Zelzate: Discover Klein Rusland, the Canal and Culture

Zelzate combines architecture, history, walking paths and a cross-border cycling route, offering different possibilities for planning your own trip. Those looking for a holiday apartment in Zelzate can tailor their stay to different interests: Klein Rusland and historic buildings appeal to culture enthusiasts, while walking paths and a cross-border cycling route offer different highlights.

Architecture and History in Zelzate

One of the special architectural sights is Klein Rusland in Zelzate West. Between 1921 and 1927, a total of 168 homes and a hotel for single people were built in the garden city of Klein Rusland. The historic residential complex therefore offers a tangible insight into the development of the town and is a suitable destination for anyone interested not only in landscapes during their holiday, but also in built heritage.

The parish church of Sint-Laurentius is also part of Zelzate’s cultural character. The Neo-Gothic church building was consecrated on 7 August 1879. The former Sint-Laurentius Church developed from a chapel and was recognised as a parish church in 1570. The history of the canal can also be traced on the Grote Markt: the square was laid out in 1909–1910 on the filled-in course of the former Ghent–Terneuzen canal. The Ghent–Terneuzen Canal runs through Zelzate.

Museums and Short Discoveries

The four museums in 't Klooster share a historic location: the former monastery, which was once connected to a Catholic girls’ school. All four museums in 't Klooster are wheelchair accessible. This makes it possible to include a cultural stop specifically in your day’s plans without limiting the visit to a particular historical period. Those travelling with different age groups can combine the museums with a subsequent walk or another visit to a local sight.

For a shorter activity, the storytelling walk “Stemmen uit Klein Rusland” is a good option. It is 1.2 km long and takes approximately 60 minutes. At 13 kilometres, the Turfstekerpad is considerably longer and runs along the Kloosterbos. The two options therefore differ clearly in length: depending on your preferred pace for the day, you can plan either a short storytelling walk or a more extensive hike.

Walking Paths, Canal and Cycling Route

Visitors can walk along unpaved paths in the “Opgevuld Kanaal” park. Together with the Turfstekerpad, this offers various ways to explore Zelzate on foot. The Meetjeslandse Kreken cycling route starts in Zelzate and continues into the Netherlands after crossing the Ghent–Terneuzen Canal. From Zelzate, the route quickly crosses the Dutch border and runs through Sas van Gent.

Important Information about the Municipal Fishing Pond

Following the unusual deaths of several waterbirds and fish observed on 17 August 2026, Zelzate’s municipal fishing pond has been temporarily closed to the public as a precautionary measure. All activities at or in the pond are prohibited. Therefore, do not plan this location as part of an outing; instead, base your free days on the cultural, walking and cycling destinations described above.

More Destinations for Your Planning

If you would like to consider other places from the same selection in addition to Zelzate, you can also view Wetteren, Zwalm, Lokeren, Sint-Gillis-Waas, De Pinte, Kruishoutem, Aalst and Lovendegem. For Zelzate itself, the choice of holiday apartment depends especially on whether you would like to combine historic places, short walks, longer routes or a cycling tour across the border.

For the higher-level travel overview: East Flanders.