Ostend vacation packages

How to Get to Ostend

• Travel Time: There are no direct flights to Ostend. You can fly to Brussels, the closest airport, with flights taking about 1 hour and 10 minutes from London.

• Transfer Time: The best way to reach Ostend from Brussels is by train, which takes approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes.

• Cost: A single train ticket from Brussels Airport to Ostend costs around $27. Alternatively, a taxi from Brussels Airport to Ostend costs about $130.

Best Time to Visit Ostend

If your vacation in Ostend centers around the beach, aim for late spring and summer. However, autumn and winter have their own unique appeal.

• March to May: This is a pleasant time for vacations in Ostend, with temperatures gradually warming up to around 61°F by May. Rainfall is moderate, and you can expect 5 to 8 hours of sunshine daily.

• June to August: This is the high season in Ostend, when visitors flock to the beach to enjoy the warmer weather, with temperatures ranging from 68°F to 77°F and about 8 to 10 hours of sunshine each day.

• September to November: Temperatures drop from 64°F in September to around 50°F by November, with about 5 to 7 hours of sunshine per day. Crisp autumn afternoons are perfect for long beach walks.

• December to February: It may be cold, with temperatures averaging between 36°F and 45°F. However, it's a great time for invigorating coastal walks. The town’s Christmas markets add a festive touch. Just remember to bring a warm coat.

Practical Information

• Languages Spoken: Dutch is the main language in Ostend, but both French and English are widely spoken.

• Local Customs and Etiquette: It's almost impossible to make a faux pas among Belgians—they're a relaxed group who enjoy life at a slow pace. Leave a 10 percent tip in restaurants, and greet acquaintances with three kisses, not two.

• Health and Safety: Ostend is a safe destination, but keep an eye on your belongings, especially when on the beach. In case of emergency, dial 112 for police, fire, or medical services.

• Currency: Belgium uses the Euro (€). ATMs are widely available, and most places accept major credit cards. Having cash is helpful for purchases at beachside vendors.

• Getting Around: Ostend is a walkable city, but there’s also a reliable tram service along the coast, perfect for exploring the neighboring beach resorts. A single tram ticket costs around $2.75, and day passes are available.

• Electricity and Plug Types: Belgium uses the standard European 230V two-pin plugs, so US travelers will need an adapter.

• Time Zone: Ostend is on Central European Time, which is 1 hour ahead of GMT.

• Required Travel Documentation: US travelers need a passport valid for the duration of their stay, with no visa required for visits up to 90 days.

Best things to do in Ostend

Once a chic resort, Ostend has transformed multiple times, but today it shines as a vibrant seaside escape and cultural hub.

Viewpoints and panoramas

• Ostend Pier (Westelijk Strekdam): This 500-meter-long pier provides breathtaking views of the North Sea stretching to the horizon.

The best districts

• Ostend Beach: Known as the gem of the Belgian coastline, it features art installations, the freshest seafood, and expansive sandy shores.

• Fisherman’s Quay (Visserskaai): Lined with restaurants on one side and fish stalls on the other, it's famous for its seafood restaurants offering a wide variety of fresh, cooked, and dried fish, partially supplied by Ostend’s fishing fleet.

• Wapenplein: A pleasant open space centered around a vintage bandstand; revitalized by smart planning into a popular social spot.

Museums

• Mu.ZEE (Museum of Modern Art and Contemporary Art): Ostend’s spacious fine art museum showcases a rich selection of modern Belgian paintings from its permanent collection, along with high-quality temporary exhibitions of modern and contemporary works.

Parks and gardens

• Leopold Park: A charming and lush park laid out in the 1860s, featuring a small lake, winding paths, and the iconic Floral Clock.

Historical monuments

• Fort Napoleon: One of Europe’s best-preserved Napoleonic fortresses, this impressive star-shaped structure with concentric brick walls is nestled among the dunes on the eastern side of Ostend’s harbor.

• St. Peter and St. Paul Church (St-Petrus-en-Pauluskerk): This grand, twin-towered church boasts intricate stonework with a Gothic appearance, though it dates from the early 20th century.

