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Ostend

Ostend

About 71,000 people live in Ostend, a seaside city on Belgium’s West Flanders province’s shoreline. Comprising the city itself as well as the towns of Mariakerke, Raversijde, Stene, and Zandvoorde, this Flemish municipality—called Oostende in Dutch and Ostende in French—is leading destination for both domestic and foreign visitors looking for coastal leisure and cultural interaction, Ostend, the biggest metropolitan hub on the Belgian coast, has positioned itself.

Ostend offers a convincing mix of metropolitan elegance and natural beauty. The most notable aspect of the city is its long coastal esplanade, which enables guests to stroll along the coastline and take in amazing North Sea views. The architectural triumph reflecting the history and modern relevance of the city is the beachfront boardwalk with the Royal Galleries of Ostend. From the esplanade into the sea, a pier gives guests a unique viewpoint to see the shoreline and the large horizon beyond.

Particularly at the height of July and August, the Ostend beaches are very popular with visitors. There are two main beach sections in the city, each with special appeal. Day-trippers traveling by train from both interior Belgium and foreign destinations typically choose the Klein Strand, near the dock, their destination. Its proximity to the city core makes it appropriate for anyone looking to combine urban exploration with beach relaxation. Locals and Belgian citizens looking for a more roomy and maybe less crowded beachfront experience choose the Groot Strand, or big beach.

Beyond its beach coast, Ostend has several historical and cultural sites. History buffs particularly find great appeal at the Atlantic Wall Open Air Museum in Raversijde. This maintained section of the fortified Atlantic Wall gives guests a direct connection to the military history of the area, therefore illuminating the defensive systems that formerly defined Europe’s western coast.

For those who would like a more laid-back setting, the Vissersplein area provides a car-free zone with aesthetically pleasing brasserie. Using outside seats and beverages, visitors may interact with the local environment and see the dynamism of metropolitan life. The plaza holds music events in the summer, therefore adding a lively audio component to the seaside surroundings. The harbor area offers views of boats coming in distance and little fish stores showing the new catch, therefore revealing Ostend’s nautical legacy.

Ostend’s architectural scene has a number of notable sites reflecting its historical and cultural value. While Fort Napoleon emphasizes the historical strategic value of the city, the Casino of Ostend offers a major entertainment destination. Originally a training vessel for Belgian merchant naval officials, the Mercator now floats in the harbor as a floating museum giving guests access to interact directly with marine history.

Rising as a major Neo-Gothic building that dominates the skyline, the St. Petrus and St. Paulus Church epitomizes the ecclesiastical legacy of the city. This architectural creation reflects Ostend’s artistic and cultural legacy as well as a place of prayer. The Synagogue Oostende draws attention to the city’s variegated religious scene and cosmopolitan coastal hub historical relevance.

Through its transportation system, Ostend shows a commitment to both present growth and historical preservation. Within Belgium’s national rail system, the Ostend train station serves as a major hub with easy connections to important towns such Bruges, Ghent, Brussels, and Liège. Ostend’s development as a tourist attraction and business center has been much aided by connectivity. Along the Belgian coast, the Coast Tram provides a picturesque and quick means of mobility that links Ostend with other coastal communities therefore enhancing regional access.

Located five kilometers from the city center, the Ostend–Bruges International Airport mostly serves as a goods hub but also offers passenger flights to certain Southern European and Turkish destinations. The airport has increased Ostend’s importance in travel and international logistics, therefore businesses like TUI fly Belgium fly to set their headquarters in the city.

Although Ostend’s ferry links to the United Kingdom have dropped recently—services to Dover and Ramsgate have been terminated—the city continues to change and adapt to changing travel trends. Ostend’s resiliency captures the city’s continuing energy, which has helped it to evolve from a key military outpost into a beloved coastal resort and cultural hub.

Euro (€) (EUR)

Currency

7th century

Founded

+32 (Belgium) + 59 (Ostend)

Calling code

71,557

Population

37.72 km² (14.56 sq mi)

Area

Dutch

Official language

4 m (13 ft)

Elevation

CET (UTC+1) / CEST (UTC+2)

Time zone

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