Enjoy the eccentric Flemish coast and delicious food from your holiday home in Ostend!

The Belgian town of Ostend on the Flemish coast attracts many visitors every year! There is a lively atmosphere with plenty of restaurants and bars, and the town has a very unique character; one that comes from go-karts on the boulevard, street art, shrimp croquettes, and waffles. On warm days, if you don’t want to spend the whole afternoon baking in the sun, you can retreat to several city parks with tall trees and fountains. Very remarkable is the incredibly long Venetian Galleries along the beach. In short, a holiday home in Ostend is definitely worth it!

Experience the Sand Sculpture Festival from your holiday home in Ostend

Is Ostend on your list for the summer holidays? Then you won’t be able to miss one of the best highlights: the Sand Sculpture Festival. On the Grand Beach of the resort town, countless sculptures arise, ranging from small pieces to towering masterpieces. Every year, sand artists from all over the world bring their creations to life on the beach. To admire all these works of art, you’ll easily spend an hour wandering through this open-air gallery.

Pleasant relaxation in Maria Hendrika Park

Want to seek cooling shade and tranquility? Then you’ll be pleasantly surprised in Ostend! Maria Hendrika Park is a green oasis with a large pond and lovely walking paths. Children can play in the playgrounds, and there’s even an educational park route that introduces you to our solar system. Relax on the sunbathing lawns by the fishing pond or enjoy a drink at the Queen’s Court terrace overlooking the fountain. Tip: in spring and summer, you can get out on the water with a pedal boat! This 30-hectare park is certainly not the only nature spot in Ostend. You can also explore Leopold Park and the Japanese Garden. Discover the diverse landscape architecture while walking around the central pond. Stroll across charming bridges and past flower beds on the slopes.

Marvel at masterful street art

In addition to the sand art you’ll see on the beach in summer, there’s also plenty of art to discover in the city itself. Ostend is a city where you’ll find an incredible amount of street art, from hidden murals to gigantic works on apartment buildings. You’ll be amazed at every corner! You can admire the artistic works on foot along a special route in the city center and the Oosteroever. To see them all, the cycling route is the best option.

Holiday home in Ostend: visit these food spots!

In Ostend, you’ll find shrimp croquettes on almost every menu. A favorite among Belgians, and tourists love them too. Want to enjoy seafood dishes at a renowned restaurant on the boulevard? Then be sure to visit Restaurant North, a seafood restaurant that impresses with refined dishes. In addition to shrimp croquettes and cheese croquettes as starters, you’ll find various fish soups, fried sole, prawns in sweet and sour sauce, and a selection of meat dishes. Tasting the shrimp croquette is a true culinary tribute to Ostend. But don’t miss out on the waffles either! These are available in many places with toppings like chocolate, whipped cream, fruit, and ice cream! For example, stop by Cappuccino and enjoy a waffle or pancake indoors, on the street, or at the rooftop terrace!

Would you rather have a meal with sea views? Then reserve a table at Brasserie Albert, a chic dining hall with an extensive menu.

The Green Belt cycling route and Ostend’s creek area

Planning to book a holiday home in Ostend for a cycling holiday? Then with 10 routes, you’ll certainly be spoiled for choice! A 35-kilometer cycling route, the Green Belt, lets you enjoy a beautiful ride through the green surroundings of Ostend. Along the way, you’ll pass part of the coast, a number of bunkers, and Fort Napoleon Museum. You’ll also cycle through polders with ditches and creeks, passing the Spuikom, a lake on the Oosteroever. Another route, De Hoeve, takes you through the countryside and shows you even more of the rural surroundings.

Take the coastal tram to De Haan

Hop on the coastal tram for a trip to other seaside resorts. De Haan, for instance, is an elegant Belle Époque town northeast of Ostend. After just a few stops, you’ll arrive at the picturesque station, and as you walk into the village, many more charming buildings stand out. Another striking feature is that there are no high-rises here. This, combined with the stately villas along the coast, makes a stroll along the boulevard a completely different experience than the promenade in modern, high-rise Ostend. Highly recommended!

Atmospheric charm in Nieuwpoort

Also consider a bike ride along the coast to the lovely town of Nieuwpoort. This place consists of a seaside resort with a large marina and the town of Nieuwpoort itself, located 5 kilometers inland. It’s nice to first cycle to the town for a terrace stop at the large Market Square, then take a walk along the Paul Orban Promenade to the coast. If you have time, also take a walk in the IJzermonding nature reserve, a unique area combining dunes, mudflats, and polders. Here, you might even spot a seal from the viewing hut. The salt marsh area is also the perfect spot for birdwatching, with species like the curlew and the great egret feeding on the “shrimp banquet” in the shallow waters.

Rent a holiday home in Ostend

From sand sculptures to modern artworks and a Venetian gallery, your curiosity will always be satisfied in Ostend! And yes, the high-rise flats may not win beauty prizes, but they hide street art that will amaze you, pleasant city parks, and places where you can eat deliciously! Want to explore the area by bike or coastal tram? Visit the chic seaside resort of De Haan or cycle to the charming center of Nieuwpoort from your holiday home in Ostend!