Just south of the vast expanse of rivers and waterways that flow through the city of Rotterdam, the island of Voorne-Putten is one of the Netherlands’ lesser-known destinations.
This quiet, sleepy region is a pleasant mixture of rolling green fields, waterways, vast beaches and quaint towns. Windmills dot the landscape, and cycle lanes are everywhere.
Today, Voorne-Putten is home to just under 200,000 people. Many of the island’s residents, particularly in the north, commute into Rotterdam via the frequent public transport connections.
When we visited, we used the C & D metro lines from Rotterdam to reach the town of Spijkenisse on the north-eastern corner of Voorne-Putten. From Spijkenisse, we hopped onto the 404 bus to explore the rest of the island. We quickly found a handful of towns and cities that became firm favourites.
From fortified naval towns to sleepy villages flanked by forests, here are four towns and cities on Voorne-Putten that you should visit.
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1) Brielle
Best for: Strolling through storied streets.
Brielle is a historic fortified town on the northern fringes of Voorne-Putten. Surrounded by water and flanked by ancient city walls, the city is particularly striking when viewed from the air. Brielle’s defensive walls, built to ensure the safety of its residents, form an impressive star shape. The star’s points are created by nine bastions that protrude into the surrounding canals.
When you arrive, you will pass through the walls and into central Brielle. Here, you will find that the main street is a sweeping boulevard of shops, cafés and restaurants. There are plenty of places to eat and drink – but don’t be surprised if many of these shut at 8pm. As we quickly discovered, this is not a late-night place.
In Brielle, the pace of life felt different. When we explored on a pleasant August evening, a quiet calm blanketed the old town, punctuated only by the occasional burst of laughter as we passed a small bar or café.
Brielle’s most impressive building is the Sint-Catherijnekerk – Saint Catherine’s Church. Sint-Catherijnekerk dates back to the 13th century, when it was earmarked to become the biggest church in the country. Although it never quite reached its intended size, the church nevertheless dominates the Brielle skyline. It is a magnificent landmark as it looms over the city’s rooftops.
We loved: Walking around the ramparts of the old town. With the canal on your left and the historic centre to your right, a stroll around the ramparts is a great way to get to know Brielle. Be sure to check out the defensive bastions, which you can find at regular intervals along the perimeter. Bastion 5 has an informative audio-visual display which charts Brielle’s history – click here to see the location on a map.
Bonus suggestion for your stroll on the ramparts: See if you can spot the friendly herd of sheep that graze along Brielle’s defensive walls. A couple of them wandered straight up to Lucy to say hello.
2) Oostvoorne
Best for: Cute cafes and woodland walks.
Oostvoorne is a small town tucked away on the northwestern tip of Voorne-Putten. Whilst it lacks the canals and historic centre of Brielle, Oostvoorne is a charming little place in its own right and is perfect for those looking to escape the bustle of city life.
On the edge of the town, the Landgoed Mildenburg is a 30-hectare forest on a former estate, which makes for a popular walking and cycling spot. Throughout the forest, gentle paths winds through towering beech trees, eventually leading to a small range of dunes. The forest is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, from abundant mushrooms to elusive deer that hide among the trees.
For a relaxed coffee stop after exploring the forest, check out Zoete. Since opening in April 2023, this family-run cafe has served up delicious food and excellent coffee from Giraffe. We had a fabulous brunch at Zoete and enjoyed sitting outside overlooking a pleasant, tree-lined square.
We loved: Staying at the wonderful Oostvoornsch Gastenverblijf. This is one of the best self-catering places we have ever stayed. Hosts Rinus and Edwina gave a supremely warm welcome, asking about our stay and giving us a tour of their delightful garden.
3) Hellevoetsluis
Best for: Small-city vibes next to the sea.
The largest place on Voorne-Putten, Hellevoetsluis is a waterfront city with a history stretching back to the 13th century. The community’s fortunes have fluctuated over the years – from a golden era as an outpost of Rotterdam to a period of decline after the building of the Nieuwe Waterweg (New Waterway). This new route meant shipping no longer passed through Hellevoetsluis.
