\n
The Wind Organ, located on Vlissingen's boulevard, is a work of art that transforms the natural power of the wind into music. This particular instrument consists of a series of vertical pipes.<\/div>\n \n
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Nolle beach<\/h3>\n
The Nolle beach in Vlissingen is a popular place for locals and tourists alike to enjoy sun, sea and beach. <\/div>\n \n
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Vlissingen water tower<\/h3>\n
The Vlissingen Water Tower, located at Badhuisstraat 187, is a striking structure dating from 1894 and since 2015 the tower has been fully restored and converted into a unique vacation rental. <\/div>\n \n
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St. James' Church<\/h3>\n
The Sint Jacobskerk, located on the Oude Markt in Vlissingen, is a monumental church building with a rich history dating back to the 14th century. <\/div>\n \n
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Starting point: Fonteyne Parking Garage<\/h2>\n

Starting point: Fonteyne Parking Garage<\/h2>\n

The walk starts at Fonteyne Parking Garage, right in the center of Vlissingen. Leave the parking garage and turn right onto Spuistraat.<\/p>\n

Walk down the Spuistraat until you reach the Bellamy Park<\/a>, the lively hospitality square of the city. Here you will find various restaurants and terraces, the water fountain and Reptile Zoo Iguana<\/a>. Continue your route along the Bellamypark towards the Beursplein. Here stands the monumental Old Stock Exchange building, which serves as a reminder of the important trading function that Flushing fulfilled for centuries.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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De Ruyter Boulevard<\/h2>\n

De Ruyter Boulevard<\/h2>\n

From Beursplein, you walk onto Boulevard De Ruyter. Here you are on the historical Keizersbolwerk, with a panoramic view over the Westerschelde.<\/p>\n

At this point stand two iconic sights of Vlissingen: the statue of admiral Michiel de Ruyter<\/a> en the characteristic Coastal Light<\/a>, the red lighthouse that still adorns the boulevard.<\/p>\n

Continue along the Boulevard De Ruyter. Along the way, you will pass the Belgian pilots' society<\/a> and do you find one special timeline<\/a> on Boulevard De Ruyter, which tells the history of the city.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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Prisoner's Tower and Boulevard Bankert<\/h2>\n

Prisoner's Tower and Boulevard Bankert<\/h2>\n

After the timeline is the Prison Tower<\/a>, one of the oldest monuments in Vlissingen. Originally, this tower was part of the medieval city defenses.<\/p>\n

Then continue walking along Boulevard Bankert. Here you will pass the former building of the School of Navigation<\/a>l, nowadays a hotel. This monumental building played an important role in the training of seafarers for years.<\/p>\n

Follow the Boulevard Evertsen towards the Nollehoofd. At the very tip stands the special Wind Organ<\/a>, an artwork that produces sound driven by the wind and waves. From here you have a magnificent view of the coastline, the Western Scheldt and Nollestrand<\/a>. Then walk back via Boulevard Evertsen to continue the route.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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Lion's Staircase and Water Tower<\/h2>\n

Lion's Staircase and Water Tower<\/h2>\n

At Pier 7, cross the Naereboutplein. Behind the square is the characteristic Leeuwentrap, which takes you down towards the city.<\/p>\n

Follow Badhuisstraat as far as the striking Water tower<\/a>, one of the best known landmarks of Vlissingen.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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Historic shopping streets<\/h2>\n

Historic shopping streets<\/h2>\n

Via the Peperdijk you reach the Walstraat, for centuries one of the most important streets in the inner city. Walk down the Walstraat to the Kleine Markt.<\/p>\n

Turn here onto Sint Jacobsstraat. This street leads you to the Oude Markt, where the imposing St. James' Church<\/a> state.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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Back to Fonteyne<\/h2>\n

Back to Fonteyne<\/h2>\n

Leave the Old Market via Marktstraat and walk back to Spuistraat and Fonteyne Parking Garage.<\/p>\n

Here ends this walk along the maritime history, monumental buildings, the boulevard and the historic heart of Vlissingen.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/section>","protected":false},"featured_media":2101,"parent":0,"template":"","tags":[],"spot_category":[129],"class_list":["post-5264","spot","type-spot","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","spot_category-tips-trips"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/visitvlissingen.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/spot\/5264","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/visitvlissingen.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/spot"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/visitvlissingen.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/spot"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/visitvlissingen.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2101"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/visitvlissingen.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5264"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/visitvlissingen.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5264"},{"taxonomy":"spot_category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/visitvlissingen.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/spot_category?post=5264"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}