Hotels in Ostend
What to see by foot: Ostend
 
Ostend began life in the 15th century as a fishing village, and its location on
the North Sea coast of Belgium makes it one of Europe's busiest ferry ports these
days, so the maritime connection is still very strong. The town became a favourite
retreat of royalty, particularly during the era of King Leopold I, and most attractions
of interest to tourists are clustered along the seafront.
The best place to begin a walk is on the five-kilometre Sea Promenade, named
after King Albert I; it is traffic-free and passes several beaches. There are
many tea rooms along the way and, on a sunny day, a stroll along here can be
a delight. At the western end of the promenade is a long gallery bordered by
white columns that extends from the former royal villa built by King Leopold,
which today functions as an exclusive hotel. Here you will also find the Wellington
horse-race track.
Most other attractions in town, such as the pier, where you can walk out over
the waters of the Atlantic and enjoy a drink at the bar at the end, can be reached
from the promenade. One of the most moving maritime attractions is the Mercator
Ship, a three-masted yacht moored at the Mercator Yacht Harbour. It now functions
as a floating museum, recounting some of its exotic voyages to places like Easter
Island and the North Pole.
There are also several buildings of interest in town and, if you need to get
from one place to another, a horse and carriage is a relaxing way to go. Near
the train station in town, the towering steeples of the St Peter and St Paul
Church stretch 100m into the air, while the nearby De Plate Folklore Museum
and Fine Arts Museum show the region's history and its people's talent.
Selection of hotels in this region:
Ostend Hotel | | Grand Hotel George V | | NH Ostende | | Tulip Inn Bero Ostend | |
Click below for a
full list of hotels and online booking
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