Happy TravellerWelcome to Blankenberge, a picturesque seaside city located in the Belgian province of West Flanders. Boasting a population of just under 20,000 people, Blankenberge is a popular tourist destination that attracts visitors from all over northern Europe. With its long sandy beach and iconic 350-meter art-deco pier, the Belgium Pier, constructed in 1933, Blankenberge is one of the most important seaside resorts on the Belgian coast in terms of tourist numbers and hotel reservations.
But Blankenberge is more than just a beach destination. The city has a rich historical and cultural heritage that dates back centuries. Fishing has been a mainstay of the local economy since the 11th century, and by the 12th century, the fishing fleet had more than 60 ships. Today, visitors can still see evidence of the city’s maritime history in the port area, which was rebuilt in 1955 to accommodate pleasure boats and now houses up to 1,000 boats.
Tourism has been a part of Blankenberge’s story since the 18th century, when tourists began flocking to the city for day trips from nearby Bruges. Bathing in the sea became popular in the 19th century under the influence of English tourism, and Blankenberge’s first bathing cabins appeared on the beach in 1838. Today, visitors can still admire the grand architecture of the city’s hotels and holiday villas, many of which were built during the Belle époque, a time when Blankenberge was the favorite holiday destination of the Belgian beau monde. The city’s impressive Casino Kursaal, built in 1859, is a must-see for any visitor interested in the history of Blankenberge’s tourism industry.
Blankenberge’s location on the North Sea coast makes it an ideal destination for nature lovers. The town is located below a seawall and promenade, and visitors can ascend steps to reach the sea from the town. East of Blankenberge are the Zeebos and De Fonteintjes nature reserves, while to the south is the Uitkerkse Polder nature reserve. The town’s wide beach with its seawall and promenade is also a popular spot for visitors.
Blankenberge is a city with a rich cultural heritage. The town has been visited by royalty, and even Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria was a regular visitor to the city. The tenor Enrico Caruso also performed in Blankenberge in 1910, and the city has been the location for several films, including ‘Franz’ (1971) by Jacques Brel and ‘Le Tout Nouveau Testament’ (2015) with Catherine Deneuve, Benoît Poelvoorde and François Damiens. Every year, the city hosts the World’s Largest Sand Sculpture Festival on the beach in June.
Whether you’re interested in history, culture, or simply soaking up the sun on the beach, Blankenberge is a destination that should be on every traveler’s bucket list. Come explore this hidden gem on the Belgian coast and discover all that it has to offer!
