The Belgian Coast, also known as the Flemish Coast, is a 67 km long stretch of coastline located in the northwest of Belgium, in the province of West-Flanders. With its miles of sandy beaches, picturesque seaside towns, delicious seafood, and fun activities, the Belgian coast is the perfect destination for your next vacation. In this travel guide, we’ll take you through some of the must-see and must-do things when visiting the Belgian Coast.
Belgian Coast Attractions: Things to See and Do
- The historic town of Ostend: Ostend is the largest coastal town in Belgium and is famous for its lively promenade, Victorian architecture, and the James Ensor House. You can take a leisurely stroll along the promenade, admire the stunning architecture, and visit the James Ensor House.
- The Plopsaland Amusement Park: Located in De Panne, this theme park offers a wide range of rides and attractions suitable for visitors of all ages. You can spend a day at the park, enjoying the rides, attractions, and shows.
- Sunbathing on the beach: The Belgian Coast boasts miles of sandy beaches that are perfect for lounging and soaking up the sun. You can spend a day at the beach, relax, and enjoy the sea, sun, and sand.
- Kite-surfing: With strong winds and shallow waters, the Belgian Coast is a popular destination for kitesurfing enthusiasts. You can try kitesurfing and experience the thrill of the sport.
- Seafood tasting: The Belgian Coast is well-known for its delicious seafood, including mussels, shrimp, and fish. You can try these local delicacies at one of the many seafood restaurants along the coast.
- Cycling: The Belgian Coast has a network of cycling paths that are perfect for exploring the picturesque towns and countryside. You can rent a bike and explore the towns and countryside, taking in the sights in a unique way.
Belgian Coast Seaside Resorts: A Guide to Popular Destinations
The Belgian coast is made up of around a dozen distinct resort towns, each with its own character. From upscale Knokke to lively Blankenberge to the unspoiled charm of De Haan, here’s what to expect from each.
| Resort | Character | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Ostend | Belgium’s largest coastal city — a mix of history, culture, and beach life. Lively promenade, fish market, museums, and year-round amenities. | Culture, Food, All seasons |
| Knokke-Heist | Belgium’s most upscale resort, beloved by the well-heeled. Designer boutiques, art galleries, the Casino Knokke, and the Zwin nature park nearby. | Luxury, Art, Nature |
| De Haan | A lovingly preserved Belle Époque resort with protected Art Nouveau villas, peaceful beaches, and a car-free historic centre. One of the coast’s hidden gems. | Families, Quiet escape, Architecture |
| Blankenberge | A lively, popular resort with a wide sandy beach, vibrant pier, Sea Life Center, and a busy casino. Great energy in summer, especially for families. | Families, Nightlife, Attractions |
| Nieuwpoort | A working fishing port with a large marina and excellent fresh fish. The Nieuwpoort grey shrimp is legendary. Ideal for water sports and seafood lovers. | Water sports, Seafood, Sailing |
| Middelkerke | A lively, family-oriented resort known for its wide beach, Casino Middelkerke, and festive summer events including regular fireworks displays. | Families, Events, Casino |
| Koksijde & Oostduinkerke | Known for wide beaches and exceptional dunes. Oostduinkerke is the last place in the world where fishermen still fish on horseback — a UNESCO-recognised tradition. | Nature, Dunes, UNESCO, culture |
| De Panne | The most southwesterly resort, bordering France. Known for wide dune beaches, Plopsaland theme park, and easy access to the Westhoek nature reserve. | Theme park, Nature, Families |
| Wenduine & Bredene | Smaller, more local resorts with authentic charm and fewer tourists. Bredene is the only resort with a naturist beach. Good base for cycling into the dunes. | Local feel, Cycling, Budget |
| Zeebrugge | A working seaport and ferry terminal with a maritime museum. Less of a classic beach resort, but interesting for its industrial harbour atmosphere and fresh fish stalls. | Maritime history, Ferries, Seafood |
Travel to Belgian Coast: How to Get There
The Belgian Coast can easily be reached by train from most Belgian cities. There are trainstations in Knokke-Heist, Blankenberge and Ostend. From there you can use the coastal tram to reach your end destination.
When traveling from the UK to the Belgian coast by car, you can either take a ferry or the eurotunnel to France and follow the A76/E40 highway to your destination. Direct passenger ferry’s to the Belgian coast have been discontinued until further notice.
