--- "@type": WebPage "@id": "https://toxopeus.ctxr.app/en/ontdekken" "@source": "https://toxopeus.ctxr.app/data/webpage/ontdek.json" "@stamp": "2026-10-22T13:22:08+00:00" about: # 2 - {"@id":"https://toxopeus.ctxr.app/en/schouwen-duiveland"} - {"@id":"https://toxopeus.ctxr.app/en/routes/schouwen-duiveland"} dateModified: "2026-10-14T11:57:00+00:00" datePublished: "2026-04-14T08:00:00+00:00" description: "Discover beautiful Schouwen-Duiveland: our personal favourites, from fish and Italian food to spotting seals and walking with your dog." identifier: ontdek image: "@type": ImageObject contentUrl: /assets/images/IMG_3352-copy.webp name: Schouwen-Duiveland inLanguage: en name: Discover url: "https://toxopeus.ctxr.app/en/ontdekken" --- # Discover [Nederlands](https://toxopeus.ctxr.app/data/webpage/ontdek.md) • [English](https://toxopeus.ctxr.app/en/data/webpage/ontdek.md) • [Deutsch](https://toxopeus.ctxr.app/de/data/webpage/ontdek.md) ## Discover the beautiful Schouwen-Duiveland The bicycle is the best means of transport on the island, although you can of course reach many locations by other means too. Here you will find a number of personal favourites we are happy to share with you. Where to enjoy fish or Italian food, where to spot seals and porpoises, buy lovely farm and organic products, walk endlessly with your dog or find the most beautiful spots on the beach. ## Discover Schouwen-Duiveland by bike Schouwen-Duiveland is above all an island to experience by bike. With hundreds of kilometres of cycle paths winding through dunes, along dikes and across historic village squares, every pedal stroke is a discovery. The fresh sea air, the view over vast waters and the rhythm of the landscape make every ride special. From lively Zierikzee to the quiet creeks near Ouwerkerk, from mussel village Bruinisse to the wide beaches of Renesse: by bike you connect all these places effortlessly. On the way you pass bird-rich nature reserves, monumental farms and cosy terraces where you can rest with a Zeeland bolus or fresh oysters. There are several options nearby to reserve bikes. In the village around the corner is [Bouwman](https://www.bouwmantweewielers.nl), and further towards Burgh, opposite the pancake mill, you will find [Fietsverhuur Zeeland](https://www.fietsverhuurzeeland.nl). You can also use a delivery and collection service: [Cycle-Life](https://cycle-life.nl/). ## Restaurant Il Gallo Near Westenschouwen you will find restaurant Il Gallo, a little piece of Italy in Zeeland. Everything here is about pure flavours and craft: homemade dishes following traditional Italian recipes, served with carefully selected Italian wines. At Il Gallo you taste the soul of Italy in every bite. The menu offers a wide choice of cold and hot antipasti, tasty soups and refined main courses with fish, meat, pasta or vegetarian options. There is a special children's menu for the youngest guests, and you can finish on a sweet note with a delicious dessert from the menu. ## Dog beach On the western tip of Schouwen-Duiveland lies one of the quietest and most beautiful beaches in the Netherlands. Between 1 October and 1 May dogs may run free there; from 1 May they must be on a lead between 10:00 and 19:00. An exception applies at Verklikkerstrand: there your dog must be on a lead day and night from 1 April to 15 September because of rare birds such as the little ringed plover. In summer, including the breeding season, there is an off-lead area for dogs. ## Restaurant Seafarm At this restaurant on the banks of the Oosterschelde, everything is about flavour, origin and sustainability. Here you enjoy the very best turbot and shellfish, super fresh, carefully selected and purified in the clean spring water of the Oosterschelde. They work with local products as much as possible and catch their own razor clams. Seafarm Oysters and other shellfish are carefully purified in the clear water of the Oosterschelde, so that their natural flavour comes fully into its own. ## Plan Tureluur Along the south coast of Schouwen-Duiveland stretches Plan Tureluur: a vast nature reserve full of marshes, creeks and channels. Although most of it is not accessible, the dike offers a wonderful view over this dynamic landscape. In the middle of the area stands the De Zuidkaap lookout tower, reached via an unpaved path and a wooden bridge over the creek. Once at the top you are rewarded with a panoramic view over the water, where with a bit of luck black-tailed godwits, spoonbills, avocets and of course the redshank show themselves. Walking or cycling along the dike you may suddenly find yourself face to face with a flock of free-roaming sheep. In September Plan Tureluur turns into a riot of colour: the glasswort turns purple-red and forms an enchanting contrast with the blue of sky and water. Picking remains forbidden: nature is given all the space here. ## Restaurants Burgh-Haamstede offers a surprisingly varied choice of restaurants, from pancakes to seafood and a romantic dinner. Please note: restaurants are not open every day. ### Burgh-Haamstede - Hotel Bom, 0111 652229 (varied menu) - Brasserie de Barones, 0111 232611 (also breakfast) - Pizzeria Sense, 0111 653606 ### Westenschouwen - Restaurant Le Poirier, 0111 764 799 (excellent cuisine) - Il Gallo, 0111 650444 (very good Italian food) ### Storm surge barrier / Neeltje Jans - Restaurant Seafarm, 0113 371 828 (excellent fish restaurant) - Proef Zeeland (fish and mussels), Faelweg 1, Vrouwenpolder ### Zierikzee - Restaurant De Werf, 0111 414 244 (good food) - Hotel Restaurant Hector, 0111 