Koksijde

Koksijde is a sea resort in West Flanders. It consists of Koksijde proper (with Koksijde-Bad and Sint-Idesbald as the coastal neighborhoods of the town), the seaside resort of Oostduinkerke and the rural village of Wulpen.

The seaside promenade

Museum of the Abbey of the Dunes

Understand

• 🌍 Tourist office, Zeelaan 303, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. 1 April-30 September: 9:00-12:00 and 13:30-17:30. 1 October-31 March: 9:00-12:00 and 13:30-16:30. (updated Jan 2016)

Get in

Even though there is a train station called Koksijde it is easier to continue until the train station of De Panne (the terminal station of that railway line) and hop on the coastal tram to Nieuwpoort. For direct trains from Bruges, Ghent and Brussels it may be easier to get off in Ostend and hop on the coastal tram there.

Get around

Coastal trams connect the resorts of Koksijde-Bad with Oostduinkerke-Bad. Close to the sea promenade there are several places where it's possible to rent bikes, but these might be closed on weekdays in the less busy winter months.

See

• 🌍 Museum of the Abbey of the Dunes, Koninklijke Prinslaan 6-8, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. (updated Oct 2015)
• 🌍 National Fisheries Museum, Pastoor Schmitzstraat 5, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. (updated Oct 2015)
• 🌍 Church of our Lady of the Dunes, Kerkplein. This modern church was constructed between 1958 and 1965 and is often referred to as the Cathedral of the Light as well as by its official title of Our Lady of the Dunes. The tower of the church reaches 40 meters high. (updated Jan 2016)
• 🌍 Casino, Casinoplein. The casino is one of the most important buildings in the town, located at the very heart of the municipality. It acts an entertainment venue, and throughout the week and weekends gives punters the chance to try their luck and try and win themselves dome big money. The casino also hosts a variety of cultural events and other entertainments in the high season. (updated Jan 2016)
• 🌍 Museum of Paul Delvaux, Paul Delvauxlaan 42, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Apr-Sep: daily except Mon 10.30—17:30; rest of year: Thu, Fri, weekends and holidays 10.30—17.30 - closed Jan-Mar and 25 Dec. Paul Delvaux (1897-1994) was a Belgian painter associated with surrealism and famous for his paintings of female nudes. The museum was opened in Sint-Idesbald in 1982 and provides the visitor with a general overview of Delvaux his works. (updated Jan 2016)

Do

Horseback shrimping

• 🌍 The highest dune of Belgium in Hoge Blekker. The highest dune of Belgium (33 meters high), lies in this preserved dune area in Koksijde. The dunes are a very pleasant surrounding for a walk thanks to its interesting flora and landscape. (updated Jan 2016)
• 🌍 Shrimp fishing. The coastline of Oostduinkerke is the only place in the world where horseback shrimping is still practiced. Fishery folklore is still very much alive in Oostduinkerke and nowadays the shrimpers are an important tourist attraction for visitors. (updated Jan 2016)
• 🌍 Golf Ter Hille, Hof Ter Hillestraat 2, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. November 1-March 31: 9:00 to 17:00. April 1-May 31 and September 1-October 31: 8:30 to 17:30. June 1-August 31: 8:30 to 18:30. This fairly new golf area offers two golf courses: one with 9 holes and one with 18 holes. It is located close to the historical village center of Oostduinkerke. (updated Jan 2016)

Events

• Vierdaagse van de IJzer: 20–23 August 2019. A 4 day long international march/hike organized by the Belgian Defence forces. This annual 'military exercise' is open to civilians and military members, Belgians as well as foreigners. A small subscription fee is required. Lodging options are organized by the event hosts, but must be paid for by those participating.

Buy

• 🌍 Market, Marktplein. Fridays from 7:00 or 8:00 to 13:00. Weekly market with both food and non-food stalls. (updated Jan 2016)

Eat

In Koksijde

• 🌍 Ten Bogaerde, Ten Bogaerdelaan 10 (on the road between Oostduinkerke and Nieuwpoort), ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Closed on Sundays, Mondays and Wednesday evenings. 
• 🌍 Apropos, Jaak van Buggenhoutlaan 26, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Located in a villa built in the 1930s. €57-€75. Lunch from €22. 
• 🌍 Mozart, Maurice Blieckstraat 6, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Menu for €21-€40, à la carte for €36-€89. 

In Oostduinkerke

• 🌍 't Wa Anders (the old village grocery has been transformed in a young and modern restaurant; eclectic menu with brasserie dishes and very good fresh fishes; reservation recommended), Polderstraat 116, Oostduinkerke (on the road between Oostduinkerke and Nieuwpoort), ☎ [phone]. 12:00—14:00 and 18:00—23:00; closed on Thu. €25-€50. 
• 🌍 't Zeilend Fornuis, Leopold II laan 200, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. (updated Jan 2016)

Drink

In Oostduinkerke

• 🌍 't Zand (they serve the famous Verdonck ice cream and also excellent waffles and pancakes), Zeedijk 443 (on the sea promenade), ☎ [phone]. €5-€10. 

Sleep

• 🌍 HI De Peerdevisser, Duinparklaan 41, ☎ [phone]. Check-in: until 21:00. Hostelling International hostel located in the beach resort of Oostduinkerke. dorm bed €23,50 (member price). (updated Jun 2017)
• 🌍 Casino Hotel, Maurice Blieckstraat 2, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. (updated Jan 2016)
• 🌍 Apostroff, Lejeunelaan 38, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. (updated Jan 2016)
• 🌍 Carnac, Koninklijke Baan 62, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. (updated Jan 2016)
• 🌍 Lehouck, Koninklijke Baan 122, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. (updated Jan 2016)
• 🌍 Sea Horse, Zeelaan 254, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. (updated Jan 2016)

Connect

• 🌍 Public library, Casinoplein 10, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 10:00-12:00 and 16:00-19:00. Wednesday and Saturday: 10:00-12:00 and 14:00-17:00. (updated Jan 2016)
• 🌍 Post office, Guido Gezelleplein 7, ☎ [phone]. M, W, F: 9:30—12:30 and 13:30—17:00. Tu, Th: 9:30—12:30 and 13:30—18:00. Sa: 9:30—13:00. (updated Jan 2016)

Go next

• Take the coastal tram and go to other seaside towns like De Panne, Nieuwpoort, Ostend or De Haan.
• If travelling by car, the towns of Veurne and Diksmuide are close by.