Belgian coast by tram
Photo: Jannis Raabe, CC BY 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Stretching from Knokke to Adinkerke, the Kusttram (Dutch for "Coast Tram") makes it possible to travel almost the entire length of the Belgian coast by tram. The 67-km (42-mi) journey through coastal Flanders takes slightly under two and a half hours non-stop. However, if you take it a bit more slowly, you'll be rewarded with access to many of the top Flemish attractions: maritime sites, World War I heritage, tramway history, Belle-Époque architecture, and dune landscapes.
UnderstandBelgium's coastal tramline runs from the train station of Knokke-Heist, via Zeebrugge, Blankenberge, Ostend, Nieuwpoort and Koksijde, to De Panne, making it possible to visit almost all of the Belgian coast, excluding…
PrepareThe trip goes through built-up areas with shops, restaurants and other services so you don't need to make any big preparations.
Get inOstend has an airport, Ostend-Bruges International Airport OST, but it mostly receives cargo traffic. A much more sensible option would be to fly to Brussels Airport and take a car or train from there.
Knokke — BlankenbergeStarting just north of Knokke's railway station, the eastern terminus of the Kusttram, Knokke, Station {{rint|be|rail}}, can be found opposite the Sint-Margarethakerk.
Blankenberge — BredeneLeaving Blankenberge, you find yourself in Harendijke, which contains more vacation homes than it does normal houses. Serving these and two panorama viewpoints is {{handicap-icon|size=16px}} Wenduine, Harendijke.
OstendAs you cross the canal into Ostend (Oostende in Dutch), the first landmark you encounter is the building of the Royal Yacht Club d'Ostende (RYCO).
Raversijde — Nieuwpoort-StadFollowing the beach promenade and the sea dike, you pass {{handicap-icon|size=16px}} Raversijde, Middenlaan, for which the Flemish name Raversyde is also used locally.
Nieuwpoort-Bad — De Panne{{handicap-icon|size=16px}} Nieuwpoort, Zonnebloem lies within Nieuwpoort, but largely serves the surrounding dunes.
Stay safeIn Belgium, trams have priority over every other road user, including cyclists and pedestrians. Even when using a zebra crossing, you have to give way to an oncoming tram.
Go nextFrom De Panne, the French city of Dunkirk, a place that has seen many wars throughout history, isn't too far away.
Sources and licences
- Guide text adapted from the Wikivoyage article "Belgian coast by tram" by its contributors, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read on Wikivoyage · Contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Photo: Jannis Raabe, CC BY 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons