Blankenberge has more to offer than nice beaches. Everybody will enjoy a walk through the busy shopping streets of the center of the city. In earlier times Blankenberge was nothing more than a small fishermen village at the coast. Because of its rather strategic position, the little village was often plundered and destroyed. Also the sea sometimes proved to be not only a source of income, but also a source of destruction through flooding. It was in the 19th century that the small town became one of the first Belgian seaside-resorts visited by tourists. Around 1850 the first (but not the last) hotels were constructed. The main church of Blankenberge is the Saint-Anthony church which originates from the 14th century, but which was destroyed during the religious troubles in the 16th and 17th centuries. Nothing has been preserved of the medieval decoration.

The present church still possesses baroque paintings. The oldest preserved civil building is the 'Old Town Hall'. It was built in 1679 - 1680. It was constructed with materials from the former Spanish fortress. It was renovated around 1982 - 1984 and is now used for expositions. Another nice element : the 'Paravang'. This is an elegant wind-screen with benches alongside the Leopold park. It was built in 1908. The roof is very attractively built in neo-gothic style with glazed tiles and decoration in the form of shells. Visitors are also welcome in the 'Sea Life Center' with aquariums and an underwater tunnel where North-Sea animals can be seen. (situated at the Koning Albertlaan 116, open daily from 10 am till 6 or 9 pm) Blankenberge is the most popular sea-side resort in Belgium. It is very popular among day-trippers because it can be reached very easily from the center of the country by train. From the train station you can reach the beach after a short walking tour of 10 minutes through the main pedestrian shopping street of the city. The beach is about 3.3 Km long and 350 m wide at ebb-tide. Every 200 m there is a breakwater alongside the beach. Already in the 18th century Blankenberge was the favorite seaside-resort for the people of Bruges. The first hotels were built around 1850. In 1871 even the German 'Kaiser' came to Blankenberge to relax after the war against France.

Wikipedia articles for Blankenberge

• Blankenberge
• Uitkerke
• Lissewege