Frequently asked questions about beach in Westende

Access to and use of the beaches of Westende is (of course) free.

More information: https://westende.com/pdf/2012_folder_belgie_zon_zee_zorgeloos.pdf

All information about horse riding on the beach or in the environment (including local riding schools) can be found on the riding page: https://westende.com/en/horseback-riding.php

Most shops, beach clubs, bars, terraces and restaurants remain open during the weekends in the low season. Many are also open throughout the week.

Each year the low season in Westende begins after the autumn holidays till the beginning of the spring holidays. Several shops, beach clubs and restaurants use this period to rebuild, renew or for vacation. As a result, during this low season period, not all stores are opened every day.

Furthermore there is no general period when all the restaurants, bars and shops are closed. All entrepreneurs determine the temporary closure individually. Therefore is there are, also in the low season, enough shops and restaurants opened for you to enjoy.

[Answer in Dutch]

Barbecueën op het strand van Westende is door de lokale gemeente verboden. Dit is bepaald in de Algemene Politieverordening van de gemeente Middelkerke.

With regard to the public security fire (including a campfire, fire pit, grill or barbecue) is prohibited at all times on the beach of Westende.

• Dogs are prohibited on the beaches of Westende during the period 15 June till 15 September.
• Outside of the above mentioned period are only leased dogs allowed on the beaches of Westende.

Further, we also recommend reading the information board, with the local beach rules, which is often placed near every beach (entrance).

Nearest beach for dogs at Westende

Leashed dogs are allowed all year:

• from beach Rotonde in the direction Middelkerke;
• from beach Christal Palace in the direction Nieuwpoort.

Bredene is the first and only Belgian coastal town with a nude beach.

More information: https://bredene.org/en/beaches.php#nudist

Below is the location marked:

Display Nudistenstrand Bredene
on the map

All information about horse riding on the beach or in the environment (including local riding schools) can be found on the riding page: https://westende.com/en/horseback-riding.php

There are free showers at various beaches in Westende. Inter alia:
- https://westende.com/en/beach/1094/meeuwenlaan.html
- https://westende.com/en/beach/1093/priorijlaan.html

These beach showers are placed annually in early May and again removed from the beach at the end of September.

In Westende is hengelen van op het strand of van op een kunstwerk is verboden in de zones:
- Ten Westen van en in de onmiddellijke nabijheid van de strandhoofden op de Franselaan.
- Een strook van 100 meter ten oosten van de Louis Logierlaan, meer bepaald ten oosten van het gebouwde strandhoofd, aan de voet van de afrit naar het strand.
- Een strook van 100 meter ten oosten van de Oceaanlaan.

Hengelen van op het strand of van op de strandhoofden is verboden van 15 June tot en met 15 September, telkens van 10 uur tot 19 uur, in de zones die door de gemeente als badzone worden aangeduid. Dit verbod geldt over de volledige lengte van het strand en de zee tussen de strandhoofden van bedoelde zone.

De andere strandgebruikers mogen niet gehinderd worden door de activiteit van de hengelaar of diens lijnen of haken.

You can rent chairs, windbreakers and umbrellas at various beach pavilions in Westende.

Is kitesurfing allowed everywhere for the beaches of Westende or are there special beach areas?