From Nieuwpoort along the coast to Ostend

Visit two beautiful coastal towns in Belgium and enjoy the fresh air with the sound of the surf in the background. The route takes you from the town of Nieuwpoort to Ostend. The history of Ostend dates back to the ninth century, when the first traces of habitation were found. Fishermen lived from what the sea had to offer them and shepherds herded their animals across the fields. In 814, the then tiny village was donated to the Abbey of Saint-Bertinus in Saint-Omer, but in 1267 the town of Ostend was granted its own city rights. Despite this, Ostend had no walls, fortresses or strongholds to ward off enemies. In 1372, the city was fortified with palisades, but eventually the town lost out to an indestructible enemy and the inhabitants had to give up a large part of Ostend to constant floods and heavy storms. After a final, major flood, the city was largely relocated in 1447 and Ostend came to lie further away from the sea. Nieuwpoort itself has a pleasant old marina where beautiful yachts lie at anchor, but there are many more nice sights, such as the town hall built in the Flemish Renaissance style, a fish market, a historic lock complex that ensures the drainage of the polders (Ganzepoot) and various monuments and statues.