Ostend travel guide

Ostend, often referred to as 'The Queen of the Belgian Sea,' has a rich and vibrant history. This coastal city in Belgium has been inhabited since the Middle Ages, but it wasn't until the late 18th century that it started to gain prominence as a seaside resort for the European elite.

It was under the reign of King Leopold II that Ostend truly blossomed. The King had a profound fondness for the city, leading to the construction of many iconic landmarks, including the Royal Galleries and the Thermae Palace Hotel.

During both World Wars, Ostend was heavily bombarded and suffered extensive damage. However, the resilient city managed to rebuild and restore its historic landmarks, maintaining its allure as a premier seaside destination.

Today, Ostend is a blend of old-world charm and modern vibrancy. Its history is still very present in the cityscape, from the majestic belle-époque facades to the Fort Napoleon, a testament to Ostend's strategic importance in the past.

Here on this page, you'll find all the top travel services in Ostend, Belgium. Check out the cheapest and most popular flights offered by 268 airlines that fly to Belgium. We make it easy for you to find and book the top services in Ostend.

Enjoy the convenience of planning and booking every detail of your trip to Ostend, including flights, accommodations, activities, and more, in one place. Book with Guide to Europe to get an expertly-curated and fully-customizable itinerary and experience the best of Ostend on your vacation in Belgium.

Get answers to questions about the routes and services offered in Ostend from our free 24/7 customer support. Continue reading to learn how you can enjoy a stress-free and memorable vacation in the city of Ostend!

While Ostend, Belgium is a city that can be appreciated throughout the year, the best time to explore Ostend is during the summer months, typically from June to September. During this period, the weather is pleasantly warm with average temperatures ranging from 15 to 20 degrees Celsius, offering ideal conditions for beach activities and outdoor exploration. This is also the time when the city hosts its celebrated events such as the 'Ostend at Anchor' maritime festival in May and 'Theater by the Sea' in late July to early August. However, these months draw the largest crowds, so if you prefer a quieter visit, consider traveling during the shoulder seasons of spring (April-May) and autumn (September-October). During these times, the city is quieter yet still offers mild weather and the chance to experience local events like the Ostend Film Festival in September. No matter when you choose to visit, do remember to pack rain gear as Ostend does experience frequent rainfall throughout the year.

When visiting Ostend, a truly local experience that is often missed by tourists is a visit to the weekly 'Ostend Market.' This bustling market takes place every Thursday morning in the Wapenplein Square. Here, you can sample a variety of local delicacies, fresh produce, and unique Belgian trinkets. But the insider tip is to arrive early - not just to beat the crowds, but to enjoy a traditional Ostend breakfast of 'pistolets' (small, round bread rolls) with local cheese and a cup of strong Belgian coffee at one of the nearby cafes. The marketplace comes alive as the locals start their day, offering an authentic taste of Ostend's vibrant community life. This experience is a hidden gem that encapsulates the true spirit of this charming Belgian seaside city.

There are many reasons to visit the city of Ostend, but a trip to Belgium needs no explanation.

Exploring Belgium, which spans 30,688 square kilometers, is an adventure of a lifetime. Belgium offers an abundance of truly magical places to discover, including cultural, historic, and scenic sites of significant value to both locals and travelers.

As the home country of many world-famous attractions like the spectacular Leopoldpark, Mercator, and the Atlantikwall Raversyde, you’re all set for a unique and memorable travel experience in Belgium.

Click or tap the link below to discover more about Belgium.

Ostend has something for everyone. Regardless of age and interest, travelers have the best time exploring every corner of the city.

Read on to discover the best places to visit and find out what to expect from the city of Ostend.

Enrich your travel experience in Ostend by joining tours and activities. Ostend offers an exciting selection of top-rated tours and it's easy for every traveler to find something to their liking. Take the opportunity to catch the top attractions on a tour, stay active with an adventurous excursion, or learn something new about the local history or culture of the city.

Discover the most popular experiences in Ostend below.

The best and easiest way to visit Ostend is by booking a vacation package. A vacation package includes everything you need for a worry-free and perfectly planned holiday in Belgium.

Booking a vacation package to Ostend means spending less time planning and more time enjoying your vacation. A vacation package includes everything from flight tickets, accomodation, and a rental car, to 24/7 personal travel support and a carefully planned travel itinerary. You can also take your vacation in Ostend to the next level by adding tours, tickets, and activities to each day of your trip.

