Brielle (Netherlands)

Brielle is a historic and fortified sea side town in the Western Netherlands, about 35 km from Rotterdam. It's a town with a long and prominent history, packed with monuments still today. It played a crucial role in the Eighty Years' War, as the Capture of Brielle by the so-called Watergeuzen (or Sea beggars, the Dutch rebels) on the 1st of April 1572 became the beginning of massive Dutch uprising against Spain. Brielle today is a charming town with one of the highest per capita counts of monuments in the country. Much of the towns fortifications have survived the test of time, and seen from the air, the typical shape of the traditional Old-Dutch fortification structure is still clearly visible.

Get in
Unless you come from the province of Zeeland or the Zuid-Hollandse Eilanden, Brielle is reached via the A15, take exit number 12 to N57/Brielle and follow the signposted route via N57 and N218. From Rotterdam it is about a 30-minute drive. The smaller Rijksstraatweg connects Brielle in 15 car minutes to Hellevoetsluis.

There's no train station in town. Brielle is served by a frequent R-net bus line 403 from Spijkenisse Centrum metro station. Total travel time using the metro from Rotterdam city center and then bus 403 is about 1 hour.

Get around
A major part of the town's historic heritage is situated within the old defensive walls, so navigating your way on foot is easy. Nonetheless, especially since it's a small town, many visitors come here as part of a somewhat broader exploration of the area. A bicycle tour is an excellent way to take in some of the lovely island views and include one or two nearby villages or hamlets. Bike rental and maps are available. Renting a boat or paddle boat makes for another fun way to explore the canals, and a nice pass-time.



See
With some 400 buildings and structures on the national heritage list, there's no way to escape some cultural sightseeing in this charming little town.


 * The main star-shaped structure of defensive walls and canals has changed little since its construction in 1713, making Brielle one of the best preserved fortified towns in the Netherlands. The nine bastions and five ravelins were nicely restored in the 1970s and several of the original city gates are still present. Interesting elements of the walls include a mid-18th-century porter's house as well as:

Other sights include;

Do
If you can read Dutch and have a smartphone with you, you can make use of a special city walking tour. It's not so much a set route, but rather a collection of objects and buildings where a QR code sign provides additional (mostly historic) information. Even if you can't read Dutch, it's a good selection of sights. Flyers with information on the tour are available from the Historic Museum or the Tourist Information Office.

Buy
With over 100 shops within the old fortifications alone, Brielle definitely allows for a small shopping spree. In fact, it's one of the main shopping destinations in the area for local and tourist alike. Many of the main Dutch chain stores are present, as well as some small speciality shops. The setting in the charming, historic town makes for a fun experience. The main shopping area is the Nobelstraat and surrounding streets.



Drink
Don't expect any serious clubbing or night-life here, but there are plenty of cafés for nice cold beers and a few where locals and young visitors come for music and dancing.

Sleep
There are quite a few places to sleep in this small town. In high season the best ones get sold out quickly, however, so book in advance if you can.

Connect
Most of the places to eat and stay have free wifi, and mobile internet 4G is readily available.

Go next
Brielle isn't far from touristic hotspots Rotterdam, known for its modern architecture, and historic Delft. If you'd rather see more of the Dutch sea side history, go on island hopping on the Zuid-Hollandse Eilanden and head on to Zierikzee, Middelburg or Vlissingen, maybe stopping on route to see some of the Delta Works.

If you're more in the mood for nature, consider a visit to the Biesbosch National Park.