Ostend (Belgium) is a resort located off the coast of the North Sea. Its wide beaches, views and architecture attract a large number of tourists every year. And even its small size (the local population is only 70 thousand) does not prevent it from being a must-visit point for those who come to Belgium.
The sights of Ostend will impress you with their beauty. In this article, you will learn which of them are worth visiting first, how to get to them, their opening hours and a lot of useful information about the resort itself.
How to get to Ostend
Since the city does not have an airport that accepts passenger flights from Moscow/From Kiev / Minsk, it is most convenient to fly to Brussels (BRU). Flights between these countries and the Belgian capital depart several times a day.
Important! The Belgian capital has two airports, the second one accepts only low-cost flights from different European countries (Poland, Romania, Hungary, Spain, etc.). Be careful not to confuse the names, as they are located 70 km from each other.
Brussels-Ostend: convenient ways
One hundred and ten kilometers separating the cities, you can overcome by train or car.
- Daily trains depart from Bru-central station in Ostend at intervals of 20-40 minutes. The price of a regular one-way ticket is 17€, and discounts are available for young people under 26 years of age, children and pensioners. Travel time is 70-90 minutes. You can check the train schedule and buy travel documents on the website of the Belgian railway (www.belgianrail.be).
- Upon arrival at Brussels Airport, you can rent a car (opening hours from 6:30 to 23:30 daily) and travel to Ostend on the E40 route. A taxi ride in this direction will cost you approximately 180-200€.
Bruges to Ostend: how to get there fast and cheap
If the idea to enjoy the sea air came to you in this picturesque center of West Flanders, you can get to Ostend by train, bus or car. The distance is 30 km.
- Every half-hour, suitable trains depart from Bruges Central Station to Ostend. The journey takes 20 minutes, and the standard one-way fare is 4-5€.
- Intercity buses number 35 and number 54 will take you to your destination in an hour. The fare is 3 euros, tickets can be purchased from the driver at boarding. Schedule and other details are available on the carrier’s website (www.delijn.be);
- Ostend can be reached in 15-20 minutes by car or taxi (€60-75).
How to save on travel expenses
The cost of public transport in Belgium is on par with most European countries, but if you do not want to overpay for the road, you can use one (or more) of the following life hacks::
- Travel between cities in Belgium is most profitable on weekends (from 19:00 on Friday to Sunday evening), when the Weekend Ticket discount system is in effect, allowing you to get there with savings of up to 50% on railway tickets.
- In all Belgian cities, the same price applies for a single trip – 2.10 euros. For those who want to get to different parts of Ostend cheaper, there are passes for a day (7.5€), five (8€) or ten (14€) trips. You can buy travel cards on the website www.stib-mivb.be.
- Students and people under the age of 26 have a separate opportunity to save on travel expenses. Show your documents and buy discounted tickets.
- Ostend offers free travel for children under 12 years of age accompanied by adults.
Climate features
Ostend is a seaside resort where the air temperature rarely rises above 20°C. The warmest months are July and August, when Belgians and tourists from other countries decide to enjoy the purity of the North Sea.
In June and September, the Belgian air warms up to +17°C, in October and May-up to +14°C. In autumn, Ostend is rainy and overcast, while cold winters are accompanied by soft snow and wind. Despite this, even in January and February, the temperature does not fall below 2-3 degrees Celsius, and the grayish shades of the sky at this time make the sea even more picturesque and attractive.
Accommodation
Ostend has a lot of accommodation options. Prices start from 70 euros per person in a three-star hotel without additional services. The most expensive hotels are located in the Oostende-Centrum area, near the main attractions, the most budget – Stene and Konterdam. Be sure to check out the only hostel in the city, a favorite place for young people – Jeugdherberg De Ploate, located in the heart of Ostend.
Food
The city has many food establishments of different classes. On average, the cost of dinner for one person, as in other parts of Belgium, ranges from 10-15€ in a local cafe to 60€ in the central restaurants of the resort.
Of course, Ostend also has its own signature dishes that every traveler should definitely try:
- Belgian waffles with ice cream and fruit;
- White wine;
- Seafood dishes;
- Crispy potatoes with cheese and vegetables.
Ostend attractions: what to see first
Beaches, historical museums, churches, seascapes, monuments and other cultural sites – you will need several days to explore all the beauty of the resort. If you don’t have that much time left, first pay attention to the following places.
A tip! Create your own map of the attractions you would like to see. This will help you develop the best route and get to various attractions faster, having time to visit them.
Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul
You’ll notice it from anywhere in the city. This beautiful cathedral in the Gothic style attracts all lovers of architecture and exciting photos. Ostend is sometimes called the second Paris and the reason for this is this smaller, but no less charming copy of Notre Dame, which is worth seeing for all tourists.
On any day of the week, everyone can enter the cathedral for free, experience its atmosphere and admire the unique interior. The church is located in the popular Ostend district, close to the promenade and the central station. Every Sunday morning, Catholics pray here, so the entrance for tourist purposes may be temporarily closed.
