Top 22 tips for Ostend

Of course the beach is the biggest attraction of Ostend, but there is much more to see and do.

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Beach and sea: enjoy the sun, the sea and a fresh sea breeze, and check the weather page to see what the weather will be like.
Sights: discover the sights, from museums to monuments.
Nature: explore dunes and nature reserves on a walk or a bike ride.
Coast Tram: the Kusttram takes you easily to other seaside resorts along the Belgian coast, from De Panne to Knokke-Heist.
Eating out: from beach pavilion to restaurant, find out where to enjoy food and drink.
With kids: the with kids page has the best outings for the whole family.
Hidden gems: away from the crowds, discover the hidden gems of Ostend.

The 22 best tips for your visit to Ostend

Below is a selection of the finest sights, museums, nature reserves and activities in Ostend.

Three-master Mercator

1Three-master Mercator

The three-masted Mercator is moored as a museum ship in the marina of Ostend, between the station and the town hall. It was the training ship of the Belgian merchant navy and is now one of the city's best known sights. What can you expect at the Mercator? - History: The ship was built in 1932 in Leith, Scotland, to a ...

Mercatordok, Oostende
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Atlantikwall

2Atlantikwall

An impressive relic of World War II, part of an extensive defensive line built by Nazi Germany along the North Sea coast. This historical site offers a unique opportunity to learn more about wartime history and its impact on the region. What to Expect at the Atlantikwall in Oostende? - Historical Bunkers: Explore ...

Nieuwpoortsesteenweg 636, Oostende
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Japanese Garden Shin Kai Tei

3Japanese Garden Shin Kai Tei

This beautiful garden is a perfect place for peace and reflection, inspired by traditional Japanese garden culture. What can you expect at the Japanese Garden Shin Kai Tei in Ostend? - Traditional Japanese landscape: This garden of around 2,500 m² offers an authentic Japanese experience with its carefully designed ...

Koningin Astridlaan, Oostende

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City Museum Ostend

4City Museum Ostend

Discover the captivating history of Ostend at the Ostend City Museum, where a treasure trove of objects, posters, documents, and multimedia applications takes you on a journey through time. This museum brings to life the evolution of the city, from its early days to the modern tourist hub it is today. What to expect at ...

Langestraat 69, Oostende
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Fort Napoleon

5Fort Napoleon

A historic monument that provides a unique insight into military history. This fort, built in the early 19th century on the orders of Napoleon Bonaparte, is a fascinating destination for anyone ...

Vuurtorenweg, Oostende

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Mu.Zee

6Mu.Zee

Mu.ZEE in Ostend is the Art Museum by the Sea, with Belgian art from around 1830 to today. The main building on the Romestraat has been closed for renovation since January 2025 and is due to ...

Romestraat 11, Oostende
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St. Peter and Paul Church

7St. Peter and Paul Church

An architectural masterpiece and one of the most iconic landmarks in Ostend. This impressive church, known for its neogothic style, offers visitors a unique glimpse into religious art and ...

Visserskaai, Oostende

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Jumpsquare

8Jumpsquare

Jumpsquare, Ostend's ultimate trampoline park and play paradise! With 1,000 square metres of trampolines, a gigantic ball pit, and an adventurous play area specially designed for toddlers, ...

Buy tickets in advance now

Fortstraat 128b, Oostende
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Oosteroever

9Oosteroever

On the opposite side of the busy and touristy centre of Oostende, across the harbour entrance, lies a surprisingly quiet and remarkable nature area: Oosteroever. What can you expect in the ...

Oosteroever, Oostende
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James Ensor House

10James Ensor House

Immerse yourself in the world of the famous Belgian artist James Ensor at the James Ensor House in Ostend. This museum, located in the former home and studio of Ensor, offers a unique glimpse ...

Vlaanderenstraat 29, Oostende
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Nature Park Raversyde

11Nature Park Raversyde

The enchanting Raversyde nature park in Ostend, a unique combination of nature, history, and art. This park offers a special experience for visitors of all ages. What can you expect at ...

Nieuwpoortsesteenweg 642, Oostende
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Maria Hendrikapark

12Maria Hendrikapark

The Maria Hendrikapark is the largest and best-known city park in Oostende. It lies just outside the busy centre and is often simply called ’t Bosje by locals. What can you expect at the ...