451378 (very good food) ### On the Oosterschelde - Restaurant De Heerenkeet, 0111 671 279 (mixed cuisine) - Restaurant Oliegeultje, 0111 652 875 (mixed cuisine) ## Spotting seals at Neeltje Jans In the vast watery landscape of the Oosterschelde live two special residents: the common seal and the grey seal. At Neeltje Jans you can simply admire them from the shore, no binoculars needed. **Common seal:** recognisable by its round head and gentle gaze. This species is slightly smaller and is the most common in the Oosterschelde. **Grey seal:** larger and sturdier, with a long snout reminiscent of a dog. They are a bit more assertive and stand out for their powerful build. At low tide both species like to rest on the mussel farming installations in the refuge harbour of Neeltje Jans. Sometimes dozens are sunbathing. Keep your eyes open: every encounter feels like a little gift from nature. ## Activities: Walking in dunes and forests From the house you walk straight into the centuries-old dune landscape. The Zeepeduinen are 500 metres away, with Exmoor ponies and endless paths to wander along. On the Kop van Schouwen you will find vast forests with roe deer, fallow deer and woodpeckers, and in the Westhoek there are beautiful dune lakes. Feel free to bring your dog and mind the lead rules in the breeding season (see Dog beach under Recommended). ## Activities: Beach, sea and wind The Kop van Schouwen (4.3 km) has vast natural beaches to relax on or to blow away the cobwebs. Along the coast you see kitesurfers, parasailers and in summer surfers, and at sunset anglers fish for sea bass. You can also fish on the beach at Westenschouwen, around the corner. ## Activities: Cycling and e-bikes The island has hundreds of kilometres of cycle paths. Close to the house you can rent (electric) bikes, tandems and cargo bikes, or have them delivered and collected. Under Recommended you will find the addresses, and on our routes page there are cycling routes to get started right away. ## Activities: Water, birds and seals Oosterschelde National Park (5 km) is a tidal estuary full of life. At Deltapark Neeltje Jans (5 km) you discover the power of water and see seals from the shore. In Plan Tureluur you watch black-tailed godwits, spoonbills and avocets from the De Zuidkaap lookout tower. ## Activities: Castle garden and village 25 metres from the house lies the castle garden of Slot Haamstede, where with a bit of luck you will see roe deer. In the village you will find shops, terraces and restaurants, and Zierikzee (20 km) is an authentic historic harbour town with shops and cosy terraces. ## Events: What's on during your stay? Schouwen-Duiveland has events all year round: markets, art, sports and village festivals. Every year there is the Kunstschouw, for example. What exactly is on during your stay is best seen in the current calendar below. ## Events: Current calendar The island's calendar is maintained by Op Schouwen-Duiveland and DagjeWeg.nl. Do you have a particular date in mind? Feel free to ask us, and we will gladly think along with you. ## House guide: Arrival and departure Welcome\! From 15:00 you may come in (until 22:00), and we appreciate it if you leave before 10:00. A few days beforehand we will email you the route, access via the key safe, the welcome folder and our rules for dogs. The beds are made up for you and there are towels for you. ## House guide: Cooking and eating Fancy a coffee? A Nespresso machine is ready for you. In our small kitchen you can cook perfectly well on the two-burner induction hob, and there is plenty of cookware. The dining table seats four, so pull up a chair. ## House guide: Warm and comfortable Our winter stove is an experience: it burns on special water and simply works with a remote control. A bit quirky, but above all very cosy. When you are here, we are happy to show you how it works. Hot days? Then the fans are ready for you. WiFi is free. And want to watch something on TV? Simply stream it from your own mobile via Chromecast. You will find all practical information about the house in the welcome folder. ## House guide: Sorting waste We are in favour of organic and do what we can to keep the earth liveable. No woolly socks, but practical: we separate grey waste, packaging and organic waste, and of course paper and glass too. Great that you join in\! ## House guide: Parking and dogs Your dog is very welcome (€ 55 per stay, a second dog € 35). Parking is free around the corner, and parking on our own grounds is also possible. You will find the house rules in the [terms and conditions](/algemene-voorwaarden). ## House guide: Questions during your stay Is something unclear, or could you use a tip? Feel free to send us a [WhatsApp](https://wa.me/31622219996) message or call [+31 6 22 21 99 96](tel:+31622219996). We are happy to help, and we also like to hear how you enjoyed your stay. Cristian and Marise ## What other guests say > We arrived at a cosy and characteristic little house where we were given a very warm welcome. The space is quirkily and atmospherically furnished, not a standard holiday home interior. That gives a homely feeling\! The location is great, in the middle of the centre and by bike you can easily go in every direction. A great place for a few days in Burgh Haamstede\! Renee > Very tastefully furnished little house with everything you need. The beds were already beautifully made up, and on arrival a lovely welcome drink. Kitchen with all facilities. All in all we enjoyed it, a recommendation, and we even had nice Zeeland weather. Geraldine