Nestled along the North Sea coast, this enchanting city offers visitors a perfect blend of sandy beaches, rich history, vibrant culture, and a delightful coastal atmosphere. It was founded in the 9th century as a fishing village, and it became a popular tourist destination in the 19th century.
The city's long coastline stretches for miles, inviting you to explore its sandy beaches, a friendly coast perfect for swimming and sunbathing. Ostend is popular primarily because of its long sandy beach facing the North Sea and a waterfront promenade that goes for three miles.
Whether you're looking for a relaxing day under the sun or thrilling water activities, Ostend has something for everyone. Beachfront cafes and bars offer the perfect spots to savor delicious Belgian cuisine while gazing out at the mesmerizing sea views. The city also has a lovely pedestrian shopping area in the center, a great place for people-watching or dog-watching. There's a large church with gothic-style architecture, and you can take a free ferry ride in the harbor.
There is also the world's longest tram line running 68 kilometers along the entire north shore of Belgium, from the Netherlands to France. In town, you can also stroll through a beautiful green park with ponds and streams.
Ostend makes a perfect day trip from Bruges, only 15 minutes away by train. So if you are staying in Bruges for a couple of days, it's fun to hop on the train and come on up to Ostend. The train station in Bruges is 1.5 or nearly 2 kilometers away from the central Market Square, depending on the route you walk, so you could just take the city bus to the train. It's an easy, short bus ride and you'll get to see a little bit more of Bruges as you make your way over to the station. Later, when you return to Bruges, take the same bus back into the city center.
There are four train departures from Bruges to Ostend every hour, so you don't even have to look at a train schedule. Just catch the next departing train. It's such a fast ride, only 15 minutes to Ostend, you hardly have time to look out the window for scenery. Upon arrival at the Ostend train station, it's an easy walk into the center of town just minutes away.
Belgium has an excellent train system with connections throughout the country and the price is reasonable. This only cost about 8 euro. We'll be taking a ride on that tram along the coastline later.
Ostend is a small city, very easy to get around, but it helps to check with the Tourist Information for some travel tips, which we will be sharing with you throughout the story.
When you arrive in Ostend there's a marina next to the station and a nice church nearby. The Amandine is also there, a boat that was used by fishermen that went to Iceland to catch a lot of fish in the old days.
Because it's located along the coastline, the city has always had a maritime tradition, starting in the 10th century as a humble fishing village. Now the marina is a harbor for expensive yachts, with modern apartment buildings all around it. As you walk, you'll find yourself drawn to the city's bustling docks, where fishing boats and yachts sway gently in the waters.
It's really nice to have a stroll along the beach and the galleries. We'll get you up to that beachfront promenade shortly, but first, we'll be walking by the marina and into the heart of downtown.
Our walk starts out from the train station and marina, right through the center of downtown. It's a three-kilometer walk or about two miles, so you could do this entire length in about one hour, or slow down and take a couple of hours.
Right away, we see the big church with its Gothic-style towers. The neo-Gothic Church of Saint Peter and Paul began construction in the late 19th century and was completed in 1907, with stained glass windows, pointed arches, and soaring ceilings.
We begin our city center walk behind the church, getting into the pedestrian zone where we've got some interesting architecture, lots of shops and restaurants and plenty of people out strolling.
In a few blocks we reach the main pedestrian street of town, Kapellestraat, or Chapel Street, which dates back to the 12th century when it functioned already as a commercial center, filled with small craft shops and much later evolving into this hub for brand names and larger stores.
While walking along the main shopping street of Kapellestraat, it's also fun to branch off and look at some of the side lanes. There's actually a pedestrian zone that extends out in several directions. You'll even see an enclosed Galleria designed in that typical Belgian style, providing welcome shelter if you're here in the winter.
Along with those side streets branching off from it, this is a shopper's paradise, offering a diverse mix of high-end designer stores and charming local boutiques. You can find everything from fashion and accessories to home goods, souvenirs and delicious treats.
While people-watching is fun, it's also delightful to see the Belgians out walking their dogs, all kinds of dogs up and down the lane, some of whom are lovingly pampered, getting hand-carried so they don't have to work out with their little legs. In addition to shopping, you'll find a variety of cafes, restaurants, bars and eateries where you can enjoy delicious Belgian cuisine.
That street brings us to Wapenplein, which has been a marketplace ever since the 12th century. Now, with some restaurants, many with outdoor dining on the terrace, and a regular street market.
Back on that main street that will bring us right to the sunny beach. Our visit was in September and it was quite warm, a good day for a stroll in the sand, a little sunbathing and a dip in the water. Or maybe just sit on one of those comfortable benches along the promenade and enjoy the view. You can rent a pedal car that can carry up to four people.
The lively promenade is the heart of Ostend's coastal charm. Take a leisurely stroll along this pedestrian route, lined with elegant cafés, boutique shops, and street performers. That promenade has a smooth paved surface that makes mobility easy for everybody, including the seniors who are out to enjoy the fresh air.
