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You’ve most likely currently scoped out Spain, Italy, Greece, and perhaps even more Mediterranean gems for an unforgettable beach escape this summertime, however what if you were informed there’s a long stretch of secret coastline almost no Americans check out?
Better yet, it’s only one flight far from many U.S. centers, producing a simple journey throughout the skies and a quick train ride upon arrival.
As more tourists look for the lesser-known
in place of global icons with all the unfavorable headings spouting off overtourism concerns, places like Oostende pass the wayside. National Geographic recently included Belgium’s tight-lipped coasts, clarifying this reasonably unknown hideaway, as many visitors are fellow Belgians or next-door neighbors from the Netherlands and France.
However as Brussels broke all-time visitors records in 2024, Belgium is unquestionably ending up being more popular amongst Americans, too.
So, if you’re waffling about your next beach getaway, let’s explore Belgium’s gorgeous resort town to see what waits for.
“Belgium” And “Beach” In The Exact same Sentence?
< img width="1200"height="1200"src= "https://www.traveloffpath.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Locals-gathered-at-Oostende-beach.jpg.webp"alt="Residents gathered at Oostende beach"/ >
Seldom will you hear of travel stories with “Belgium”and “beach” in the very same sentence, however you simply haven’t been socializing with enough Belgians! Many tourists flock to Brussels and Bruges, however locals enjoy their coast, especially because they’re gatekeepers of one of Europe’s last remaining tricks, as Albania has actually skyrocketed to new heights. Brief however sweet, Belgium’s coast is sandwich between France and The Netherlands with lively, roomy beaches, historical seaside towns, and unexpected destinations.
Many significant of the lot is Oostende (also known as Ostend, depending upon how deep into Rosetta Stone’s Flemish lessons you’re in).
All-encompassing, vacationers will have over a dozen turn to select from. From the beautiful shores of Du Panne, bordering France, to the peaceful coastal town of Knokke-Heist, surrounding the Netherlands, the coast of Belgium is teeming with thrills waiting to be discovered. Today, we’ll mostly focus on Oostende, probably the preferred among residents and French and Dutch travelers.
Prospering Arts & Less Crowds: Oostende Is A Year-Round Destination
Even if you have actually currently settled summer season strategies, you can put Oostende on the back burner as it’s terrific to go to whenever of year.
While not excessively crowded in summer, individuals worldwide look for stunning coasts this time of year to unwind in their own slice of
paradise, so the coast does see a fair share of European visitors. Throughout the year, it’s safe to state Oostende is uncrowded compared to Europe’s iconic beach towns, with Plage d’Ostende taking the cake as the preferred.
But it’s not just the openness and peacefulness of Oostende’s beaches that are a draw, it’s the close-by unexpected attractions also, such as Kursaal, Europe’s largest casino, or Mu.ZEE, a waterfront museum showcasing centuries-old Belgian art to present-day masterpieces.
One thing Nat Geo didn’t discuss was how to navigate, and it’s truly distinct! Belgium’s Coastal Tram covers 67
stops– you thought it– along the coast, consisting of Oostende. In fact, it’s the longest tramline on the planet, think it or not. If Belgium’s sensational coast wasn’t stunning enough, Oostende itself is full of surprises in its own right whether you’re a fan of arts, a globetrotter aiming to uncover hidden gems, or a history buff– and if the latter is the case, make sure to pay a visit to Fort Napoleon, reachable by a free ferry.
Where To Remain in Oostende
As pointed out, there’s a large choice of resorts to pick from, however Nat Geo likewise gave an unique mention to Villa Ostinato for its enticing worth and Hotel du Parc, mainly due to its sensational on-site dining establishment Cafè du Parc.
TripAdvisors ranks these hotels as Oostende’s top 5 choices:
- Ostend Hotel
- C-Hotels Andromeda
- Hotels Princess
- Thermae Palace Hotel (my preferred!)
- C-Hotels Burlington
How To Reach Oostende
How Oostende stays a secret is right now another of life’s unanswered mysteries, however it’s definitely not because it’s hard to
reach. According to Flight Connections, there are 6 direct routes from the U.S. to Brussels:
- Boston
- Newark (if you dare! )
- New York City
- Washington D.C.
- Chicago
- Atlanta
As soon as you land in Brussels and check out the sights and indulge in world-famous street consumes, hop aboard a Belgian Railways train for a 90-minute journey to the coast.
Sam Sears Sam, our Lead Writer & Journalist based in San Diego has checked out 36 nations and edited 1000 articles with a concentrate on sharing his own travel experiences and shining a light on lesser-known gems.
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