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Harbor

Two so-called sea landing stages (Flemish Staketsel) extend out for a long way into the sea to protect the entrance of the harbor. The western breakwater, 625m/684yds long, is popular as a viewpoint.

Ostend Beaches

Ostend has five bathing beaches with all facilities such as showers, cabins, deck-chairs etc.: the small beach between the dike and the harbor entrance, the western beach between the kursaal and the racecourse, the beaches of Mariakerke and Raversijde west of the racecourse, and the beach to the east of the harbor.

James Ensorhuis

North of the Wapenplein in Vlaanderenstrat No. 27 James Ensor was born. The house is now furnished as a museum, in which the old shop of his uncle and aunt, personal belongings and sketches, as well as the living room and studio of the painter can be seen.

Gistel

In Gistel, 10km/6miles to the south of Ostend, the saint Godelieve was born in 1045. Her husband had her strangled in 1070 and threw the body into a pond; from then on the water was thought to have miraculous powers. The church and the museum are dedicated to the legend of St Godelieve.

De Haan

Situated in the dunes, 6km/3.75miles to the northeast, is De Haan which is more tranquil than Ostend. Strict building regulations ensure that no concrete tower blocks are erected but only pleasant looking houses and villas in green surroundings. De Haan has today, therefore, something of the look of the Belle Epoque.

March - September

July - August -> 20(°C) - Summer
January - February -> 0(°C) - Spring

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