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Ostend is a city and the largest seaside resort on the Flemish coast, in Belgium. Ostend has approximately 68,000 inhabitants. The city also has a seaport and airport.
Info
Ostend, together with Newport, the only city by the sea. Numerous events are organized throughout the year. Due to the many museums and attractions, Ostend is also the ideal place to stay when the sun goes down.
Arrive
By plane
Ostend-Bruges International Airport is located a few minutes' drive from the city center and is in full expansion. There is a bus stop in front of the terminal. In addition to charters, private jets can also land here. More information can be found at [1]
By train
The train station is located in the city center within walking distance of the Zeedijk and the shopping streets. There is a direct connection to Kortrijk, Brussels and Antwerp. There is also a direct connection between Ostend and Lille at certain times. For the full timetable: [2]
By car
The E40 motorway connects Brussels with Ostend. In one and a half hour you are by car or coach from Brussels to Ostend. From Antwerp take the E17 and then the E40 to Ostend.
By boat
There are currently no regular connections by ship to Great Britain. The port does have a berth and associated terminal for cruise ships. There is also a marina for sailing ships and pleasure craft.
Travel around
With public transport you can be in Ostend in no time. At the station you can take the tram that runs to the city center, to Mariakerke and Raversijde, and to the surrounding seaside resorts. The bus network has also been expanded. The coastal tram, which runs along the entire coast, is special. A free ferry near the North Sea Aquarium connects the city with the east bank of the harbor area (Vismijn, lighthouse, Fort Napoleon, etc.).
To look at
Ostend has many sights, museums and attractions that are definitely worth a visit:
- Ensor Museum Baron James Ensor lived and worked at 27 Vlaanderestraat. It was his last residence. The house, which is now a museum, can be visited.
- Art Museum by the Sea (Mu.ZEE) Romestraat 11. The collection mainly consists of work by Belgian artists.
- amandine An interactive Museum Ship in Vindictivelaan.
- Mercator A decommissioned school ship in the Mercator marina.
- Ostend City Museum Langestraat 69. A museum about the history of Ostend.
- The flower clock The Leopold Park has more than 20,000 flowers and plants. Worth a closer look.
- Fat Mathille, a bronze nude from 1954 by Georges Grard , can also be found at the Leopoldspark.
- The Saint Peter and Paul Church, completed in 1907 stands on the square of the same name.
- The Royal Galleries were built in 1905 to protect citizens from sun and rain. The Venetian Galleries were built by Leopold II. Here you can also see the statue of Boudewijn I.
- Rock Strangers, Zeeheldenplein. The striking sculptures by Arne Quinze immediately catch the eye. With the Rock Strangers, the artist criticizes the generalization of urban planning. He wants to change that with these colorful boulders.
- National Monument to the Sailors, Zeeheldenplein. The Monument to the Sailors is one of the most famous in the city. At the front you see a statue of a proud sailor. On the other hand, the opposite, a man who mourns his fellow sailors who died. The statue of Willy Kreitz is a must during your visit to Ostend.
To do
- Franlis Canal Cruises, western stake, ☎059 70 62 94, e-mail: [email protected]. July and August, every hour. During a 45-minute boat trip along the coast you have an exclusive view of the Ostend coastline. If you are in possession of an NMBS ticket, you enjoy a discounted rate. €9.50 (adult), €7 (child).
To buy
The most famous shopping street is the Kapellestraat, right in the center, ending at the Wapenplein. Ostend also has a shopping center, the Feest- en Kultuurpaleis on the Wapenplein. In Ostend you will also find many streets with more exclusive shops and specialty shops, such as Adolf Buylstraat, Christinastraat, James Ensorganderij, Vlaanderenstraat, Wittenonnenstraat, Alfons Pieterslaan...
A very handy fact is that most shops also Open are on Sunday!
Food
- St Malo, Albert 1 Promenade 62A, ☎059 50 39 67, e-mail: [email protected]. Good food is served in a restaurant St Malo, serving Belgian and Thai dishes.
- The Queen's Court, Plane Drive 1, ☎059 80 04 54, e-mail: [email protected]. On an island, right in the Maria Hendrika Park, there is a restaurant where you can consume a good meal at reasonable prices. It is located in the middle of nature, which makes it a pleasant place to stay. There is also the possibility to sail the pond with a pedalo or kayak.
Going out
A notorious street to go out is the Langestraat. Some cafes in the Langestraat that you should definitely visit when you are in Ostend are: White Interiors (n°55), La Fayette (n°12), Bar Tao (n°24), Twilight (n°21).. .
stay overnight
- Thermae Palace Hotel[3]. Largest 4-star hotel on the Belgian coast.
Safety
Contact
all around
- Knokke, the most fashionable seaside resort in Belgium
- Blankenbergewell-known seaside resort
- Bruges, art city
| the Belgian coast from West to East |
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The Panne · Saint Idesbald · Koksijde · Oostduinkerke · Groenendijk · Newport · Westende · Middelkerke · raversijde · Ostend · Bredene · Rooster · Wenduine · Blankenberge · Zeebrugge · heist · Knokke |