🇧🇪Koksijde

Koksijde is Belgium's best-kept family beach secret: wide sandy beaches, towering dunes, interactive museums, and the world's only horseback shrimp fishing tradition.

Your family guide

Koksijde with kids: dunes, beaches and horseback shrimp fishing

“Wide beaches, Belgium's tallest dune and horses that fish for shrimp. Koksijde keeps the Belgian coast interesting.”

— San & Jo

Koksijde is one of those Belgian coast towns that quietly gets everything right for families. You get wide, sandy beaches that are safe for paddling, enormous dunes your kids can scramble up, and a laid-back vibe that makes it feel like a proper escape rather than a crowded resort. It is less hectic than some of the bigger coastal towns, which means more space on the beach and fewer queues at the ice cream stand.

What makes Koksijde genuinely special is the mix of nature and culture you find right on your doorstep. In the morning your family can hike through the Westhoek nature reserve or climb Hoge Blekker, the highest dune on the Belgian coast. In the afternoon you can visit an interactive fishing museum or discover the surrealist world of painter Paul Delvaux. And in between, there are fresh shrimp croquettes and proper Belgian fries waiting for you at almost every turn.

The horseback shrimp fishing tradition here is UNESCO-recognised and unlike anything most kids will have seen before. Fishermen ride their heavy horses right into the North Sea to drag nets for grey shrimp, and watching it happen is one of those travel moments that sticks with the whole family. Koksijde earns its place as one of Belgium's best family beach destinations, and once you visit, you'll understand why it draws so many families back.

West FlandersBelgian North Sea coast

April to SeptemberBest time to visit

Belgian Coast TramConnects to Ostend and beyond

Best things to do

Best things to do in Koksijde

Watch the horseback shrimp fishermen

This UNESCO-recognised tradition is Koksijde's most iconic sight. Fishermen ride sturdy horses into the North Sea, dragging nets behind them to catch grey North Sea shrimp. It is a living piece of history that genuinely captivates children, and the Navigo museum tells the full story with interactive exhibits, aquariums, and even Morse code activities.

Check local event listings for fishing demonstrations

1-2 hours

Climb Hoge Blekker

At 33 metres, Hoge Blekker is the highest dune on the entire Belgian coast. The climb is short but rewarding, and the panoramic views over the dune landscape make it worth every step. Kids love the sense of achievement at the top, and the surrounding dune area is perfect for a longer wander afterwards.

Go early morning for the best light and fewest visitors

1-2 hours

Explore the Westhoek Nature Reserve

The Westhoek is one of the most remarkable coastal nature reserves in Belgium, with mudflats, salt marshes, polders, and rare dune ecosystems all packed into one area. It is ideal for a family hike or a relaxed cycle, and the landscape feels genuinely wild despite being minutes from the beach.

Bring binoculars for birdwatching in the salt marshes

2-3 hours

Hit the beach and boardwalk

Koksijde's beaches are wide, sandy, and well-suited for families. The boardwalk runs along the seafront with colourful parks nearby, and the whole area is easily explored on foot or by bike. The Belgian Coast Tram stops right here, making it simple to combine a beach day with visits to neighbouring coastal towns.

The beach is noticeably quieter here than in Ostend or De Panne

Half day

Visit Navigo, the National Fisheries Museum

Navigo is one of the best family museums on the Belgian coast. It features a real fishing boat (the Martha OD.1), live aquariums, hands-on Morse code activities, and exhibits on the history of Flemish sea fishing. The horseback shrimp fishing tradition gets its own dedicated section, which is a great complement to seeing it live.

The aquariums are a hit with younger children

1.5-2 hours

Discover the Dune Abbey (Ten Duinen)

Founded in 1107, the Cistercian Dune Abbey is one of the most historically significant abbeys in the Low Countries. The Abdijmuseum Ten Duinen brings the site to life with restored archaeological remains, liturgical artefacts, and displays on daily monk life. It is surprisingly engaging for families who enjoy a bit of history with their holiday.

The outdoor archaeological site is free to walk around

1-2 hours

Step into the surreal world of Paul Delvaux

The Museum Paul Delvaux in the Sint-Idesbald district holds the world's largest collection of works by Belgian surrealist painter Paul Delvaux. The dreamlike paintings spark great conversations with older children, and the museum also displays photos and personal inspirations from Delvaux's life. It sits in a quieter, residential part of Koksijde that is worth exploring.

