1. Travel back in time at Ostend Historical Museum De Plate

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Are you an old soul who likes museum visits? Are you into learning about cultures, traditions, and heritage? If so, make your Ostend holiday even more memorable by spending a day at the Ostend Historical Museum De Plate. It is a fascinating museum that takes visitors on a trip down memory lane to witness Ostend’s past and journey towards the future. From urban development to commerce, this museum tackles different aspects of life, and it plays with guests’ imaginations through old photographs, art pieces, vintage items, and even important documents from the past.

Ostend Historical Museum De Plate

Address: Langestraat 69, 8400 Oostende, Belgium

Website: Ostend Historical Museum De Plate

Opening hours: Wed - Mon: 10am - 12pm, 1:30pm - 6pm (closed on Tue)

2. Explore Fort Napoleon

Constructed during the Napoleonic era, Fort Napoleon is both an architectural masterpiece and a tourist attraction in Ostend. It is a polygonal fort that serves as a museum today. Surrounded by lush vegetation, Fort Napoleon has survived the test of time and it played a huge part in the history of Ostend. It dates back to 1812. Its walls tell stories of life, bravery, sacrifice, and victory. During the war, it served as a military defense facility. Soldiers have died, loved, and built connections in Fort Napoleon. When you enter the fort, you will still see chambers and armory. Some are in good condition while others are totally worn out. The views at the top of the fort are breathtaking, ones that you should not miss.

Fort Napoleon

Address: Vuurtorenweg 13, 8400 Oostende, Belgium

Website: Fort Napoleon

Opening hours: Tue - Sun: 10am - 5pm (closed on Mon)

Price: 12 USD

3. Meet the locals at Kiosk Wapenplein

Nesting in the vibrant area of Wapenplein Square, Kiosk Wapenplein is a stunning tourist attraction in Ostend, surrounded by local shops and dining spots, and it is set in the heart of the city, making it one of the most trafficked places. It showcases a semi-open structure with a dome-like roof. People, especially tourists, love to take pictures of Kiosk Wapenplein. On special occasions, it is filled with sparkling lights and colorful decorations, making it look like the centerpiece of downtown Ostend.

Kiosk Wapenplein

Address: Sint-Sebastiaansstraat 10, 8400 Oostende, Belgium

4. Take souvenir pictures of Lange Nelle Lighthouse

Whether you are a lover of the sea or a tourist who just likes taking photos of iconic landmarks, you should not miss visiting Lange Nelle Lighthouse. It is a remarkable lighthouse that has been on the ground for eight decades now. Nestled in the North Sea, this landmark creates a postcard-perfect view worth admiring and taking photographs of. It stands 58m (190 ft) tall and features a white and blue color palette. Lange Nelle Lighthouse is a fantastic place to unwind and enjoy the fresh air.

Lange Nelle Lighthouse

Address: Buskruitstraat 183, 8400 Oostende, Belgium

5. Unwind in Leopoldpark

Days of sightseeing, shopping, and food trips might take a toll on your body. During your holiday in Ostend, be sure to spare a day to unwind and breathe some fresh air. Leopoldpark is a beautiful place to do so in the city. It is an idyllic place that showcases green spaces, mature trees, and a gorgeous lake as the centerpiece. Laid out in 1860, Leopold Park is home to an iconic landmark in Ostend - a beautiful clock adorned with flora and sculptures.

Leopoldpark

Address: Leopold II-laan, 8400 Oostende, Belgium

Website: Leopoldpark

6. Attend a racing event at Hippodrome Wellington

Hippodrome Wellington is a key part of Ostend’s history. This racetrack, first built in 1883, was named for Arthur Wellesley, the first Duke of Wellington who was a major figure in British and continental European affairs until his passing in the mid 1800s. Racing events still take place here, including harness racing – one major race is held every July, the Grand Prix Prince Rose. Renovations to the racetrack in 2004 brought about the Wellington Golf Course, and another upgrade took place in 2011. The Hippodrome also serves as a popular music venue that has hosted stars like the late Michael Jackson and David Bowie among others.

Hippodrome Wellington

Address: Nieuwpoortsesteenweg 114, 8400 Oostende, Belgium

7. Sign up for the Marvin Gaye walking tour

In 1981, Ostend became the scene of the rebirth of one of music’s most iconic performers to ever grace the stage. Marvin Gaye, who was on a downward spiral due to lack of interest in his music by fans as well as his personal struggles with drug addiction, came to Ostend as a way to get away from it all. Local club promoter Freddy Cousaert befriended Gaye and helped him stay clean and in the process, helped him make a stunning comeback spurred by his Midnight Love album which he recorded in Belgium. This is all chronicled on a walking tour that’s designed to celebrate the life of the late singer by taking people to the various locations and other points of interest that he was at in conjunction with an audio narrative featuring commentary from Gaye himself as well as Cousaert and other historians.

