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Exploring Belgium you’d come upon one great attraction after another. It might be difficult for travelers with a limited amount of time to decide what to see in Ostend.
Through this Ostend blog, I will share with you some of the most interesting things to do in Ostend.
An itinerary of 3 days is good to see the most popular tourist attractions in Ostend. But if you can spare couple of days more that’s even better, you can take the sights more slowly. Here are the best things to see in Ostend along with a list of the most interesting things to do in Ostend:
1. Fort Napoleon
If you like to be active and explore things on your own, then make some time for Fort Napoleon.
Start with the visitor center, they will help you get oriented quickly. There are trails running around the fort which takes you through the woods and to a series of vantage points.
Quick Facts:
- Some of the things Fort Napoleon features include a sun terrace and a fine restaurant with view.
- The fort was built somewhere around 1811.
Address: Vuurtorenweg 13, 8400 Oostende, Belgium
2. Atlantic Wall open-air museum
For anyone interested in military history of the region, Atlantic Wall open-air museum is a good place to start.
I find medals & documents to be quite an interesting thing to observe. There are exhibits in the large outdoor area as well. Some of these include armoured vehicles and anti aircraft guns.
Quick Facts:
- Some of the things Atlantic Wall open-air museum features include old fortifications from the First world war.
A natural crowd puller, Atlantic Wall open-air museum is right up there in the list of best things to do in Ostend.
Address: Nieuwpoortsesteenweg 636, 8400 Oostende, Belgium
3. Mu.ZEE
If browsing through quirky art displays interests you, Mu.ZEE is the one you should head to.
The museum presents well the contemporary works of the local as well as the international artists.
The multimedia exhibits with a clever mixe of sound and light is a must watch. The collection is speread out amongst the art pieces belonging to quirky installations, electronic art experiences and experimental photography.
Quick Facts:
- While collection by James Ensor constitutes the highlights of contemporary art museum, the interesting visual arts library is also worth a look.
- It is Gaston Eysselinck who conceptualized and turned it into a reality.
- The contemporary art museum was built somewhere around 20th century.
Address: Romestraat 11, 8400 Oostende, Belgium
4. Leopoldpark
Leopoldpark is a beautifully landscaped park spread over a large area in Ostend.
This fabulous park was developed with the sole aim to promote the good health of the citizen.
Spring is the season when hundreds of flowers are on full blossom. You can find various paths and trails leading you through the tranquil nature.
An incredible sight, Leopoldpark scores high in the list of the best things to do in Ostend.
Address: Leopold II-laan, 8400 Oostende, Belgium
5. Mercator
Mercator is a maritime museum located in the city of Ostend.
If you are into shipbuilding and sailing you will love this museum.
Mercator presents well the history of ships and navigation in the region. The museum houses some of the best nautical memorabilia including scaled model ships.
Quick Facts:
- Mercator is housed in a 1932 ship used exclusively as a training vessel.
- The maritime museum stretches for about 78 m in length.
- The maritime museum is named after Gerardus Mercator.
Address: Mercatordok, 8400 Oostende, Belgium
6. Sint-Petrus-en-Pauluskerk
Located in the heart of Ostend, Sint-Petrus-en-Pauluskerk, is another of the city’s architectural masterpieces.
As this is a sacred location, anyone who want to enter are advised to cover their knees and shoulders. The adjoining cemetry has got quite a few famous people buried.
Quick Facts:
- Brought to life by the architect Louis Delacenserie, church is a classic example of fine Gothic Revival architecture.
- The church was built somewhere around 20th-century.
Address: Prins Boudewijnstraat, 8400 Oostende, Belgium
7. Maria Hendrikapark
Maria Hendrikapark is a large landscaped park, an oasis of greenery, located in Ostend.
It is a good way to reconnect with nature – relax under the shady trees, watch the kids play.
Scattered around the park are many paths encouraging you to walk, jog or bike. It’s easy to spend an entire day here, wandering through these flourishing gardens.
Quick Facts:
- Spread over an area of 45-hectare, it is difficult to take-in all in one go.
- Some of the things Maria Hendrikapark features include a mini-golf course and a recreation space.
Add it to your Ostend trip if you have time.
Address: Platanendreef 1-2, 8400 Oostende, Belgium
8. Plage d’Oostende
A prominent beach, Plage d’Oostende offers plenty of sun and sand for its visitors.
Swim, surf, sunbath, walk, run or play – you can sketch your day as you want. After a busy day of looking around, it is just the right place to unwind by the sweeping ocean.
Address: Albert I-promenade, 8400 Oostende, Belgium
9. Ensor Museum
Ensor Museum is a museum dedicated to one of the most prominent personalities of the city.
And even if are clueless about the person, you can still appreciate the magnificent house and its garden. Ensor Museum is where once he lived, and which is now a museum about his life and works.
If you have time, it makes for a nice addition to your Ostend trip.
Address: Vlaanderenstraat 25, 8400 Oostende, Belgium
10. Albert I-promenade
Albert I-promenade is a lovely promenade running parallel to the seafront.
Take a long, slow walk alongside the waterfront to see the city come alive. As you wander down the leafy path grab an ice-cream from the street vendors.
11. Lange Nelle Lighthouse
Lange Nelle Lighthouse is an enduring stone lighthouse with a long history.
It has been an important signal point to warn incoming ships away from the shoreline. Even from the land this pretty whitewashed lighthouse can be seen from miles.
On the downside, the visitor hours are rather limited, so plan accordingly. Once you get to the top, you will love the sweeping views of the sea from here.
Quick Facts:
- Touching a height of 58 m, the lighthouse was built in 1949.
- The lighthouse was opened on 1771.
If you have time, it makes for a nice addition to your Ostend trip.
Address: Buskruitstraat 183, 8400 Oostende, Belgium
12. Casino Oostende
Casino Oostende is a gambling den, with plenty of table games, slot machines and electronic roulette.
Address: Kursaal-Westhelling 12, 8400 Oostende, Belgium
Thanks for reading this travel blog, hope now you know plenty of must see places in Ostend. In this Ostend travel blog post, I have listed not just what to see in Ostend but also what to do.
And it’s not difficult to create an itinerary that includes some of the best tourist attractions in Ostend. If you have any questions or suggestions on sightseeing in Ostend, I would love to hear them in the comments section below.