Ostend, Seaside resort in West Flanders, Belgium.
Description
Ostend is a coastal city in West Flanders, Belgium, stretching along the North Sea and combining wide sandy beaches, a harbor promenade, and historic quarters. The central promenade runs parallel to the shore and connects shops, restaurants, and public buildings facing the open water.
History
The city originated in the 13th century as a fishing village and later developed into an important harbor for trade and defense along the Flemish coast. During the 19th century it grew into a popular seaside destination for European royalty and wealthy travelers.
Culture
Artist James Ensor spent nearly his entire life in this city and his former home now displays personal belongings and studio spaces. Visitors can walk through the rooms where he created his paintings featuring masks and skeletons.
Practical
The train station sits near the center and offers regular connections inland, while buses link the different city quarters. Most attractions are reachable on foot or by bicycle, and many hotels rent bikes to guests.
Did you know?
In the early 20th century the city had a hippodrome where horse races took place regularly and attracted aristocratic visitors. Today the grounds have been converted into a residential area, but old postcards show the former racetrack and spectators in festive attire.
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Sint-Petrus-en-Pauluskerk
460 m
Mercator
122 m
Fort Napoleon
1.8 km
Casino Kursaal Ostend
785 m
Residentie Europacentrum
819 m
Walraversijde
5.7 km
Provinciedomein Raversijde - Atlantikwall - Walraversijde - memoriaal prins Karel
5.8 km
Monument of Leopold II in Ostend
1 km
Royal Galleries of Ostend
1.2 km
Onze-Lieve-Vrouw-ter-Duinenkerk
3.7 km
Earth Explorer
1.9 km
Leopoldpark
476 m
Provincial Domain of Raversyde
5.5 km
Lange Nelle Lighthouse
1.4 km
Postgebouw van Oostende
517 m
Drie Gapers
1.1 km
Villa Maritza
854 m
Mu.ZEE - Kunstmuseum aan Zee
341 m
Maria Hendrikapark
709 m
Sint-Pieterstoren
431 m
Ensor House
864 m
Venetiaanse Gaanderijen
1 km
Royal Stables
609 m
Baudouin I
918 m
De Smet de Naeyerbruggen
698 m
Vissersvrouwen
552 mPark Nieuwe Koers
3.4 km
Kapucijnenkerk
805 m
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