ADVERTISING INFORMATION

Oostende is located on the North Sea coast, midway along the 40-mile Belgian coastline stretching from De Panne via Nieuwpoort - Westende - Middelkerke - Oostende - Den Haan - Blankenberge to Knokke. 

The port of Oostende is connected with the European inland waterways, via the canal Oostende-Bruges-Ghent. The settlement of maritime related companies or others, in one of the three new industrial areas along the canal, (see industries), can either be supplied by sea ships or river vessels. Everywhere, the atmosphere is warm and welcoming: at the fish and seafood stalls along the pier, which are open all year round, on the miniature railway and in the romantic horse-drawn carriages which, in season, run through the town during the numerous parades, festivals markets and fairs. Oostende is certainly cosmopolitan due to the fact that the ferry services attract people touring Europe on their way to Britain. The British tourists who flock to Oostende throughout the year have given Oostende the title "The most British town in Europe". This is not to say that the resort does not also become well populated in season with visitors from Holland, Germany, France and Luxembourg. 

Carnival in the city - Oostende is the carnival city par excellence of the Belgian coast. . The first weekend of March is carnival weekend in Oostende. In 1861 the club “Cercle Coecilia” started to organize a fancy-dress ball. Since then, people from all over Europe, and especially from Great-Britain, have come to this annual event, which provides the climax of the carnival.

In museum , you can find a collection of objects from de Neolithic and the Roman times. Next to many photographs , posters and pictures from the 19th century there is a maritime section, a Belle-Epoque section and a section from the First and Second World Wars. 

Prince Charles Memorial - Prince Charles Memorial, next to the museum, in honour of Prince Charles (1903 - 1983), Count of Flanders and Regent of Belgium ( 1944 - 1950), you can visit the excavation of a fishermen’ s village from the 14th, 15th and 16th centuries.

Marina's - The Royal Yacht Club Oostende disposes of 200 berths and is located in the outer port of Oostende at 500 meters from the open sea. The club house is a protected monument and breaths the atmosphere of the beginning of the century The largest marina of Oostende, consisting of two docks, has a unique location in the heart of the city. Once you have passed the lock, you can sail as far as the town hall or you can dock your yacht next to the shopping area of Oostende. No less than 320 berths are available and the most modern facilities are offered. North Sea Yacht is situated in the outer port of Oostende at close range of the open sea. This is a well-equipped marina with 120 berths fitted with the most modern accommodations

Transportation - The high speed catamarans from Hoverspeed , named the Diamant & the Rapide bring you from Ostende to Dover within two hours, (The ferries were named after members of the Belgian royal family such as the “ Princes Marie-Christine”, the “Prins Albert” , the “Prins Filip” Since last year there is the possibility to cross the Channel by catamaran. ) and Oostende airport has doubled its capacity during the last few years, this being for both the freight transport as well as the passenger traffic. The railway station of Oostende is linked to the European railway network allowing passengers who disembark in the port of Oostende to reach any destination in Europe. Cruise passengers have direct access to the passenger terminal in the railway station. This terminal is fitted with check-in and information desks and 150 seats. There is also a conveyor belt for luggage. The platforms of the trains are located at 50 metres from the exit of the terminal. The town centre and the beaches can be reached at 200 metres walking distance. The high-speed "'Thalys" rail link to Paris makes a day-trip to Paris or Euro Disney possible. A shuttle service to the international airport of Oostende is maintained.

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