A day trip to Ostend is the perfect way to discover Belgium’s coastline, with sandy beaches, fresh sea air, fascinating history and delicious seafood. This handy guide covers everything you need to plan your visit, from how to get there to the best things to do in Ostend in one day.
Whether you’re strolling the promenade, exploring wartime forts, or hopping on the coastal tram, here’s how to make the most of your time on the Belgian Coast.
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Is Ostend worth visiting?
If you’d like to see a different side of Belgium and discover the country’s coastline, then Ostend is definitely worth visiting! It’s not the most popular Belgian destination for tourists by any means, but you’ll have a chance to experience the seaside atmosphere that locals love.
Ostend is perfect for an easy and relaxed day trip from Brussels, where you can stroll along the sandy promenade, learn some WW2 history, sample the seafood and even take a ride on one of the world’s longest tram lines!
How to get from Brussels to Ostend
The easiest way to get from Brussels to Ostend for a day trip is by train. There are regular, direct trains from Brussels’ main stations (Central and Midi) which take around 1 hour and 10 minutes to reach Ostend.
Ostend is also well connected to other cities in Flanders, with direct trains from Bruges, Ghent and even Antwerp.
The best things to do in Ostend in one day
The most important part of your day trip to Ostend is what you’ll get up to! So here are the best things to do in Ostend in one day, with museums, churches and, of course, a stroll along the beach.
Stroll along Ostend beach
It’s no surprise that the star of Belgium’s coast is the beach! Take a stroll along Ostend’s 7km sandy coastline, and look out for the Rock Strangers sculpture and the elegant Royal Galleries (also known as the Venetian Galleries) along the way.
On a summer’s day, you could join the crowds sunbathing on the beach, but this walk is lovely regardless of the time of year. There are also plenty of spots along the promenade where you can grab food, drinks, or a well-deserved ice cream.
Explore Fort Napoleon
Perched on the dunes, Fort Napoleon is one of Ostend’s most fascinating historic landmarks. Built under Napoleon’s orders during French rule, the fortress later became a military base for the German army in both World Wars.
Today, it’s a museum where you can wander through the fort, learning about Ostend’s turbulent military history and its stamp on European history.
Walk along the Atlantic Wall
For another glimpse into Ostend’s wartime past, head to the Atlantic Wall on the western side of the city. Once stretching from Norway to France, the Atlantic Wall is a defensive line built by the German army in WWII, and the section in Ostend is one of the best-preserved parts.
More than 60 bunkers, trenches, and observation posts are open to explore in this remarkable open-air museum. It’s a sobering but fascinating place to learn how WWII shaped Belgium’s coast.
Location | Website | Tickets | Note: closed from Nov-Mar every year
See the Sint-Petrus-en-Paulus Church
Ostend is different to many other Belgian cities, but you’ll still find great Gothic architecture here! The Sint-Petrus-en-Paulus church is one of Ostend’s architectural highlights, with twin spires, stained-glass windows and intricate stonework. Inside the church, you’ll find a mausoleum for Queen Louise Marie, Belgium’s first queen.
Don’t miss the Sint-Pieters Tower standing behind the church – it’s the last remnant of the earlier church that once stood here.
Visit the Mu.ZEE art museum
In an old department store in the centre of Ostend is Mu.ZEE, a museum showcasing Belgian art from the 1800s to the present day. You’ll find works from James Ensor (who lived in Ostend for most of his life), Paul Joostens and Léon Spilliaert, to name just a few.
Mu.ZEE is currently undergoing a long-term renovation, so until 2028, you can visit the museum at the Venetian Galleries, right by the beach.
Location (temporary) | Website | Tickets
Hop on the coastal tram to De Haan
Ostend sits on Belgium’s famous coastal tram line, the second-longest tramway in the world, spanning almost the entire Belgian Coast. And while riding the entire line is a day trip in itself, you can easily hop on for a short scenic ride.
I recommend heading to nearby De Haan. The charming coastal village boasts many Belle Époque buildings and has a real fairytale feel. It was also once the home of Albert Einstein.
Suggested itinerary for your day trip to Ostend
Hop on the train to Ostend, and when you arrive, take a wander through the city, passing the Sint-Petrus-en-Paulus church as you go. Head towards Montgomerydok and catch the free ferry over to Fort Napoleon. Enjoy a visit to the fort before heading back into the centre of Ostend.
Now, take in the fresh sea air with a stroll along Ostend beach. As you pass the Venetian Galleries, pop into the temporary Mu.ZEE museum space for a dose of some Belgian art. Then, grab some lunch at one of the many restaurants or cafés on the promenade – if you’re a seafood lover, you’ll want to try some Belgian mussels here!
For the afternoon, choose to either visit the Atlantic Wall or De Haan. The Atlantic Wall is a great choice if you’re interested in war and history, and De Haan is perfect for a relaxed stroll among some charming architecture. Hop on the coastal tram to reach either (heading west for the Atlantic Wall and east for De Haan).
Finish off your day trip to Ostend with a coffee or a drink – or, on a hot day, soak up the sun on the beach for an hour or two.
This is a wonderful and helpful article.
We will be coming to Brussels August 2021 from the US (COVID permitting) for our son’s wedding. We have previously been to (and thoroughly enjoyed) Brugge. We would like to take a day trip from Brussels to Ostend Beach and Ghent. Any suggestions/tips would be gratefully appreciated.
Thank you for your lovely comment. Fingers crossed that you’re able to visit for the wedding, that sounds wonderful! I hope this guide will help you plan the Ostend part of your day trip, and as for Ghent, make sure you visit the big cathedral in the centre, Gravensteen castle, and the central riverbanks. The street/area of Graslei has many bars that are often popular with outdoor seating along the river. I need to visit Ghent again before I write a travel guide, but it might be posted before your visit!
I loved the article! It’s very well written and will be useful for my trip to Ostend today! I wish you best of luck with your blog.
Lovely to hear you liked the article. I hope you enjoyed your trip!
It’s a wonderful and helping article.
I’ve always loved and stayed in Antwerp for many times through the years, I’d like to explore Knokke heist, do you think I could do a day trip from Antwerp to Knokke heist ? Would be greatly appreciated for for valuable insight.
Thank you Marie 🙂 I think Knokke-Heist would make a great day trip from Antwerp! You could take the train there with a change (usually in Bruges), or hop on a direct train to Ostende and from there you could take the coastal tram to Knokke-Heist. Have fun!