Oostend Guide

Beach, seafood & maritime festival

Oostend (Ostend) Research

Researched: 31 December 2025

Overview

Oostend, known as the “Queen of the Belgian Coast” and “Queen of Seaside Resorts,” is a vibrant coastal town with wide sandy beaches that border directly on the lively city centre and seafront promenade. A popular seaside resort since the 19th century, it combines beach life with culture, history, and excellent seafood.

Key Facts:

Distance from Bruges: 14-18 miles (22-30 km)
Driving time: 16-21 minutes
Train time: 13 minutes (direct, every 20 minutes)
Best for: Beach activities, seafood, maritime history, coastal walks, art

The Beaches

Oostend’s North Sea coast offers five different beaches with an average width of 80 metres, providing ample space even on busy summer days.

Groot Strand

Type: Central and most popular beach

Features:

Located near boulevard and city centre (easily accessible)
Ideal for sunbathing, swimming, beach volleyball
Most facilities and beach bars nearby

Best for: First-time visitors, families wanting nearby amenities

Mariakerke Beach

Type: Quieter family beach

Features:

Wide sandy beach with plenty of space
Ideal for children to play
Several beach bars for snacks and drinks
More relaxed atmosphere than Groot Strand

Best for: Families seeking a quieter spot

Oosteroever Beach

Type: Unspoiled and natural

Features:

Less-known side of Oostend
Beautiful views of harbour and lighthouse
More peaceful beach experience

Best for: Those seeking tranquillity and harbour views

Raversijde Beach

Features:

Near the Atlantic Wall Museum
Good for combining beach with history

Beach Activities Available

Beach volleyball (nets provided)
Wooden picnic tables for relaxing
Small climbing wall
Kite and surf area (with vehicle ramp for dropping gear)
Bike paths
Fishing
Hiking along the coast

Top Attractions

The Crystal Ship

Oostend has been transformed into an open-air gallery with giant murals citywide. Download the app for three trails:

City Centre trail: Easy ramble across shopping hub of Kapellestraat
Passes outdoor markets and artisanal shops

Best for: Art lovers, photography, urban exploration

Mu.ZEE Museum

Type: Modern and contemporary art museum

Collection:

Belgian artists from 19th century to today
Works by James Ensor (strong Oostend connection)
Works by Léon Spilliaert (strong Oostend connection)

Why visit: Local art scene heavily influenced by coastal light and atmosphere

Atlantic Wall Museum (Atlantikwall Raversyde)

Rating: #1 attraction in Oostend (TripAdvisor)

Type: Open-air military museum

History: Fortification used by Germans in WWI and WWII

Why visit: Excellent for history enthusiasts, especially those interested in coastal defences and both World Wars

Note: Aligns perfectly with your WW1 battlefields interest from Ypres

Kursaal Oostende

Type: Europe’s largest casino

Features:

Modernist building on seafront
Entertainment venue hosting concerts, theatre, events
Casino

Best for: Evening entertainment, architectural interest

Royal Galleries

Neo-classical seafront arcade, excellent for window shopping and people-watching.

Albert I Promenade

Features:

Runs alongside beach
Stunning sea views
Variety of shops, restaurants, cafés
Public art installations including “Rock Strangers” sculpture by Arne Quinze

Best for: Leisurely strolls, sunset drinks, sea views

Visserskaai (Fishing Quay)

Type: Bustling harbourfront area

Features:

Seafood stalls
Fresh fish eateries
Sample the day’s freshest catches

Best for: Seafood lovers, authentic maritime atmosphere

Marvin Gaye Connection

Marvin Gaye lived in Oostend for 18 months and wrote the hit “Sexual Healing” here.

Activity: Download the self-guided Midnight Love Tour (2-hour walk of his haunts)

MAJOR EVENT: Oostende voor Anker 2026

28-31 May 2026 (includes 31 May - your potential dates!)

What it is: Belgium’s largest maritime festival - 25th edition in 2026

Scale:

More than 100 classic sailing ships gather
From small dinghies to majestic tall ships
200,000 visitors at previous edition
More than 150 ships set course for Oostend

Activities:

Board historical ships and talk with crews
Learn about life at sea
Live entertainment: music, dance, demonstrations (both on water and ashore)
Cultural activities on quays, squares, shopping streets
Maritime heritage celebrations
Craftmanship displays

Featured ships example:

Morgenster: Exceptional brigantine with seahorse figurehead, launched 1919 as “Vrouw Maria”

Participation: Free event, open to all

Why this matters for your trip:

TIMING: Your open days include 30-31 May - this festival runs 28-31 May!
Aligns perfectly with your interest in maritime history
Massive maritime spectacle
Free entry
Unique once-in-trip opportunity
Different from anything else on your itinerary

Potential plan: Arrive Oostend 29 or 30 May to experience the festival atmosphere, with 31 May as the finale.

