Bright sandy area with several white beach cabins arranged in a long line under a clear blue sky. A historic red brick building with a clock, surrounded by flower beds and a statue in the foreground.
Belgium

Knokke-Heist: Belgium’s Poshest Promenade

Knokke-Heist Town Hall: A Neo-Gothic Landmark.
 Knokke-Heist, Belgium, August 2022

Knokke-Heist is the last stop before the Dutch border. By the roadside, I spot a charming windmill—almost as if a piece of Holland had already drifted across.

Beyond that, Knokke-Heist delivers exactly what you'd expect from a Belgian seaside resort: a grand casino right on the beach, thousands of neatly lined-up white beach huts waiting patiently for summer guests, and, of course, the typical Belgian promenade architecture.

A particular highlight—or at the very least, an eye-catcher—is the bright yellow public restroom, cleverly combined with a lifeguard station. A building with a clear sense of priorities: first, take care of nature’s call, then worry about water safety.

Knokke-Heist is stylish without being overly extravagant, touristy without feeling chaotic. A border town—somewhere between Belgium and Holland, between tradition and modernity, between a casino and a windmill.

Map of Knokke-Heist
Bright sandy area with several white beach cabins arranged in a long line under a clear blue sky.
Rows of white beach cabins on the sandy shores of Knokke-Heist, a familiar sight along the Belgian coast during the summer months.
White beach huts line up against bright sand under a clear blue sky.
Rows of white beach cabins on the sandy shores of Knokke-Heist, a familiar sight along the Belgian coast during the summer months.
A historic brick building with a small tower, surrounded by modern structures and a cobblestone street.
The tourist information center in Knokke-Heist was built to resemble a lighthouse. Despite its historic look, the building was never used for navigation.
A view of a modern building with flags, colorful posters, and a sandy area in the foreground. A cyclist is passing by.
The Grand Casino Knokke, an Art Deco landmark, has been hosting entertainment and art events since the 1930s—just steps away from the sandy beach.
View of modern apartment buildings lining a broad promenade with flower beds and cyclists on the path.
A large, decorative waffle cone hangs from a beach hut. An empty chair is next to it, with an ice cream sign on the wall.
A wooden walkway leads to a sign reading Beach Number 1 and Welcome, flanked by sun umbrellas and palm trees.
A round, yellow lifeguard tower with an upper deck, surrounded by fine sand and a clear blue sky.
This bright yellow lifeguard station stands out against the sand and sea, a striking example of functional seaside architecture.
Yellow changing cabins with numbers on a round structure, featuring usage information and fees underneath.
A square metal frame stands in the sand, with calm water and a ship visible on the horizon in the background.
A windmill stands on a small hill, surrounded by greenery, a paved path, and steps leading up to it.
The Kalfmolen, a historic wooden windmill in Knokke-Heist, has stood on this site since 1951, replacing an earlier mill that dated back to the 17th century.
A historic red brick building with a clock, surrounded by flower beds and a statue in the foreground.
The town hall of Knokke-Heist, an eye-catching neo-Gothic building, stands behind the statue of Mayor Alfred Verwee, who played a key role in the town’s development.