The Ostend beach is seven kilometers long and extends for many kilometers beyond the city all along the Belgian coast, which is about 68 kilometers in total length, much of it sandy beach.
Ostend became a fashionable seaside resort in the middle and late 19th-century, with the arrival of the railway and good ferry connections to England, attracting visitors from across Europe with its beaches, casinos and grand hotels. And that trend continues throughout the 20th century and right up till today, where it remains a very popular tourist destination.
Europe's very first train line extended from Brussels to Ostend in 1838, stimulating tourism and international trade from the harbor with the first ferry connecting to England in 1846.
Wealthy Belgians began constructing huge mansions and grand hotels along the beach. The Belgian royal family liked to spend their holidays in Ostend in the 19th century, which attracted their aristocratic friends. With the increase of mass tourism by the middle of the 20th century, most of those grand old buildings were replaced by the modern walls of apartments and hotels along the beach.
The large building on the promenade is a casino and concert hall. It's a multipurpose venue, good for gambling, dining, and musical events in a 2000-seat auditorium. The first Kursaal opened here in 1852 but was destroyed during World War II and then rebuilt afterward.
Two blocks away, you'll get to a floral clock, which is the entrance to Leopoldpark that was laid out in 1860 on the site of the Old Town fortifications. Its serpentine lake provides a serene backdrop for leisurely walks along winding pathways, passing the lush greenery and manicured lawns and little streams. It creates a tranquil atmosphere featuring benches and seating areas where visitors can relax and take in the natural surroundings.
A block away, we see an equestrian statue of King Leopold I, and then two blocks further, King Leopold II on a horse above the arcades. The arches and columns are part of the Royal Galleries, finished in 1905, extending about 400 meters along the waterfront with pavilions, restaurants and the luxurious Thermae Palace Hotel.
In front of the galleries, you'll find Ostend's largest collection of beach cabanas. These little cabins provide an oasis for beachgoers with some shelter from the sun right in the heart of the city, turning the sandy beach into an outdoor living room where people can relax and socialize.
The tourist information guide suggested we take a tram: "When you're at the beach, you can take the coastal tram. It takes you from the Dutch border to the French border. It's the longest tram tram line in the world." The Coast tram was started in 1885 as a short line, later developing to its full length making these coastal towns easily accessible.
You'll have a great view of the beach from that tram. It would take about two and a half hours to travel the entire distance, 68 kilometers long with 67 stops. However, you can just take a shorter segment and go to Middelkerke, a short ride that takes you along the coast. So you're sitting in the tram, you can see the beach and sea. It's an attraction on its own.
It only takes 30 minutes from Royal Galleries to Middelkerke, and along that segment is the fascinating site of the Atlantic Wall. You see those bunkers with cannons sticking out, built by German invaders, first in World War One, and then later when they occupied in World War Two.
Coming into Middelkerke where we shall get off the tram, then catch the return tram back to Ostend. Middelkerke is a town with a population about 18,000 people with a lot of the usual attractions -- shops, restaurants and some hotels. A brand-new casino is now open.
You don't have to wait very long for the next tram because they come every 10 or 20 minutes, depending on the timing and the season. We return the same way, heading back to Ostend.
That was a very nice tram, a one-hour round trip, and now we're back to the marina in Ostend, with a different view of that beautiful marina, and into the train station. It's so easy to get out of the tram, which is right at street level, you don't have to deal with steps at all. Exiting the tram at the train station, you could easily get on a connecting train, bringing you back to Bruges or wherever you came from, but instead, we're walking over to the ferry to get a free ride in the harbor.
It's a fun little boat ride, especially because it's free and only 500 meters away from the train station to get to the ferry dock. You don't need a ticket and no reservations are taken, so you just wait in line for the next boat. They come about every 15 minutes or so. Maybe you'll get lucky in your timing and walk right on, or if you're here in the busy summer season, you might have to wait for two or three boats before you have a chance to board.
Just being out on the water in this open-air boat, enjoying those maritime scenes is quite worthwhile. Within 15 minutes, you've arrived at the dock on the other side where you get off and take a little walk or maybe ride your bicycle. Have a look at some sites, including the lighthouse, a fortified German bunker from World War Two and Fort Napoleon, built by that emperor during his conquests.
There's also a very long sandy beach on this east side and a promenade that you could walk on down to the next town, Bredene. Or just take a quick walk and reboard the next boat coming through. You'll soon be back where you started at the Ostend dock. Then it's that short walk back to the train station and you're on your way.
Back in the 12th century, the first small harbor was built here with the construction of a dike protecting it from the sea. In the following centuries, the harbor became so important that it was attacked by the Spanish in 1601 who ultimately destroyed the port, but it was rebuilt soon after, demonstrating its strategic importance, which continued right through the 17th and 18th centuries.
The role of Ostend as a major freight harbor expanded greatly after 1722. Until that time, Antwerp had been the main harbor port for Belgium. But the Dutch closed Antwerp down in 1722, which accelerated the rising prominence of the Ostend harbor.