Other 2026 Events

Summer events (if extending trip):

Ostend Beach 2026: Saturday 11 July 2026 - International top DJs, beach party (16+)
Theater Aan Zee: 29 July - 8 August 2026 - 11-day arts festival at unique locations, focusing on performing arts
Paulusfeesten: 11 August 2026 - Week-long music, dance, street theatre, children’s entertainment (free admission)

Food & Drink

Seafood Paradise

Oostend is renowned for fresh seafood, being an active fishing port.

Must-try dishes:

Fresh oysters
Mussels (moules/mosselen)
Ostend shrimp croquettes (iconic local specialty)
Fresh catches of the day

Where to eat:

Visserskaai: Bustling harbourfront with seafood stalls and eateries for freshest offerings
Numerous seafood restaurants along the promenade
Beach bars and cafés

Nature & Coastal Walks

Coastal Tram

Description: Convenient way to explore Oostend and neighbouring towns along the North Sea

Use: Can hop on/off to explore different coastal areas, beaches, and towns

Beach Walks

Albert I Promenade runs the length of the beach
Excellent for sunrise/sunset walks
Bike paths alongside for cycling (though you’ve noted you’re not interested in cycling)

Nearby Coastal Towns

Easy to visit via coastal tram:

De Haan (charming Belle Époque resort)
Knokke (upmarket resort)
Various smaller beach communities

Accommodation Options

Campsites Near Oostend

Note: There are no campsites in Oostend city centre. Nearby options include:

Camping Ter Hoeve (Bredene)

Distance: 4.2 km from Oostend

Features:

Children’s playground
All units have seating/dining area
Kitchen with microwave, refrigerator, stovetop
Beach distance: ~1.5 km
18 km from Bruges

Best for: Close to Oostend, family-friendly

Holiday Park Nieuwpoort

Location: Brugsesteenweg, Nieuwpoort

Description:

Complete seaside holiday destination
Luxury accommodation options
Spacious camping pitches
Excellent facilities
Plenty of water fun

Campsite Warande

Features:

Located on the sea
Perfect for families
Playground and play equipment
Manicured green lawns
Some pitches with tree shade
Space for caravans, motorhomes, tents
Mobile homes for rent

Best for: Beachfront camping

Campsite Duinezwin

Features:

Behind narrow belt of dunes on Belgian coast
Well maintained
Plenty of space and play areas
Large, well-maintained bathrooms
Caters to families with babies or special needs members
Special spaces for motorhomes
Beach reachable via short walk
WiFi available

Zeester Campsite (Middelkerke)

Features:

Along Belgian Coast
Marked out spaces
Pitches with/without shade
Mobile motorhome rentals available

Campsite Poldervallei (Westende)

Features:

Close to beach
Pitches without shade
Mobile homes and bungalows for rent
Playgrounds
Sports grounds
Cycling paths nearby

Campsite Access Notes

Several campsites in Raversijde, Middelkerke, Bredene
All accessible from Oostend via coastal tram
PiNCAMP lists 37 ADAC-tested campsites in the Oostend area
Most popular include: EuroParcs Bad MeerSee, Camping VierVaart, Camping De Couter

Motorhome-Specific Sites

Campercontact.com lists motorhome stopovers in Oostend area
Many campsites have dedicated motorhome areas

How Oostend Fits Your Trip

As a Day Trip from Bruges

Pros: Only 13 minutes by train (every 20 minutes), 16-21 minutes driving
Ideal if: You want beach time without camping on coast
Suggested: Full day trip combining beach, seafood lunch, Atlantic Wall Museum

As an Overnight Stay (2-3 nights)

Pros: Experience coastal lifestyle, multiple beaches, maritime festival (if timed right)
Accommodation: Campsite options in Bredene, Middelkerke, or nearby coastal towns
Ideal if: You want to break from cities and enjoy beach/coastal atmosphere

