Friends, ready for a coastal city that blends beach bliss with culture and architecture? Ostend delivers: wide sands, handsome colonnades, lively squares, a floating museum, thoughtful galleries, and mural trails you can complete in a single day.

Use this practical guide—times, prices, and simple routes—to plan a breezy, family-friendly escape on Belgium's North Sea.

Getting There

From Brussels, the intercity train to Ostend takes about 70–90 minutes and usually costs $18–$30 one way. From Bruges, it's around 15 minutes by train ($5–$9). Ostend's station sits beside the marina, a flat 10–15-minute walk to the main promenade.

Getting Around

Ride the Coast Tram for effortless seafront hopping. A day ticket is typically $8–$9 and lets you jump on/off along almost the entire Belgian coast. In town, everything central is walkable; bike rentals run about $12–$20 per day.

Main Beach

Ostend's shoreline stretches for roughly seven kilometers, with a boardwalk lined by cafés and casual seafood spots. Expect showers, lifeguard zones in season, and plenty of deckchair rentals ($8–$12 per day). Families love the wide "Groot Strand" and the activity-minded Sport Beach west of the Royal Galleries.

Royal Galleries

Stroll this stately early-20th-century colonnade as it traces the seafront toward the historic racecourse. It's free, shaded, and wonderfully photogenic—perfect on breezy days or high sun.

Mercator Ship

The Mercator, a 1930s three-masted training vessel moored by city hall, now serves as a floating museum. Budget 45–60 minutes to explore decks, compact cabins, and vintage instruments. Typical admission: $6–$10. Low ceilings—watch your head!

Fort by Dunes

Across the harbor, a polygonal 19th-century fort anchors a sandy walking zone with sea views and period murals. Admission generally $8–$12. A small seasonal pedestrian ferry often links the quays (check times on arrival).

Medieval Raversyde

At ANNO 1465 in Raversyde, step through reconstructed homes and a bakery built with excavated bricks, then browse finds that map daily life in a once-thriving fishing community. Allow 60–90 minutes. Entry usually $8–$12; combo tickets with nearby attractions appear in summer.

Art & Mu.ZEE

Mu.ZEE focuses on Belgian art from the 19th century onward in a modernist former department store. Expect thoughtful curation with changing shows; budget 1.5–2 hours. Typical tickets run $12–$16; many travelers opt for weekday afternoons for fewer crowds.

Parks & Lakes

Leopoldpark brings breezy lawns, a vintage bandstand, and a floral clock—ideal for picnic breaks. Ten minutes inland, Maria Hendrikapark spreads around ponds with pedal- and rowboats in season ($8–$12 per half hour). Both parks are free to enter and open from morning to dusk.

Street Art Trail

Ostend doubles as an outdoor gallery: large-scale murals from The Crystal Ship festival color walls across town. Pick up a free map at the tourist office and plan 60–120 minutes to see a curated cluster on foot. Entirely free, kid-friendly, and flat.

Sand Sculptures

Sand Sculpture Festival along the main beach. Expect an accessible loop, interpretive signs, and timed entries on busy weekends. Budget 60–90 minutes; tickets are typically $12–$18 per person, with family bundles available.

Eat & Treats

Seafront menus favor fresh seafood and classic frites. Sample platters usually sit around $18–$35, while a cone of fries runs $4–$6. Waffles topped with fruit are $5–$7; coffee is $3–$4. For value, explore side streets just off the promenade—quality remains high and seating easier to find.

Where to Stay

Midrange hotels near the promenade cost $80–$160 per night; sea-view rooms and spa properties often land in the $170–$220 range in peak season. Self-catering apartments typically price $90–$140 nightly and are excellent for families who want space and a kitchenette.

Sample Day

Morning: Train arrival → Promenade walk → Mercator (10:00–11:00).

Late morning: Mu.ZEE (11:15–12:45).

Lunch: Side-street seafood ($12–$20 per person).

Afternoon: Royal Galleries stroll → Tram to Raversyde (ANNO 1465, 60–90 minutes).

Evening: Return for Breakwater sunset → Waffles and a twilight boardwalk.

Money & Timing

Peak season spans June–September; book stays early. Spring and early autumn bring softer light and better rates. The Coast Tram day pass ($8–$9) is the easiest way to link beach zones, parks, and Raversyde without parking headaches.

Conclusion

Ostend shines when you mix beach time with culture: ship decks and murals by day, golden-hour walks by night. Which combo fits your style—art first or sand first—and what would you add to this seaside lineup?