As temperatures are set to rise in the coming days, it’s the perfect occasion to explore the Belgian coast. The region offers a diverse range of seaside resorts where visitors can relax on the beach and take a refreshing dip in the sea.
Despite its reputation for high-rise buildings along the seafront, the Belgian coast boasts 13 seaside resorts, each providing a unique experience. People flock to the coast to cool down when temperatures soar inland, benefiting from a ‘microclimate’ that often brings sunshine when the rest of the country is overcast.
Beach Safety and Preparations
Before heading to the beach, it’s essential to note that swimming is only permitted when a green (safe) or yellow (slight danger) flag is hoisted next to lifeguard stations.
Swimming in unguarded areas, marked by prohibition signs, is strictly prohibited. Parents are advised to pick up a free lost child bracelet from lifeguards, the first aid booth, or public toilets to ensure missing children can quickly be reunited with their guardians.
Convenient Coastal Connections
Reaching the Belgian coast is convenient with direct train connections from Brussels to several coastal towns, including Ostend and Blankenberge, which are just over an hour away.
Additional coastal trains are scheduled when temperatures soar, making these destinations ideal for those seeking swift travel, a bustling atmosphere, and a range of amenities.
Ostend: The Heart of the Coast
Ostend, Belgium’s largest coastal city, is located in the middle of the 67-kilometre-long coastline. It features a wide sandy beach with five bathing spots, except for the harbour, which houses the three-masted Belgian naval ship, the Mercator.
Ostend is easily accessible by train and offers a central beach area with numerous facilities such as public toilets, showers, beach clubs, and restaurants. However, this area can become very busy.
Bathers who prefer to avoid the crowds can head towards Mariakerke-bad or Fort Napoleon. Ostend caters to all ages, with the ‘Teen Beach’ offering beach sports and vibrant nightlife for young people.
To the west of the ‘Teen Beach’ is a zone dedicated to (kite) surfers. Ostend is also a cultural hotspot, drawing art lovers to its street art and the James Ensor house.
This year marks the eighth edition of the Beaufort Triennial, showcasing dozens of sculptures along the coast.
Blankenberge: The Bustling Resort
Blankenberge is renowned for its pier, a unique 350-metre-long structure recently restored to its interbellum glory. The pier features a magnificent circular building housing a restaurant at the end.
The beach is divided into several bathing spots, with the central area being the closest to the bustling city centre, lined with over 80 summer bars.
The eastern and western beaches, located near the pier, are quieter and surrounded by dunes. The western beach is popular with wind and kite surfers.
Blankenberge is famous for its Corso tradition, with a flower procession featuring floats and dance groups winding through the city centre streets every August. This year, the event takes place on Saturday, August 26.
Rustic Experiences by Coastal Tram
Visitors can take a train to one of the beach towns and then hop onto the coastal tram, which runs from the French to the Dutch border, connecting all coastal resorts. This offers an opportunity to explore more rustic and quaint seaside towns.
De Haan: The Belle Époque Resort
Nestled between Ostend and Blankenberge, De Haan is known as the ‘Belle Époque’ resort for its picturesque 19th-century houses.
Visitors can stroll through the ‘Concession neighbourhood,’ a historic Anglo-Norman style villa district, which includes Albert Einstein’s 1933 residence, Villa Savoyarde.
De Haan also boasts Belgium’s longest beach, stretching over 12 kilometres in length and between 50 and 80 metres in depth. More adventurous visitors can spend the day learning to (kite) surf.
Koksijde: A Hidden Gem
Koksijde, the second-last Belgian coastal town before the French border, is a hidden gem. It has become a destination for animal lovers, as a small seal colony has been regularly spotted on its beach in recent years.
Koksijde also offers a unique experience with a public swimming pool that overlooks the sea, located in the borough of Oostduinkerke.
The area is famous for its dunes and is home to the highest dune of the Flemish coast, the ‘Hoge Blekker,’ which stands 33 metres high and offers stunning views of the coastal landscape.
Knokke-Heist: The Luxurious Resort
On the opposite side of the Belgian coast lies Knokke-Heist, the most expensive beach resort.
Known for its extravagant bars, restaurants, and hotels lining the nine-kilometre-long promenade, it is a fashion hub with its ‘golden shopping triangle’ of trendy boutiques and luxury brands.
The 12-kilometre-long beach, dotted with luxurious beach bars, attracts many visitors. Avid walkers visit Knokke-Heist for the ‘Het Zwin’ nature reserve, an area of salt marshes and mudflats that shelter birds such as storks and oystercatchers.
Bredene: The Famous Nudist Beach
Last but not least is Bredene, the country’s most famous beach resort, as it is the only coastal municipality with a nudist beach.
The beach guarantees privacy thanks to its sand dunes. Since allowing visitors to go nude in 2001, Bredene has become one of the most popular bathing areas on the Belgian coast, attracting around 1,000 people to its 350-metre-wide strip at peak times. There are also plenty of non-nudist beaches in Bredene to suit all tastes.
Conclusion: Diverse Coastal Attractions Await
The Belgian coast offers a variety of seaside experiences, from bustling resorts with numerous amenities to quaint towns with historical charm and quieter beaches surrounded by natural beauty.
Whether seeking cultural hotspots, adventure sports, luxury, or a unique nudist experience, the Belgian coast has something for everyone.
As temperatures rise, these coastal gems provide the perfect escape to relax, explore, and enjoy the diverse attractions that the region has to offer.
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