Marvin Gaye Walking Tour

Website: Marvin Gaye Walking Tour

8. Visit The Royal Galleries of Ostend

This architectural point of interest stands out mightily in Ostend. Built between 1902 and 1906, they were reputedly a highly favored site by King Leopold II and were a way for the royal family to travel from the beach to their villa at the Hippodrome Wellington racetrack without having to deal with inclement weather. The galleries are atop a dike. The galleries were also included as part of the Atlantic Wall military fortifications used by Germany during World War II. Another feature to be found here lies is the Thermae Palace, a luxury hotel that is built within the central region of the galleries.

The Royal Galleries of Ostend

Website: The Royal Galleries of Ostend

9. Learn about maritime history at Museum Amandine

The Museum Amandine is an ode to Belgium’s maritime history, particularly when it comes to ice fishing which was a big part of Ostend’s culture. The vessel docked after its last voyage in 1995 and after two years of hefty revamping has become a shipboard museum for curious visitors who’ll be attracted by its sharp green hull. While aboard, guests can learn how the Amandine operated while catching huge amounts of cod and other fish that populate the North Sea.

Museum Amandine

Address: Vindictivelaan 35Z, 8400 Oostende, Belgium

Website: Museum Amandine

10. Admire The Mercator

A short distance from the Museum Amandine, the Mercator sits docked as a striking piece of maritime culture in Belgium. The ship was built in Scotland sometime in the early 1930s, and was pressed into service first as a scientific expedition vessel that made trips to the South Pacific islands including Tahiti as well as stopping over in the Hawaiian Islands. A couple of years later, the Mercator was conscripted into the British Navy for duty as a submarine spotter during World War II. Afterwards, it became a training ship until it was decommissioned in 1960. Thanks to non-profit groups and historians, the Mercator now sits as a maritime museum fully restored to its sailing glory right down to the pristine cabins.

The Mercator

Address: Mercatordok, 8400 Oostende, Belgium

Website: The Mercator

11. Drop by Ostend City Museum

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

This museum is a cornucopia containing the history of the city of Ostend and the surrounding area. Located on the Langestraat overlooking the North Sea, the Ostend City Museum is housed in a building that was once home to Napoleon and Queen Louise-Marie. After undergoing renovations in 2012, the old manor officially became the Ostend City Museum. Those who visit will be greeted with numerous artifacts detailing the history of the former royal family as well as other exhibits capturing Ostend’s history throughout the years.

Ostend City Museum

Address: Langestraat 69 8400 Oostende

Website: Ostend City Museum

12. Admire the architecture of Sint Petrus-en-Paulsuerk

Sint Petrus-en-Paulsuerk is the primary church of Ostend, and is a Neo-Gothic architectural marvel that is built directly on the remains of an older church which succumbed to fire. Supported by King Leopold II, this church was constructed first in 1899, taking six years to complete. It’s a highly attractive must-see for visitors, who will marvel at the spires of the church as well as the stained glass windows which were replacements for the previous ones lost to artillery fire during the German occupation that took place in World War II.

Sint Petrus-en-Paulsuerk

Address: Prins Boudewijnstraat, 8400 Oostende, Belgium

Website: Sint Petrus-en-Paulsuerk

13. Check out the artwork at the Crystal Ship Public Art Exhibition

The Crystal Ship is an art group that is dedicated to bringing people together under the umbrella of compelling public art. For the past 2 years, the group has called upon various artists to create murals on public wall spaces throughout Ostend in an annual festival. The art also ranges down to smaller installations as well. To date, The Crystal Ship has been responsible for over 200 pieces of public art in the city. Visitors who are intrigued can go to their website and sign up for public tours to see them all in their glory.

Crystal Ship Public Art Exhibition

Website: Crystal Ship Public Art Exhibition

14. Explore the Atlantic Wall Museum

The Atlantic Wall Museum is one of the older components of the Raversyde Park system in Ostend, and is a highly visible reminder that two World Wars were once fought on its shores. Visitors here will see the concrete battlements rising from the grassy dunes that made up part of the Atlantic Wall, a major line of German fortification built in World War II that stretched from France to the Norwegian border. There’s also part of the complex that was built by the Germans in World War I. Preserved by royal decree, the museum also hosts events throughout the year that harken to enlighten those about what took place there.

Atlantic Wall Museum

Address: Duinenweg 280, 8400 Oostende, Belgium

Website: Atlantic Wall Museum

15. Ride the Kusltram

The Kusltram, or Coastal Tram, is quite possibly the best way to experience the vibrant scenes that can be found along the Flemish coastline. It runs from the town of De Panne by the French border all the way to Knokke at the Dutch border. The Kusltram makes multiple stops in Ostend as well as all of the other towns, and there are packages available for you to sightsee in different areas through their website.

Ride The Kusltram

Website: Ride The Kusltram

A final overview of Ostend

The city of Ostend possesses an atmosphere that has been an inspiration to many. Travelers here will find themselves looking at Belgium in a different light once they spend time here, and no matter if it’s through artwork that stretches through the ages or in the simple pleasure of making their way through the seaside landscape, they can be sure that this gem of the Flemish coast will make their trip shine that much brighter.