Oostende

Situated midway along the coast of Belgium, Oostende has for a long time been a major harbour, with passenger ferries and fishing boats its main traffic. Originally a small fishing village, it gradually developed as an important port due to its strategic location and often saw turbulent times as a result, being occupied by various foreign powers vying for control of the seas. It rose to prominence in the mid 19th century with the building of the railway line to Brussels and the opening of the passenger sea crossing to Dover, and was given a further boost when it became the favourite holiday destination of Kings Leopold I and II, subsequently attracting aristocratic travellers from all over Belgium. This earned it the nickname ‘the Queen of the Belgian Coast’. It’s still as fashionable as ever among Belgians and is now visited by millions of British holidaymakers every year.