De Panne, Belgium's southernmost resort with the widest beach on the coast
De Panne, Belgium's southernmost seaside resort, lies right on the French border and combines a kilometre-wide beach with the unspoilt dunes of the Westhoek.
Where to stay: from a sea-view apartment to a campsite, see staying in De Panne.
Beaches and dunes
Nowhere on the Flemish coast is the beach as wide as it is here, and that makes all the difference straight away.
The widest beach on the coast: the sandy beaches stretch for nearly seven kilometres and run hundreds of metres deep at low tide. Room enough for sunbathing, swimming, long beach walks and water sports such as kitesurfing and sailing.
The sand desert: at the heart of the Westhoek reserve lies a vast drifting sand plain with no vegetation at all, where you could briefly imagine yourself in the Sahara. Unique in Western Europe and a much-loved photo spot. From the viewpoints in the dunes you can take in the whole landscape.
Swimming safely: during the bathing season lifeguards watch over the supervised zones, marked by beach flags. Outside those zones, take care: the currents along this coast can be treacherous.
The birthplace of land yachting
The broad, firm beach at De Panne once proved the perfect surface for an entirely new sport, and that tradition is still very much alive here.
It started here: De Panne is regarded as the birthplace of modern land yachting, where a light wheeled craft carries you across the sand powered by nothing but the wind. In 1898 the Dumont brothers introduced the sand yacht here.
Try it yourself: local clubs and schools run taster sessions for beginners, children included. After a short briefing you are racing across the beach yourself, a rush of adrenaline you will not soon forget. One of the clubs is the Royal Sand Yacht Club.
Racing on the sand: land yacht races regularly descend on the beach, a spectacular sight you can watch for free from the promenade.
Why here: the combination of a beach kilometres wide at low tide, a flat surface and a steady sea breeze makes De Panne one of the best places in Europe for this sport.
Attractions and sights
De Panne has a history and an architecture well worth discovering, spread throughout the town.
The Dumont district: this historic quarter, named after architect Albert Dumont, is a protected townscape and makes for an atmospheric walk past picturesque villas, typical cottages and leafy avenues from the early twentieth century. On the promenade, the 1923 villa L'Escale is now the Hotel Villa Escale.
Where the first king came ashore: in 1831 Leopold I set foot on Belgian soil here. A statue on the promenade commemorates that historic moment.
Wartime heritage close by: during the Second World War these beaches formed the southern end of the Dunkirk evacuation, a history you can still sense throughout the region. In Adinkerke, Museum Cabour tells the story of the Second World War and the Cold War, and you can read more on the history page.
Few resorts on the Flemish coast are as emphatically child-friendly as De Panne.
Plopsaland
An enchanting amusement park on the Belgian coast, full of fun and adventure for the whole family. Experience a world of magic with attractions for all ages, from thrilling roller coasters to fairy-tale carousels. What can you expect at Plopsaland in De Panne? - Meet Your Studio 100 Heroes: Meet popular characters such as ...
Discover a world of watery fun at Plopsaqua, the immersive water park in Adinkerke. Ideal for families and adventurers of all ages, Plopsaqua offers a unique combination of magic and swimming fun. What can you expect at Plopsaqua? - Spectacular Slides: Plopsaqua is home to a range of impressive slides, from fast slides ...
Plopsaland and Plopsaqua: on the edge of the village lies the Plopsaland theme park, with the subtropical Plopsaqua swimming pool next door.
The beach as a playground: the exceptionally wide, gently sloping beach is perfect for sandcastles, kite flying and paddling. At low tide shallow pools are left behind where the youngest can splash about safely.
People eat well on this coast, and in De Panne you taste a hint of France as well.
The liveliest streets: most restaurants, brasseries and terraces are on the Zeedijk, in the Zeelaan, the main shopping street, and at the start of the Nieuwpoortlaan. From a shrimp croquette with a sea view to dinner in the centre, it is all within walking distance.
Fish and seafood: the region's specialities are of course fresh fish and seafood, from mussels to fillet of sole, in restaurants that work with whatever came in that day.
The shrimp croquette: the benchmark of every coastal brasserie, made with grey North Sea shrimp and best enjoyed on a terrace with a sea view.
Belgian classics: give in to beef stew and chips, a waffle on the promenade or a cone of chips from the frituur, with a Belgian beer alongside.
French influences: thanks to the nearby border, French products turn up on the menus and in the shops too, from patisserie to wine.
Recreation and sport
Anyone wanting to be active can head off in every direction from De Panne, on land and on water.
Cycling and walking: countless cycle routes and walking routes take you along the coast, through the dunes and to the surrounding villages, even across the French border. You can hire a bike at Fietsverhuur Arizona Xtra, among others, and in the village itself you can walk through the Dumontwijk.
Water sports:surfing, kitesurfing and sailing are fixtures here thanks to the steady sea breeze, with hire and lessons available locally.
On horseback and on the green:horse riding on the beach is an experience in itself, and nearby lie fine golf courses set in dune and polder landscape.
Time to unwind: after an active day you can head to the wellness centres in the area.
Events
De Panne has a pronounced festive streak, and you notice it all year round.
Epiphany: in January the town gives itself over to its famous Three Kings celebration, one of the oldest traditions in the municipality.
Carnival: the annual carnival parade fills the streets with colour and music, with costumed groups and floats.
Land yacht races: on the wide beach, land yachts compete against each other in a spectacle that fits the town's history perfectly.
De Panne sits at a unique crossroads: the whole Flemish coast on one side and France on the other.
The start of the coastal tram: the coastal tram, the longest tram line in the world, begins in De Panne and carries you car-free all the way to Knokke-Heist, with every resort along the way as a possible stop.
Across the border: France literally begins at the end of the beach, with Bray-Dunes within walking distance and Dunkirk less than half an hour's drive away. From the Westerpunt at the end of the promenade you look straight into France.
Neighbours with character:Koksijde and its abbey ruins and Oostduinkerke with its horseback fishermen are just round the corner, while Nieuwpoort has the largest marina in northern Europe.
Towns full of history: ideal day trips include Ostend, the UNESCO heritage of Bruges and the moving wartime past of Ypres in the Westhoek.
Staying in De Panne
From an apartment with a sea view to a tent among the dunes, there is an option here for every budget.
Apartments by the sea: the most popular choice on the Flemish coast. An apartment on the promenade means waking up to a view of the surf.
Holiday homes and villas: anyone coming with the family or a larger group has plenty of room in a holiday home, often with a garden and within walking distance of the dunes.
Camping by the dunes: at the campsites nearby you sleep with the sound of wind and sea in the background. Have a look at the last minutes too for a sharp deal.
Practical information
A few things are handy to know before you set off for the coast.
Getting there: De Panne lies at the end of the E40, taking the exit towards Veurne. From the Netherlands you drive via Antwerp and Bruges, reaching the coast in around two hours; from France you come via the A16 and Dunkirk.
By train: De Panne has its own station, the terminus of the line from Brussels and Ghent. From there the coastal tram takes you to the beach and to Plopsaland in a matter of minutes.
Parking: in high season finding a space near the promenade takes patience, and charges often apply there too. Come early, or park a little further out and walk or cycle the last stretch.
Best time to visit: July and August are the busiest and warmest, but spring and autumn offer calm, beautiful light and empty beaches. Even in winter a bracing walk on the promenade followed by a hot chocolate comes highly recommended.
De Panne is a destination with something for everyone. Whether you are after relaxation on the beach, adventure in nature, cultural discoveries or fun for the whole family, you are certain to find it in this charming and lively resort.
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