Ostende (Ostende) is a seaside resort town in West Flanders, in combination the largest Belgian port on the North Sea and one of the five Flemish provinces where the official language is Dutch. Glory came to this northern European resort in the time of King Leopold I, in the 19th century, when the coast was appreciated by the royal blood and aristocracy. Traces of the stay of representatives of the highest and most privileged strata of society can be found today.
"The Queen of the Belgian coast", Ostend called high-ranking guests, combines a lot of advantages: beautiful beaches, interesting museums, a variety of shopping, active nightlife and hiking in the casino, racecourse, outdoor swimming pools with specially heated sea water, spa, windsurfing and sailing and impeccable cuisine, based on seafood of the highest quality. Based on the climatic features of the Belgian coast, the best time to visit is from June to the end of August.
"Amsterdam Day of the King - Utrecht - Delft - The Hague" from 67,850 rubles. for 7 days
"Amsterdam + Kökenhof Park of Flowers" from 70 490 rub. for 7 days
"Amsterdam - Paris" from 80 245 rubles. for 8 days
How to get to Ostend
The international airport of Ostend-Bruges is a few minutes away by car or by any means of transport from the city center. Unfortunately, the airport uses only private and charter flights.
Search for tickets to Brussels (nearest airport to Ostend)
By train
Belgium is connected by a network of high-speed trains TGV and Thalys with France, Holland, Germany. The most convenient way to get to the resort from Brussels, from the Central Station (gare Centrale). Ostend is the terminal station of the Brussels-Ghent-Bruges railway. The journey takes 1 hour and 20 minutes. The fare of the second class in one direction is slightly less than 16 EUR. Trains run once an hour, beginning in the morning and until six in the evening. Travel time from Bruges to Ostend is no more than 15 minutes, from Ghent - just under an hour.
The railway station is combined with the sea station and is located five minutes walk from the coast, therefore the need to use a taxi or public transport is no longer necessary.
By car
The E40 motorway connects Brussels and Ostend. The journey takes about an hour and a half. The distance is not more than 115 km. You can also drive to the resort from Antwerp. To do this, first move along the motorway E17 and then only along the E40.
On the ship
Between the English city of Ramsgate (Ramsgate) and Ostend there is a ferry service (Trans Europa Ferries). However, the opportunity to get to the city by water is not available to everyone. Ferries carry only passengers with cars. The journey takes 4 hours.
History and culture
The history of the city goes back to the Middle Ages. The first mentions date back to the 13th century due to the lively trade that began in these rich seafood places. Up to this point Ostend was, apparently, a small fishing village. Territorially the city was located on the island of Testerep and later connected with the mainland due to the lowering of sea level. In the early 17th century Oostende was captured, partially destroyed, and later rebuilt by the Spaniards.
In the 19th century, the first King of Belgium turned the northern commercial port into a prestigious resort. Leopold II continued his father's business, fixing Ostend's reputation as a fashionable among the nobility of a place to rest.
Climate
Cloudy +8 ° С in the afternoon +9 ° C at night ° С water |
Partly cloudy, light rain +6 ° C in the afternoon +5 ° C at night ° С water |
Overcast, light rain +6 ° C in the afternoon +5 ° C at night ° С water |
| 10 days weather forecast for Ostend | ||
| Average monthly temperature, ° C | ||||||||||||
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | sen | Oct | but I | Dec | |
| in the afternoon | +5 | +6 | +8 | +10 | +14 | +17 | +19 | +20 | +17 | +13 | +9 | +7 |
| at night | +1@@ | +2 | +2 | +4 | +7 | +10 | +12 | +12 | +10 | +7 | +4 | +2 |
| water | +6 | +6 | +8 | +8 | +13 | +13 | +16 | +16 | +15 | +15 | +11 | +9 |
How to orient yourself in the city
The coastal area of Fishermen (Visserskaai) is the best place for tasting seafood. Numerous cafes and restaurants offer a huge selection of dishes. At the end of the district is the Aquarium, which shows all the wealth of the underwater world of the North Sea (Noordzeeaquarium). The cost of admission is not very high - 2 EUR, and children 4 years and younger generally can get free.
