Travel Guide
Europe’s Secret Coast! Discover Lesser-Known Beaches One Flight From The U.S.
May
You’ve probably already scoped out Spain, Italy, Greece, and maybe even more Mediterranean gems for an unforgettable beach escape this summer, but what if you were told there’s a long stretch of secret coastline almost no Americans visit?
Better yet, it’s only one flight away from numerous U.S. hubs, making for an easy journey across the skies and a quick train ride upon arrival.
As more travelers seek the lesser-known in place of global icons with all the negative headlines spouting off overtourism concerns, places like Oostende go by the wayside.
National Geographic recently featured Belgium’s tight-lipped shores, shedding light on this relatively unknown hideaway, as most visitors are fellow Belgians or neighbors from the Netherlands and France.
But as Brussels broke all-time visitors records in 2024, Belgium is undoubtedly becoming more popular among Americans, too.
So, if you’re waffling about your next beach vacation, let’s explore Belgium’s beautiful resort town to see what awaits.
“Belgium” And “Beach” In The Same Sentence?
Rarely will you hear of travel stories with “Belgium” and “beach” in the same sentence, but you just haven’t been hanging out with enough Belgians!
Most tourists flock to Brussels and Bruges, but locals love their coast, especially since they’re gatekeepers of one of Europe’s last remaining secrets, as Albania has soared to new heights.
Short but sweet, Belgium’s coast is sandwich between France and The Netherlands with vibrant, spacious beaches, historic seaside towns, and surprising attractions.
Most notable of the bunch is Oostende (also known as Ostend, depending on how deep into Rosetta Stone’s Flemish lessons you’re in).
All-encompassing, vacationers will have over a dozen resorts to choose from. From the scenic shores of Du Panne, bordering France, to the tranquil coastal town of Knokke-Heist, bordering the Netherlands, the coast of Belgium is teeming with delights waiting to be discovered. Today, we’ll mostly focus on Oostende, arguably the favorite amongst locals and French and Dutch tourists.
Thriving Arts & Less Crowds: Oostende Is A Year-Round Destination
Even if you’ve already finalized summer plans, you can put Oostende on the back burner as it’s great to visit any time of year.
While not overly crowded in summer, people worldwide seek out beautiful shores this time of year to unwind in their own slice of paradise, so the coast does see a fair share of European visitors.
Throughout the year, it’s safe to say Oostende is uncrowded compared to Europe’s iconic beach towns, with Plage d’Ostende taking the cake as the favorite.
But it’s not only the openness and serenity of Oostende’s beaches that are a draw, it’s the nearby unexpected attractions as well, such as Kursaal, Europe’s largest casino, or Mu.ZEE, a waterfront museum showcasing centuries-old Belgian art to present-day masterpieces.
One thing Nat Geo didn’t touch on was how to get around, and it’s truly unique! Belgium’s Coastal Tram covers 67 stops — you guessed it — along the coast, including Oostende.
In fact, it’s the longest tramline in the world, believe it or not. If Belgium’s stunning coast wasn’t shocking enough, Oostende itself is full of surprises in its own right whether you’re a lover of arts, a globetrotter looking to uncover hidden gems, or a history buff — and if the latter is the case, make sure to pay a visit to Fort Napoleon, reachable by a free ferry.
Where To Stay In Oostende
As mentioned, there’s a wide selection of resorts to choose from, but Nat Geo also gave a special mention to Villa Ostinato for its appealing value and Hotel du Parc, mostly due to its sensational on-site restaurant Cafè du Parc.
TripAdvisors ranks these hotels as Oostende’s top 5 options:
- Ostend Hotel
- C-Hotels Andromeda
- Hotels Princess
- Thermae Palace Hotel (my favorite!)
- C-Hotels Burlington
How To Reach Oostende
How Oostende remains a secret is just yet another of life’s unanswered mysteries, but it’s certainly not because it’s hard to reach.
According to Flight Connections, there are 6 direct routes from the U.S. to Brussels:
- Boston
- Newark (if you dare! 😬)
- New York City
- Washington D.C.
- Chicago
- Atlanta
Once you land in Brussels and explore the sights and indulge in world-famous street eats, hop aboard a Belgian Railways train for a 90-minute journey to the coast.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
