Located on the West coast of Belgium in the vicinity of the city of the same name, Ostend is one of the best beaches in the country. A trip to Ostend from Brussels by car, bus, or train will not take more than an hour. You can also use the Seaside tram service, which runs along the coast from De Panne to Knokke-Heist.

Ostend Beach is a kilometer-long coastline covered with golden sand and surrounded by tall buildings. It is separated from the urban area by a magnificent wide boulevard with numerous hotels, shops, and restaurants.

During high season, Ostend is quite lively and crowded, but thanks to the enormous size of the beach, there is plenty of room for everyone. Here, visitors can visit underwater attractions, play cricket and volleyball, fly kites, or fly by parachute. There are amusement camps and a unique sand sculpture park called Disney Sand Magic for kids.

Besides, there are music festivals and theater performances on the beach accompanied by spectacular fireworks and laser shows. One of such large-scale events takes place from 12-14 July 2019 - during these days, Ostend beach will solemnly celebrate its 10th anniversary.

Location: northeast of Middelkerke and southwest of Bredene

Located on the northwest coast of Belgium, Knokke-Heist Beaches is right near the border with the Netherlands. It is the largest and most luxurious resort in the country, formed from the merger of 5 local villages. You can get there by car, train or beach tram.

Knokke-Heist Beaches are a multi-kilometer stretch of coastline, covered with delicate golden sand and washed by the cool waters of the North Sea. In its huge territory, you can find completely wild areas, where it is nice to relax from civilization, go for a walk with the dog, and picnic in the fresh air.

Those who enjoy laid-back beach breaks and social events enjoy the upmarket areas of Zoute Strand, Yello Sail, and Riverwoods, flanked by trendy hotels and surrounded by posh restaurants and casinos. Here, you can bask in comfy beach beds with an expensive cocktail in hand, listen to music, and rock out at trendy beach parties.

And those who enjoy outdoor activities surrounded by wildlife are sure to enjoy cycling or hiking in the Zwin Nature Reserve, located on the border of Belgium and the Netherlands.

Location: city Knokke-Heist

One of Belgium's top resort towns, Blankenberge, is best known for its active promenade known as Zeeddjik. Just 18 kilometers from Bruges, this beach can get crowded on hot days, adding to the lively atmosphere. Resorts line the coast, some of which have guest areas, while many others offer beachfront dining to the public.

The eastern half of the beach is where tourists will find most activities suitable for day visitors, like food rentals and more casual eateries. It's also home to the majority of beach huts as well as public playgrounds and neighborhood activities for kids like mini-golf and go-karts. At the western end of the beach, two long wooden piers stretch out to the North Sea for great views.

Those looking to enjoy the nature of the coast will find ten bike trails and plenty of walking trails that explore the dunes and more scenic areas near the shore. Visitors who want to explore beyond the sand will find plenty to do, including an excellent aquarium at Sea Life Blankenberge. There is also a lovely Gothic church, Sint-Antoniuskerk, built in the 1350s.

Location: Belgian province of West Flanders

Zeebrugge has a quiet and beautiful beach located just south of the seaport. In the summer it is a very vibrant place with many young people. The beach reaches out to Oostende, about 20km long and 70m wide. In the summer the atmosphere is very fresh that many people come here to surf. The beaches are cleaned daily during the summer.

For a change of pace, you'll find plenty of options for cruises, and it's also a popular place to catch a ferry to the UK for quick sightseeing.

Zeebrugge is more than just a beach town - it's also an important harbor for fishing and commerce. One of the joys of visiting Zeebrugge is watching the fishing boats return to port each morning. After the colorful boats dock, walk to the auction hall, where fishers sell their catch of the day. It is one of the largest fish markets in Europe.

Zeebrugge is also famous for its historical significance during World War I, formerly serving as a port for German U-boats until the base was taken out in 1918. There is a St. George's Day memorial. The Seafront Maritime Theme Park delves into the port's history and its cultural traditions surrounding the fishing industry.

Location: near Bruges, West Flanders, Belgium

Belgium's westernmost beach, De Panne Beach, is located between the towns Saint-Idesbald and De Panne, close to the border with France and just a short drive from Dunkirk. With a diverse landscape, some sections of the beach are surrounded by tall grass dunes, while others run straight from the water to the door of the resort hotels. Several areas on the beach regularly host children's activities, making this a top choice for families. At the east end of the beach, a yacht club offers boat and watercraft rentals.

The history of the town is the same as its famous neighbor, both of whom were involved in "Operation Dynamo" during the Second World War. In town, visitors will find an excellent museum dedicated to the war about its impact on the region. At the southern end of the beach, there is a monument of King Leopold I, who first set foot in Belgium on these shores in 1831.

Just south of Westhoek Nature Reserve, a beautiful wetland area includes kilometers of trails through dunes and grasslands. Visitors will see a wide variety of migratory birds, as well as upland cattle.