Nearby is a completely pedestrian zone, named after King Albert I (Albert I Promenade). This is an excellent place to walk with a beautiful view of the sea. In addition to fresh air and beautiful scenery, lovers of night fun from here easily get to the casino Oostende Kursaal.
Transport
You can move around the city on an interurban coastal tram that connects different points throughout the Belgian coast. In total, the tram makes about 69 stops, and the duration of the route is almost two and a half hours. The interval of movement is every 10-20 minutes in summer, and every half hour in winter, regardless of the direction. The cost of one way ticket is 1.50 EUR. The route is divided into zones, depending on the number of which the price rises or falls.
Beaches Ostend
There are five main and well-equipped beaches in Ostend. The entrance is free. Those who come to Ostend to rest for the weekend, choose the most convenient option - the beach next to the railway station. The best is that in the western part of the city, next to the former royal villa of Leopold II (Thermae palace).
Kitchen and restaurants
The basis of the kitchen is the seafood. Starting from the famous oysters and ending with shrimp croquettes. Also, local delicious attractions include chocolate and local beer (Keyte beer).
Shopping and shopping
The main shopping street is Kapellestraat. Here are all the European brands, oriented to the middle class. Also of interest is the shopping center Feest-en Kultuurpaleis (about 17 stores, Wapenplein Street).
Book popular Oostende hotels at the best prices
| Hotel Europe from 5 790 rubles Ostend Kapucijnenstraat 52 | Andromeda Hotel from 5,169 rubles Ostend Kursaal Westheling 5 | Hotel Bero from 5 859 rubles Ostend Hofstraat 1A |
| Hotel Royal Astrid from 3 860 rub. Ostend Wellingtonstraat 15 | Ostend Hotel from 4 273 rub. Ostend Londenstraat 6 | Hotel Louisa from 3 584 rubles Ostend Louisastraat 8b |
| Hotel Albert II Oostende from 4 687 rubles Ostend Vlaanderenstraat 42 | Hotel Cardiff from 3 446 rubles Ostend Sint-Sebastiaanstraat 4 | Hotel New Astoria from 3 102 rubles Ostend Van Iseghemlaan 38A |
Entertainment, excursions and attractions Ostend
Among the attractions, first of all, is the Peter and Paul Church (Sint-Petrus-en-Pauluskerk), built in the Neo-Gothic style in the late 19th - early 20th century. It was here that the first Queen of Belgium was buried. The Capuchin Church (Kapucijnenkerk), dating back to the beginning of the 17th century, is worthy of note.
Lovers of ships must certainly visit the three-masted Mercator sailboat (Mercator), used as a training ship by the officers of the Belgian fleet in the middle of the 20th century. The schedule of work: January, February, March, April, November, December - from 10.00 to 12.30 and from 14.00 to 16.30. May, June, September, October - from 10.00 to 12.30 and from 14.00 to 17.30. July, August - from 10.00 to 17.30. Ticket price: 4 EUR, for children from 14 to 6 years - 2 EUR, for children under 6 years old - admission is free.
Museums of Oostende
The Historical Museum of Oostende (De Plate)
The schedule of work: from 10.00 to 14.00 and from 14.00 to 17.00, from the middle of June to the middle of September, and every Saturday. Always closed on Tuesdays. Ticket price is 2 EUR. Teens from 18 to 14 years old - 1 EUR. Children under 14 years old are free.
The house-museum of James Ensor (Ensorhuis), a well-known expressionist artist of the late 19th - second third of the 20th century.
Schedule: every day, except Tuesday, from 10.00 to 12.00 and from 14.00 to 17.00. The ticket price is 2 EUR.