Most people know Ostend has a beach. Fewer realise it has several, each with its own character and its own reasons to spend a day there. Stretching for around seven kilometres along the North Sea coast, the beaches here cover everything from lively city-centre strands with beach bars and lifeguards to quiet, dune-backed stretches where you can have half a kilometre of sand almost to yourself. Here is your guide to each one, with a couple of things worth doing nearby to make a proper day of it.
Groot Strand
The main event. This two-kilometre stretch of wide golden sand runs directly in front of the city centre and is the beach most people picture when they think of Ostend. It is well set up for a full day, with showers, beach clubs, sun lounger hire, and lifeguards on duty throughout the summer. The promenade behind it is lined with cafes, fish stalls, and ice cream stands, and even on the busiest summer days the beach is wide enough that finding your own space is never a struggle.
Worth doing nearby
The Royal Galleries, the elegant nineteenth-century covered arcade that lines the promenade, are worth a slow wander at any time of day. For something more cultural, the James Ensor House on Vlaanderenstraat is a short walk from the beach and gives a fascinating look at the life and work of Ostend’s most celebrated artist.
Klein Strand and Sportstrand
Klein Strand sits just east of the main beach near the harbour, smaller and more sheltered, with a quieter atmosphere that suits those who want a beach visit without the full summer energy of the Groot Strand. Just to the west, Sportstrand is the opposite: a beach designed for active visitors, with volleyball nets, a climbing wall, picnic tables, and a dedicated surf and kite zone where you can unload gear directly from the car.
Worth doing nearby
The North Sea Aquarium on Visserskaai is a short walk from Klein Strand and covers the marine life of the Belgian coast in a way that holds attention for a good couple of hours. The Mercator museum ship, moored in the harbour close by, is worth combining with it for a genuinely memorable morning out before heading back to the beach.
Mariakerke Beach
Mariakerke stretches for 2.4 kilometres just west of the Sportstrand and has a noticeably different feel from the city beaches. It is quieter, less commercialised, and a genuine favourite with local families who want more space and a more relaxed pace. The coastal tram stops right here, which makes it very easy to reach from Leopold Hotel Ostend, and the wide, well-maintained sand is the kind of beach where you bring your own picnic, find your spot, and stay as long as you like.
Worth doing nearby
Maria Hendrikapark is a short distance inland and is one of the best green spaces in Ostend, with a lake, walking paths, playgrounds, and the lovely Koninginnehof restaurant and terrace overlooking the water. It makes a natural complement to a morning at Mariakerke beach, giving you somewhere shaded and active to spend the middle part of the day.
Raversijde Beach and Oosteroever
Raversijde is the most westerly of the Ostend beaches and arguably the most peaceful, surrounded by natural dune landscape with a beautiful, unhurried atmosphere even in high summer. Oosteroever, east of the harbour entrance, is the most distinctive of all: a dune-backed stretch of around 1.2 kilometres with no beach cabins or commercial pavilions, reached by harbour ferry and offering spectacular views back across the water. Both are ideal for those who want to feel genuinely away from the crowd.
Worth doing nearby
The Atlantic Wall Open Air Museum at Raversijde Domain sits right next to the beach and is one of the most compelling historical sites on the Belgian coast. The preserved bunkers and military installations tell the story of the German coastal defences across both world wars and can easily fill two to three hours. Fort Napoleon, between Raversijde and Oosteroever, is another strong option and one of the best-preserved Napoleonic fortresses in Belgium.
Your Base for Every Beach
Leopold Hotel Ostend is just 150 metres from the beach and perfectly placed for exploring the full length of the Ostend coastline. The coastal tram connects you quickly to Mariakerke, Raversijde, and beyond, while Groot Strand, Klein Strand, and Sportstrand are all an easy walk from the hotel. Our team is happy to point you in the right direction depending on the kind of beach day you are looking for.
Seven kilometres of coastline, six distinct beach areas, and one very good base. Book your stay at Leopold Hotel Ostend today.
