Walk across Middelburg’s Market Square and you’ll immediately see the impressive Town Hall. "What to do in Middelburg" is a question you’ll be able to answer easily after reading this guide. The Zeeland capital was once a thriving Dutch East India Company (VOC) hub, a history you can still feel in its narrow streets and many monuments. There are no fewer than 1,100 monuments clustered together here, making it ideal to explore on foot. Whether you love culture, shopping, or nightlife, Middelburg has it all.
- Where to stay
- Choose a hotel in the center, like Boutique Hotel The Roosevelt or Hotel St. Joris, for the best starting point.
- Perfect for
- Culture lovers and families, thanks to the mix of history and kids' activities like Mini Mundi.
- Don't miss
- Climb the Lange Jan for a panorama over Walcheren.
Tips I'd give a friend
Thinking back on my visit, these are the things I’d share with you.
Combine the Town Hall and Market Square
Visit the Market Square on Thursday or Saturday for the weekly market. The Town Hall can be toured on Sunday mornings. This is the best way to experience the city.
Source · From the travel blog
Time for the Lange Jan
Go when the weather is clear; the view over the islands is phenomenal. The 207 steps are well worth the effort.
Source · From the travel blog
Plan for the Zeeland Museum
The Zeeland Museum in the abbey is a must. Set aside at least half a day for the Wonder Rooms and the Flemish tapestries.
Source · From the travel blog
Market Square, Town Hall & Meat Hall
Middelburg’s Market Square, at 7800 m2, is one of the largest market squares in the Netherlands. The 15th-century Town Hall and the Meat Hall behind it are immediate eye-catchers.
- 7800 m2 market square
- Late Gothic Town Hall with carillon
- Meat Hall with contemporary art
- Weekly market on Thursdays and Saturdays
The Market Square is the beating heart of the city. The Town Hall, built between 1452 and 1520, features a magnificent Late Gothic facade. In 2009, it was chosen as the most beautiful town hall in the Netherlands. You can take a guided tour of the interior on Sunday mornings. Behind the Town Hall lies the Meat Hall, once a covered meat market. Today, it serves as an art hall for experimental and postmodern exhibitions. The weekly market on Thursdays and Saturdays adds extra vibrancy to the square.
Weekly market on Thursdays and Saturdays
The market is held every Thursday and Saturday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Guided tours of the Town Hall are available on Sundays.
Central location in the city
The Market Square is within walking distance of the train station and serves as the center point of the historic inner city.
Most beautiful town hall in the Netherlands
In 2009, the Town Hall was voted the most beautiful town hall in the country.
Come on a market day to experience the square as it’s meant to be.
Lange Jan
Lange Jan is the third-highest church tower in the Netherlands, standing at 90.5 meters. After 207 steps, a vast view over Walcheren awaits you.
- 207 steps to the platform
- Views as far as the Zeeland islands on a clear day
- Part of the abbey complex
- Admission fee required
Lange Jan, or Middelburg’s abbey tower, stands 90.5 meters tall, soaring above everything. The 14th-century tower is octagonal and topped with a crown modeled after an imperial crown. You pay admission to climb the 207 steps to the platform. Once there, you have a magnificent panorama of Walcheren. On a clear day, you can see the other Zeeland islands in the distance.
Climb is not free
You need a ticket to climb the tower. Check the website for prices and current opening hours.
207 steps up
Be prepared for a steep climb of 207 steps. The platform is located at mid-height.
Best time for the climb
Go in the morning before the crowds arrive to enjoy the view in peace.
Go on a clear day; the view over the islands is absolutely phenomenal.
Zeeland Museum
The Zeeland Museum in Middelburg Abbey provides a varied look into Zeeland’s culture and history.
- Located within the abbey complex
- 6 Flemish tapestries from 1595-1604
- Wonder Rooms with objects from around the world
- Temporary art exhibitions
The museum displays paintings, porcelain, traditional costumes, and everyday artifacts. The Wonder Rooms on the upper floor are a highlight, featuring hundreds of objects from across the globe. Additionally, there are 6 unique Flemish tapestries that depict the heroic deeds of the Zeeland army during the Eighty Years' War. The museum is located in the abbey complex, which was largely spared during the bombing on May 17, 1940.
