Brazil
Argentina
Bolivia
Chile
Colombia
Ecuador
Guyana
French Guiana
Falkland Islands (Malvinas)
Paraguay
Peru
Suriname
Uruguay
Venezuela
Germany
Austria
Croatia
Denmark
Spain
Finland
France
Greece
the Netherlands
Hungary
Ireland
Iceland
Italy
Luxembourg
Norway
Poland
Portugal
the United Kingdom
the Czech Republic
Sweden
Switzerland
Turkey
the United States
Mexico
the Dominican Republic
South Africa
Australia
Fiji
Before you go
Your trip to De Panne.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
De Panne – Flandres Ocidental Destination Bruges and the coast about 55 km from Bruges
How to get there
-
Aeroporto de Bruxelas (Zaventem) (BRU) Zaventem · 165 km
-
Station De Panne (Adinkerke) Adinkerke · 3 km
Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.
Check before buying. De Panne’s train station is in Adinkerke, at the end of the line coming from Gante and Bruxelas, and it is also the western terminus of the Kusttram, the tram that runs along the entire Belgian coast. From the station to the town centre it’s a few tram stops. By car you reach it via the E40 motorway and the N34 coastal road. Dunquerque, in France, is about 20 minutes away.
How many days
One day is enough for the beach, the Esplanada Leopoldo I and a walk in the Westhoek dunes. With children, set aside another day for Plopsaland. De Panne is also a good base for exploring the coast by tram.
When to go
For the beach and sand yachting, the season is usually June to September. For walking in the Westhoek dunes, spring (April–May) and early autumn (September–October) tend to be quieter. From December to February it gets dark early and it’s very windy.
The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.
Do you need a car?
No. The Kusttram links the station, the town centre, the beach and Plopsaland, and the Westhoek dunes can be accessed on foot from the promenade. A car is only useful to visit the inland Westhoek region, such as Ypres.
Suggested itinerary
An order that works
Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.
One day in De Panne
-
Morning
Dunas do Westhoek
Walk the trails of the Westhoek reserve, between white dunes and wet hollows, all the way to the border with France.
-
Afternoon
Esplanada and beach
Have lunch on the waterfront and stroll along the Esplanada Leopoldo I, with the monument to Belgium’s first king. At low tide, watch the sand yachts racing across the sand.
-
Late afternoon
Bairro Dumont
Walk the streets of the Dumont neighbourhood, with art nouveau, art déco and modernist houses from the early 20th century.
-
Evening
Seaside dinner
Dine near the promenade, with North Sea grey shrimp and mussels with fries—typical coastal dishes.
Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.
Before you go
Frequently asked questions
What is a sand yacht?
It’s a wheeled vehicle with a sail that runs on the sand propelled by the wind. The Dumont brothers built the first ones for sport in De Panne in 1898, and the wide beach is still used for this activity.
What language is spoken in De Panne?
Flemish. Because it’s close to France, many people also speak French.
Can you go from De Panne to France?
Yes. The border is next to the Westhoek reserve, and Dunquerque is about a 20-minute drive away.
How to get around the Belgian coast?
By the Kusttram, the tram that connects De Panne to Knokke-Heist along the entire coast, with stops in every seaside resort.
Why did the royal family live in De Panne?
During World War I, De Panne lay within the small strip of Belgium that was not occupied by Germany, and King Albert I and Queen Elisabeth lived there.