Ostend has everything a family summer break needs. A wide sandy beach on your doorstep, a brilliant promenade, a handful of excellent attractions, and enough variety to keep children of all ages happy from morning to evening. As a family hotel in Ostend visitors return to year after year, Leopold Hotel Ostend sits just 150 metres from the beach in the heart of the city, putting everything within easy reach. Here is your guide to the best family-friendly things to do in Ostend this summer.
Start at the Beach
Ostend Beach and the Promenade
For families, the beach is the obvious starting point and it delivers every time. The wide sandy stretch at Ostend is one of the finest on the Belgian coast, with plenty of space even on the busiest summer days. Children can swim, build sandcastles, fly kites, search for shells, or simply run around while you watch from a beach chair with a coffee. The Albert I Promenade that runs alongside is a great place for a stroll or a cycle ride, with ice cream stalls, beach cafes, and sea views all the way along.
Leopold Hotel Ostend is a five-minute walk from the beach, so heading down in the morning and coming back for lunch is as easy as it gets.
Attractions the Whole Family Will Enjoy
The Mercator Museum Ship
Moored in the heart of Ostend harbour, the Mercator is a magnificent three-masted barquentine that has sailed the world’s seas and now serves as a museum ship. Children love clambering around the decks and learning about its history of Arctic exploration and long-distance voyages. It is one of the most distinctive and memorable attractions in Ostend and well worth a visit early in your stay.
Maria Hendrikapark
This large and beautiful park is a firm favourite with families visiting Ostend. Set around a peaceful lake on an island, it has well-kept playgrounds, walking paths, and a recreation area where children can enjoy boat rides and a mini driving school. Koninginnehof, the park’s restaurant and terrace, is a lovely spot for lunch with a view. It is a great place to spend a relaxed morning or afternoon away from the busier parts of the city.
Fort Napoleon
A short trip from the hotel, Fort Napoleon is a fascinating polygonal fortress with a rich military history stretching back to the Napoleonic era. The site has been made increasingly child-friendly in recent years, with exhibits and an audio guide that bring the history to life for younger visitors. The outdoor grounds are also great for a run around, and there is a bar on site for the adults.
Earth Explorer
Earth Explorer is a hands-on science centre that covers everything from volcanoes and earthquakes to climate and the natural world. It is interactive, educational, and genuinely fun, making it one of the best options in Ostend for a busy morning with curious children. It also works well as a rainy day fallback, giving you a solid indoor option if the weather does not cooperate.
Active Days Out
Hangtime Ostend
If you need to tire out the children, Hangtime Ostend is exactly what you are looking for. About ten minutes from the hotel, this trampoline park offers over 1,000 square metres of jumping space with something for every age, including a dedicated play area for smaller children, basketball hoops, dodgeball trampolines, and a foam pit. There is also a coffee shop and a terrace for parents who would rather watch from a comfortable seat. Booking ahead in the summer is recommended.
Cycling the Coast
The Belgian coast is one of the flattest and most enjoyable cycling destinations in Europe, and Ostend is a brilliant starting point for a family ride along the seafront. Bikes are easy to hire in the city, and the coastal cycle path stretches in both directions, taking you through neighbouring resorts and offering open sea views the whole way. The route towards De Haan to the east is particularly scenic and well suited to families with younger children.
Mini Golf at Leopold Park
Leopold Park is just around the corner from Leopold Hotel Ostend and is a lovely green space for a gentle afternoon. The mini golf course here is a popular activity for families and a great way to spend an hour or two in the sun between bigger outings. The park itself has plenty of shaded spots and benches if you just want to sit and let the children run around.
Your Family Base This Summer
As a family hotel Ostend, Leopold Hotel Ostend is set up to make your stay as straightforward and enjoyable as possible. Our family apartments are spacious and well equipped, with a kitchenette including dishwasher, fridge, and cooker, a double bedroom, and a separate bedroom for the children. Having your own kitchen space makes a real difference on a longer family stay, giving you the flexibility to eat in when it suits you.
The hotel is just 150 metres from the beach and a short walk from Leopold Park, the Mercator, and the city centre. Bar del Mundo serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and our We Proudly Serve Starbucks coffee corner is a great way to start a busy summer morning. Underground parking is available at the hotel for those arriving by car.
Ostend is one of the best places on the Belgian coast for a family summer break. The beach, the attractions, the activities, and the general atmosphere of a lively seaside city all combine to make it a destination that children remember and parents genuinely enjoy too.
Book your family stay at Leopold Hotel Ostend today and make this the summer holiday they are still talking about in September.
