Ostend Tourist Information
"Oostende" is truly the "city by the sea". The Queen of Belgian beaches combines the warm cosiness of a small Flemish resort with the glamour of an historic city.
Already in the 19th century Oostende was the favourite meeting place for the aristocracy. The commitment of King Leopold II has strengthened this reputation. This illustrious royal history can be seen in and around the Thermae Palace Hotel, as well as on the racetrack, the monumental casino or during fireworks at the beach. Oostende is a real city with beautifully landscaped parks, the 100m high Europa tower, busy shopping streets and markets, inviting dancings and discos...
The Ostend hippodrome, the famous Wellington racetrack, does not only attract gamblers. Spectators can also enjoy the bustling atmosphere surrounding the bookmakers and in the paddock. The racetrack has a lava track for trotting races and a grass track for gallop races.
Oostende really spoils lovers of "sea and sand" with an 8 km long beach. From east to west you can quietly relax on the Oosterstrand (eastern beach), the Klein strand (small beach), the Groot- of Westerstrand(large or western beach), the Mariakerke beach and the Raversijde beach. All these beaches are boarded by an 8km long, traffic-free tiled promenade. If you walk down the promenade in the other direction, you can quietly rest in the bistro with large sun terrace at the head of the pier. This is also the perfect spot to enjoy the busy inbound and outbound traffic from the ferry, yacht of fishing port.
In Raversijde you can take a stroll around the provincial tourist park, where you can also visit the former domain of Prince Karel. This is, moreover, a protected landmark. From here you can also visit the famous Atlantic Wall, the German defence construction from World War II. The network of tunnels and bunkers has been restored and been turned into a war museum.
The centre of the Oostende cultural life is undoubtedly the Casino-Kursaal on the beach promenade. According to Herbert von Karajan the acoustics in the impressive concert hall are "the best in the entire world". Apart from the concert hall, the Oostende casino also has a theatre, an exhibition space, congress and meeting rooms, a reputable restaurant and various gambling rooms, one of which is decorated with frescos by. But the dazzling nightlife is not limited to the casino. The famous Montmartre area in Oostende has numerous dancings and discotheques.
Oostende's most famous native son is undeniable the artist James Ensor. He was born here in 1890 and goes on living through his work. Those who visit his house with studio will recognise many trinkets and pieces of furniture from his paintings. In the Museum voor Schone Kunsten (Museum of Fine Arts) the audio-visual «Ensorama» as well as the artist's works will get you better acquainted with the painter. The Provinciaal Museum voor Moderne Kunst (Provincial Museum for Modern Art) presents a complete survey of Belgian art.
Oostende is also the final homeport of the Mercator. This former training ship of the Belgian Merchant Navy was retired in 1960, but is still kept seaworthy. This impressive sailboat, that brought the mortal remains of Father Damiaan from Molokai back to Flanders, is now a museum ship and open to the public.
At the North Sea Aquarium in the old fishing port, you can admire the flora and fauna of the North Sea. This is an instructive but also interesting way of getting to know the underwater world.
One of the major events in the Oostende nightlife is the yearly Bal Rat Mort. This mundane fancy dress ball at the casino is the high point of carnival, which is widely celebrated by the local carnival groups in this « city by the sea ».
© by Belgium Tourism
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