Official language: Dutch, French, German
Time zone: UTC+2
(summer),
UTC+1
(winter)
Currency: Euro (EUR)
While moving around Ostend, especially alongside beaches, it is best to choose public transport. The best option are trams, that are relatively cheap, and run often and are very comfortable.
Staying in Ostend, you definitely won’t miss opportunities for buying a genuine, Belgium chocolate. Shops with delicious pralines are situated, for instance by Kapellestraat or Christinastraat streets.
Speaking of Ostend, you have to mention neogothic church of Saints Peter and Paul. Outstanding, dated back to the beginning of the 20th century temple, is making an enormous impression.
Ostend is a city in the northern West Belgium, at the shores of Northern Sea. It is a very pleasant, seaside town, whose history goes back to the 13th century, when a fisherman village in that spot gained its city charter. The years of brilliance started for it in the 19th century, when a king ruling at that time chose it as his summer residence.
It is a great place to spend at least one day in, while sightseeing Belgium. It is situated just 15 minutes by train from Bruges, and if you are a fan of history, you will certainly be interested by the fact that it is not far away from Dunkirk – you can get there in less than an hour.
The city is known from a pier, wide, sandy beaches and running alongside them lovely boulevard. It is where you will find the most restaurants, bars and hotels. Especially in summertime, Ostend is attracting many tourists, and among them even members of the royal family! Due to is popularity it is being called the queen of Belgium resorts. Among other seaside town, it stands out with its architecture, just by the beach there are detached house and blocks of flats.
What you have to do while staying in Ostend? Go to one of the seaside bars and in the company of beautiful Northern Sea, enjoy perfect, Belgium beer. Order to that a prate of delicious, fresh seafood and a pleasant afternoon, that would surely turn into evening, is guaranteed!
To what exactly spots it is worth to go for dinner? Very popular is Bajatzu at Kadzandstraat 12, where you can eat dishes of the Mediterranean cuisine, in vast part based on, mentioned earlier, splendid seafood. In Ostend you will also find a restaurant specializing in Moroccan dishes, it is St. Tropez at Van Iseghemlaan 56. For typical Belgian dishes go to Lusitania at Visserskaai 35 or to Eclips at Sea by Van Iseghemlaan 85.