Passenger ferries connected Ostend to England ever since 1846 with a large amount of cargo and ferry services right throughout the 20th century. But they stopped running recently because of the Channel Tunnel, primarily directly connecting England with the continent. Now, tourism, rather than shipping, has become the most important part of the Ostend economy. The little ship, with its capacity of 50 passengers, is part of the only ferry company left in Ostend.
Ostend is home to a variety of architectural styles, from medieval to Art Deco. Some of the most notable buildings include the Kursaal, a large concert hall and casino; the Wellington Racecourse, a horse racing track; and the Fort Napoleon, a 19th-century fortress.
Ostend has a number of museums, including the Museum of Fine Arts, the Ostend Museum of Modern Art, and the Atlantic Wall Museum. The Museum of Fine Arts houses a collection of Flemish and European art, while the Ostend Museum of Modern Art focuses on contemporary art. The Atlantic Wall Museum tells the story of the Nazi fortifications that were built along the Belgian coast during World War II. Dive into arts at the Mu.ZEE, a fantastic museum showcasing Belgian art from the 19th century to the present day. For maritime enthusiasts, Fort Napoleon is a must-visit attraction. This imposing fortress, built by Napoleon Bonaparte in the early 19th century, offers captivating, guided tours and panoramic views of the city.
Art aficionados will be delighted to know that Ostend was the hometown of the renowned Belgian painter, James Ensor. Visit the James Ensor House and immerse yourself in the world of this eccentric artist. Preserved as a museum, the house displays his personal belongings, and the very room where Ensor created some of his masterpieces, but there are no Ensor paintings here.
Ostend is a foodie's paradise with a wide variety of restaurants to choose from, serving everything from traditional Belgian cuisine to international fare. Some of the most popular restaurants include The Amandine, a seafood restaurant with a Michelin star; Savarin, a Belgian brasserie; and The Market, a food hall with over 20 different stalls. Don't miss the opportunity to taste freshly caught seafood at one of the many seafood restaurants in the area.
In the Early Middle Ages, Ostend was a small village built on the east-end of an island between the North Sea and a beach lake. Although small, the village rose to the status of "town" around 1265, when the inhabitants were allowed to hold a market and to build a market hall.
The major source of income for the inhabitants was fishing. The North Sea coastline has always been rather unstable due to the power of the water. In 1395 the inhabitants decided to build a new Ostend behind large dikes and further away from the always-threatening sea.
From the 15th to 18th century the strategic position on the North Sea coast had major advantages for Ostend as a harbour but also proved to be a source of trouble. The town was frequently taken, ravaged, ransacked and destroyed by conquering armies. The Dutch rebels, the Gueuzen, took control of the town. The Siege of Ostend, 1601 to 1604, of which it was said that "the Spanish assailed the unassailable and the Dutch defended the indefensible", cost a combined total of more than 80,000 dead or wounded, making it the single bloodiest battle of the Eighty Years' War. This shocking event set in motion negotiations that led to a truce several years later.
After this era, Ostend was turned into a harbour of some importance. In 1722, the Dutch again closed off the entrance to the world's biggest harbour of Antwerp, the Westerschelde. Therefore, Ostend rose in importance because the town provided an alternative exit to the sea. Now, as part of the Austrian Empire, Emperor Charles VI granted the town the trade monopoly with Africa and the Far-East. The Oostendse Compagnie (Ostend trade company) was allowed to found colonies overseas. However, in 1727 the Oostendse Compagnie was forced to stop its activities because of Dutch and British pressure. The Netherlands and Britain would not allow competitors on the international trade level. Both nations regarded international trade as "their" privilege.
In 1838, a railway connection with Brussels was constructed. Ostend became a transit harbour to England in 1846 when the first ferry sailed to Dover.
The town started to receive visits from the Belgian kings Leopold I and Leopold II, who liked to spend their holidays in Ostend. Important monuments and villas were built to please the Royal Family, including the Hippodrome Wellington horse racing track and the Royal Galleries. The rest of aristocratic Belgium followed and soon Ostend became known as "the queen of the Belgian sea-side resorts".
Ostend (in common with nearly the entirety of the country) was occupied by German forces and used as an access point to the sea for submarines and other light naval forces for much of the duration of World War I. As a consequence, the port was subjected to two naval assaults by the Royal Navy.
World War II involved a second occupation of the town by Germany within a period of little more than twenty years; an occupation which it shared this time with most of northern Europe. Both conflicts brought significant destruction to Ostend. In addition, other opulent buildings which had survived the wars were later replaced with structures in the modernist architecture style.
Ostend's Winter in the Park festival draws more than 600,000 people to the seaside city. During December, Ostend's Christmas market features vendors and food sellers along with ice skating, music and other events.
You can see how Ostend makes a very easy and entertaining daytrip from Bruges, offering yet another reason why when you're visiting Bruges, you should stay there for at least two nights, maybe three, so that you've got time to see the city of Bruges and come on up to Ostend, the beautiful beach town of Belgium. You could also get to Brussels by train in 80 minutes.
