Schouwen-Duiveland and Kop van Schouwen

The Landscape

Schouwen-Duiveland is the northernmost island of Zeeland and a landscape full of surprising contrasts. To the west, wide beaches and tall dunes stretch out, while inland you will find quiet polders, winding dikes, and expansive fields. In the east, the tidal life of the National Park Oosterschelde comes alive as mudflats and salt marshes move with the rhythm of the sea. Behind the dunes and dikes lies a green polder landscape dotted with historic towns and charming villages. Remnants of old creeks and past floods have gradually transformed into valuable nature reserves. The vast countryside still breathes the peace and openness that have defined it for centuries.

The Kop van Schouwen is the western tip of Schouwen-Duiveland. Here, the highest dunes in Zeeland rise along wide beaches where marram grass proudly withstands the wind and the soothing sound of the sea is always nearby. Behind the dunes stretches a changing landscape of pine forests, dune valleys, and lively sand drifts. Among the oaks, sea buckthorns, and ferns, fallow deer sneak quietly, songbirds sing, and rabbits hop through the greenery. The past is still visible here as well. The ring fort of Burgh, a remnant from the early Middle Ages, tells the story of a time when locals defended themselves against invasions. In Haamstede, the old castle and church still recall the influence of noble families and the village life of the past.