Ostend

Ostend is a Belgian city and municipality located in the Flemish province of West Flanders, in western Europe.

The Atlantic Wall Open Air Museum is a military museum which preserves fortifications of the Atlantic Wall dating to the First and Second World Wars. The section of fortifications owned by the museum - over 60 bunkers and two miles of trenches are among the best preserved sections of the defensive line in Europe.

The Provincial Museum of Modern Art houses an art collection of mostly Belgian artists of the 20th and 21st centuries.

Fort Napoleon is a polygonal fort built in the Napoleonic era. During World War I, the fort was used as accommodation for a German headquarters, and decorated with murals by German soldier Heinrich Otto Pieper.

It is possible to visit the nearby cities of Bruges, Ypres, Antwerp and Brussels from Ostend.

Large chain stores can be found on Kapellestraat, whilst in Adolf Buylstraat there are designer clothing, shoes and accessories. Shopping Center Feest-en Kultuurpaleis has 17 different shops. Other shopping streets are Christinastraat, Witte Nonnenstraat, James Ensorgalerij and Alfons Pieterslaan.

Dining options range from old style Flemish Pannenkoekenhuis (Pancake Houses) to restaurants serving entrecote steak with fries. There are also a number of chocolatiers and Dutch style Snoepje (Sweet) stores.

Cruise ships dock at the Port of Ostend, in the centre of town. Long beaches and seaside promenade with cafes and restaurants are within walking distance.

The cruise quay is next to the railway station, from which Paris, Bruges, Ghent and Brussels can be reached.

There’s a taxi stop at the entrance to the port.