Location: North Sea coast of the Belgian province of West Flanders

Located just south of the longest Beach District in Belgium, De Haan Beach stretches for more than 12 kilometers of coastline, with sections up to 80 kilometers wide at high tide. The eastern half of the beach has resorts and vendors catering to every need, from umbrellas and cold drinks to kitesurfing and windsurfing. Some larger resorts also offer excursions, including cruises and even water slides.

While the main of the beach has a patterned brick promenade that leads directly onto the sand, the western half of the beach is obscured by dunes and has fewer people. Access points are more limited, but the peace on this part of the beach is beautiful. Those exploring this part should remember that swimming is not allowed without a lifeguard, so this is a better area for walking and sunbathing.

The area around the beach is also great for exploring, and cycling is a popular activity along the beautiful dunes. There is also a very nice natural park, Duinbossen, which is close to the beach and offers horseback riding as a way to explore its paths. Westhoek Nature Reserve is a beautiful wetland area that includes kilometers of trails through dunes and grasslands. Visitors will see a variety of migratory birds, as well as upland cattle.

Location: Belgian sea coast in West Flanders

Oostduinkerke is a site in the Belgian province of West Flanders, where it is on the southwest coast of Belgium, so part of it is a seaside resort. Located in the middle of a dune area, Oostduinkerke is a protected nature reserve. Walking in a nature reserve or on the beach is a pleasant experience. The sandy beach stretches from 250 to 700 m at low tide and extends for more than 30 km, past De Panne to the Dunkirk beach (France), which explains why Oostduinkerke is famous for sand yachts and parakarters.

The promenade behind the beach is a bustling place, with many roadside restaurants lining the pedestrian street. At the west, the walkway becomes much narrower as it hides behind tall dunes. Like most Belgian beaches, it has strong currents, and visitors should pay attention to the color-coded flags indicating safety levels.

It is a famous beach for water sports, especially windsurfing, and you'll find plenty of equipment rentals for the day.

Oostduinkerke is also known for its long-standing local fishing traditions, especially because the fisher does their work on horseback. When in town, be sure to sample the fresh catch.

Location: Europaplein 13, 8670 Koksijde, Belgium

Visitors will find Nieuwpoort Beach one of the cleanest beaches in Belgium, both on land and underwater, thanks to local efforts to make it a prime destination. Grass dunes line the beach, and a large pedestrian area is directly behind them. At the eastern end of the beach, there is a lighthouse and two long jetties, marking the entrance to the wide canal that welcomes both cargo and yachts into the city center.

While you'll find many modern hotels along the coast, Nieuwpoort also has several historic buildings that face the water, making a stroll on the promenade a beautiful sight on both sides. Along here, you'll find plenty of restaurants overlooking the ocean, as well as several watersports rental shops and beachwear vendors. The jetties are also an excellent place for a stroll - they are wide and completely accessible.

The small city of Nieuwpoort itself has a lot to offer, including tours of the canal and the Medieval Old Town area, with its picturesque cobblestone streets and centuries-old houses. There are also many monuments here, like the UNESCO-listed Nieuwpoort Bell Tower.

Location: Flanders, Belgium, and in the Flemish province of West Flanders

Just south of Oostduinkerke Beach, Koksijde Beach is a much more secluded alternative to its neighbor. It spans more than 10 kilometers and averages 50 meters wide, leaving plenty of space to spread out. People with mobility issues will appreciate the accessible sandy areas, and there are lifeguards here in the summer, as well as a first-aid station.

The resort hotels locate behind the spacious paved boardwalk overlooking the beach. It is also where you'll find a variety of shops, snack bars, restaurants, and rental shops offering a wide range of equipment beaches.

Boat tours are also available, and nature lovers will want to track the seals that have made the waters off Koksijde their home.

Location: Koksijde, Flemish Region, Belgium

West of Ostend, Middelkerke Beach is famous for its resorts and family-friendly attractions, boasting more than 9 kilometers of wide sandy beaches. Families love this beach for its pristine sand and wide range of water sports apparel, and they rent out windsurfing and kitesurfing equipment, surfboards, and more.

Along the coast, tourists will find lots of good restaurants and fun shops, as well as plenty of activities for kids and teenagers. There are several playgrounds near the beach, a mini-golf park, and even an ice skating rink.

Location: Zeedijk 275, 8430 Middelkerke, Belgium

Just east of Ostend, Bredene's 4km long beach is a lovely spot with its flat white sands and picturesque dunes. Known as a more laid-back spa and resort community, Bredene is popular with families. There are restrooms, changing facilities on-site, as well as several costumes hire that rent out beach chairs, umbrellas, and water sports equipment.

The town keeps the beaches clean and tidy and has lifeguards during the summer - swimming is prohibited when they are not present. In certain areas, colored flags also indicate prohibition points and risk conditions. Tourists should note that the east end of the beach is a designated nudist zone, the only one in Belgium, although it is fenced off for privacy.

Location: Koninklijke Baan 285, 8450 Bredene, Belgium