Visit Ostend in 2 days

Where to Stay in Ostend

Where you stay in Ostend matters more than you might expect for a short two-day visit: choosing the right side of town saves precious hours and lets you soak up the sea air without wasting time in taxis. For a compact itinerary that includes the fish market, the historic ship and the seafront monuments, prioritize proximity over pretension — being a 10–15 minute walk from the main sights will turn a busy weekend into a relaxed one. Let your plan hinge on whether mornings on the beach or evenings in the center feel more important to you.

Ostend is pleasantly compact and easy to read: the long Albert I promenade frames the coast, a lively harbour and fish-dock area sits to one side, and the pedestrian city centre with shops, cafés and the main church fills the other. Most landmarks — the quay around the fish market, the statue-lined promenade with the National Monument to the Sailors and the museum ship the Mercator — are all within comfortable walking distance of each other. This tight layout means you can swap plans on the fly without losing half your day to travel.

If you want to be in the thick of the action choose a place near the quay and the Vistrap for early-morning fish markets and lively seafood stalls; it’s ideal if you want to begin days with local flavours. Staying on or just off the promenade near the monument keeps sunsets, the promenading crowd and the Mercator a short stroll away. For quieter evenings and easy access to the church with its notable altar (the city’s historic core and the equestrian statue of King Leopold I are here), pick the City Centre area where cafés and evening life are most concentrated.

Transport around Ostend is straightforward: the central train station sits a short walk from both beach and centre, the coastal Kusttram links neighbouring towns if you fancy a quick excursion, and local buses fill the gaps. If you’re driving, choose accommodation that mentions nearby parking; otherwise you’ll find most attractions walkable and bike rentals plentiful for a breezy alternative.

For two days, aim for convenience over frills. A seafront stay gives you sunrise and fresh air; a centre location keeps restaurants and evening sights within easy reach; a spot a little inland gives peace after a full day. Pick what will make your mornings easiest and evenings happiest, and you’ll leave Ostend feeling like you had time to breathe rather than rush. Safe travels — and enjoy the sea.

Getting Around Ostend

Ostend is wonderfully easy to navigate: it’s compact, flat, and served by a reliable network of De Lijn buses and the coastal Kusttram, with national trains run by SNCB/NMBS into Oostende station. Routes are frequent during the day, many stops are clearly signed in English, and the promenade makes walking between sights a pleasure. Whether you want the convenience of public transport or the fresh-air option of strolling between the harbour and the beach, you’ll find it straightforward and stress-free 🚇.

A practical tip about tickets will save you time: if you plan several short trips grab a day pass, otherwise single tickets work fine for one-offs. You can buy fares on board many buses and trams (card payments are usually accepted), at station machines, or through the De Lijn app and the SNCB app for trains. Don’t forget to validate your ticket or have it active — inspectors do check, and fines are real. Contactless payment is available on some services, which is handy if you prefer quick tap-and-go.

Google Maps is your friend here: it shows tram and bus lines, real-time departures, and walking directions that often combine a short tram ride with a scenic walk. For minute-by-minute accuracy the local De Lijn app can sometimes be better, but Google is excellent for planning door-to-door routes and comparing walking versus tram times 🗺️. I always double-check both if I’m on a tight schedule.

If you want to save money, mix walking with one or two tram hops instead of taking taxis. The coast is gorgeous and many POIs are within a comfortable walking radius, so you’ll save on fares and discover hidden cafés and views. A 24-hour ticket pays off fast if you plan museum visits, a harbour walk, and an evening stroll along the beach — plus it gives you the freedom to hop on and off the Kusttram for little detours.

Personal tip from experience: we arrived near Vistrap, checked the De Lijn app, and chose to walk to the National Monument to the Sailors because it was only about a ten-minute promenade — beautiful and direct. Later, tired and eager to reach the Altar, we bought a quick ticket on the tram, tapped with contactless, and hopped off a short ride later right by the site. The whole outing felt effortless: a little planning, a validated ticket, and you’ll move around Ostend like a local 🎫.

What to Pack for Ostend

Ostend is a compact, walkable city with wide promenades, grand architecture and manor houses to admire — and you’ll spend most of your time outdoors admiring sculptures and facades. I’ve done two-day stints here more than once: one trip I walked roughly 15 miles over two days and was out for 10+ hours each day taking photos, ducking into cafés and circling the seafront. Pack light but smart — here are the essentials that saved me stress and kept me comfortable.

1. Comfortable walking shoes (REQUIRED — e.g., Ecco Soft 7 or Merrell Moab 2): I learned this the hard way after a day on cobbles and promenade tiles — blisters shut my second afternoon down. A supportive shoe with good grip matters because you’ll cover long stretches between landmarks; on my 15-mile weekend, shoes with cushioning made the difference between enjoying a museum façade and limping back to the hotel.

2. Weather-appropriate clothing for Ostend (windproof layer + thin thermal): The North Sea wind bites even in late spring. On one chilly evening I was glad I’d packed a light windbreaker and a thin merino layer — without them I would have cut a planned manor-house walk short. You want layers: sun then breeze then possible spit of rain within a single afternoon.

3. Cross-body bag (anti-theft, water-resistant): I carry a small cross-body every time I travel coastal cities. Ostend’s esplanade and markets are crowded at peak times; having a zipped, close-to-body bag kept my wallet and phone safe while I photographed sculptures. It’s hands-free for sandwiches and maps, and I’ve never once worried about pickpockets when it’s snug against me.

4. Power bank (e.g., Anker 20,000 mAh): I was shooting architectural details and using maps all day — my phone would have died by noon without a 20,000 mAh bank. One of these typically gave me two full charges, so I could be out for 10+ hours taking photos and using transit apps without hunting for an outlet.

5. Travel power adapter (Type E for Belgium): Belgium uses Type E plugs (230V). On my first trip I forgot the adapter and wasted time at a hotel store — not fun when you need a charge before a late dinner. Bring a compact adapter so you can top up devices between explorations.

6. Optional: Packable umbrella or lightweight scarf: I alternate these depending on season. A tiny umbrella handled a sudden shower once; a large scarf doubled as a wind buffer and picnic blanket another time. Either one is small but can rescue a soggy or chilly afternoon by the sea.