Pet-Friendly Attractions in Ostend

Ostend's 9 km sandy seafront promenade along the North Sea, anchored by the Kursaal casino-and-concert-hall complex at the centre. Open 24/7, leashed dogs welcome along the entire stretch and on the cafe terraces facing the sea. The Kursaal interior (gaming hall and concert hall) admits assistance dogs only.

The historic fishing quay along the inner harbour, with the open-air fish stalls and the moored Mercator, a 1932 three-master that served as Belgium's merchant-marine training ship and is now a museum. Leashed dogs welcome on the quay and around the ship exterior; the Mercator interior admits assistance dogs only.

Ostend's iconic 65 m white-and-red Lange Nelle ("Long Nelly") lighthouse stands on the eastern bank at the harbour mouth, visible from the centre across the water. The lighthouse base and the surrounding promenade are public open space, leashed dogs welcome free of charge; tower interior closed to the public.

The townhouse on Vlaanderenstraat where Belgian expressionist James Ensor lived from 1917 to his death in 1949, now a museum to the artist's life and work. The Vlaanderenstraat itself is a dog-friendly back-street with cafes and the dog-tolerant De Kombuis bistro, two minutes from the seafront; the museum interior admits assistance dogs only.