Sint-Idesbald itself is a lovely, calm neighbourhood for a stroll

1-1.5 hours

Our verdict

How Koksijde scores for families

Kids

Wide beaches, climbable dunes, interactive museums, and a UNESCO fishing tradition make this a genuinely brilliant destination for children of all ages.

Culture

A world-class surrealist museum, a 12th-century Cistercian abbey, and a living UNESCO tradition give Koksijde surprising cultural depth for a beach town.

Food

Fresh shrimp, mussels, Belgian fries, and waffles are everywhere. The seafood focus is strong and the quality is high, though options are mostly traditional rather than diverse.

Nature

The Westhoek reserve and the extensive dune landscape are genuinely impressive. Koksijde punches well above its weight for coastal nature.

Budget

Beach days and dune hikes are free, but seafood restaurants and museum entry fees add up. Mid-range overall, with affordable snack options widely available.

Planning your visit

How long should you stay in Koksijde?

1 day

Quick visit

Beach time, a dune climb, and fresh frites on the boardwalk. You will get a feel for the place but not much more.

sweet spot

2 days

Sweet spot

Two days lets you cover the beach, Hoge Blekker, Navigo, the Dune Abbey, and still have time for a proper seafood dinner. This is how most families do Koksijde.

5 days

Full week

Stay a full week and use Koksijde as your base for the whole Belgian coast. The Coast Tram makes it easy to day-trip to Ostend, De Panne, and beyond.

Fun facts

Things to know about Koksijde

Horses that fish

The horseback shrimp fishermen of Koksijde-Oostduinkerke ride their horses directly into the North Sea to catch grey shrimp in nets. UNESCO added this tradition to its Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2013, making it one of Belgium's most recognised living traditions.

The tallest dune in Belgium

Hoge Blekker stands 33 metres tall and holds the title of the highest dune on the entire Belgian coast. That might not sound enormous, but when you are climbing it with small legs and a sea wind in your face, it feels like a proper adventure.

A whole museum for one surrealist

Paul Delvaux was born in Belgium in 1897 and became famous for his dreamlike, mysterious paintings. The museum in Sint-Idesbald dedicated entirely to his work holds the largest collection of Delvaux pieces anywhere in the world, with hundreds of paintings, drawings, and personal photographs.

Taste Koksijde

What to eat in Koksijde with your family

Shrimp croquettes (garnaalkroketten)

Must try

Estaminet de Peerdevisscher

Homemade shrimp croquettes are a Belgian coastal classic and Koksijde does them particularly well. Crispy on the outside, creamy and packed with North Sea grey shrimp on the inside. Order them as a starter and watch your kids fight over the last one.

Shrimp tapas with Belgian beer

Local favourite

Estaminet de Peerdevisscher

The local estaminets serve shrimp tapas alongside a rotating selection of special Belgian beers for the grown-ups. De Peerdevisscher is the most well-known spot for this, with terrace dining and affordable bar fare that works well for the whole family.

Fresh lobster and North Sea fish

Safe choice

De Huifkar

De Huifkar is listed in the Michelin Guide and features live lobsters in an on-site tank, alongside fresh fish and a vintage-modern dining room. It is a treat rather than an everyday stop, but worth it for a special family dinner.

Belgian fries with sauces

Daily treat

Beach boardwalk frietkoten

No trip to Koksijde is complete without a cone of proper Belgian fries. Thick-cut, double-fried, and served with a choice of sauces, they are available all along the beachfront and boardwalk. Kids universally approve.

Local seafood and Belgian fare

Kids love it

Oh Restaurant

Oh Restaurant is a popular choice among visitors for its strong focus on local seafood and classic Belgian dishes. It has consistently good visitor ratings and makes a reliable choice for families who want a proper sit-down meal without any fuss.

More places in The Belgian Coast

5 places

Blankenberge

Blankenberge is a classic Belgian seaside resort with wide sandy beaches, SEA LIFE aquarium, a historic pier, and some of the freshest seafood on the North Sea coast.