Sights

Saint Peter and Saint Paul's church
When visitors arrive in Oostende from the railway station their attention is immediately captured by the twin towers of the Saint Peter and Saint Paul's church. This neo-gothic church, built in 1904-1905, was designed  by architect Delacenserie.
Inside the church is the mausoleum for Belgium's first queen Louise-Marie who died in Oostende in 1850.

The James Ensor House
This museum does not contain any works by James Ensor. However, it is the house where he spent most of his productive years. Ensor inherited the house from his uncle who had a shell shop there. After a restoration in the 1960's the house was opened to the public. On the ground floor the shell shop has been reconstructed. On the first floor there is a documentation center and the second floor is occupied by the lounge workshop of James Ensor himself.  Reproductions of Ensor's paintings can be seen here.

The Provincial Museum of Modern Art
This is one of the important Museums of Modern Art in Belgium. The collection offers an exquisite overview of the recent history of Belgian Art. The museum and its collection belong to the Province of West-Flanders.
The building itself is already remarkable. The museum is housed in a former department store built by Gaston Eysselinck.

Atlantikwall
The main attraction is the so-called 'Atlantikwall'. This is an impressive complex of tunnels and bunkers built by the German troops in both the First and the Second World War. In both wars the German forces had occupied the Belgian coast and this construction of bunkers and trenches was meant to defend their position against enemies coming from across the sea.

Fort Napoleon
The 'Fort Napoleon' in Oostende is the only still completely intact Napoleonic fortress left in Europe. The 'Fort' stands in the dunes north of the city center. In 1810 Napoleon Bonaparte, then Emperor of France, had it constructed during the French occupation of Belgium.
Fort Napoleon is one of the top venues in Oostende. It is situated next to the sea, with a superb terrace that offers a unique view of the port of Oostende and the city centre.

Visserskaai
For the visitor a stroll alongside the 'Visserskaai' is really a must. When coming from the railway station in the direction of the beach, one can first of all see the fisher-boats that wait here before their next trip begins. There is a large fisher harbor in Oostende. The most important part is the 'Fish-mine', a large fish market, where early in the morning the fresh North-Sea fish is sold to the fish retailers.
Just off the main road are numerous fish stands where the hungry visitor can find every possible fish preparation to eat while continuing his stroll alongside the quay until the beach. Almost halfway to the beach is a smaller fish market  - the 'Vistrap'- where larger specimen can be bought (mainly sole, plaice, shrimps).

Boat trips in Oostende:
Franlis
A view of Oostende from the sea.
In July and August the Franlis sails out from the Westerstaketsel.
Information: T. +32/59-70.62.94

Seastar
The Seastar will take you on a trip along the Belgian coastline. Departures daily in July and August at 12.30 p.m. and 5 p.m. from Visserskaai.
Information: T. +32/58-23.24.25

Yserstar
A wonderfully relaxing boat trip through the Flemish polder landscape to Bruges and back.
Departures daily in July and August at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. from the Prins Albertlaan. Bus connections from Visserskaai.
Information: T. +32/58-23.24.25