Ostend, Belgium: Travel Guide to the Queen of the Belgian Coast

Ostend is Belgium's best-known seaside city, a place of wide sandy beaches, grand Belle Époque architecture and some of the freshest seafood on the North Sea. Once the favourite resort of King Leopold II and European aristocracy, it earned the title "Queen of the Belgian Seaside Resorts." Today, it combines beach life with art, maritime history and a relaxed atmosphere, all just over an hour from Brussels by train.

Top 5 Must-Visit Attractions in Ostend

1. The Promenade, Beach and Royal Galleries

Ostend's long seafront promenade stretches along a wide sandy beach, lined with hotels, cafés and restaurants. It's the perfect place for a stroll, a bike ride or simply watching the waves. At the western end, the elegant Royal Galleries (Koninklijke Gaanderijen), built at the request of King Leopold II at the turn of the 20th century, form a long covered colonnade that once allowed the royal family to walk from their villa to the racecourse sheltered from the wind. Nearby, the grand Thermae Palace hotel and the Kursaal, Ostend's casino and events venue, recall the city's glamorous past.

Booking tip: The promenade and beach are free. For a deeper look at Ostend's royal and Belle Époque history, book a guided walking tour through the tourist office or GetYourGuide.

2. James Ensor House and Mu.ZEE

Ostend was home to James Ensor, one of Belgium's most important modern painters, famous for his masks, skeletons and vivid colours. The James Ensor House, where he lived and worked, has been restored and extended with an experience centre that explores his life and work, including a recreation of the family souvenir shop on the ground floor. Nearby, Mu.ZEE, the city's art museum, displays Belgian art from the 19th century to the present, with an important collection of works by Ensor and the Flemish painter Léon Spilliaert, also from Ostend.

Booking tip: Buy tickets online, and consider a combined ticket for both museums to save money.

3. Mercator Ship and the Vistrap Fish Market

Moored in the marina near the city centre, the Mercator is a three-masted sailing ship built in 1932 as a training vessel for the Belgian merchant navy. Over the decades, it sailed around the world on scientific and training voyages. Today, it's a museum ship where you can explore the decks, cabins and crew quarters. A short walk away, the Vistrap is a traditional open-air fish market on the quay, where stalls sell fresh fish, seafood and ready-to-eat snacks like grey shrimp, oysters and fish soup.

Booking tip: Mercator tickets are available on site. Visit the Vistrap in the morning for the best selection.

4. Atlantikwall Open-Air Museum at Raversyde

Just west of Ostend, in the Raversyde nature reserve, the Atlantikwall Open-Air Museum preserves one of the best-maintained sections of the Atlantic Wall, the defensive line built by the Germans along the coast during World War II. Visitors can walk through bunkers, trenches, gun emplacements and observation posts from both world wars, set among the dunes. The site also includes a reconstructed medieval fishing village and a museum dedicated to the Belgian royal family.

Booking tip: The museum is open seasonally, generally from spring to autumn. Buy tickets online and allow at least two hours to explore the site.

5. Fort Napoleon and the Coast Tram

Fort Napoleon, built in 1811 by order of Napoleon Bonaparte, is a remarkably well-preserved pentagonal fortress in the dunes on the eastern side of the harbour. Today, it houses an exhibition about its history and a restaurant in its inner courtyard. To explore the rest of the Belgian coast, hop on the Coast Tram (Kusttram), one of the longest tram lines in the world, which runs for around 67 kilometres from De Panne near the French border to Knokke-Heist near the Netherlands, stopping in dozens of seaside towns along the way.

Booking tip: Fort Napoleon tickets are available online. Coast Tram day passes offer unlimited travel and are a great way to explore other coastal towns.

Practical Travel Tips for Ostend

Getting Around

• By train: Ostend is about one hour and 15 minutes from Brussels and around 15 minutes from Bruges.
• Coast Tram: connects Ostend with other seaside towns along the coast.
• On foot or by bike: the city centre and promenade are easy to explore on foot or by bike.

Local Culinary Specialties

• Grey shrimp: tiny North Sea shrimp, often served in croquettes (garnaalkroketten) or stuffed into tomatoes (tomate-crevette).
• Sole: Ostend sole is a local delicacy, often served simply with butter.
• Mussels and fries: a Belgian classic, served in seafront restaurants.
• Caricoles: sea snails in a spicy broth, sold from street stalls.
• Waffles: perfect for a beach snack.

Best Time to Visit

• Summer (June–August): beach season and outdoor events.
• Spring and autumn: pleasant weather and fewer crowds.
• Winter: quiet and atmospheric, perfect for bracing walks on the beach.

Conclusion: Plan Your Trip to Ostend

Ostend combines sandy beaches, royal history, art and fresh seafood. Whether you're strolling along the promenade, exploring the Atlantikwall or tasting grey shrimp at the Vistrap, it's a perfect seaside escape.

Plan ahead: book your museum tickets and tours on GetYourGuide, and get ready to discover the Queen of the Belgian Coast.