This walk introduces you to the royal past of Ostend. Our kings regularly resided in Ostend. Leopold I rented a house there, his wife passed away there, was this the foundation for why Leopold II chose Ostend to build a royal chalet and let the world get acquainted with the queen of spa towns? The former Royal Villa has since become a health center. A few parks, statues, and the Belle Epoque district testify to this past, and a walk along the promenade where the high society used to stroll is, of course, a must. We take a walk through the small woods, along streets and squares, ending at the fishing quay.

Directions for the route to follow

For those coming by train, start at the station. King Albert was present at the first

use, the monograms can be seen on the walls to the left and right as you exit the ticket office. In front of you is the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul.

You cross the station square, at the water go left and follow the marina to the Kapellebrug. Ahead you’ll see the Mercator, city hall, and to the right the OLV College.

At the bridge, you go left, cross the road at the barracks and turn left - notice the war memorial. (In the distance to the left, you can see the columns of the Count de Smet de Nayer bridge).

At the PARKING MARIA HENDRIKAPARK, just past the bend, you enter the park, for this you take the Mandelabrug (those coming by car can start here). You arrive in the Maria Hendrika Park, (Queen and wife of Leopold II). On the left you see a cafeteria on a little island. (originally the Laiterietje)

Once over the bridge, go right, follow the arrow to the Mirror Lake, then first avenue left, in the lake there is a statue of Johan Tahon, the sun shines above the statue.

You turn left and follow the path around the water, past the shelter take the second exit left and then the first back right. You head towards the water tower. (notice the artwork The 3 Graces)

You turn left, past the water tower and further past the animal shelter. You come to a road, go right over the bridge, and continue to follow along the right – we arrive at the Koninginnelaan, once the connecting road between the royal chalet and the park. Notice the sculptures that once adorned the post office – destroyed in WWII.

You pass the Royal stables, current sports complex, to the two squares, Clementine and Stefanie - daughters of Leopold II, in the left square there is still a bust of Leopold II.

You turn back and enter Kairostraat left.

You take the 4th street left - Romestraat, (just past the intersection you have the Mu.Zee) then left into Amsterdamstraat.

We arrive at the Filip Van Maestrichtplein (corsair or sea captain) with the St. Joseph's Church (formerly the parish church of the royal family), also notice the Synagogue and the whispering trees, look for the little ears in the Plane trees. Further down Amsterdamstraat notice the facade at house number 63, formerly the building of the SEO (consumer cooperative Spareness, Economy, Ostend).

You go right into Peter Benoit street, cross Alfons Pieterslaan and go left.

You arrive at Petit Paris, go to Le Chatelet and turn right here – Koninginnelaan.

First street left, Velodrome street to the end (notice the Belle Epoque houses, also in the side streets)

Right into Sportstraat at the end, cross Koningin Astridlaan, notice the Wellington racecourse (originally Napoleon's Fort) and Thermal institute.

Go to the promenade and turn right (the King Boudewijn promenade), notice the Gaanderijen.

You pass the statue of Leopold II, (notice the severed hand), further on the one of King Boudewijn (between both in height The Royal villa, hard to see from the promenade).

Further along the promenade you will encounter several Belle Epoque villas, notice villa Maritza.

At Kemmelbergstraat (2nd street past Boudewijn) turn right – until the statue of Leopold III.

At the roundabout turn left and take the 2nd exit Karel Janssenstraat, first right into Leon Spilliaertstraat until the Atheneum.

Left into the park, first path left and then right and then again left – notice the sculptures and also the lion lying on a piece of the old ramparts. We exit the park at Leopold-III lane and cross it, notice in the middle “fat Mathilde” and ahead the cultural house De Post.

You go left into the lane until you reach Het Marie-Joseplein (daughter of King Albert I). Notice the bust of Beernaert (prime minister during Leopold II's term and also Nobel Prize winner).

You go right at Hotel Du Parc, you leave the MJ square and enter Adolf Buylstraat.

2nd street left – Christinastraat – you enter the building between house numbers 28 and 28b.

You arrive in Vlaanderenstraat, go left, you cross the intersection with Langestraat, notice to the right the boathouse, a little further the James Ensor Museum.

Right into Van Iseghemlaan and back right into Louisalaan, you cross left over the Eight Hours square.

Right into Sint-Niklaasstraat, at Langestraat left, house number 69 was the Residence of Leopold I,

now city museum.

Left into Kapucijnenstraat, notice the café De Zeegeuzen, a reference to the siege of Ostend.

Right into Hofstraat until the promenade, we turn right and continue until the station.

Notice: long Nelle (lighthouse), the fish ladder, Lucy Loes, ferry boat, St. Peter and St. Paul church, Water house, Iceland sailor the Amandine.