Seafront and Beach

Breskens is a small seaside town on the south bank of the Westerschelde, in Zeeuws-Vlaanderen, the part of Zeeland that lies south of the estuary and borders Belgium. It is a working fishing port with a long history, and it is also a popular holiday spot, thanks to a wide sandy beach on the water and a seafront promenade with cafes, shops and views of passing ships. The Westerschelde is the shipping route to Antwerp, so the horizon is busy with container vessels, tankers and ferries, which gives the beach a different feel from the North Sea coast.

The beach is well kept and designed for a comfortable day by the water. There are marked swimming areas, a quieter section where naturism is allowed, and two beach pavilions, Loods Tien and 't Halve Maentje, which serve food and drinks on terraces that face the water. They are good places to have lunch or watch the sun set, and in summer they are busy. The water is calmer than on the open North Sea, which makes it appealing for families, and the broad sand is good for long walks.

The seafront promenade is relaxed and has a small-harbour atmosphere. Fishing boats still come and go, and fresh fish, shrimp and mussels are served in restaurants close to the quay. The harbour is also the departure point of the passenger ferry across the estuary to Vlissingen, a short crossing that links Zeeuws-Vlaanderen with Walcheren and is popular with cyclists. A cast-iron lighthouse dating from the nineteenth century, 1867 by most accounts, is a protected monument and one of the symbols of the town, and the Nieuwe Sluis lighthouse is another landmark in the area.

The surrounding landscape adds to a visit. Zeeuws-Vlaanderen has a flat polder landscape, historic fortified towns such as Sluis and Hulst, and the long beaches of Cadzand and Nieuwvliet. Cycling is easy and well signposted, and the Belgian border is only a short ride away. The area is quiet in spring and autumn and busiest in July and August.

The seafront suits families, cyclists, ship spotters and anyone who enjoys a beach with a working harbour attached. Bring a windbreak, check the tide and weather, and consider timing your visit for the evening, when the light over the estuary is at its best.