Zierikzee is one of Zeeland's best small-town stops: a compact harbour city on Schouwen-Duiveland with old gates, brick quays, and enough monuments to make a slow wander feel rewarding. It is not as famous as Middelburg, but that is part of the pleasure. The town still feels like a trading port that happened to be left largely intact.
The skyline belongs to the Sint-Lievensmonstertoren, the huge unfinished tower locals call the Dikke Toren. Down by the old harbour, the Noordhavenpoort and Zuidhavenpoort guard the water entrance like a pair of stage props from the late Middle Ages. The Stadhuismuseum fills in the maritime and civic history from the ornate old town hall.
Zierikzee works best as a half-day or easy day from elsewhere in Zeeland. Come for the tower climb, stay for the lanes around Havenplein and the old harbour, and leave time for mussels or fish on the waterfront. The beaches of Schouwen-Duiveland and the Delta Works are close, but the town itself earns the stop.