Belgium’s North Sea coast in the Flanders region offers around 65 kilometers of dreamy sandy beaches and picturesque places that invite you to relax. Children in particular get their money’s worth here on holiday: They can build sandcastles and splash around in the gently sloping sea. Most of the beaches are monitored by lifeguards, so bathing there is very safe. But there are also wonderful vacation spots for adults that offer a wide variety of activities. I have some of the most beautiful coastal locations for your next vacation in Belgium compiled. The world’s longest tram line runs between De Panne in the west and Knokke-Heist in the east. On 67 kilometers and at 68 stops you can comfortably see the entire coast from the tram in 143 minutes and you can leave your car behind.
An overview of Flanders’ most beautiful beach resorts
Knokke-Heist
If you like casual luxury, Knokke-Heist , near the Dutch border, is the right choice. There are more luxury hotels here than in any other place on the Belgian coast. The coastal city is also known for its high-quality gastronomy . Even some Michelin-starred chefs are based here. If you’ve always wanted to try Belgian haute cuisine, Knokke-Heist is the place to be. If you are into fish, I can recommend the Bartholomeus restaurant. With its direct beach location and two Michelin stars, the restaurant is convincing in every respect. After dinner, you can go for a long walk on the beach.
Knokke-Heist beach is twelve kilometers long and around 70 meters wide. The nice thing is that it doesn’t get particularly crowded here, even in summer, so it’s the perfect place to relax and enjoy the peace and quiet. After a long day at the beach, you can spend the night in your luxury hotel and forget the worries of everyday life.
De Haan
De Haan is a bit more classic and historical compared to most other Belgian coastal towns. There are not as many high-rise buildings and holiday apartments to be found here as elsewhere, but more single-family houses and white holiday villas with red roofs. The place is particularly popular with German vacationers. Some of the hotels are over 100 years old, but in very good condition and therefore very nice to look at. Those who like to do sports can do so in the form of extensive bike tours or do water sports on the clean sandy beach. When you get hungry, take a look at one of the small restaurants on the beach promenade. The North Sea coast of Belgium is not only a popular summer destination, it is also beautiful the rest of the year. If the weather doesn’t play along, I can recommend a trip to the Aquafun swimming pool .
East End
According to commit4fitness, Ostend is one of the most important and largest cities on the Belgian North Sea coast and has one of the most beautiful beaches in Flanders . The cosmopolitan port city is modern and lively and therefore very popular with tourists. Nevertheless, it has a lot to show historically and offers inspiration for numerous artists. A lot has happened in Ostend in recent years; some things have been renovated and refreshed, for example a new shopping center in the Festival and Culture Palace for rainy days.
One of the highlights of Ostend is the Ensorhaus with its visitor center. There you can understand the life and work of the draftsman James Ensor and you will be surprised how many different works of art and historical testimonies are waiting for you. Whether as a city trip or as a place for a beach holiday , Ostend is definitely worth a visit.
De Panne
De Panne is the westernmost Belgian city on the North Sea coast and you can already smell the French air. Here you will find the widest stretch of beach and extensive dune reserves that invite you to long hikes. The adjacent, extensive dune area is also known as the Flemish Sahara . A special highlight in De Panne is sand sailing, where you can drift across the beach on small carts with a sail. A welcome change if you want to try something new.
The city center also has a cozy flair and is somewhat reminiscent of France. There are various hotels in all categories, great holiday apartments and holiday homes by the sea, five campsites and two holiday villages. Therefore, everyone of you is guaranteed to find the perfect offer for Belgium holidays with friends and family, for wellness stays and holidays by the sea.