Ostende is a popular Belgian tourist destination that occupies a central location on the country’s coastline. Ostende provides visitors with all of the attractions excepted of a seaside resort along with numerous historical and cultural sites to explore. Ostende offers a wide range of accommodation options which feature varying levels of luxury, and prices to suit a range of budgets. As Ostende hotels are often very busy in the summer months, it is advisable to book accommodation in advance at this time.
Top Attractions in Ostende
Though the exquisite beaches are the top draw in Ostende, the city has much more to offer visitors. One of Ostende’s top attractions is the De Plate Museum. The museum was once the home of King Leopold I, and houses a wide range of historical artefacts.
The Atlantic Wall is another popular tourist attraction; featuring World War I and World War II bunkers, trenches, and artefacts, this open-air museum provides visitors with an insight into these important conflicts.
Ostende’s Museum of Fine Arts is also one of the city’s main attractions, displaying works of art from the 19th and 20th centuries.
Eating Out
As a city that began its life as a fishing village, there are many seafood restaurants to choose from in Ostende. A number of cafes and restaurants are located on the seafront and in the centre of the city. Visitors to the city are able to watch fishing vessels unload the fresh fish that will be available to buy from the Ostend fish markets - and order from the menus in the city’s numerous restaurants - later that same day. Examples of the fresh, locally sourced seafood available in Ostende include eel, mussels, and shrimp.
Ostende Hotels
Ostende accommodation can be found throughout the city, although many visitors choose to stay in hotels located along the coastline, offering stunning seaside views and easy access to the beach. Hotels in the city centre may be better suited to visitors who prefer Ostende’s cultural attractions as they are closer to the museums and art galleries. Ostende offers a wide range of hotels to suit all budgets, although cheap hotels in Ostende are often difficult or impossible to find during the busy summer months.