OSTENDE FAQ`S
The nearest airport to Ostend is Ostende International Airport, but chances are more likely that you`ll arrive either via Brussels Airport or Brussels Charleroi Airport as there aren`t that many airlines running flights to Ostend. If you`re flying to Brussels or Charleroi, you`ll need to take a taxi, a shuttle or public transportation to get to Ostend.
How do I get to Ostende by train?The Ostende railway station is located right by the city center and you can easily take the train to Ostende from plenty of both small towns and big cities within Belgium.
How do I get to Ostende by bus?
When traveling from the UK to Ostend,
you can even come by ferry! P and O offers a mini cruise that goes from Hull to
Zeebrugge after which you’re taken to Ostende by coach.
More information can be found on this page: www.poferries.com/en/minicruises/ostend
Free P and R
parking Maria-Hendrikapark
Location: Iependreef, see options below to get to the city center from here.
On foot: Kapellestraat is just a short 5-minute walk away.
By bus: the centre bus, which runs every 30 minutes, will take you into
the city center.
By bike: you can use one of the free bikes that are available here
throughout the year for getting into the city center. The bike rental facility
is open every day from 7 am until 7 pm (except on public holidays).
Free P and R
parking Oosteroever
You can also park for free in the public car park in Ankerstraat
(opposite Hangtime along the coast road).
Koninginnelaan
Free parking
Location: Koninginnelaan next to the Henri Serruys hospital
There are also
several paid parking options throughout the city, charges will vary.
People with disabilities who have a valid parking card can park for free along the public roads.
However, don`t park in spaces marked for local residents, health care
providers or other specifically reserved places.
Most points of interest in town are close together. You can easily reach them by foot or by renting a bicycle from the rail station for about €9 per day. De Lijn bus lines 5, 6, and 39 go along the seafront to the west; if you want to get to points farther along the coast, in either direction, take the Coast Train from a stop next to the rail station. You can pick up a taxi at the rail station, or call Taxibond (+32 (0) 59.70.27.27).
How do I get around Ostende by bike?Bicycles are available for rent for about €10 per day behind the train station and, in summer, beside the eastern jetty of the cross-harbor mini-ferry. Another option is to sign up for the Blue Bike ride-sharing service.
Can I pay/tip in US dollars?The currency in Belgium is the Euro. Once you`re in Belgium you will need to use the Euro in most all places. It is recommended to exchange at least some money before you leave home so that you can avoid lines at airport ATMs. There are various ATMs throughout the cities and towns in Belgium.
I don`t speak Dutch, will many people speak English?The language spoken in Ostende is Dutch. Some locals speak enough English for tourists` needs, and it is common for hotels, restaurants, and shops that are aimed at tourists to use the English language. We suggest you get a good English-Dutch guidebook and familiarize yourself with common phrases such as hello, goodbye, excuse me and numbers 1-10.
Where is the best shopping in Ostende?
Ostende is a paradise for
shopaholics. This includes several pedestrian shopping steets in which you can
casually stroll from shop to shop and from one side of the street to the other
without dealing with traffic.
First of all, you have the Kapellestraat with all the important large chain stores. In the Adolf Buylstraat you can find designer clothing, shoes and accessories. Ostende
has also a shopping center Shopping Center Feest- en
Kultuurpaleis with 17 different shops. Other shopping streets are Christinastraat, Witte Nonnenstraat, James Ensorgalerij and Alfons Pieterslaan.
It is also worth
noting that you can shop 7 days a week, shops are open on Sundays.
The
main attraction of Ostende is the beaches, especially in the summer months. You
can walk from the cozy shopping streets in the city center to the wide family
beaches via the spacious boulevard. The family-friendly beach may be crowded on
hot summer days, but there are always plenty of room for a walk or sunbathing.
In addition, there are plenty of facilities nearby, the sand is kept clean and
many lifeguards are present during the summer months. During the summer
numerous events take place on and around the beach.
The
beach of Ostende is about 4.5 miles long. It is located northeast of
Middelkerke and southwest of Bredene. The beaches are located on the northwest,
on the North Sea. From the Oosteroever in the north, to the Schapenweide nature
reserve in the southwest. The beach is separated from the charming town by a
2.5 mile-long promenade.
The
North Sea coast of Ostende can be divided into five different beaches:
Oosterstrand, Klein, Strand, Groot Strand, Sportstrand, Mariakerke beach and
Raversijde beach. All these beaches attract a different crowd. The most popular
and busiest beach of Ostende is the Goot Strand. In the summer this beach is
the busiest, but even in July and August you can find plenty of space here.
Facilities are available at the beaches and include lifeguards, first aid, local cafes, and terraces. Restaurants near the beach will take care of needs for serving drinks, ice cream, lunch and dinner.
What is the weather like? When is the best time to go?The best time to visit Ostende is from May until October, when you will have comfortable, pleasant temperatures and limited rainfall. The highest average temperature in Ostende is 70`s°F in July and the lowest is 40`s°F in January. The water temperature is between 40°F and 68°F.
Where is the nightlife happening in Ostende?
The Langestraat (and its
sidestreets) is the best area in town to find an open bar in Ostende. There are
a number of pubs, bars and clubs with a very unique style squeezed into this
one street. If you want a quiet drink in the evening, visit one of the cafes
with sidewalk terraces around Wapenplein.
The concert hall of the Kursaal Ostende, part of the
Casino-Kursaal complex is a venue for symphony concerts, operas, and ballet. In
its lavish interior are also a panoramic rooftop restaurant, the Ostende Queen;
a coffee house; a snack bar; and the Lounge Bar nightclub.
There
are a number of places to eat in Ostende, ranging from casual and charming old
style Flemish Pannenkoekenhuis (Pancake Houses), up to fancy and fresh. There
are also a number of chocolatiers and Dutch style Snoepje (Sweetie) stores. Most
street corners are either a coffee shop or a bar.
A common sight is a coffee served with a small advocaat (eggnog). Sometimes
these come with three or four profiteroles, free of chocolate sauce, for
dipping in the liqueur.
Ostende
is known for its mussels and shrimp. Croquettes can be found at many
restaurants throughout Ostende. They are crispy on the outside while the filling
is deliciously creamy and tender on the inside with fresh, authentic shrimp.
Being that Ostende is a charming seaside town, you`ll find excellent seafood
options all around town.
In an
Emergency dial 112
Beach
rescue stations: The beach rescue stations are open from July 1st to August
31st between 10.30 AM and 6.30 PM. In addition, the most important
stations are also open on the following days: 13 & 14/06, 20 & 21/06
and 27 to 30/06.