• Atlantikwall: Just west of Ostend, this chain of well-preserved gun emplacements, bunkers, pillboxes, tunnels, trenches, and artillery pieces lines the dunes behind the beach and the coastal tram line.

Day trips in the area

• Bruges: Explore cobbled streets, admire fabulous Flemish art at the Groeninge Museum and St Janshospitaal, visit the Begijnhof, and take a canal boat trip.

• Ghent: A lively city with a thriving restaurant and bar scene across a charming urban landscape with narrow canals, classic mansions, and antique red-brick houses.

• Ypres: This historic town in West Flanders is home to the In Flanders Fields Museum, offering an excellent introduction to World War I, and the Menin Gate, a moving memorial to thousands of soldiers.

• De Haan: Surrounded by dunes, De Haan is a leafy family resort with a great beach and a pleasant seafront promenade.

Activities for families in Ostend

Ostend offers a variety of family-friendly activities, particularly around the beachfront, making it an excellent choice for travelers with kids.

• Beaches: Ideal for family fun, Ostend’s sandy beaches offer plenty of space for building sandcastles, playing beach games, and sunbathing. There are also play areas and beach sports like volleyball.

• Coastal Tram: Fast and fun, the Kusttram runs along the Belgian coast from Knokke-Heist to De Panne, connecting all Belgian resorts. Tickets are affordable: a single journey is $2.50, or choose unlimited travel for a day with a dagpas for $7.50.

Free things to do in Ostend

While the beach is Ostend’s best free attraction, there are many other ways to enjoy this locale inexpensively.

• Beaches: Enjoy sunbathing, swimming, and traditional seaside activities like sandcastle building and kite flying, all for free.

• Free events: Throughout the year, Ostend hosts free events, including music festivals and open-air movie nights, with the Sand Sculpture Festival drawing the biggest crowds.

• Promenade walks: The seafront promenade, part sea defense and part regal grandeur, offers a delightful walk best enjoyed with an ice cream in hand.

Nature and outdoor activities in Ostend

The coast is a natural playground, perfect for beach activities, cycling coastal paths, and water sports.

• Beach sports: Ostend’s pristine sands are perfect for various sports like volleyball, frisbee, and beach football, with designated game areas.

• Dune walks: If the North Sea feels too chilly, venture to the nearby dunes at Ostend and De Haan for scenic walks.

• Cycling: With scenic, well-maintained coastal paths, Ostend is great for cycling. Rent a bike and ride along the seafront, or explore nearby towns like Middelkerke and De Haan, connected by a network of trails.

• Water sports: Popular for kayaking and paddleboarding, Ostend’s waters are favored for surfing and windsurfing, thanks to strong North Sea winds. Several rental shops and schools are available nearby.

Local dishes in Ostend

Seafood is a major highlight here, as seen with the seafood stalls along Visserskaai, but there are plenty of other delicious options to explore.

Some typical dishes

• Moules-frites: Often considered the national dish, no visit to Belgium is complete without enjoying a steaming pot of locally caught mussels paired with freshly cooked fries.

• Waterzooi: This is a hearty soup-stew hybrid made with either chicken or fish.

Meat dishes

• Gentse stoverij: This is a regional beef stew slow-cooked with Belgian beer, offering a rich flavor. It's typically served with thick-cut fries and a side of mustard.

Fish and seafood dishes

• Shrimp croquettes: These are crispy, golden croquettes filled with North Sea gray shrimp, and they're typically enjoyed as an appetizer.

Street food

• Frites: Available from friture/frituur stands or food trucks along the seafront, these are simply salted fries served with mayonnaise.

Sweets and desserts

Ostend is known for its lemonades and neuzekes, meaning "little noses," which are cone-shaped sweets with a raspberry-flavored gooey center.

Local drinks

• Belgian beer: Beyond well-known lager brands like Stella Artois, Jupiler, and Maes, there are around 700 specialty beers ranging from dark stouts to fruit beers, wheat beers, and brown ales. The most famous are the strong ales brewed by the country's six Trappist monasteries.

• Genever: Similar to gin, it’s made from grain spirit and flavored with juniper berries. It's widely available in regular and specialty bars, offering hundreds of varieties.