Amandine Ship Museum
The popular ship museum will tell you about the hard life of Belgian fishermen, accompanying your tour with music and interesting stories.
For 5 euros, you can go inside, see the admiral’s cabin, the lower cabins and get acquainted with the equipment used by the masters of fishing, represented by wax figures. The museum is closed on Mondays, on other days the visit is available from 11: 00 to 16: 30. Children will especially like it.
Sailboat Mercator (Zeilschip Mercator)
When you see this three-masted sailboat, you will not be able to pass by. The main attraction of Ostend will tell you about the life of sailors, officers and scientists who made expeditions on this ship in different years. Tourists can see the cabins, try themselves as a captain, get acquainted with the history of the ship and its features daily from 11 to 16: 30. The entrance fee is 5 euros.
Raversyde
Immerse yourself in Belgium’s glorious past by visiting the only surviving fishing village, Walraverseide. The Ostend Open-air Museum, a small settlement, will tell you the details of the life of fishermen before the 15th century.
The medieval fishing village of Walraverseide, which disappeared in 1465, is one of the most important archaeological sites in Flanders. Three fishing huts, a bakery and a fish smokehouse have been reconstructed on the site of the medieval town. In the museum, you will learn more about everyday life and archaeological research.
It is best to come here in the summer or spring, when the grass is green around the local houses and flowers are blooming. You can get to the village by the first tram or car.
- The entrance fee to all cabins is 4 euros.
- Working hours are 10: 30-16: 45 on weekends, 10-15: 45 on weekdays.
Kursaal Casino
It is a real crime to relax in Ostend and not try your luck in a seaside casino. Built at the beginning of the 20th century, this building became a real sensation and was forever fixed in the memory of local residents as the most unusual attraction in Belgium. Today, it not only gathers gambling travelers, but also hosts various exhibitions, concerts and seminars. Admission is free, and guests can enjoy inexpensive drinks and snacks.
Fort Napoleon
The famous conqueror left a piece of himself in Ostend – a huge fortress that has become a century-old landmark. Inside, there is a museum where guided tours are continuously conducted in English, German and French, and you can go up to the observation deck and look at Ostend from the other side.
Fort Napoleon has seen hundreds of years of history. The French waited in awe for the British, German soldiers used the impregnable pentagon as a buffer against the Allies, and local youth kissed their first lovers here. The sturdy walls of Fort Napoleon were once silent witnesses to every smile, tear, and kiss at the fort.
Several free ferries run daily to the fort, and you can also take the coastal tram. There is a cozy restaurant nearby.
- The ticket costs 9 euros.
- Working hours are Wednesday from 14 to 17 and weekends from 10 to 17.
Leopoldpark City Park
A small park for a relaxing holiday with the whole family. Narrow alleys are decorated with various trees and sculptures by Belgian artists, fountains work in the warm season, fish swim in the lake. Also, musicians perform daily in the park, everyone can play mini golf, and picnics can be arranged in gazebos. Located in the heart of Ostend, you can get there by the first tram.
Wellington Racetrack
The famous hippodrome, located near the beaches of Ostend, will appeal to equestrian enthusiasts. Horse races and various shows are regularly held here, and the local cafe surprises you with delicious Belgian cuisine and low prices. You can view events on Mondays, and there are souvenir shops on site.
Coastal Tram (Kusttram)
The coastal tram is not just a type of Belgian public transport that allows you to get to any point in Ostend, but a real attraction. Its route is the longest in the world and is 68 kilometers. If you want to see all the beauty of the resort and save your time and money, take the kusttram and go on a trip to the coastal zone of Ostend.
Atlantic Wall Museum
The Military Museum of the Second World War will open you up to history from a new angle. The exhibition reveals the secrets and peculiarities of the life of German soldiers, allows you to walk through real bunkers, get into the atmosphere of those times and see a large number of military equipment. The defensive system of the German troops in 1942-1944 was preserved and restored here. You can see anti-tank ditches, bastions and barracks of the German garrison.
This museum will be interesting for the whole family. You should set aside about 2 hours for a visit.
- Admission costs 4 euros per person.
- Open from 10:30 am to 5 pm daily, open until 18:00 on weekends.
Fish market (Fischmarkt)
This Belgian resort is not for nothing famous for its sea gifts. You can buy any of them at the small fish market located in the embankment area. It sells not only fresh seafood, but also prepared dishes with amazing taste. It is better to arrive at 7-8 in the morning and no later than 11, as the market is popular not only with tourists, but also with local residents.
Interesting facts
- Belinsky’s famous “Letter to Gogol” was sent to the writer in Ostend, Belgium, where he was undergoing medical treatment.
- Ostend has the longest tram route in the world, connecting the borders of France and the Netherlands.
- Once a year, the city hosts the world’s largest sand sculpture festival.
- When choosing gifts for your family, choose delicacies, seafood and alcoholic beverages. This is where these products have really high quality and low prices.
Ostend (Belgium) is a city that you will surely remember. Have a good trip!
