While Ostend is often dubbed the queen of Belgium’s seaside resorts, the country’s coastline offers many other gems worth discovering. In this series, Belga English explores four distinctive
coastal towns. Today’s spotlight is on De Panne — a seaside haven with royal roots and a modern flair for tourism.
A royal beginning
Located at Belgium’s western edge near the French border, De Panne holds historical significance as the place where Belgium’s first king, Leopold I, first set foot on Belgian soil. He arrived via Calais from England, a moment now honored by the Leopold I Esplanade and its statue of the monarch.
De Panne's royal ties don’t end there. During World War I, the Belgian royal family resided in this corner of unoccupied Belgium, effectively making De Panne the symbolic capital of the free country at the time.
Nature takes the lead
Today, De Panne is all about leisure and nature. Its beach is the widest in Belgium — at low tide, it stretches to an impressive 425 meters. Whether you're into sunbathing, beach walks, kite flying, horse riding, or land sailing, there’s plenty of room for everyone.
Beyond the beach lies the Westhoek Nature Reserve, home to the largest continuous dune area on the Belgian coast. With 11km of walking trails and a variety of dune vegetation, the landscape constantly shifts, giving walkers the sense of being in a natural wonderland — and at times, even a desert.
One of the must-see features within the dunes is the Westerpunt, an artistic structure that links beach and dunes and offers sweeping 360° views of the area.
Architectural charm
A short stroll inland leads to the Dumont district, a charming and protected neighborhood with more than 500 villa-style homes, many built in a rustic, country-cottage aesthetic. It’s a tranquil area that reflects De Panne’s early 20th-century elegance.
Culture and curiosities
De Panne also boasts several intriguing museums. The Tram Museum offers a look back at vintage trams — and even the chance to ride one. For history buffs, the Museum Cabour WOII and 2/4 Lansiers explores local events during World War II and the story of Belgium’s 2nd and 4th Lancer Regiments.
To explore the town’s maritime roots, De Viswinkel Retro House — a former fishmonger’s shop — showcases De Panne’s fishing heritage.
A recent addition to the Duinpanne Visitor Centre is capturing attention: the skeleton of a male orca named Reveil, which washed ashore between De Panne and Koksijde two years ago. Now part of the Sea Change exhibition, the orca is a striking reminder of the ocean’s power and fragility.
Family fun at Plopsaland
Families flock to Plopsaland De Panne, a theme park inspired by popular Belgian children’s TV characters like Plop the Gnome, Big & Betsy, and Wizzy & Woppy. Right next door is Plopsaqua, a water park filled with slides, pools, and splash zones. Photo by Jérémy-Günther-Heinz Jähnick, Wikimedia commons.