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Beach · Ostende, Flandres Ocidental
Zeedijk
Ostende's seaside promenade atop the dyke, with a sandy beach on one side and buildings, cafés and the Kursaal on the other. It passes the Venetiaanse Gaanderijen and the statue of Leopoldo II.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Discover
About Zeedijk
The Zeedijk is the dyke that protects Ostende from the North Sea and, on top of it, runs the town's promenade. On one side is the fine sandy beach; on the other, a row of residential buildings, cafés and restaurants. The central stretch is called Albert I-Promenade.
Ostende became a seaside resort in the 19th century, when kings Leopoldo I and Leopoldo II started spending summers there. From that era are the Venetiaanse Gaanderijen, seaside galleries from 1903, and the equestrian statue of Leopoldo II beside them. At one end of the promenade stands the Kursaal, a building with a casino and performance halls.
The beach near the pier, called Klein Strand, concentrates the tourists, while the Groot Strand, further west, is more used by locals. In summer there are lifeguards, and green, yellow or red flags indicate whether swimming is allowed.
Even outside summer, the promenade is used for walking, running and cycling facing the sea on cool, windy days.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
One to two hours to walk the promenade; a full day in summer for those who go to the beach.
Best time
From June to September for the beach, with lifeguards in summer. The rest of the year, the promenade is worth visiting on dry afternoons, with warm clothing against the wind.
How to get there
From Oostende station, walk west through the center to the sea in about 15 minutes. The Kusttram also stops near the waterfront.
Tip
The North Sea water is cold even in August. Respect the flags and the areas where swimming is prohibited.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Zeedijk
Can you swim in the sea in Ostende?
Yes, in summer, in areas supervised by lifeguards and when the flag allows. The water is cold.
What are the Venetiaanse Gaanderijen?
Seafront galleries from 1903 on the Albert I-Promenade, used as exhibition space. Next to them stands the equestrian statue of Leopoldo II.