The 8 Top Beaches in Belgium for a North Sea Getaway

Done Brussels art museums? Admired the architecture of Bruges? It’s time to discover the myriad charms of the Flanders coastline – a necklace of manicured white-sand beaches backed by wind-sculptured dunes and fashionable seafood restaurants. The 65-km strip of coastline that comprises the Belgian Riviera is often overlooked in the mad dash south from the big North Coast ferry port of Zeebrugge, but its dozen or so charming – and highly individual – resorts repay your visit with decent prices, superb cuisine and space to spread out and breathe bracing North Sea air minus the crowds of the Costas. Whether you’re holidaying with kids, on a cultural odyssey or looking for adrenaline-fuelled aquatic sports, here’s our cream of the crop of beaches in Belgium, travelling west to east along the magical Flanders coastline.

Touching the border with France, De Panne beach really has (excuse the cliché) got something for everyone. Combining natural beauty with family-friendly seaside fun, it has a generous expanse of soft golden sand that shelves gently into the waves, making it ideal for swimmers – and it’s lifeguarded in summer. You can rent sun beds, loungers and gaily striped retro beach huts, which add an element of Victorian England to the beach, or join family in building sandcastles and playing ball games. But this beach is no one-horse pony, for it’s blessed with the North Sea breezes that make it one of the top spots in northern Europe for high-octane water sports like sand yachting, kite-surfing and blokarting.

Backing the beach is a wide promenade where you’ll find all the ice-cream parlours, cafés and quality seafood dining you’ll ever need. The kids will jump at a day on the roller coasters and water slides at Plopsaland Belgium, but equally well if you’re having a bit of downtime with your beloved, there are paths, cycle tracks and bridlepaths through the dunes and marram grass of Westhoek Nature Reserve. Staying at ibis De Panne places you right in the mix – this Plopsaland partner hotel is also three minutes' walk to the city centre and the beach.

• De Panne station in Adinkerke, then hop on to the Coastal Tram.

After a more spacious and relaxed coastal experience? Nieuwpoort is the beach for you. Famed for having one of the widest beaches in Belgium, it provides ample room even during peak summer months. Come to its expansive shoreline for kite flying, sand yachting or just to enjoy long, scenic walks with uninterrupted sea views. This coastal town is also famous for its marina, the largest in northern Europe and a great place to admire the impressive yachts that sail in. Rent a bike to explore the coastal paths and nearby dunes, then settle down at The Harbour Bar’s stylish terrace for a sunset drink.

• Train to Ostend railway station, then the Coastal Tram.

Dubbed the City by the Sea, Ostend boasts two of the biggest beaches in Belgium; they stretch for kilometres, are topped by the region’s ever-present dunes and lined with ranks of sparkling-white beach huts. Summertime visitors tend to spread out on the sand, so you’ll never feel crowded out – all you need to do is sit back, relax and top up your tan, while children will have room to build sandcastles and can paddle in gentle waves.

It’s a cultured spot too: Ostend was the residence of James Ensor – one of ­coastal Belgium’s best-known artists – and you can see his unsettling oils and eerie masks at his former home. If you’re up for a deeper dive into Belgian fine art, the works from Impressionist to present day at Mu.ZEE will while away a pleasant afternoon, and you’ll pass wacky art installations as you mosey along the esplanade. Gourmets can eat their fill at the food-truck festivals held on the seafront, and techno fans should aim to hit the Belgian coastal town in mid-July for the three-day Ostend Beach extravaganza.

• Ostend railway station or on the Coastal Tram.

Bredene could well be Belgium's best-kept coastal secret, offering an exceptionally peaceful beach environment that attracts families and nature lovers seeking tranquility. It’s just a quick hop up the coastline, with golden sands, a chilled atmosphere and a wide expanse of undulating dunes. The wide beach features a gentle slope and calm waters, overlooked by a promenade for family bike rides and sunset strolls. It also hosts Belgium’s only official nudist beach at the end of the strand. In the mood for a spot of hiking? Natuurgebied d'Heye (d’Heye Nature Reserve) offers marked trails through heathland, forest and sandy expanses, easily accessible on foot or by bike from the centrally located ibis Styles Bredene hotel.

• Train to Ostend railway station, then the Coastal Tram.

