Oostende West Pier Vuurtoren, Lighthouse on the west pier in Ostend, Belgium.

The Oostende West Pier Vuurtoren is a slender white lighthouse at the left end of a long, dark pier. Its lower shaft is cylindrical and plain, rising to a slightly wider lantern section with a dark railing and a pointed cap. The pier runs to the right as a low, dark structure lined with evenly spaced vertical pilings and a pale railing along the top. Behind the pier, a low white building carries a long blue sign reading "BRASSERIE" in white capital letters.

The lighthouse was built in 1872 as the harbor of Ostend grew and needed better navigation guidance. The lighting system and mechanisms were updated several times to keep pace with modern shipping requirements.

The lighthouse stands beside the blue "BRASSERIE" sign on the low white building behind the pier, a pairing that ties the tower to the seafront where locals and visitors pass. The pier itself is lined with evenly spaced pilings and a pale railing, the working edge of a harbor that still guides ships past this spot.

The lighthouse is easily reached by walking along the western pier and can be viewed from several vantage points along the promenade. Visit during daylight hours to see both the structure and the harbor activity clearly.

The tower remains a working navigation aid for ships, not just a historical monument, which makes it part of the active harbor operations today. This gives visitors the chance to see real maritime activity happening right before them.