Blankenberge is one of Belgium’s most popular coastal towns with a long beach and promenade. You can compare it with Scheveningen in the Netherlands. Some of its main assets are a great pier, a huge fine sand beach, a lively shopping center, and a fun casino. With the healthy sea air you can clear your mind easily in Blankenberge, Belgium. With beach huts and high-rise apartments, this Belgian town on the North Sea is one of the best-kept secrets in West Flanders.

Learn more about Blankenberge, Belgium including travel tips, what to do, where to eat and where to stay the night!

How to travel to Blankenberge, Belgium

Blankenberge is easy to reach by car and public transport. It is largely a coastal drive through France and into Belgium on the A16 and A10, about an hour and a half from Calais. E40 (direction Oostende) – exit 8 (Brugge/Zeebrugge) – N31 (direction Blankenberge) – N371. Parking in Blankenberge, Belgium is easy. You can park in the red zone at an hourly rate, in the orange zone for a maximum day rate, and up to a few hours in the blue zone using your parking disk.

Traveling by train? Take the Eurostar to Brussels Midi and then the local train to Blankenberge Railway station. At the Blankenberge Railway Station you can also find other direct trains to several major cities in Belgium including Bruges, Ghent, and Antwerp.

Getting around in Blankenberge, Belgium

The Coast Tram is a public transport service connecting the cities and towns along the entire Belgian coast, between De Panne and Knokke-Heist. The tram runs every 10 minutes during summer, every 15 minutes during autumn and spring, and every 20 minutes during winter. There are 4 stops in Blankenberge: Markt, Train Station, Pier, Sea Life and Duinse Polders.

Sightseeing in Blankenberge, Belgium

There are plenty of things to do in Blankeberge, Belgium. I have collected some fun things for you below:

Blankenberge Pier

Walking on the Pier is great! The pier is a unique construction consisting of a 350-metre-long pedestrian bridge leading to the well-known circular building where you can have a drink in the coffee house or visit the exhibition centre. You’ll for sure have a beautiful view over the sea!

Huisje van Majutte

Are you a cultural lover? Make sure to visit the Huisje van Majutte in Blankenberge. This beautiful, unique and old fisherman’s house provides you the opportunity to dive into the fishing history of Blankenberge. The owners are very friendly and are happy to tell you everything about this heritage site. Visiting the museum is free of charge. You can have a drink afterwards in a cosy setting. Looking for a local bite? Try the Slufferkoeken!

Free guided walking tours in Blankenberge

Discover the beauty of Blankenberge together with a guide. At regular times, free guided walking tours are available in Blankenberge, Belgium. The walks last about two hours. Participation is free and the walks are only for individual participants, not for groups.

Belle Eqoque Centrum in Blankenberge

The Belle Epoque Centrum is a quaint museum that will introduce you to the most beautiful time Belgium had in the 19th and 20th centuries: the belle époque. At the museum you can learn how Blankenberge developed into an important seaside resort with major architectural achievements such as the Casino, the Pier, the coastal villas and large hotels for the emerging tourism.

Blankenberge Beach

In Blankenberge, Belgium you can find a huge fine sand beach. The beach is clean and free windshields are offered during corona time. There are also sufficient lifeguards. 

Sea Life Blankenberge

At Sea Life Blankenberge you can explore many different types of fish and aquatic species from Belgian rivers and the North Sea. There are about 50 aquariums and a huge undersea tunnel that enables you to view the fish from below as if on the seabed. Try to spot some sharks, piranhas or seahorses!

Blankenberge Harbour

One of my favourite spots is certainly the harbour in Blankenberge, Belgium. Fishing boats and yachts come and go. Just sit on one of the benches beside the water and watch how the shrimp catches are brought ashore. The view will never bore you!

St. Antonius Church (Blankenberge St. Antoniuskerk)

You might also like visiting the Blankenberge church. The church was consecrated in 1358 and has a beautiful structure.

Uitkerkse Harbour

Between Blankenberge and De Haan and the quiet polder villages of Zuienkerke and Nieuwmunster lies a centuries’ old meadow landscape known as the Uitkerkse Polder. The landscape is a beautiful place for walking or bicycle riding. Without having to walk for miles, you will find three bird hides in the neighbourhood of the visitor centre. Thousands of wild geese arrive in Uitkerkse Polder every year to spend the winter months. After the walk, you can visit a multimedia exhibition or have a drink.

Shopping at Blankenberge’s Grote Markt

The lively Grote Markt is held every Friday throughout the year and also each Monday during the summer. At the market you can find everything from seafood to Belgian chocolates, souvenirs, and fashion accessories.

Shopping in Blankenberge

Blankenberge is an ideal shopping destination. Most of the shops in the town centre open on Sundays too. During the high season there are plenty of evening markets and flea markets to visit.

Seaside Flower Festival in Blankenberge

Visiting Blankenberge in August? You might be lucky to spot the annual seaside flower festival held on the last Sunday of August. At the festival you can expect to see more than 50 carnival floats, elaborately decorated with hundreds of thousands of fresh blooms, accompanied by marching bands, and dancing locals.

Blankenberge Casino

If you like some exciting gambling, you can visit Blankenberge casino. The entry is for free. I always like to visit a casino in a new place.

Other things to do in Blankenberge, Belgium

Other fun activities to do in Blankenberge, Belgium are visiting the black light mini golf at Goolft, cycling around the Merry bicycle track with crazy bikes, visiting the amusement hall and bowling centre, or visiting the Dairy museum where over 350 years of cheese and butter making and culture is presented.

Where to eat in Blankenberge, Belgium?

Looking for a place to eat in Blankenberge? Dine at any one of the restaurants or hotels at the promenade overlooking the rows of beach huts and watch as the sun goes down over the water.

Where to stay in Blankenberge, Belgium?

Are you looking for a luxurious and comfortable hotel suite in Blankenberge? Or perhaps a night in a charming B&B? Have a look at the option below to plan your overnight stay in Blankenberge:

Luxurious: The Aazaert Hotel is a four-star hotel with impressive attention to detail.

Mid-range: The Hotel Du Commerce is a family-orientated hotel and known for its friendly and attentive staff. Another great mid-range choice is The Hotel Beach Palace.

On a budget: Hotel Tropicana is a family-run hotel that has eclectic décor, hardwood floors and a bar with oodles of character. Another valued budget hotel is Hotel Franky.

Camping: Rather back to basics or a night in the natural environment on a campsite? There are plenty of campsites to find in Blankenberge, Belgium.

Author: Daphne

This article is part of the GPSmyCity iOS app. You can download it, read this article offline and obtain travel directions (by foot, car or bicycle) to the places mentioned in this article. Click here to download it.

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