The next time you are in Belgium, make sure you pay the beaches in Belgium a visit too. The infamous Belgian coast is known to have some of the most scenic beaches, with fresh seafood, artwork and fun activities to indulge in during your stay. The Belgium shoreline is 42 miles long (68 km ) which has the most pristine sandy coastline, surrounded by the seaside.
If you are planning on spending more time at the Belgium beaches, there are multiple resorts which offer views of the endless Belgium shoreline and world-class amenities. Travel Triangle has put together a list of some of these best beaches there that you can definitely visit on your Belgium tour.
The Best Way To Reach The Belgium Beaches
One of the best ways to reach the Belgian coast is by taking the Coastal Tram from De Panne located near the French border to Knokke-Heist. The Coastal Tram is one of the longest trams in the world and top beaches in Belgium near Brussels, which takes you directly to the most picturesque beaches in Belgium.
Altogether, the tram has 68 stops along the Coast from De Panne to Knokke-Heist. So, we advise you take the Coastal Tram, only if you have some time to spare. The tram makes stops every 10 minutes in the summer and every 20 minutes in the winter season.
The Coastal Tram: 2 hrs 27 min (68 km)
Tram fees: INR 511
Must Read: Festivals In Belgium
The Best Time To Visit The Beaches In Belgium
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons
The perfect time to visit Belgium is during spring and fall when the weather is very pleasant. July-August is also very ideal to visit the Belgium Coastline because the weather is pretty warm, which is perfect weather to enjoy the beach trip in Belgium.
Top 10 Beaches In Belgium
Here are a few beaches in Belgium that will definitely leave you in awe:
- Ostend
- De Panne
- Blankenberg
- De Haan
- Oostduinkerke
- Nieuwpoort
- Middelkerke
- Knokke-Heist
- Koksijde
- Zeebrugge
1. Ostend
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The Ostend beach Belgium is known to host the Sculpture Festival every year. Ostend is also one of the liveliest cities in Belgium, with a multitude of activities for you to indulge in such as: going to one of the museum events, street shopping, listening to music, or eating at one of the restaurants in the area. You can spend the day at the beach sunbathing in the morning and take a lovely stroll in the evening on the boardwalk. And the best part is that trains leave from Brussels, every 30 minutes making it the most ideal place to catch some sun, while you enjoy the beach and the city on the same day.
Location: Ostend, Belgium
Suggested Read: Castles In Belgium
2. De Panne
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De Panne beach is just 16 miles away from Ostend and is known for the most beautiful beaches in Belgium and nature reserves like the Westhoek, which shelters migratory birds and highland cattle. This Belgian town is located on the North Sea, close to the French border in Europe
De Panne is also where King Leopold I first set foot on the Belgian soil in the year 1831, where there is a sculpture that has been made in his honor. You can also enjoy the local delicacies at some of the restaurants here, and if you would like to shop there are many local shops for you to purchase souvenirs few souvenirs for friends and family while you’re at it.
Location: De Panne, Belgium
3. Blankenberg
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Blankenberg is filled with Belgium beach resorts and plenty of apartment block facing the seaside.
This is a great place to visit with children due to its Sea Life Marine Park here being one of the largest aquariums here in Belgium. You can also spend time playing golf in the morning and enjoy the rest of your evening by taking a stroll along the famous pier built in the 1930s. There are many water sports as well that you can try such as banana boats, jet skiing, kiteboarding and also windsurfing, which can be booked right at the harbor. Every year a Sand Festival has been held close to the Sea Life Marine Park, where sand artists create magnificent sand sculptures that are based on a theme.
Location: Blankenberge, Belgium
Suggested Read: Belgium In June
4. De Haan
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If you like adventure, then you can also choose to cycle around the De Haan beach in Belgium, which is truly an amazing way to see the Belgian Coast. Here, you can also find a nudist beach which is on the way to De Haan beach. De Hann also features a few Anglo-Norman style cottages and villas, which are one of the most captivating things to see when you are visiting De Haan beach. It also is known to be one of the quietest beach fronts, so you can enjoy your time renting out a sunbed and reading a book. The resort in De Haan is also one of the most visited places here, as it gives you a 360-degree view of the sea. And, the great Albert Einstein himself stayed here once.
Location: De Haan, Belgium
5. Oostduinkerke
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Oostduinkerke is located right between Koksijde and Nieuwpoort, Oostduinkerke 500-year-old tradition of gray shrimp fishing, which is done on horseback. This local tradition was added to the UNESCO list of “Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity” in 2013. You can see the local fishermen in action if you are visiting Oostduinkerke from April-September. If you are a seafood lover, then you must definitely try the local food here at Oostduinkerke, it is famous for its gray shrimp, fresh fish, and crab from the North Sea.
