Top things to do in Ostend
Attractions, tours, and activities in Ostend
Recommended museums in Ostend
Where to find art and culture in Ostend
Ostend: the city's best neighborhoods
Find a great area to stay in Ostend
About Ostend
Including tips for the best time to visit Ostend
Once King Leopold’s favourite seaside resort, Ostend is the largest of Belgium’s coastal cities and offers around seven kilometres of broad sandy shores. Besides its beautiful beaches and spacious promenade, the Flemish city is known for its eye-catching architecture and exceptional museums.
Ostend is home to some of the Flemish coast’s most noteworthy buildings, including a Napoleonic-era fort completed in 1811. You can also explore the neoclassical arcade of the Royal Galleries, made up of a royal villa, a horse racing track and a hotel amidst a seemingly endless cluster of Tuscan-style columns. The neo-Gothic Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul is Ostend’s most striking building, with towering twin spires and majestic stained-glass windows.
Ostend’s long stretch of white sand draws in many tourists during the warmer months, but with six sections more than 100 metres wide in places, there’s room for everyone. Head west to find the Sportsrand, offering a variety of activities including beach volleyball, kitesurfing and more.
Head to Ostend’s Raversijde neighbourhood to discover the Atlantic Wall – a well-preserved fort used by the German army during the Second World War. Now a fascinating open-air museum, it allows visitors to explore two kilometres of tunnels, trenches and bunkers with the aid of an audio guide. Moored in front of the city hall, you’ll find The Mercator sailboat, featuring an onboard exhibition about the history of the vessel, including its crew and legendary voyages.
Tonight
From $67 per night
This weekend
From $162 per night
Next weekend
From $162 per night
| Most popular time to visit | October-December |
| Cheapest time to visit | January-March |
| Local currency | € 1 = $1.08 |
| Language | French |
| Average weekend price | $139 per night |
| Average weekday price | $136 per night |
| Average stay | 2 nights |
Points of interest in Ostend
Stay near the top sightseeing spots in Ostend
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Casino Kursaal
0.5 miles from downtown
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Raversijde
3.6 miles from downtown
Ostend reviews
What other travelers say about Ostend
I visited ManiFiesta, an annual festival of solidarity at...
September 11, 2023
I visited ManiFiesta, an annual festival of solidarity at the Wellington horse track. It takes place in early September and it's a wonderful opportunity to see live music and dance, but also for debates, films and to meet like-minded people from all over Europe. I met trade unionists from all across the world, amazing. So nice that you can visit the festival and also enjoy the beach and the city of Ostend.
we go every year for the W-Festival.
August 30, 2023
we go every year for the W-Festival. a lovely music festival accompanied by the lovely seaside ambient, beautiful promenade and beaches. Very close to Ghent and Brugges. reachable by train. An hour train from Brussels, 15 mins to Brugges and 30 mins to Ghent- Sint Peters.
We really enjoyed our visit, I guess we were lucky as we had...
August 3, 2023
We really enjoyed our visit, I guess we were lucky as we had our own personal tour guide, as our friend lives here! We a enjoyed the architecture, took lot's of photographs. The Harbour was lovely, everything was in walking distance. If you are a lover of fresh Seafood, it's in abundance, lot's of stalls selling fresh fish of all description.
The trams can be crowded at rush hour and they run less...
July 26, 2023
The trams can be crowded at rush hour and they run less frequently than advertised at night. Beautiful location on the beach with an easy walk along the promenade. Friendly, helpful people that I could converse with in French or English (I don't speak Flemish).
Oostend is a real city, all year round, not like the other...
June 17, 2023
Oostend is a real city, all year round, not like the other beach towns mostly only Summer resorts. Easily reachable by train. SOme times a bit crowded on Summer weekends. many cultural events in Summer time, also sometimes off-season
A LITTLE GEM OF A PLACE, I COULD HAVE STAYED MUCH LONGER,...
May 1, 2023
A LITTLE GEM OF A PLACE, I COULD HAVE STAYED MUCH LONGER, VERY CLEAN, LOTS OF RESTAURANTS, COFFEE SHOP, BARS, CAFE,FAST FOOD PLACES AND MORE, THE SHOPPING EXPERIENCE IS VERY GOOD, AND THE BEACH IS LESS THAN 5MIN WALK AWAY.
Popular places to stay in Ostend
Stay in some of the best accommodations Ostend has to offer
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LOGIES-M Comfort Studios Inc Bikes B&B Oostende Center, Ostend
From $117 per night
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Zus of So Oostende Center, Ostend
From $260 per night
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Villa Ostinato Oostende Center, Ostend
From $197 per night
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Studio47 Oostende Center, Ostend
From $146 per night
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4B @ Longchamp Oostende Center, Ostend
From $141 per night
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