Discover Goes: Monastery History, Railways and Water

At the Historisch Museum De Bevelanden, you can explore several chapters of regional history at once: the museum is housed in a former monastery that later served as an orphanage for many years. Exhibits include regional costumes from De Bevelanden dating back 150 years and four life-size paintings depicting the old tradition of shooting guilds. The collection brings together clothing and paintings from different periods.

Church Architecture and Historic Buildings

The Grote of Maria Magdalenakerk is a late Gothic cruciform basilica. It probably originated as a tuff-stone hall church in the second half of the 12th century. Individual visitors can tour the church from early April to the end of October; check the dates before your trip. Visitor information and church tours are also available. Check the current offerings in advance.

Slot Oostende is considered the oldest building in Goes. A historical tour takes place on Saturdays at 10 a.m. for a maximum of 15 people. The brewery tour offers a different perspective on the building: it takes visitors to the fermentation and storage tanks and the Brouwzolder, and ends with a tasting of four different beers.

Railway Experiences and Trails

On the Stoomtrein Goes-Borsele, you can experience a train journey much as it might have been at the beginning of the 20th century. At the museum depot in Goes, volunteers restore and maintain trains in a workshop; visitors can watch the work in the traction building. The depot entrance is about 400 metres from Goes NS railway station. Check the signs before you arrive.

Different details are useful when planning routes: the Goes–Kloetinge–Kattendijke heritage route is 20 kilometres long. Stage 16 of the Oosterscheldepad passes through Kattendijke and the Wilhelminapolder, over the Kattendijksedijk to the Goese vesten. A walking route also starts at De Beerput on the Grote Markt. From May through October, a free guided city walk through historic Goes takes place every Wednesday afternoon; check the current schedule in advance.

City Life and Landscape

The Grote Markt is a historic, car-free square where a market has been held since 1350. From April to September, open-air concerts are held in the Manhuistuin. Theater de Mythe offers a varied programme of performances throughout the season and also provides amateur groups and schools with a professional stage. The De Koornbloem windmill can be visited on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; check the opening hours before you travel.

The municipality of Goes borders the Oosterschelde National Park and Veerse Meer. Around the city, the Goese vesten form a walking area with trees along the banks, artworks in the water and a habitat for numerous ducks and geese. The Poelbos, a multifunctional woodland with walking trails, amphibian ponds and play meadows, is also located near Goes and Heinkenszand. Goese Sas is a popular sports diving site on the Oosterschelde.

Activities at Veerse Meer and in Goes

KANOA is located in Wolphaartsdijk on Veerse Meer, near Haven de Piet. Canoeing and stand-up paddleboarding are available there, along with a climbing tower and a zip line over the water. As availability can vary by season, check what is on offer before your visit. For more leisure options, Omnium sport & recreatie in Goes brings a swimming paradise and four sports halls together under one roof. De Hollandsche Hoeve is a leisure park with play meadows and walking trails.

You can also plan around seasonal travel on the water: in summer, a tourist ferry runs between Kortgene and Wolphaartsdijk. Check the current timetable before your trip.

Discover more destinations: Goes, Wolphaartsdijk, Kattendijke, Kloetinge, 's-Heer Hendrikskinderen, Terneuzen, Hulst, Noord-Beveland.

For the overview of the wider region: Zeeland.