Day 1 in Ostende

Welcome to Ostendee, a delightful Belgian seaside town, with plenty of historical and cultural things to see! Upon arrival, you will go through customs and immigration. Make your transfer to your destination, arrive at your hotel, check in and do not give in to jet lag! There is so much for you to see and do.

Start your day by exploring around town. You can start out walking the immaculately clean beach to the pier, enjoying the scenery and sculptures. There is also a good fish market where the fishing fleets of Ostendee hold their fish auctions. It is definitely worth a visit as it is a major highlight of Ostendee for seafood lovers. You can wander up to the Wapenplein, Ostendee`s main square, and enjoy some window shopping while admiring the buildings. Stop in for lunch at one of the many restaurants here.

As you stroll, take in the vibe of Ostende. One thing you will notice is that Ostendee has a number of statues and monuments that are fun to pick out and hold an interesting historical meaning. Be sure to visit St Petrus and Paulus Church, the main church of Ostendee that stands proud overlooking the main harbor. It is a Neo Gothic style church that was built on the ashes of a previous church which had burnt down in the last century. It is easily the most impressive building in Ostendee.

There are many city tours to lead you through the best parts of Ostendee. We highly recommend taking a tour when you arrive into town, it`s a great way to get your bearings!

As evening arrives, enjoy some of what Ostendee is known best for - eating mussels and shrimp croquettes. It is heavenly to taste the freshly made shrimp croquettes; they are crispy on the outside while the filling is deliciously smooth, creamy and tender. Fishermen`s Wharf, along the harbor, is lined with fish restaurants and is the perfect setting for a nice dinner. You`ll find plenty of options from casual to upscale. There are also many spots hidden away in the old town that offer some great dinner options as well.

After a busy day first day exploring Ostendee, head back to your hotel for a restful night sleep.

Day 2 in Ostende

If you`re visiting on a weekend, start your day by strolling around the markets of Ostendee. There is a flower market (on Sunday) or the fish market (daily), and the Christmas market in the winter months. This is where you`re going to find the best local shopping around. It’s also a great way to meet some of the locals.

Spend a part of your day doing what everyone does when they visit Ostendee, the beach! Ostendee has one of the best beaches on the Belgian coastline, perfect for sunbathing, making sandcastles or flying kites. Swimming in the North Sea on sunny days is bliss, and Ostendee`s seaside has enough ice cream stalls and go-cart rental shops to keep everyone (of all ages) entertained.

Once the strongest of the midday sun has passed, grab a bike and cycle along the promenade. You`ll enjoy riding by a number of Ostende`s beautiful beaches. Make a pit stop for an ice cream (or a waffle, because you are in Belgium after all!) and watch the world go by. Don`t forget to look out for the house Marvin Gaye used to live in; it`s where he wrote his most famous song, Sexual Healing!

If you are feeling more adventurous, there are many options to discover while bicycling around the surrounding area. One of the best routes is the Groen Lint trajectro. Twenty miles alongside sand and sea, through dunes and forest, passing by the harbor and meadowland make for a perfect way to enjoy the area and take in the amazing scenery.

If time allows and if you love art, make sure to fit in a visit to Mu.ZEE, the Modern Art Museum of Ostendee. The Museum of the Sea (`zee` meaning `sea` in Dutch) exhibits work by various Belgian artists from 1850 to present day. The highlights of the collection are pieces from the late 19th and 20th century, by James Ensor, Leon Spilliaert, and Constant Permeke.

Another great museum for art lover is the Ensor museum. This museum celebrates Ostendee`s most famous painter, James Ensor, and is located in his former house and atelier. Here you`ll get a unique insight into the slightly macabre brain of the artist. The first floor holds a regularly changing collection of Ensor`s paintings and drawings, while the salon and living room on the second floor are beautifully decorated as if the painter were still living there. It`s a small museum, so it doesn`t take long to visit.

Alternatively, If history is more your thing, you may want to experience some of the other museums in town. WWI and WWII of course are the focus of most museums, including one of the city`s primary places to visit: the Atlantic Wall. The Atlantic Wall is a series of more than sixty bunkers and trenches, preserved to look exactly as they did sixty years ago. Another museum that offers a unique experience is The Mercator. Here you`ll find a three mast sailing ship from the late 19th century that was once used as a training ship for the Belgian navy and sailed on missions to exotic destinations such as Easter Island, Rio de Janeiro, Pitcairn and Tahiti.

Wind down your day at one of the many cafes around town with a sidewalk terrace. Take in the city vibe at night while enjoying some local cuisine and a local Belgian beer.

If you want to keep the night going at a dance club, cabaret or bar, head for Langestraat, which runs east from Monacoplein, in front of Casino-Kursaal, to continue the party into the wee hours of the night.

Additional Days in Ostende

Should you be able to spend additional days in Ostendeer we recommend a fishing trip out of the harbor, however, this is not for the faint-hearted and only for early birds. Embark on the ship early morning and return to the port of Ostendee late afternoon, with a net full of fish. What you catch is yours, so you will have fish for dinner (and plenty to go around). This trip is possible both in summer and winter and offers a great way to discover the North Sea on an entirely different level.

If you are visiting in August, make sure to experience the TAZ Festival, translation `Theatre by the Sea`. This event is not to be missed for art and culture lovers. Theatre made by Belgium`s finest, modern dance and ballet performances, music by obscure bands and unconventional singer-songwriters, make for some fun entertainment. Located in abandoned warehouses and hangars, across the parks and on the beach, this festival is lively and fun during the ten days it takes place in town.