11 Activities
One Day in Belgium: Road Trip to the North Sea
Starts from
Lille
Transportation
By Car
Guidance
Self-Guided
Activities
11
Duration
11 hours
Length
32 mi
Guide details
Starts from
Lille
Transportation
By Car
Guidance
Self-Guided
Duration
11 hours
Length
32 mi
Sarah Dawalibi
Blogger
- Visit of WWI Museum in Ypres.
- Admire street-art murals in Ostend.
- Take some fresh air on the beach by the North Sea.
Get ready to spend a full day in Belgium, which is very easily reachable from Lille. In the morning, you will be discovering Ypres, worth visiting for its impressive landmarks reminding the First World War. In the afternoon, you will drive north all the way to Ostend, on the shores of the North Sea. Surprisingly, it is not only a seaside destination: it is the place of a few interesting art museums and, in addition, it is a paradise for street-art lovers.
Both Ypres and Ostend are located in the province of West Flanders, which is a Flemish-speaking part of Belgium. It will make your journey even more exotic!
Both Ypres and Ostend are located in the province of West Flanders, which is a Flemish-speaking part of Belgium. It will make your journey even more exotic!
Get ready to spend a full day in Belgium, which is very easily reachable from Lille. In the morning, you will be discovering Ypres, worth visiting for its impressive landmarks reminding the First World War. In the afternoon, you will drive north all the way to Ostend, on the shores of the North Sea. Surprisingly, it is not only a seaside destination: it is the place of a few interesting art museums and, in addition, it is a paradise for street-art lovers.
Both Ypres and Ostend are located in the province of West Flanders, which is a Flemish-speaking part of Belgium. It will make your journey even more exotic!
Both Ypres and Ostend are located in the province of West Flanders, which is a Flemish-speaking part of Belgium. It will make your journey even more exotic!
Sarah Dawalibi
Blogger
- Visit of WWI Museum in Ypres.
- Admire street-art murals in Ostend.
- Take some fresh air on the beach by the North Sea.
Day Itinerary
11 Activities
Day 1
32 mi2 mi
Visiting Ypres and Ostend in West Flanders
This one-day road trip will be rich in historical and artistic discoveries. Your first stop will be the town of Ypres, which played a major role during World War 1. Then, you will discover the seaside city of Ostend, which has so much more to offer than the beach.
09:155 min
Car Park
Parking
Open Details
You have arrived at Ypres, also known as Leper, its Flemish name. You can park your car here.
0.3 mi
5 min
09:3015 min
Menin Gate
Historic Site
Open Details
Start your visit of Ypres at the Menin Gate, a memorial dedicated to the British and Commonwealth soldiers killed in Ypres during World War I. The names of 55,000 soldiers with no known grave are engraved in its large Hall of Memory. Located on the eastern side of the town, this location was chosen because hundreds of thousands of men passed through it on their way to the battlefields.
0.4 mi
10 min
10:002 hrs
In Flanders Fields Museum
Museum
Open Details
Located in the Cloth Hall, the most beautiful and impressive building in Ypres, the "In Flanders Fields Museum" tells the story of the First World War. Using multimedia technologies such as videos, sounds and smells, it is a very interactive museum which offers a true immersion experience to visitors. Expect to be moved!
0.3 mi
5 min
12:151 hr
Marktcafé Les Halles
Restaurant
Open Details
Before leaving Ypres, you can enjoy a delicious lunch at this restaurant located on the market square, offering a good selection of Belgian beers.
0.2 mi
5 min
13:305 min
Car Park
Parking
Open Details
It's time to leave Ypres and head to your next destination, Ostend, on the shores of the North Sea.
32.1 mi
1 hr
14:455 min
Car Park
Parking
Open Details
You have arrived at the seaside city of Ostend. Don't be surprised by the differences in spelling: in English it's written Ostend, in Flemish Oostende and in French Ostende. Park here and go on exploring Ostend, visiting museums and art galleries, and, certainly, stroll calmly on the beach.
0.3 mi
10 min
15:0030 min
Mu.ZEE
Art Museum
Open Details
The Mu.ZEE is an interesting museum, focusing on modern and contemporary art in Belgium, from 1880 to the present days. The highlights of the collection are works of art of James Ensor, Léon Spilliaert and Constant Permeke. The museum is also hosting temporary exhibitions.
0.5 mi
15 min
15:4530 min
The Crystal Ship
Art Gallery
Open Details
The Crystal Ship is a street-art festival, taking place in Ostend each year since 2016. It has turned this lovely seaside town into one of the most beautiful open-air art gallery of Belgium. The best way to enjoy it is to download the map with all the mural locations on their website.
0.2 mi
5 min
16:3030 min
Ensor Museum
Art Museum
Open Details
If you are interested in art, don't miss this little museum celebrating Ostend's most renowned painter, James Ensor. Located in his former house, it offers a unique insight into the universe of this singular artist. You can book your ticket online.
0.2 mi
5 min
17:152 hrs
Strand Oostende
Beach
Open Details
Ostend used to be the favorite seaside resort of the Belgian aristocracy back in the 19th century. Nowadays, its 7km-long white sand beach offers many different activities. Walking toward west, you will find beach clubs, showers and sport centers. If you are tired of walking, you can rent a pedal cart for a funny ride along the promenade.
0.3 mi
5 min
19:301 hr
Histoires D'O
Restaurant
Open Details
Before going back to Lille, you can enjoy a diner in this brasserie, very popular for its fresh fish and typical seafood dishes. The outdoor terrace is very nice.