Flanders
Zeebrugge, welcome Flanders eebrugge is the gateway to Flanders. Skip the detours through France or the Netherlands, and sail straight into this historic port that has served as a ferry terminal for decades and a strategic port for centuries.
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For tourists with an interest in military history, Zeebrugge harbour is a fascinating destination. Among its Cold War relics, you'll find the imposing "Foxtrot," a massive Russian submarine. Stretching 100 meters in length, this leviathan offers visitors a glimpse into the lives of its 75 crew members, who lived and worked submerged for months on end, poised on the brink of paranoia, and prepared to deliver nuclear Armageddon to the decadent West. It's quite possible that, given its size, the crew members never even met each other. Perhaps their alternative was to drown their fears with copious amounts of contraband vodka. For a different taste of maritime life, visit the WestHinder lightship or explore Seafront, a vast indoor exhibition housed in the former Covered Fish Market (seafront.be/en). When it comes to coastline, Flanders certainly got the better deal compared to
Wallonia in Belgium. e Flemish brethren managed to secure the entirety of it. So, if you fancy wiggling your toes on a Belgian beach, it will be in Flanders, and that's all there is to it.
fully functional service that runs along the entire length of the Flanders coast, spanning over 70 kilometres. On one side, you'll be treated to an unending line of sandy beaches, while on the other, a string of thirteen delightful seaside resorts awaits. is provides the perfect opportunity to leisurely spend your day. If you're traveling in a group of five or more, you qualify for a cheap ticket as long as you stick together. ere's also an individual ticket that grants access to various coastal attractions, including the Plopsaland amusement park in De Panne's Dumont district. It even has its own stop, one before the terminus at Adinkerke (delijn.be/en).
Let's start our coastal exploration at the southern end, in the charming resort of De Panne. Here, the rolling sands serve as a popular bridleway, offering ample opportunities for equestrian-themed selfies. You'll also find sand yachts, sand sculptures, and parents blissfully buried in the sand by their children, who have conveniently forgotten about them (we've all been there). Adjacent to the town lies De Westhoek nature reserve, an endless expanse of pristine greenery and dunes. In the Dumont district, with its charming cottage-style houses and boutiques, you can observe the local wildlife. Don't miss the statue of King Leopold, as its framing arch can be seen from almost anywhere in De Panne. Quite regal indeed.
About sixty stops away at the other end of the line, you'll find the adjacent resorts of Knokke and Heist. Knokke is a quintessential Flemish resort—neat, tidy, and a magnet for artists in the 19th century. is upscale town boasts elegant shops and coffee houses. e summer season brings renowned cartoon exhibitions and an impressive fireworks festival, capturing the essence of Knokke's allure.
Now, let's embark on a regal journey along the coast using the most practical attraction in Flanders—the Kusttram (there's a bit of Dutch you can probably translate for yourselves).
Heist, on the other hand, resembles an upmarket English seaside village. It's a charming blend of Tudor England and the Flemish
De Panne serves as the southern terminal for this
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coast. Heist stands as a testament to the Flemish coast's status as a precursor to the Spanish costas, a time when foreign travel was considerably more expensive than it is today. Well-heeled English tourists sought foreign culture in this corner of the world, leaving their mark with a touch of elegance. ey transformed this foreign beach into a place that will forever be associated with England. at's our story, and we're sticking to it. ere's plenty more to experience with an authentic Flemish feel, so why not check out the promotional pass for additional ideas (kustpas.be). Interesting fact: Did you know that Zeebrugge is home to the annual "International Sand Sculpture Festival"? Each year, talented sculptors om around the world gather to showcase their skills by creating incredible sculptures entirely out of sand. It's like a beach vacation on steroids, where sandcastles are taken to a whole new level! Just make sure not to mistake them for regular sandcastles and accidentally knock them down.
Tourism Flanders
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