THE BIG OPPORTUNITY: Oostende voor Anker Festival (28-31 May 2026)

Your current itinerary:

28 May: Night 2 in Hotel Malleberg, Bruges
29 May: Check out Bruges hotel in morning
30 May - 4 June: UNPLANNED (6 days/nights)

Festival timing suggestion:

29 May (Day 8): Leave Bruges mid-morning, arrive Oostend by lunch (13 min train/20 min drive)
- Check into campsite near Oostend
- Afternoon: explore festival ships and harbour
- Evening: festival entertainment
30 May (Day 9): Full day at Oostende voor Anker
- Board various historical ships
- Watch maritime demonstrations
- Explore waterfront cultural activities
- Evening festival atmosphere
31 May (Day 10): Festival finale morning
- Afternoon: Atlantic Wall Museum or beach time

This would put you perfectly positioned for the 28-31 May festival - Belgium’s largest maritime event!

What Suits Your Preferences

Strong matches:

Coastal drives: Albert I Promenade, coastal tram route
Hiking: Beach walks, coastal paths
Food & drink: Seafood paradise (Oostend shrimp croquettes!)
Historic interest: Atlantic Wall Museum (WW1 & WW2)
Cultural sights: Mu.ZEE, The Crystal Ship art
Scenery & nature: Beach, sea views, dunes

Special alignment:

Maritime festival (28-31 May 2026) perfectly matches your dates
WW1 history at Atlantic Wall Museum complements Ypres visits
Seafood focus different from inland Belgium
Beach/coastal change from historic city centres

Notable:

Different atmosphere from Bruges/Ghent (seaside resort vs historic cities)
Active fishing port (authentic, not just tourist)
Wide beaches (space even in busy periods)

Practical Information

Getting There from Bruges

By car: 14-18 miles, 16-21 minutes
By train: 13 minutes, every 20 minutes, €5-8
By bus: 54 minutes

Van Dimensions Compatibility

Your VW Transporter (5.50m × 2.50m) will fit at:

All mentioned campsites have motorhome facilities
Camping Ter Hoeve, Warande, Duinezwin all specify motorhome spaces
Beach areas have kite/surf zone with vehicle ramp (indicates vehicle-friendly beach access)

Weather Considerations

Coastal weather:

Can be windier than inland
Pack windproof layer
Rain jacket essential
Sun protection on beach (strong coastal sun)

Driving/Parking

Easy parking at campsites
City centre has parking but can be busy in summer
Consider coastal tram for travelling to other beaches

Suggested Itinerary Options

Option 1: Full Coastal Experience (3 nights)

29 May: Arrive from Bruges, afternoon exploring Oostend centre
30 May: Oostende voor Anker festival
31 May: Festival finale + Atlantic Wall Museum
1 June: Beach day / coastal exploration before moving on

Option 2: Festival Weekend (2 nights)

29 May: Arrive from Bruges, festival evening
30 May: Full festival day
31 May: Festival morning, beach afternoon, leave late afternoon

Option 3: Day Trip from Bruges (no camping)

Train from Bruges early morning
Maritime festival or beach day
Atlantic Wall Museum
Seafood lunch at Visserskaai
Return to Bruges evening

Recommendation: Given the once-per-trip opportunity of Oostende voor Anker (28-31 May), at minimum a day trip on 30 or 31 May would be worthwhile. For fuller experience, 2 nights (29-31 May) would allow you to enjoy the festival without rushing.

Budget Estimates

Day trip costs (per person):

Train return from Bruges: €10-16
Atlantic Wall Museum: ~€10-12 (estimated)
Seafood lunch: €20-40 depending on restaurant
Ice cream/beach café: €5-10
Coastal tram day pass (if exploring other beaches): ~€7-10

Camping (per night):

Coastal campsites: €30-45 (estimated)
Electric hook-up: Usually included or small additional charge
Some campsites slightly higher than inland due to coastal location

Maritime Festival:

FREE ENTRY - no tickets required!

Logistics: Oostend → Next Destination

After Oostend (if staying 29-31 May), you’d have 1-3 June before returning to Calais area on 4 June. Options:

Continue along coast to Netherlands or further Belgian coast
Return inland to explore Somme battlefields or Vimy Ridge
Head to Ghent for 1-2 nights (only 50-60 minutes from Oostend)
Explore more of Belgium (Brussels, Leuven, Antwerp)

Sources

Last updated: 31 December 2025