Part of the abbey complex
The museum is housed within the abbey complex; combine it with a visit to the abbey churches.
Opening hours and prices
Check the official website for opening hours and ticket prices. Online booking is recommended.
Quickly accessible
Walk straight from the station; the abbey is just a 10-minute walk away.
Plan for half a day at this museum; there really is a lot to see.
Middelburg Abbey
Middelburg Abbey is a large complex with churches and a square, founded around 1100.
- Founded by Norbertines around 1100
- Churches: Choir Church, New Church, and Wandelkerk
- King William II buried in the Choir Church
- Bombing damage in 1940, later restored
The abbey complex is one of the oldest structures in the city. The Norbertines resided here until 1574, when they departed following the Siege of Middelburg. The complex includes a central square and several churches: the Choir Church (Koorkerk), the New Church (Nieuwe Kerk), and the Wandelkerk. The Choir Church is the final resting place of King William II. Lange Jan is also part of the complex. The entire site underwent a major restoration after being damaged on May 17, 1940.
Various architectural styles
Over the centuries, the buildings were expanded, resulting in a mix of styles from Romanesque to Gothic.
Combine with the Zeeland Museum
The museum is located within the complex; combine both visits for a complete picture.
Centrally located
The abbey is in the center, within walking distance of the Market Square and the station.
Be sure to visit the Choir Church to see the king's funerary monument.
Kloveniersdoelen
The Kloveniersdoelen is a national monument from 1611, once an archers' guild house, now a cultural center.
- Flemish Renaissance style with 36 decorative anchors
- Once housing for the civic guards responsible for maintaining order
- Now a cinema, café, restaurant, and children’s playground
- Courtyard garden for lunch and drinks
This 1611 building features a Flemish brick facade and 36 decorative wall anchors. The civic guards, known as the Kloveniers, used to have their shooting ranges here. In the 18th century, the guards' club was disbanded. Today, the building serves as an arthouse cinema, a café, and a children’s playground. The restaurant and courtyard garden are managed by De Houttuinen. A lunch in the courtyard garden is highly recommended during good weather.
Lunch in the courtyard garden
If the weather is nice, choose a spot in the courtyard garden. It’s quiet and atmospheric.
Film screenings and opening hours
The building has varying opening hours for the café and restaurant. Check the website for movie times.
From civic guard to culture
The building has a rich history as a military hospital and is now a cultural hotspot.
The courtyard garden is perfect for lunch on a warm day.
East Church
The East Church is a top attraction from 1667 and is always free to visit.
- Classicist Baroque style
- Richly decorated with garlands
- Always free to enter
- Guided tour for climbing the dome for the view
The East Church opened its doors in 1667 and is considered the pinnacle of Classicist Baroque in the Netherlands. Inside, the church is lavishly decorated with sculptures. You can climb the dome during a guided tour—you’ll be rewarded with a magnificent view over the city. The best news: the church is always free to visit. Take your time to admire the interior details.
Always free to visit
The church can be visited without an admission fee. There is a separate charge for the dome tour.
Dome and views
The dome can only be climbed via a guided tour. Inquire at the entrance about availability.
In the center
The East Church is within walking distance of the Market Square and other attractions.
Free and unique: the dome climb is only available during a guided tour.
What is the best day for the Market in Middelburg?
The weekly market is held on Thursdays and Saturdays. The Town Hall can be visited on Sunday mornings via a guided tour.
How high is Lange Jan and how many steps does it have?
Lange Jan is 90.5 meters high. You climb 207 steps to a platform with a view over Walcheren.
Is the Zeeland Museum free?
No, the museum is not free. However, the East Church in Middelburg is always free to visit.
What is there to do in Middelburg with children?
Middelburg offers activities such as Prison Island, GlowGolf, Karting Zeeland, and Mini Mundi with a family playground. The Kloveniersdoelen also has a children's playground.
How many monuments does Middelburg have?
The city has nearly 1,100 monuments, most of which are located close to each other in the center.