Getting around the Belgian coast
Getting around the Belgian coast is easy and affordable thanks to the iconic Coastal Tram (Kusttram) — at 67 km, it’s the world’s longest tram line, connecting all coastal towns from De Panne to Knokke-Heist with 68 stops.
⚠️ Spring 2026 Works: De Lijn is carrying out rail and infrastructure upgrades along sections of the Coastal Tram route in spring 2026. Some delays are possible. Check the De Lijn website for the latest service updates before you travel.
🚊 Coastal Tram – Ticket Prices (2026)
- €3.50 – Single journey (buy via app or contactless)
- ~€7.50 – 1-day pass (hop-on hop-off, 24 hrs)
- ~€13 – 3-day pass
- ~€18 – 5-day pass
ℹ️ Children under 6 travel free. Tickets can be bought via the De Lijn app, online, at tram stops, or on board (slightly more expensive on board). De Lijn increased fares by ~4.2% in February 2026 — always verify current prices at delijn.be before your trip.
🕐 Frequency: Every 10 min in peak summer · Every 15 min in spring/autumn · Every 20 min in winter · Every 30 min in the evenings.
📍 Stops & timetables: delijn.be – Line 500
Practical Tips for Visiting
🅿️ Parking in Summer
Parking in coastal towns fills up fast on warm weekends. Arrive before 10am or use park-and-ride facilities and take the tram into town. Expect €1.50–3/hour in peak season.
🌊 Beach Flags
Always check the beach flag system: green = safe, yellow = caution, red = no swimming. Lifeguards are typically on duty July–August on main beaches.
🏖️ Beach Cabins
Renting a traditional strandcabine (beach cabin) is a Belgian coastal tradition. They’re available by the week or day from most resorts, and provide shade, storage, and changing facilities.
🚂 Getting There by Train
Main rail stations are at Ostend, Blankenberge, and Knokke-Heist. From Brussels, trains to Ostend take about 1 hour. From there, connect to the coastal tram.
🌬️ Weather
The coast is noticeably windier than inland Belgium — bring a light jacket even in summer. The best beach weather is typically July and August, though even June and September can be lovely.
🐕 Dog-Friendly Beaches
Dogs are permitted on some beach sections outside peak hours. Restrictions vary by resort and season — check with the local tourist office before bringing pets.
Day trips to the Belgian Coast
If you’re looking for a quick getaway or a day trip, the Belgian coast is the perfect destination. Thanks to the excellent public transport and easy access by car, it’s a popular day trip destination for many locals and tourists.
Keep in mind that during warm summer days it can become very crowded. Travelers by car will often experience more difficulties in finding a parking space, and have a risk of traffic jams in the evening on the way back.
Belgian Coast Accommodation: Hotels, Holiday Homes and More
The Belgian Coast is a popular holiday destination for many Belgians and tourists from other countries. This results in a large variety of different accommodation types available, ranging from hotels, BnB’s, apartments, holiday homes, vacation parks and camping sites.
Holiday Homes on Belgian Coast: A Guide to Rentals
Many Belgians who go on holiday to the Belgian Coast prefer to rent either an apartment or holiday home.
Both Belvilla and Holiday Suites are excellent sources for finding these types of accommodation at the Belgian coast. Another great source to find holiday lettings is Vrbo.
Belgian Coast Holiday Parks: Family-Friendly Vacation Spots
- Center Parcs has a holiday park in De Haan
- Sunparks has a holiday park in Oostduinkerke
- Roompot has a bungalow vacation park in Bredene
- Floréal has 2 holiday resorts where you can rent studio’s and apartments, with or without hotel formula. One is located in Nieuwpoort, the other in Blankenberge.
Camping on Belgian Coast: Grounds and Facilities
Wildcamping on the beach or in the dunes is strictly forbidden at the entire Belgian coastline. In addition, nearly all Belgian coastal towns prohibit spending the night in a vehicle on public roads as well. However there are plenty of camping grounds and dedicated mobilhome parkings available.
Food & Seafood on the Belgian Coast
The Belgian coast takes its food seriously. With fresh North Sea fish landed daily at ports like Nieuwpoort, Zeebrugge, and Ostend, eating well here is effortless — whether you’re grabbing a cone of grey shrimp from a beach stall or sitting down for a proper seafood dinner on the promenade.
