5. Knokke-Heist Beach
Together with Ostend, Knokke-Heist, near the Dutch border, is probably the most elegant seaside resort in Belgium, with its broad 12-kilometer-long beach that comprises one fifth of the Belgian coastline and boasts an attractive landscape of dunes and sea grasses. The most popular of Knokke-Heist’s four beaches are Albertstrand and Het Zoute («the salt»), and these beaches are where you will find most of the high-end resorts that the area is known for.
The beaches of Heist and Duinbergen are more laid-back, with Heist being most popular with families and locals. Duinbergen is also a favorite family beach and less crowded than the others, and it’s also popular with local and visiting artists for the same reason.
For visitors as interested in activities as they are in beach-lounging, Knokke-Heist Beach has excellent walking, hiking, and cycling potential. There are 10 cycle trails in the area and several walking trails. Two of the the best walks in the area are the Landelijke Knokke and the Polderwandeling, which both lead through the sand dunes. Knokke-Heist is about 19 kilometers northeast of Bruges.
6. Knokke
Although Belgians tend to flock to Knokke for its lively beach atmosphere, there is more to do here than just go sunbathing. In addition to having plenty of restaurants to choose from, art-lovers will enjoy exploring the town’s 85-plus galleries, as well as numerous public installations, including pieces on the beach and in the water. Knokke also hosts many international events, including an annual month-long series of prestigious horse shows known as the Knokke Hippique.
History fans visiting in summer should seek out the For Freedom Museum (91 Ramskapellestraat), which displays a series of exhibits and dioramas that tell the story of the battles of Flanders in World War II and the effect on the towns and villages of the region. The museum is unfortunately closed January through March, and only open weekends in November and December. Another good museum is Sincfala, dedicated to sharing information about the area’s cultural history with a focus on the lives of traditional fishermen. Knokke is about 19 kilometers northwest of Bruges.
