Knokke-heist
It is the most popular and expensive resort on the Belgian coast, located right on the border with the Netherlands. It is famous for its expensive boutiques, lots of art galleries, and above all for the wonderful Zwin nature reserve. These surroundings are a paradise for fans of hiking and cycling trips. Many festivals take place in the city. The most popular are: Kneistival, which is a music festival held here since 1986, the international Experimental Film Festival, and the Comic Book Festival. A carnival takes place in the city at the end of February. Knokke-Heist is home to the 40 art galleries.
The city lies at the northern end of the coastal tram line, which connects it to other Belgian resorts. The largest of the ten casinos in Belgium is located on the seafront promenade.
The city lies at the northern end of the coastal tram line, which connects it to other Belgian resorts. The largest of the ten casinos in Belgium is located on the seafront promenade.
Zwin National Park
The extraordinary park covers an area of 158 ha. Most of the reserve is located in Belgium. 33 ha in the Netherlands. The location of the park causes that, at high tide, the sea floods the plain behind the beach and dunes, creating a magnificent reservoir. The soil of the mud plains is a rich and diverse food source for thousands of birds from all over the world, coming here to reproduce, hibernate or seek food. Wetlands, sandy dunes have been prepared for hiking and cycling trips, providing tourists with a great contact with nature. Shetland ponies and the endangered Flemish dune goats live on thirty hectares of the park.
Promenade at Knokke-Heist
Knokke-Heist is a seaside resort formed by the amalgamation of five former fishing villages dating back to the 13th century. Heist, Duinbergen, Albertstrand, Knokke, Het Zoute together form an eleven kilometers long coastal strip, with five different beaches. We find here an extraordinary variety, both in architecture and in the surrounding environment. In Heist, we will walk along the promenade next to the high buildings characteristic of the Belgian coast. Knokke is an old city center with charming hotels and stylish villas. Het Zoute is a very exclusive green area with expensive houses and golf courses. This is where Zwin National Park, the pride of Knokke-Heist, starts. The best way to explore the city and the park is by bike. Renting a bike costs a dozen or so euro for two hours.