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Ostend Travel Guide

Nicknamed the ‘City by the Sea’, Ostend (Oostende in Dutch) stretches along about 7 km of wide North Sea shoreline, home to some of Belgium’s finest beaches. The year-round resort blends traces of Belle Époque elegance with reminders of its wartime past, while its cultural identity is enriched by figures such as painter James Ensor and singer-songwriter Marvin Gaye.

STAY

  • Andromeda hotel
  • Hotel du Parc
  • Le Bassin hotel
  • Huyze Elimonica B&B
  • Thermae Palace hotel
  • Upstairs hotel
  • Villa Ostinato B&B

EAT

  • AMY MARY artisanal ice cream
  • Aquamarine (seafood)
  • Bistro Bottarga (Belgian-world)
  • Bistro Mathilda (Belgian)
  • Frenchette (world)
  • Haut (seafood)
  • Ocean (seafood)
  • Petrus (gastronomic)
  • Savarin (Belgian)
  • Toi Moi et la Mer (seafood)
  • Venetiaanse (Italian)
  • Villa Ostinado Retaurant (Belgian)
  • Vlass, Middelkerke (gastronomic)

DRINK

  • Brasserie Le Châtelet
  • Café Botteltje
  • Café du Parc
  • CultuurCafé
  • Et Alors
  • KAAP cafe
  • ​Mac Mer
  • Max Consael Tearoom
  • Panorama rooftop (seasonal)
  • Zig Zag Art Bar

SHOP

  • Main Shopping Mile (Nieuwstraat)
  • Local Specialty Boutiques
  • Weekly Flower Markets
  • Concept Stores
  • New Recommendation

EXPERIENCE

  • Garnaal Kroketten Festival, Oct
  • Licht Golf, Dec
  • Night Shift cultural festival, March
  • Noordzeefakkeltocht (Torchlight Procession), Middelkerke, Aug
  • Midnight Love Tour, daily
  • Oostende Koerse, July-Aug
  • Ostend Film Festival, Feb
  • Sand Sculpture Festival, Middelkerke, July-Aug
  • Theateraanzee, July-Aug
  • Winter in het Park, Dec

MUST-SEE

  • Ensorhuis
  • Fort Napoleon
  • Koninklijke/Venetiaanse Gaanderijen
  • Mu.Zee
  • The Crystal Ship
  • Villa Maritza
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