Today, however, the city has been reinvigorated as a New Town and is now a popular destination for visitors to the island.
When you arrive in Hellevoetsluis, head to the fortified old town, which boasts a similar set-up to Brielle, with defensive walls built above a canal. Within the walls, an impressive harbour boasts a range of architectural styles – from historic museums to colourful, modern townhouses.
At the entrance to the harbour, a stoic lighthouse stands at the end of a rocky jetty. When we visited, a storm was brewing. The breeze picked up, sending leaves scattering across the grey concrete ground. In the distance, row upon row of wind turbines rotated silently against a foreboding sky.
Other highlights in Hellevoetsluis include:
- The Jan Blanken dry dock museum, which tells the story of Hellevoetsluis’ unique dry dock.
- The Noord Hinder Lightship, a traditional lighthouse ship which is maintained and staffed by volunteers. Entry is free, although donations are encouraged.
- The V.V. Hellevoetsluis football stadium, where the city’s lower-league team plays its games. There is usually a good turnout at this small ground, with a friendly and relaxed atmosphere. If you’re into football, watching a match here could be a great way to spend a sunny Saturday afternoon.
We loved: Enjoying a leisurely lunch on the waterfront terrace at Eetcafé De Buren. On a warm summer’s day, this is the perfect place to relax. Beer lovers should check out their tropical Hertog Jan, whilst their poke bowls make for an excellent, healthy meal.
4) Rockanje
Best for: Relaxing on a beach.
The town of Rockanje is a modern but pretty place, perfect for exploring during a break on Voorne-Putten. Rockanje’s best features are the nature that surrounds it – from beaches to woodland. However, the town itself makes for a pleasant pitstop on your way to the great outdoors.
On the small market square, a scattering of stalls sell everything from seafood to local honey. Nearby, De Jongens is the town’s most popular eatery, boasting a first-floor terrace and a small ground-floor patio where cyclists can park up and enjoy a coffee break.
A short walk or cycle down the road from the market square, a vast sandy beach draws crowds of locals on a sunny day. Be sure to check out Egbert Aan Zee, where a delightful wooden terrace is an ideal place to enjoy a summer sunset. If beaches aren’t your thing in the event, Santé wine bar in central Rockanje bar has a laid-back atmosphere and makes for a romantic date-night spot.
On the outskirts of Rockanje, Molecaten’s Waterbos park is one of Voorne-Putten’s most extensive campsites. With an on-site bakery and accommodation ranging from chalets to safari tents, the site offers an ideal spot for anyone looking for an alternative to hotels or Airbnbs.
Read next: How to visit Kinderdijk from Rotterdam by public transport.
How to get around Voorne-Putten
The best way to explore Voorne-Putten is by cycling. We visited with a few friends from England who were travelling by bicycle, and they found it extremely easy to get around.
Every road has a dedicated cycle lane. Because of its semi-rural location, traffic levels are normally pretty light. There are plenty of places to leave your bicycle safely, even in rural spots such as the Quackjeswater nature reserve.
If you don’t have access to a bike, then we recommend exploring Voorne-Putten by bus. The 404 and 403 bus routes travel in a loop around the island, stopping at all the major towns.
Finally, you can drive. Driving may be a good option if you want to visit somewhere that isn’t on the bus route. However, if you can leave the car at home, Voorne-Putten is a great place to discover by bike or public transport.
Conclusion: Our favourite places to visit on Voorne-Putten
No matter how you choose to travel, there are plenty of brilliant places on Voorne-Putten that are worth visiting. If we had to choose our favourite, it would be Brielle. Whilst it may not be as big as Hellevoetsluis, what Brielle lacks in size, it makes up for in charm. We loved strolling the perimeter of the old city, bumping into joggers, cyclists and even sheep. There was a pleasant, relaxed feel to the place – the sort of town where we could happily spend a few days doing little except sipping coffees and going on walks.