Must-Try Dishes
Garnaalkroketten (Grey Shrimp Croquettes)
The undisputed king of Belgian coastal cuisine. Crispy outside, creamy and loaded with fresh grey shrimp inside. Found on virtually every menu along the coast — this is the one dish you must try.
Moules-Frites (Mussels & Chips)
A Belgian national treasure. Steamed in white wine, cream, or tomato sauce, mussels are best enjoyed September–February when the season peaks. Paired with proper Belgian frites, of course.
Verse Grijze Garnalen (Fresh Grey Shrimp)
Smaller and more delicate than the Atlantic prawn, the North Sea grey shrimp is a local delicacy. Peeled by hand and sold from stalls and market stands — simple, sweet, and perfect with a cold beer.
Maatjesharing (Young Herring)
Available from late May, fresh maatjes are eaten raw with chopped onion. It’s a rite of passage at the coast — grab them from a harbour stall for an authentic local experience.
Sole Meunière (Dover Sole)
The North Sea is renowned for its Dover sole, and many coastal restaurants serve it simply pan-fried in butter. A refined, classic dish that lets the quality of the fish speak for itself.
Paling in ‘t Groen (Eel in Green Herb Sauce)
A traditional Flemish coastal dish — braised eel in a vibrant sauce made from sorrel, parsley, and other fresh herbs. Less common on tourist menus but worth seeking out.
🐟 Sea of Flavours (September–October): Over 100 coastal restaurants take part in this annual campaign, each presenting a signature dish made with sustainably caught North Sea fish. A great reason to visit in autumn. More info at belgiancoast.co.uk.
🦐 Best fish markets: Ostend’s Vistrap (open-air market at Visserskaai, most mornings) and Nieuwpoort’s Vismijn are the two best places to buy fresh fish directly from the source — and to soak up the authentic harbour atmosphere.
Events calendar 2026
The Belgian coast comes alive with events from spring through autumn. Here are the confirmed and expected highlights for 2026 — check individual event websites for the latest details as dates can change.
- Spring 2026: Coastal Tram Infrastructure Works🚊 All along the coast — expect possible delays on the Kusttram. Check delijn.be for updates.
- 21 July: Belgian National Day – Fireworks🎆 Fireworks displays along the coast in Blankenberge, Middelkerke, Westende and other resorts. Free to watch from the beach.
- 11–12 July Ostend Beach Festival🎵 Klein Strand, Ostend — electronic music festival on the beach with Miss Monique, Green Velvet, and HI-LO headlining. Tickets required.
- August (mid) WECANDANCE🎶 Zeebrugge Beach — multi-day electronic music and lifestyle festival on the beach around the Assumption Day weekend (15 August). Known for creative dress codes and beach-side stages.
- 15 Aug: Assumption Day Fireworks🎆 Middelkerke and several other resorts hold fireworks displays on the national holiday. Check local resort websites for exact times.
- Late Aug Flower Parade – Blankenberge🌸 Blankenberge’s famous annual flower parade through the town — one of the longest-running events on the Belgian coast. Spectacular floats and free to watch from the streets.
- Sep–Oct Sea of Flavours (Zee van Smaken)🐟 All resorts — 100+ coastal restaurants present signature North Sea fish dishes as part of this annual food campaign. Great reason to visit in shoulder season.
- October Shrimp Month – Nieuwpoort🦐 Nieuwpoort — the peak of the grey shrimp season, with special events, tastings, and activities centred on Nieuwpoort’s famous fishing heritage.
- Late Oct Fireworks – Blankenberge🎆 Blankenberge closes the season with a final fireworks display. Exact date TBC — check the Blankenberge tourist office website.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Belgian Coast is a charming destination that offers miles of sandy beaches, picturesque towns, and delicious seafood. Visitors can explore the historic town of Ostend, try kite-surfing, taste local seafood delicacies, and enjoy cycling along the network of cycling paths. There are also a variety of seaside resorts to suit all tastes and budgets, from elegant Victorian architecture to contemporary beachfront developments. Travel to the Belgian Coast is easy by train or car, and getting around the coast is made convenient by the coastal tram that links all the coastal towns. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing beach vacation or an active getaway, the Belgian Coast has something to offer for everyone.