Maria Hendrikapark, Oostende

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Museum Ship Amandine

13Museum Ship Amandine

An authentic fishing vessel transformed into a living museum. This ship, which once sailed the North Sea, now offers a unique opportunity to experience the history of sea fishing and life aboard ...

Vindictivelaan, Oostende

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Anno 1465

14Anno 1465

An open-air museum that transports visitors to a 15th-century medieval fishing village. This fascinating historical site offers a rare glimpse into the life and culture of medieval coastal ...

Nieuwpoortsesteenweg 636, Oostende
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Leopoldpark

15Leopoldpark

A green oasis in the heart of the city, perfect for both relaxation and recreation. This picturesque park, named after King Leopold II, offers a peaceful escape from the urban hustle and ...

Leon Spilliaertstraat 41, Oostende

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Uitkerkse Polder

16Uitkerkse Polder

Located between Blankenberge, Wenduine, Nieuwmunster, and Zuienkerke, the nature reserve Uitkerkse Polder offers a unique meadow landscape with numerous ditches and cattle drinking pools. This ...

Kuiperscheeweg 20, Uitkerke

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Turkeyenhof

17Turkeyenhof

The Turkeyenhof in Bredene is the local history museum and home of the Ter Cuere heritage society. It is housed in a polder farmstead from 1737. What can you expect at the Turkeyenhof? - ...

Zegelaan 42, Bredene
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Sint-Laureinsduinen

18Sint-Laureinsduinen

The Sint-Laureinsduinen form a beautiful and varied nature area between Westende-Bad and the military domain Kwartier Lombardsijde. The dune area covers just over 45 hectares and is a pleasant ...

Strandlaan, Westende

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Warande Dunes

19Warande Dunes

The Warande Dunes form a narrow nature area along the coast between Middelkerke and Westende. What can you expect in the Warande Dunes? Thanks to the many walking paths, the area is a favourite ...

Warandeduinen, Middelkerke
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Schuddebeurze

20Schuddebeurze

The Schuddebeurze nature area in Westende is a special nature reserve of around 40 hectares. The area consists of ancient lime-poor dunes, pools, historic landscapes and striking traces of ...

Schuddebeurzeweg, Westende

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De Fonteintjes

21De Fonteintjes

Between Blankenberge and Zeebrugge, a narrow dune belt hosts a unique nature reserve: De Fonteintjes. This area offers an enchanting landscape of dune ponds, dune scrub, and wet dune grasslands, ...

Kustlaan, Blankenberge

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IJzermonding

22IJzermonding

In Nieuwpoort, just 4 km from the town centre, lies the nature reserve De IJzermonding, a unique area where fresh and saltwater meet. This beautiful nature reserve, with its rich variety of ...

Oude Zeedijk, Nieuwpoort

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Hidden gems in Ostend

Beyond the well-known museums and forts, Ostend has places that many visitors overlook.

Lange Nelle Lighthouse: on the east side of the harbour of Ostend, the Lange Nelle lighthouse has guided ships since 1949. The white tower of about 58 metres received its two blue waves in 1994.
Royal Galleries: beneath the columns and vaults of the Royal Galleries, designed by French architect Charles Girault for King Leopold II, you can stroll for free with a view of the North Sea.
Peperbusse: behind St. Peter and Paul Church stands the Peperbusse, the old Sint-Pieterstoren of the Gothic church that burned down in 1896. Its first stone was laid in 1478, the lower part is considered the oldest building in town, and the octagonal Baroque top was added in 1729.
Spuikom: on the southern edge of the Vuurtorenwijk lies the Spuikom, a man-made basin of about 80 hectares. It was dug around 1900 to flush the harbour channel, but never really did the job. Walk or cycle the flat path of about 4 km around the water; in winter, cormorants, tufted ducks and coots rest here.

Practical tips

These tips help you get even more out of your visit to Ostend.

Tides: plan a beach walk or a bike ride along the coast with the tide table.
The weather: the weather page shows the forecast and hours of sunshine for the coming days.
By bike: most sights are easy to reach by bike.

» View our complete 'see & do' list with many more museums, attractions, monuments and other places of interest.