De Haan is an architectural treasure trove of half-timbered villas and thatched mansions with turrets and gables, constructed in the early 20th century and with none of the high-rise hotels and apartment blocks that mark other Belgian beaches. Indeed, so cute is this little gem of a seaside village that physicist Albert Einstein shipped up here when he fled Nazi Germany in 1933.

With its fair share of elegant stores and classy restaurants, it’s still primarily a laid-back, family-friendly resort with a long roster of sporting pursuits: extreme fun like body boarding, paddle boarding and kite-surfing from the beach, sailing catamarans in the brisk winds or cycling uncrowded tracks through ever-shifting dunes and the pine woodlands that keep them stable. You’ll find kid-centric attractions nearby, including an indoor waterpark and Vosseslag Lighthouse, a green-and-white-striped folly created by Belgian artist Guillaume Bijl. Booking into family-friendly Novotel Brugge Centrum means you can sample the delights of Bruges chocolate shops and still be at De Haan – the best beach near Bruges – within half an hour by bus.

• Ostend station then the Coastal Tram to De Haan.

Neighbouring Blankenberge is another lively and family-focused Belgian beach resort, with mini-golf courses, wobble bikes in the retro-styled Lustige Velodrome and aquariums full of turtles, sharks and darting angel fish at Sea Life Blankenberge. This vibrant town's wide sandy beach is ideal for sunbathing, beach games and long walks along the North Sea shoreline, while its iconic pier, stretching 350 metres into the sea, adds a nostalgic touch and offers panoramic coastal views and seafood restaurants. Soak up the animated seaside vibe here: spend the afternoon lounging on the sand, enjoy fresh seafood at sunset and take an evening stroll along the illuminated promenade. Make Hotel Mercure Blankenberge Station your base here, and you'll be close to the beach as well as right by the train station for day trips to Bruges or other coastal resorts.

• Blankenberge railway station or on the Coastal Tram.

Zeebrugge presents a fascinating contrast to typical beach resorts, combining a working port atmosphere with refreshingly pleasant seaside recreation. While it's primarily known as a major European port, the beach itself is great for hikers and cyclists looking for a unique coastal experience away from the crowds. It features a long stretch of sand backed by dunes, which, particularly when there are few other people about, has a somewhat wild and windswept character that’s unlike other Belgian coastal destinations. Come here to contemplate Belgium’s maritime importance as you watch large ships glide across the horizon and gaze out towards Zeebrugge Lighthouse (which isn’t open to the public) at the end of the Leopold II Dam. Got kids in tow? They’ll enjoy hunting for seashells on the expansive beachfront and splashing in the heated indoor swimming pool at three-star ibis Styles Zeebrugge hotel.

• Zeebrugge-Dorp railway station or on the Coastal Tram.

The eastern-most of Belgium’s beaches is tucked up against the Dutch border and acclaimed as the Saint-Tropez of the North Sea coast. Yes, Knokke-Heist is one of the smartest – and glitziest – beaches in Belgium. Its well-groomed shoreline is populated by equally chic visitors and peppered with stylish beach clubs and lidos selling Champagne at a rate of knots, while the elegant promenade offers up international boutiques (think Tommy Hilfiger and Polo Ralph Lauren), expensive lifestyle shops and art galleries.

Thankfully Knokke-Heist is not all about being clad in designer clothes, and you certainly don’t have to be a millionaire to visit. Although the vibe is sleek and lively, suiting night owls and party people, there are plenty of activities to keep kids busy without breaking the budget. Plonk yourselves on the golden sand – there’s no shortage of space – join in games of beach volleyball and tennis, or have a go at beach kiting on the expansive sweep of sand. Away from the sea, you can hire bikes to pedal east along tree-lined avenues lined with vast holiday homes to Zwin Natuur Park for a barefoot walk in the dunes, a picnic overlooking the waterways and the chance to spot white storks perching precariously on their nesting platforms.

• Knokke-Heist railway station or on the Coastal Tram.

If we’ve persuaded you to look beyond the beaches of the Med and Algarve for your holidays, perhaps you could take a look at destinations like Croatia and Corsica for your next sunshine escape? But don’t forget to start planning your trip to the beaches of Belgium!