7. Oostduinkerke Beach
The promenade behind the beach is a bustling place, filled with pop-up vendors and restaurants along the pedestrian street, and for most of its length it is level with the beach, with no dunes in-between. At the far western end, the walkway becomes much narrower as it hides behind tall dunes covered in sand. As with most other Belgian beaches, there is a strong current here, and visitors should pay close attention to the color-coded flags that indicate safety levels.
This is a popular beach for water sports, especially windsurfing, and visitors will find plenty of places to rent equipment for the day.
Oostduinkerke is also known for its long-standing local fishing traditions, unique because the fishermen do their jobs on horseback. While in town, be sure to sample the fresh catch.
8. Nieuwpoort Beach
Visitors will find Nieuwpoort Beach to be one of the cleanest beaches in Belgium, both on land and in the water, thanks to local efforts to make it a prime destination. Grassy dunes line the beach, and a wide pedestrian-only area sits just behind them. At the eastern end of the beach there is a lighthouse and two long piers, which mark the entrance of the wide canal that welcomes both cargo and yachts into the city center.
Although you will find many modern hotels along the shore, Nieuwpoort also has several older buildings facing the water as well, making a stroll on the promenade a scenic one on both sides. Along here, you will find plenty of ocean-view restaurants, as well as several water sports rental shops and beach gear vendors. The piers are an excellent place for a stroll as well – they are wide and fully accessible.
The small city of Nieuwpoort itself has plenty to offer, including canal tours, and the medieval Old Town area, with its picturesque cobblestone streets and centuries-old houses. There are also numerous monuments here, as well as the UNESCO-listed Nieuwpoort Bell Tower.
