Large, red-orange sculptures stand in an open space as visitors walk around them in the sunlight. A long pedestrian walkway with arched windows, lined with columns, featuring people strolling along the paved path.
Belgium

Ostend: The Queen of Seaside Resorts

A Walk Fit for Royalty: The Timeless Elegance of Ostend’s Galleries.
 Ostend, Belgium, August 2022

Ostend has space. A 20-meter-wide promenade, a 400-meter-long colonnade, a neo-Gothic church, a floral clock, and over 300 restaurants scattered somewhere in between. The Kursaal and Casino serve as reminders that Ostend was once the glamorous heart of Belgium’s coastline—and still, quietly, sees itself as the queen of seaside resorts.

But Ostend isn’t about perfection. On the day I visited, scaffolding covered the colonnade, construction fences dominated the view. Instead, another attraction on the promenade caught my attention: "Rock Strangers", a sculpture of massive, crumpled red metal blocks. Like giant scraps of packaging discarded by some careless titan. A stark contrast to the town’s classic seaside architecture—but perhaps that’s exactly why it fits. Ostend isn’t just a façade.

The city is big, busy, and a little rough around the edges. Not a polished postcard scene, but a place with character, where old and new, elegance and everyday life, seaside tradition and modern art blend effortlessly. A queen who has no plans to step down anytime soon.

Map of Ostend
A large Gothic cathedral with two tall towers and a large rose window. A person walks by with a dog.
St. Peter and Paul Church, Ostend: This neo-Gothic masterpiece, completed in 1905, dominates the city skyline with its twin spires and intricate stonework, inspired by Cologne Cathedral. In front, a man and his dog casually stroll past, unimpressed by the grandeur.
A statue of a figure in a long robe stands among green bushes, with an anchor in the foreground.
In a park next to the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul stands the sandstone Paster-Pype Monument from 1939.
Bright church interior featuring stained glass windows, a central altar area, and wooden chairs in the foreground.
A stone gargoyle with wings and an animal-like face, set against a historic brick wall.
A detailed view of an impressive Gothic church featuring tall windows and ornate stonework under a blue sky.
A colorful flowerbed with the number 2022 in the foreground and a large compass design behind, surrounded by green bushes.
A tall, red brick church with a pointed steeple stands at the end of a tree-lined street, with cars parked along the side.
St. Joseph’s Church in Ostend: This neo-Gothic landmark, completed in the late 19th century, dominates Gentstraat with its striking red brick façade and towering spire.
A large bronze sculpture of a reclining female figure rests in a clear pond, surrounded by colorful flowers and splashing water.
The De Zee (The Sea) sculpture in Ostend, a bronze reclining figure by artist Georges Grard. Set in a fountain near the seafront, this serene statue reflects the deep connection between the city and the North Sea—a tribute to beauty, nature, and coastal life.
A stone bridge over a calm stream, surrounded by green trees, with a person standing on the bridge.
The De Zee (The Sea) sculpture in Ostend, a bronze reclining figure by artist Georges Grard. Set in a fountain near the seafront, this serene statue reflects the deep connection between the city and the North Sea—a tribute to beauty, nature, and coastal life.
A modern swimming pool building with a colorful mural and a staircase on the side, surrounded by an open area.
A lost landmark of Ostend: The old municipal swimming pool on Koninginnelaan, once a hub for locals, stood out with its brutalist architecture and striking mural. It has since been demolished.
A monumental statue of a rider on a tall pedestal, surrounded by additional sculptures and an architectural wall.
A controversial legacy in Ostend: The equestrian statue of King Leopold II, unveiled in 1931 near the Royal Galleries, depicts the monarch overseeing the North Sea. Flanking the statue are groups symbolizing 'grateful' Congolese and Ostend fishermen, though the monument has faced criticism and vandalism due to Leopold II's colonial actions in the Congo.
A girl in a helmet and roller skates glides down a long tiled passage with colorful columns and graffiti-covered walls.
A changing landmark in Ostend: The Royal Galleries, a neoclassical seaside walkway, currently undergo restoration—where scaffolding and graffiti-covered barriers add an unexpected urban touch.
A row of white beach cabins stands in the sand, with modern buildings rising in the background.
A row of white beach cabins along a sandy path, casting shadows with a clear blue sky in the background.
Rows of white beach cabins on light sand, with an elegant historic building in the background under a clear sky.
Royal grandeur by the sea: The Thermae Palace in Ostend, once a luxurious spa resort, still dominates the beachfront with its grand neoclassical façade, framed by rows of classic beach cabins.
Rows of white beach huts on sandy ground, with a historic building and a statue on a pedestal in the background.
Royal grandeur by the sea: The Thermae Palace in Ostend, once a luxurious spa resort, still dominates the beachfront with its grand neoclassical façade, framed by rows of classic beach cabins.
A long pedestrian walkway with arched windows, lined with columns, featuring people strolling along the paved path.
The Royal Galleries of Ostend: This impressive covered walkway, built in the early 20th century, was designed for Belgian royalty to enjoy seaside strolls in style—now a favorite spot for visitors and exhibitions.
A view through an archway of a historic building featuring a dome and an outdoor area with visible plants.
Large modern building with a glass façade, surrounded by people, bicycles, and a promenade under a clear sky.
View of a beach with people, colorful umbrellas, and a sailboat on the water. The sky is clear and blue.
Large, red-orange sculptures stand in an open space as visitors walk around them in the sunlight.
Unexpected giants on Ostend’s seafront: ‘Rock Strangers’ by artist Arne Quinze brings bold, crumpled forms to the promenade, challenging the contrast between nature and urban life.
Large red sculptures with a weathered look stand in a plaza, surrounded by people and a modern building in the background.
Large, crumpled red sculptures are in the foreground, with a historic building and people visible in the background.
Towering shapes on the Ostend seafront: The 'Rock Strangers' by Arne Quinze bring an unexpected burst of color and form to the Belgian coast.
Large, red sculptures stand in a plaza surrounded by people and modern buildings under a clear sky.
A bold contrast on the Ostend seafront: The ‘Rock Strangers’ sculptures by Arne Quinze disrupt the urban landscape with their bright orange, crumpled forms—art that demands attention.