A holiday home in Middelkerke takes you to a diverse part of the Belgian coast. Of course, the North Sea, the wide beach, and the seawall are major reasons to stay here, but be sure to look beyond them as well. Between Middelkerke and Westende, you can hike through the Warande Dunes; on the boardwalk, you’ll come across art and famous Belgian comic book characters; and just inland, an open polder landscape begins—perfect for exploring by bike. On Vipio, you’ll find unique holiday homes in and around Middelkerke for a weekend by the sea or a longer beach vacation in Belgium.
Holiday Home in Middelkerke
Middelkerke or Westende? Actually, you get both
Anyone looking for a holiday home in Middelkerke will soon come across Westende as well. That makes sense: Westende is part of the municipality of Middelkerke, and the two beach towns are right next to each other along the same coastline.
Yet each has its own unique atmosphere. Around the center of Middelkerke, you’ll find a lively boardwalk with restaurants, shops, art, and the striking SILT building. Westende feels a bit more intimate in some areas and also features interesting traces of its past as a coastal tourist destination.
So you don’t necessarily have to choose one over the other in advance. During your stay, you can easily walk or bike between Middelkerke and Westende—and even venture into the dunes along the way.
The boardwalk here is more than just a promenade
A walk along the Middelkerke seawall is more than just a stroll with a view of the sea.
Along the route, you’ll come across various bronze comic book characters. Well-known Belgian comic book heroes have been given a place here, turning the seawall into something of an open-air comic book story.
Contemporary art is also on display. Middelkerke is part of the Beaufort Sculpture Park, for which works of art have been permanently installed in public spaces along the Belgian coast.
A striking example in Middelkerke is *Caterpillar #5bis + Flatbed Trailer* by Wim Delvoye. This monumental structure combines the shape of construction machinery with detailed neo-Gothic ornaments.
So, during a simple walk along the sea, you might suddenly come across art that you’d normally have to go to a museum to see.
A holiday home doesn’t have to be right on the beach
When planning a stay in Middelkerke, it’s therefore wise not to focus solely on the distance to the sea.
Do you want to walk straight onto the beach every morning? Then a holiday home in Middelkerke-Bad or Westende-Bad is, of course, appealing. Especially with children, it can be convenient to be able to easily pop back to your accommodations in between outings.
But if you stay a little further from the coast, you’ll often get a different setting in return. As you head inland, it gets quieter, and you’ll be in a better spot for bike rides through the polders.
So think ahead about what’s more important to you on your holiday: having the sea literally right outside your door, or having more peace and space around your cottage.
Take the coastal tram and leave the car behind
A major advantage of a holiday on the Belgian coast is that you don’t need a car for every outing.
The Coastal Tram runs along virtually the entire Belgian coast and also stops in Middelkerke and Westende. This makes it easy to visit other coastal towns from your holiday home.
For example, head toward Ostend for a day in the city. In the other direction are Nieuwpoort and, further on, Koksijde and De Panne.
This is especially convenient during a longer stay. You can get off at a different coastal town in the morning, spend a few hours exploring, and then return to your holiday home in Middelkerke later in the day.
Take a bike ride to Nieuwpoort
There, a different side of the Belgian coast awaits. You can stroll through Nieuwpoort-Stad, cycle along the harbor, or continue toward the IJzer estuary.
Along the way, you’ll stay close to the sea, but the scenery will constantly shift between buildings, dunes, water, and the harbor landscape.
Ostend, on the other side, is also within reach. This way, you can use Middelkerke as your home base without having to spend every day of your vacation in the same seaside town.
A day at the beach here doesn’t have to be planned
Of course, a holiday in Middelkerke can also simply revolve around the beach.
Staying in a holiday home gives you the freedom to plan very little. Take your breakfast outside, walk to the sea, and see later in the day what you feel like doing.
With kids, that flexibility is especially nice. A day at the beach can be mixed up with a walk past the boardwalk statues or a visit to the Warande Tower.
And if the weather isn’t beach-friendly? Then you can hop on a bike, visit another coastal town, or head inland.
A private kitchen, separate bedrooms, and a bit more living space make a holiday home practical if you’re staying by the sea for several days or a full week.
From a seaside apartment to a quieter cottage
When choosing a holiday home in Middelkerke, the type of accommodation makes a big difference.
An apartment with a sea view naturally gives you that authentic seaside town feel. For a family or group, a larger holiday home with multiple bedrooms might be more practical.
If you’re planning a romantic weekend on the Belgian coast, a more intimate stay for two might be more appealing. Consider, for example, a unique cottage with plenty of privacy or its own wellness facilities.
And if peace and quiet are your top priority? Then don’t just look right on the boardwalk—consider options a little further inland as well. That way, you can stay close to the sea without being right in the middle of the busiest part of the seaside town.
Middelkerke as a Base for the Belgian Coast
Middelkerke is conveniently located if you want to see multiple parts of the Belgian coast during a single holiday.
On one side is Ostend, with shops, restaurants, museums, and a lively harbor. On the other side, you can travel via Westende to Nieuwpoort and then on to Koksijde.
This makes Middelkerke a great choice for travelers who don’t want to spend every day on the same beach. By bike, car, or Coastal Tram, you can easily combine visits to different coastal towns.
Would you rather stay in for a day? Then the beach, the Warande Dunes, and the seawall are close enough that you can leave the car behind entirely.
Discover more unique accommodations on the Belgian coast
See also:
- Holiday Home in Koksijde
- Holiday Home in De Haan
- Holiday Home in Nieuwpoort
- Unique places to stay by the sea in Belgium
- Romantic getaways in Belgium
- Holiday Home in Belgium with a Pool
Rent out your own holiday home in Middelkerke
Do you own a unique holiday home, apartment, beach cottage, or other accommodation in Middelkerke or Westende? Through Vipio, you can reach travelers who are specifically looking for unique stays on the Belgian coast. List your property at vipio.com/nl/aanbieden or contact us at [email protected].
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Middelkerke and Westende?
Westende is part of the municipality of Middelkerke and is located right next to the seaside resort of Middelkerke. Both have a beach and a seawall, but Westende has a more intimate feel in several places. The Warande Dunes lie between the two towns.
Can you go for a walk in the dunes near Middelkerke?
Yes. Between Middelkerke and Westende lie the Warande Dunes, a narrow belt of dunes about two kilometers long. You can go for a walk there and climb the Warande Tower for a view of the North Sea, both seaside resorts, the dunes, and the polder landscape beyond.
What outdoor art can you see in Middelkerke?
Along the Middelkerke coast, there are various works of art in public spaces, including pieces from the Beaufort Sculpture Park. You’ll also come across bronze statues of famous Belgian comic book characters on the seawall. This makes it easy to combine art with a walk along the sea.
Can you visit other Belgian coastal towns from Middelkerke?
Yes. Middelkerke is located between Ostend and Nieuwpoort, making it a convenient base for exploring the Belgian coast. With the Coastal Tram, you can travel to various seaside resorts without a car. Westende and Nieuwpoort are also easy to visit by bike.
Is Middelkerke a good place to go cycling?
Yes. You can cycle along the coast toward Ostend, Westende, and Nieuwpoort, but you can also head inland. Behind Middelkerke lies an open polder landscape with farm roads, farms, and small villages, making it easy to alternate between a coastal route and the peaceful countryside.