Apart from providing you with everything you need to travel comfortably, your vacation package to Ostend is also fully customizable. In other words, you can add or remove services at your own convenience, to create the perfect vacation for you and your travel companions.

On our website, you will find unique vacation packages to Ostend, including flight tickets, hotel reservations, and recommendations for the best sightseeing spots, restaurants, bars, and activities.

Continue to the next section to learn more about what types of vacations you can book in the city of Ostend.

To get to the city of Ostend the fastest way possible, travelers from outside Belgium can travel by plane. International travelers can fly to Ostend by booking flights with any of the 2 airlines that offer direct flights to Ostend-Bruges International airport. Some airlines that operate flights to Ostend-Bruges International airport are Ryanair, Turkish Airlines, Air China, Azul, and Ethiopian Airlines. Go to this page to compare all flights to Ostend.

To reach the city of Ostend, travelers can choose from various airport transfer options available at Ostend-Bruges International airport.

If you're looking for the best flight ticket deals to Ostend, knowing the cheapest travel time and which airlines offer the most affordable flights is helpful. Luckily, we have this information for you. Discover more about the cheapest and most popular flights to Ostend-Bruges International airport and Ostend below.

An essential factor to consider when traveling to a new place or country is accommodation. While visiting a city as fantastic as Ostend is always exciting, any avid traveler knows that accommodations often make or break the vacation experience.

The best place to stay in Ostend usually depends on travelers' needs and preferences. However, booking accommodation in downtown Ostend offers a ton of benefits.

Staying at the heart of the city allows you to easily walk to many of the top sights and dining areas in Ostend and cut down on your travel expenses. Centrally-located accommodations are also an excellent choice for travelers in Ostend planning to go on a quick tour or drive to the neighboring regions.

For example, honeymooners or travelers on a romantic getaway in Belgium can experience the ultimate relaxation at one of the 5-star or 4-star hotels in Ostend. Travelers whose purpose is sightseeing can also find plenty of mid-range hotels to budget-friendly accommodations in the city, allowing access to many of the top attractions in Ostend.

Learn more about the most popular places to stay and the top-rated hotels in Ostend in the next sections.

Experience the freedom and convenience of a self-drive vacation by renting a car for your adventures in Ostend. Ostend has 1 car rental companies ready to provide you with the perfect vehicle for your travels.

Automatic cars for rent in Ostend start from 57.24 EUR per day or 400.65 EUR per week. The cheapest automatic rental car is an Opel Corsa.

If you prefer driving a manual car, you’ll find multiple options for rent in Ostend, starting from 44.35 EUR per day or 310.46 EUR per week. The cheapest manual rental car is a Volkswagen Up.

Learn more about the different types of cars you can rent in Ostend, Belgium, below.

Ostend, Belgium offers a variety of transportation options to its visitors, ensuring a seamless and convenient travel experience. The city's public transit system is exceptionally efficient, with a well-connected network of buses and trams operated by De Lijn. These services are an affordable and reliable way to navigate the city and its surroundings.

For those who prefer private transportation, taxis are readily available throughout the city. Taxi services can be hailed from the street or booked in advance. Offering both convenience and flexibility, they are a popular choice among travelers.

Car rental services are also an option in Ostend. Several local and international car rental companies operate in the city, providing a wide range of vehicles to suit different needs and budgets. This option provides the freedom to explore Ostend and the wider West Flanders region at your own pace.

Lastly, cycling is deeply ingrained in Belgian culture and Ostend is no exception. The city offers numerous bike rental services for those looking to experience the local culture, enjoy the scenic routes and navigate the city in an eco-friendly manner.

The city of Ostend is just one of the many unique and scenic destinations you can visit in Belgium. So if you're itching for another cultural adventure, a relaxing road trip, an action-filled city break, or a memorable weekend getaway, know that Belgium has it all.

Belgium is calling, and the country is asking you to experience its culture and diversity to the fullest! Take the opportunity to visit other captivating places in Belgium that are as magical as the city of Ostend. The most popular travel destinations in Belgium are listed below. Click on the name of the place you want to explore next to learn more about it.

A taste of Belgium through a visit to Ostend can often reignite a traveler's passion for adventure. When this happens, the best way to satisfy this wanderlust is to book a domestic flight from Ostend to another remarkable destination in Belgium.

To begin your search for the best or cheapest flights from the city of Ostend to other spectacular locations in Belgium, jump to the last section of this travel guide.