Making the most of Oostende
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
The quay occupies the outer port, 500m from the open sea and relevant shipping lanes. It also adjoins Oostende city centre, placing visiting cruise ships in the heart of the City.
Oostende's city sights—including many monuments, the cathedral, Fort Napoleon, spa and pier promenade—are all within an easy walk of the Port. In the city marina, the graceful three-masted barquentine Mercator gives a fascinating view into local maritime history. The Casino and Wellington Hippodrome are other possible attractions.
Getting around
The tram is unquestionably the simplest and quickest transport along the Belgian coast. In summertime it runs every 10 minutes. From September until the 5th of November, during the Christmas and crocus holidays, and from Easter through the end of June, services run every 15 minutes. From the 5th of November, the interval is every 20 minutes.
Nearby places
Oostende is very well placed for shore trips, with medieval Bruges, Kortrijk and Ypres in its immediate neighbourhood. Visits to leading Belgian cities such as Ghent, the diamond city of Antwerp, and Brussels are easy to organise thanks to the high-speed rail link