Koksijde: Dune Landscapes, Beach Fishing and Abbey History

Koksijde offers several distinct points of interest to help you plan your trip: the De Noordduinen dune landscape, traces of the Duinenabdij, a protected parish church and traditional beach fishing. Consider whether you would like to focus your stay more on landscapes and walking, cultural history or watching activities on the beach. This will help you tailor your search for a hotel in Koksijde to the things that genuinely interest you.

Dune Landscapes and Walking Routes

De Noordduinen covers 102 hectares in the municipality of Koksijde, between Koksijde-Dorp and Koksijde-Bad. Most of the area is protected under the European Habitats Directive. Another landscape feature is Ten Bogaerde: the dune-polder transition in Veurne and Koksijde is protected as a landscape. The names emphasize different things: De Noordduinen refers to the area between two districts of Koksijde, while Ten Bogaerde refers to a dune-polder transition in two municipalities.

If you would like to explore on foot, you can also consider the artiestenwandelroute and the IJslandvaarderswandelroute. Both pass through De Noordduinen, among other places. If you plan to take one of these routes, check the current route before setting out, as routes can change.

Traces of the Duinenabdij and Protected Monuments

The Zuid-Abdijmolen stands on the site where one of the two mills of the Duinenabdij once stood. At the mill, you can watch grain being ground into flour. On the “Leven in de middeleeuwse Duinenabdij” tour, you visit the archaeological site of the Duinenabdij and its associated museum. This offers a chance to see both the site and the museum if you are interested in the history of the abbey.

The Abdijmuseum Ten Duinen is about a 750-metre walk from the “Ster der Zee” tram stop. If you plan to travel by tram, check the current timetable in advance. The Sint-Pieter parish church in Koksijde is also a protected monument and adds to the town’s cultural and historical points of interest.

The flour ground at the Zuid-Abdijmolen is used by the Tyteca bakery in Koksijde-dorp to make culinary products, which are offered to tourists. If this offering is important to your plans, check in advance whether it will be available during your visit.

Beach Fishing on the Wide Beaches

On the wide beaches of Koksijde and Oostduinkerke, you can watch beach fishers using various forms of beach fishing. These include kruwen, setting nets, angling and digging for bait. These examples represent different techniques within the same local tradition. If you are interested in these practices, you can also make time for them when planning your trip.

Plan Your Hotel Stay Around Your Interests

These topics appeal to different interests and give you a concrete starting point for planning your stay around your own priorities and comparing hotel offers.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Oostduinkerke, Oudenburg, Menen, Waregem, Blankenberge, Veurne, Staden, Nieuwpoort.

For the overview of the wider region: West Flanders.