Oostduinkerke
Visit Oostduinkerke for its unique coastal culture and wide sandy beaches.
About Oostduinkerke and why you should visit it
Oostduinkerke is a small Belgian seaside town on the North Sea coast in West Flanders, famous for its living tradition of horse-powered shrimp fishing and long stretches of sandy beach. The town is a practical travel destination for families, nature lovers and anyone interested in coastal heritage.
Beyond the beach you will find protected dunes, a compact centre with seafood stalls and cafés, and easy connections via the coastal tram to other towns along the shore, making it one of the more accessible places to see the Belgian coastline.
Accommodations in Oostduinkerke
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Popular things to do or visit and practical tips
See the shrimp fishermen on horseback in action, an activity inscribed on the UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage. If you time your visit right you can watch them ride into the surf at low tide and buy freshly caught gray shrimp at a market stall nearby. The town also hosts a small museum that explains the craft with artifacts and photos, which helps bring the practice to life.
For outdoor activities there are marked cycle routes and coastal walking paths through the dunes and nature reserves south of the town. Birdwatchers come here for migrating species in spring and autumn, and families appreciate the safe, shallow waters and the beach pavilions that serve seafood and fries.
Practical notes: the coastal tram runs frequently and makes it easy to hop to Koksijde, Nieuwpoort or De Panne in a single day, so you can explore more without driving. If you are searching for the "best hotel in Oostduinkerke" consider location first, since proximity to the beach and tram stops will save time. Pack a windbreaker for the brisk North Sea breezes; it helps more than you might think when clouds roll in once in a blue moon.
- Watch horse-powered shrimp trawling at low tide
- Walk or cycle the dune trails and nature reserves
- Ride the Kusttram to nearby coastal towns
- Visit the local seafood stalls and beach pavilions
Other cities around Belgium
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