Must Sea Surroundings
1. Diksmuide
Together with Ypres, Diksmuide was one of the most important cities during the First World War. The Belgians fought alongside the French against the Germans who wanted to reach the sea. The Iron Tower and the Death Row bear witness to those battles. By flooding the area of the Yser plain, they managed to stop the German advance.
Now the Iron Tower is a peace monument and you can visit the museum. Close to the Yser is the 'Death Row'. This is a network of more than a kilometre of Belgian trenches and bunkers. Thanks to the 'Dodengang', Belgian soldiers held out against the Germans. The site was completely restored with concrete structures. When you visit the trenches, they show you the life and suffering of front-line soldiers during World War I.
2. Yper
The Ypres region has plenty of World War I-related sights. One is the 'Last Post' which takes place under the Menin Gate. This is where they commemorate the fallen soldiers every day at 20h. Such a ceremony lasts just under 5-10 minutes. The Menin Gate is considered the overall symbol of World War I.
In addition, you also have the In Flanders Fields Museum. Here they bring the historical events on West Flanders front region of the First World War
3. Poperinge
During World War I, Poperinge was part of unoccupied Belgium, it was mainly a town where the British, Belgian and French soldiers sought relaxation, especially at Talbot House. Today, the Talbot House has been turned into a museum and you can go and visit.
Sometimes the soldiers sought a little too much relaxation according to military rules. Quite a few soldiers spent one or more nights on death row. They were convicted for drunkenness, disobedience, state noise, ... In some cases, it did not stop at the prison cell. At least four soldiers were executed in the courtyard for their actions. They are buried in Poperinge New Military Cemetery.
4. Tyne Cot Cemetery
The Tyne Cot Cemetery is a British military cemetery with World War I casualties and is about a 45-minute drive from Nieuwpoort. At the back of the site is a semi-circular Tyne Cot Memorial with the names of the 33 783 missing British soldiers and 1 176 missing New Zealanders.
In the centre of the grounds is the Cross of Sacrifice, the memorial cross. Between the Memorial to the missing and the Cross of Sacrifice is the Stone of Remembrance. A total of 11 957 dead are buried there, of whom 8 369 could no longer be identified.
5. German Cemetery/Studentenfriedhof
German Cemetery rests more than 44 000 German soldiers killed in World War I and is about 35 minutes' drive from Nieuwpoort.
The cemetery is divided into three parts. The first part and also the lowest part is called the Alter Friedhof. More than 10 100 fallen lie here, of whom more than 6 300 could be identified. Central is the comrade's grave, in which nearly 25 000 unidentified soldiers were buried. Around this are blocks with the names of the 17 000 soldiers who are certain to be buried in the mass grave. The northern part, the Einbettungsfriedhof Nord, has a further more than 9 000 identified soldiers.
6. Hill 60
Hill 60 is a hill where fierce fighting took place during World War I. The hill is part of the so-called Hooge van Wijtschate-Zillebeke. You can visit the memorial site freely. It is about a 50-minute drive from Nieuwpoort.
7. Bruges
Bruges is the capital of West Flanders and about 40 minutes' drive from Nieuwpoort. Bruges' city centre is surrounded by water. So a visit to Bruges is not complete without the boat trip on the Brugse reien. The boat takes a tour of Bruges' highlights and most beautiful spots.
The market square is the beating heart of Bruges and is characterised by the 83-metre-high Belfry. When you climb the Belfry, you get a wonderful panoramic view of Bruges, definitely worth it! On the square, you can admire the many colourful stepped gables while enjoying one of the many terraces.
8. Ostend
Feel like shopping at the coast? That is possible in Ostend! It is a 25-minute drive from Nieuwpoort. It has many unique boutiques and shopping addresses that are definitely worth a visit. The best shopping streets are Kapellestraat, Adolf Buylstraat and Vlaanderenstraat.
A day of shopping can easily be combined with other attractions in Ostend, such as the Rocky Strangers artworks, the sand sculpture festival, James Ensor House museum, the Venetian Galleries and the Casino Kursaal.
9. Koksijde
Koksijde is best known for their shrimp fishermen. The fishermen brave the wild sea every morning to fish fresh shrimps from the sea with their horse and trawl. It is the only place in the world where fishing is still done this way, and the custom belongs to the Unesco World Heritage Site.
In addition, Koksijde is a real paradise for sports enthusiasts. With more than 700 ha of nature reserve, you can walk and cycle endlessly. You also have the 'Koksijde Golf Ter Hille'. Here you can follow a free group initiation lesson every Saturday afternoon between 16.00 and 17.00. Registration is required.
10. De Panne
Need a breath of fresh air? You can do so in the Westhoek nature reserve. It covers some 340 hectares and is the oldest Flemish nature reserve. The Westhoek reserve is about a 25-minute drive from Nieuwpoort.
11. Ghent
Ghent is the ideal city for a day trip. Start your day on the water and join one of the boat trips on the Leie. Immerse yourself in the city's fascinating history.
Fancy seeing the city from above? Then be sure to visit the Gravensteen. Gravensteen is a medieval castle with a grim but very interesting history. You can climb all the way up the castle and enjoy stunning views over the city.
Time for a bite to eat and a drink, the Patershol is the perfect place for that. It is a cosy neighbourhood with charming, winding streets that immediately take you back to the Middle Ages. Still in the mood for a little snack? Stop at one of Ghent's Neuzekes stalls on the Groentenmarkt. To get from Nieuwpoort to Ghent, you're about a 55-minute drive away.
