Ostend
Oostende or Ostend is in my opinion the nicest sea-side city in Belgium and is the biggest sea-side city in Belgium; it is therefore a very popular tourist destination.
The hotels, B&B’s and private apartments are plentiful, easy to find and available to most budgets.
Most of the Belgian coast lines has sandy beaches with dunes; most beaches are very clean as strict rules exist for local councils to keep the beach clean.
Please note that dogs or any other pets are not allowed on the beach during the peak season and on the spot fines are carried out regularly, so be careful if you are planning a holiday with a pet!
If you manage to find a nice day to lie on the beach and just relax, you might be awakened by the shouts to sell you “Boule de Berlin”, this is a type of custard or jam doughnut and are traditionally sold on the beach, and they taste absolutely gorgeous!
Ostend has however more to offer then great beaches, it also has a peer on which you can see local fishermen fish daily and you might catch something yourself.
If you arrive by train, you will pass the famous “Vistrap” on your way to the sea, this is an open fish market which sells you fresh fish and shrimps, also on the menu are escargots or snails, although it is not considered very popular in England, you should give them a go as they are absolutely delicious and make you feel at home at the sea straight away!
Ostend is also known for the Casino-Kursaal, this is the biggest casino in Europe and can’t be missed when you are walking on the promenade, you will recognise it by its round shape and the white stone.
If you continue on walking from the casino, you will eventually reach the Royal Gallery which exist out of Tuscan columns, at the start of the columns is a statue of the person who ordered this to be build, namely King Leopold II.
After these columns you are leaving the tourist centre of Ostend and are entering into the more urban areas.
Ostend is also known for its great shopping street that cuts through the middle of the city and stretches from the coast line to the harbour.
If you have a sweet tooth like me, do try the special sea side toffees called “moeder babelutte”, they are only sold at the sea side town and are for me a good enough reasons to travel to the sea-side every time I go to Belgium! The sweets have a distinctive blue wrapper and very addictive!
At the harbour, you will find “Mercator”, this is an old Belgian training ship called after Belgian cartographer Gerardus Mercator. It is now a museum that can be entered throughout the year for a small entrance fee.
In my opinion, she is worth a visit if you have never visited an old ship before as it explains you about old fashioned sailing and is great for kids!
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