Ostend is precisely in the middle of the Belgian coast and is a famous beach destination for locals. However, this coastal city provides something more apart from its pristine beaches. In this article, we are going to give reasons why you should explore Ostende (Oostende) and not a bit of involve getting tanned.
Beyond Ostend’s very large allure lies a colourful and multi-faceted history spanning back hundreds of years, which comes with extremely important events and individuals. It really is worth it to check out all of what makes this city such a cherished part of Belgium and Europe as a whole.
#1 MARVIN GAYE WALKING EXCURSION
Ostend became the place of rebirth in 1981 of one of music’s most iconic performers to ever charm the stage. One of them is Marvin Gaye, who was on a downward spiral due to the absence of interest in his music by fans together with his personal struggles with drug addiction, came to Ostend as a process to get away from it all.
If you don’t the story behind this, a local club promoter Freddy Cousaert befriended Gaye and helped him stay clean and in the process, assist him to make an amazing comeback encouraged by his Midnight Love album which he recorded in Belgium.
This two-hour walk takes you through Gaye’s difficult past and includes video clips of the singer and interviews with the people who provided him home in Oostende.
#2 VIEW OSTEND PUBLIC ART
Do you love the outdoors? Well, you can admire art in the open air. Ostend has many to offer you when it comes to outdoors. You may begin at the Royal Gallery, where you can be amused by portrait photography. After that, you may walk towards the casino along the promenade and admire the ‘Dansende Golven’ (Dancing Waves) sculpture by Patrick Steenon.
You may proceed along the walk until you the bright red shapes that make up ‘Rock Strangers’ by Arne Quinze. You may watch people go through and deal with the shapes can be nearly as interesting as the art itself.
#3 TAKE THE WORLD’S LONGEST TRAM ROUTE
Although Belgium has one of the smallest coastlines in the world, it’s home to the world’s longest tram line. The Belgian Coast Tram, also called ‘De Kustram’ in Dutch runs the entire length of the coast, from De Panne, near France, to Knokke-Heist, near the Netherlands. You can ride the entire 68km, or jump on and off at the 70 stops along the way.
#4 EXPLORE THE MUSEUM AMANDINE
The Museum Amandine is a tribute to Belgium’s maritime history, especially when it comes to the ice fishing which was a huge part of Ostend’s culture. The vessel landed after its final trip in 1995 and after two years of hefty revamping has become a shipboard museum for eager visitors who’ll be attracted by its sharp green hull. Guests can learn how the Amandine operated while getting huge amounts of cod and other fish that populate the North Sea.
#5 VISIT SINT-PETRUS-EN-PAULUSKERK
Sint Petrus-en-Pauluskerk is the main church of Ostend and is a Neo-Gothic architectural marvel that is built directly on the remains of an older church which yielded to fire. Aided by King Leopold II, this church was constructed first in 1899, taking six-year to complete. It’s exceedingly beautiful and a must-see for visitors, who will be astonished at the spires of the church together with the stained glass windows which were replacements for the former ones lost to artillery fire during the German occupation that took place in World War II.
Truly the city of Ostend owns an atmosphere that has been an innovation to many. As you travel here, you’ll learn and look at Belgium in a different light after spending some time there.
Author Bio: Ivandrea Ollero is one of the writers for Leopold Hotel Ostend, a Belgian boutique city hotel in Ostend City Center ideal for tourists who want to explore Ostend and popular for its undying unique historic building. She also researches and writes custom content about home improvements, travel, finance, law, fashion, health, and beauty. She graduated from St. Scholastica’s College, Manila, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Broadcast Journalism in 2016. If she’s not in the mood to write, you can find her eating ice cream while listening to rap music.