Location: Oostduinkerke, Belgium
6. Nieuwpoort
Image Credit: Marc Ryckaert for Wikimedia Commons
Nieuwpoort is also famous for its fishing village renowned for its fresh seafood, located just 2 km from the beach. If you are a sports enthusiast, Nieuwpoort is the perfect place for you to head to. Nieuwpoort has a range of aquatic sports such as paddling, wave-carting, fishing, windsurfing, swimming and even surfing. You can also explore what the city has to offer, by taking a walk in the relaxing parks, admiring the beautiful monuments in the city and also indulging in some retail therapy. If you are traveling with family, then this is the perfect beach to enjoy some quality time with family because there’s just so much to do and explore here at Nieuwpoort in Belgium.
Location: Nieuwpoort, Belgium
Suggested Read: Hotels In Belgium
7. Middelkerke
Image Credit: Marc Ryckaert for Wikimedia Commons
Middelkerke is located in the center of the great Flemish coast which has a strip of 6 miles of the beach. Middelkerke is a collection of five coastal villages, which have a broad and sandy seafront. Middelkerke is the perfect destination for a family with its beachfront attractions that include skate ramps, miniature golf and playgrounds to keep kids entertained at all times. Indulge in the local cuisine with your family at a local restaurant, and wash it down with a mug of Belgium Beer.
Location: Middelkerke, Belgium
8. Knokke-Heist
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Knokke-Heist is considered as the classy and sophisticated area on the Belgian Coast. Knokke-Heist has 5 coastal villages: Heist, Albertstrand, Knokke, Duinbergen and Zoute that can also be visited during your time here.
Apart from going to the beach, you can spend time visiting some of the art galleries, playing at the casino and also pay the Scharpoord Cultural Centre in Knokke-Heist a visit. This is a location where the jetsetters mingle with others and spend their time relaxing in their luxurious properties overlooking the seafront.
Location: Knokke-Heist, Belgium
Suggested Read: Belgium Food
9. Koksijde
Image Credit: Marc Ryckaert for Wikimedia Commons
Koksijde is a small town located on the Northern Sea coast in the southwest Flemish province belonging to West Flanders. You can spend your time here by going on the boats and exploring the Northern Sea coast, or admiring the architecture in the small town. There are also a few art museums that you can visit such as Museum Paul Delvaux, which is housed in an old farmhouse. Lose track of time at the museum admiring one of Paul Delvaux’s oil paintings, or his early works showcased there. And, if you are an avid reader, then the local gift shop is the best place to find some really cool books to read on the beaches in Belgium.
Location: Koksijde, Belgium
10. Zeebrugge
Image Credit: Marc Ryckaert for Wikimedia Commons
Zeebrugge is an artificial harbor which has petrol tankers and ferries that take you to Felixstowe and Kingston-upon-Hull located in England. So, making a day trip to London from Zeebrugge is also pretty convenient. You can pay the Port of Zeebrugge a visit, or go on a rented boat and explore the sea. If you want to take a few sweet gifts for your friends and family, then you can head down to P&J Chocolates-a Belgian chocolate factory. Spend your day here exploring the largest production shop on the Belgian coastline, tasting the most infamous Belgium chocolates we all love. Zeebrugge beach in Belgium is the perfect place to enjoy your beach holidays in Belgium.
Location: Zeebrugge, Belgium
Further Read: Places To Visit In Belgium
Each town along the Belgium coastal line is a gem by itself and is known for its rich culture, local traditions, and unquestionable views of the coastal shoreline. So, don’t wait any longer and simply book your beach holiday and plan a trip to Belgium to explore the beautiful beaches in Belgium.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Beaches In Belgium
Where can I swim in Belgium?
Knokke-Heist and De Haan are some of the beaches in Belgium which provides swimming facility.
Has Belgium got a coastline?
Yes, Belgium has got a coastline. The Belgian caost offers a wide range of sport and recreation facilities.
What are the nice beach towns in Belgium?
Ostend, Knokke-Heist, De Hanne, Nieuwpoort, De Panne, and Bredene and Blankenberghe are some of the nicest beach towns in Belgium. You can’t miss to explore these hidden gems on your next travel.
Does Belgium have good beaches?
Yes, Belgium has very nice sandy beaches to spend time with your children. The shelves of the beaches are gently out to the sea and life safeguards ensure everyone’s safety.
How far is Brussels from the beach?
The distance between Brussels and the beach coast is between 125 km by tram. The road distance is 102 km. One of the best ways is to go by train which takes only 1 hour 51 minutes.
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