Bredene: All destinations, advice & information for your holidays!
In Bredene on the Belgian coast, no holiday wishes remain unfulfilled: The fine sandy beach invites you to swim and splash around, a hike through the magnificent landscape of West Flanders delights nature lovers. Bredene is also known for its numerous nudist beaches, where fans of nude bathing culture gather.
Table of contents
Bredene - Must-see attractions
Bredene Beach
Bredene is a small municipality in the West Flanders region. The dykeless village on the coast of Belgium is a popular seaside resort with an extensive sandy beach. This stretches over 4 km and forms a beautiful unity with the dunes. The beach of Bredene is divided into well-supervised sections. There you can swim, build sandcastles, ride horses, or engage in water sports. Numerous restaurants, bars, and kiosks, as well as the city of Bruges, about 21 km away, promise a varied stay.
Bredene Dunes
Bredene is a dykeless municipality on the coast of Belgium and a popular bathing and camping destination. The coastal village forms a harmonious unit of expansive dunes and natural sandy beaches that stretch 4 km along the beautiful North Sea coast. Dunes and beach invite you to walk, sunbathe, or ride. In addition, the magnificent sea entices you to a refreshing dip or water sports. Alternatively, visit the Fishermen's Chapel Onze-Lieve-Vrouw-Ter-Duinen, which showcases the importance of the North Sea for the residents.
Fort Napoleon
Since the year 2000, Fort Napoleon has been accessible as a museum. On the grounds, which were left to decay for decades, wild parties were initially held. Today, only the stone walls remember the fascinating history of this military base. But even silent witnesses can speak: On a guided tour, you will learn more about the past and the architecture of this unique structure. At Oosteroever, the east bank, a wealth of shops, cafes, and restaurants awaits you.
Spioenkop Observation Tower
The small Spioenkop observation tower is located above the dunes near Bredene on the Belgian coast and is very popular for short hikes. Those who feel like it can make a small stop here and look out over the Wenduine from about 30 meters high. You can reach the Spioenkop observation tower via a small hiking trail from the coast. This trail leads through the grass-covered dune and finally offers you a breathtaking view over Belgium's coast. The surrounding nature reserve measures about 157 hectares.
Dune forests
The dune forest Duinbossen originated in the 11th century when large sand drifts formed as soil. Stroll through the natural paradise where black pines, hawthorn, poplars, and many other plants grow. Many paths lead through the wooded dune landscape. In the forest, there is also a mountain bike trail created by the local bike club. Additionally, rare animals like the red wood ant and the coastal grasshopper are native. The dense bushes also provide a habitat for birds - nightingales and turtle doves have settled there.
Bredene city center
Typical for Bredene are the brick buildings, as you often find them on the Dutch coast. Especially around Duinenstraat in the district of Bredene aan Zee, numerous cafes and shopping opportunities line up. From here, the beach is very close. Not to be missed during a city stroll is the blue-and-white striped water tower. A small exhibition on the topic of water extraction is enticing here. History enthusiasts are drawn to Het Turkeyenhof. This former farmstead from the early 18th century houses a local history museum.
Bredene - Secret spots
Visit the Dunes Church in Bredene
Follow the coast from Bredene 10 km west, discover the massive tower and squat structure of the Onze-Lieve-Vrouw-ter-Duinenkerk on the beach of Ostend. The Duinenkerkje is located in a protected dune and polder landscape. Worth seeing are the neoclassical main altar from 1771 and the large baroque painting above it, depicting a shipwreck scene.
Hiking in the Paelsteenpanne
Hiking enthusiasts find a paradise in the damp dune valley at the foot of the Spanjaardduin. The area called Paelsteenpanne, surrounded by dunes, is flooded every winter. This creates a moist breeding ground for mosses and rare plants like saltwort and the overlooked orchid. In the other seasons, you can enjoy a true abundance of flowers here.
Excursion to the Ter Yde Nature Reserve
A nearly 25 km drive west along the coast takes you from Bredene to the Ter Yde nature reserve. The 80-hectare dune landscape is crisscrossed by hiking trails along various dune formations with diverse vegetation. Except for the red hiking trail, which is closed during the breeding season (mid-March to mid-July), you can explore all of them year-round.
Great view from the Vosseslag lighthouse
The 13-meter-high Vosseslag lighthouse enriches the coast between Bredene and De Haan with an attraction for young and old. The publicly accessible tower offers a magnificent view from its platform. And the green-and-white striped tower itself is also a worthwhile sight, thanks to the artistic redesign by Guillaume Bijl.
Bredene - In 3 days
Day 1
Your vacation in Bredene takes you to the Belgian North Sea coast of West Flanders. The long sandy beach with its wide dune belt is the main attraction of the coastal town, which has about 18,000 inhabitants, at any time of the year. Therefore, a first walk on the beach with a view of the roaring waves should definitely not be missed on the first day of vacation. In the warm summer months, a refreshing swim in the sea and the first sandcastle mark the best time of the year for the whole family. In the cooler season, enjoy the fresh breeze and the view of the North Sea during a short hike through the dunes. Afterwards, explore the lively town center. Especially around Duinenstraat, there is always something going on with many shopping opportunities, cafés, and restaurants. With a Belgian waffle in hand or a portion of typical Belgian fries, the vacation also starts off culinary on the right foot.
Day 2
On the second day of your vacation in Bredene, exciting history to touch and discover is on the agenda. As part of the former Atlantic Wall, some bunkers amidst the dunes still bear witness to the history of this line of defense during World War II. You can view these bunkers up close from the outside during walks. If you want to learn more about the topic, a visit to the Atlantic Wall Open-Air Museum with authentic bunkers, trenches, and many exciting background details is just right. The history around Bredene goes even further back with a visit to Fort Napoleon in Ostend, right at the exit of your holiday resort. This impressive fortress dates back to the time of the French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte and was built in the early 19th century. Today, the fortress houses an exhibition on the history of the fort and its surroundings, designed to be entertaining for children as well.
Day 3
On day 3, a sporty exploration of the surroundings with fun for young and old is on the program. The flat paths behind the coast and inland are perfect for excursions on two wheels with the whole family. A nearby destination is the family park De Sierk in the neighboring De Haan. This is a large playground entirely dedicated to the circus theme. A short bike ride to the lighthouse in Vosseslag, 4 km away, is worthwhile. From the viewing platform, you have a fantastic panoramic view over the North Sea and the dune landscape stretching inland. Very convenient for excursions is the Kusttram. This tram line connects the coastal towns along the Belgian North Sea coast. So, after long walks or bike rides, you can always take the tram back to Bredene. Back in the holiday resort, the day can be rounded off with a game of mini-golf behind the coast.