From the beach to the city, with the polders in between.
From Polderlicht you can combine walking and cycling in the polders with a day at the seaside or a visit to Bruges. You stay in Uitkerke near Blankenberge, among the fields. Choose an excursion below and then return to your room or the shared garden.
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Coastline: OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL 1.0). Water: GRB/Digitaal Vlaanderen and VMM. Management plots: Agentschap voor Natuur en Bos. Field structure: Dept. LV 2024; colours are decorative, not current crops. Simplified overview map, not for navigation.
Buildings and wildlife are enlarged illustrations; fields and vegetation evoke the landscape. Points show geographic locations, not area boundaries. The illustrations are not current photographs.
Tram station reference: Beeldbank Onroerend Erfgoed, Patricia Van Vlaenderen (2010), CC BY 4.0.
Derived OpenStreetMap coastline data are available under ODbL 1.0. Other map layers retain their own licences.
Locations are geographically placed; illustrations are enlarged. Nature markers indicate visitor locations or representative points, not area boundaries.
Beach & coast
The coast here has several faces. Choose the place that suits your plans, your company and the weather.
A beach, a promenade full of life and a marina where there is always something to see. Walk along the waterline, watch the boats and take a seat on a terrace. On the Oosterstaketsel jetty you feel the wind and get a wide view of the sea. Blankenberge suits a beach day with plenty of buzz close at hand.
Allow half a day. For those who like a beach with some bustle.
A walk can also be a little journey of discovery through art. The Beaufort walking route in Blankenberge is 6.9 kilometres long and connects contemporary artworks in public spaces. You can enjoy the works free of charge, at your own pace.
Pause for a moment, look from a different angle, then carry on: a lovely outing for anyone who wants to explore Polderlicht’s artistic spirit beyond the studio.
6.9 km · free An art walk for those who enjoy combining the sea and culture.
Zeebrugge’s wide beach invites a long walk. There is plenty of room for sand, sky and horizon. Especially outside the busy summer moments, it is a wonderful place to clear your head. Take your shoes off when you can, pull your coat a little closer when you must.
Allow a few hours. For those looking for space and a long beach walk.
Start at the little historic tram station and stroll through the Concessie, past cottages, villas and winding lanes. Here you naturally look up more often. Combine the belle époque walk with the beach and a coffee break: a coastal outing for those who love walking and have an eye for architecture.
Allow half a day to a full day. For walkers with an eye for architecture.
Cycling
The flat landscape lends itself to a relaxed bike ride. Give your day a destination and leave plenty of time for a break along the way.
In Lissewege your eye follows the little canal past the white polder houses up to the sturdy church tower. Park your bike for a while and walk through the village. Then add the historic abbey barn of Ter Doest to your outing. Open landscape, village life and impressive heritage make this a destination to take your time over.
Allow half a day. For those combining cycling, village life and heritage.
Take a look from the church tower of Lissewege. Discover Lissewege in 360° (opens in a new tab)
Cycle along the water and the rows of trees of the Damse Vaart. In Damme you can swap the bike for a stroll through the little town. Browse in a bookshop, find a place for lunch and take your time for the old façades and small streets. Make it a day where the breaks count too.
Allow a relaxed full day. For those who like a long ride with stops along the way.
Guests can use a bike free of charge. Ask Carine about availability during your stay.
Bruges
Bruges calls for good walking shoes and room in your plans. Follow the canals, cross a little bridge and turn off whenever a street makes you curious. At the Rozenhoedkaai you recognise the city instantly; further on, every turn brings another view over the water.
A boat trip lets you experience Bruges from under the bridges and along the façades. Then choose one museum to linger in. In the Saint John’s Hospital museum (Sint-Janshospitaal), paintings by Hans Memling, contemporary art and stories about hospitality meet in a centuries-old building.
Between looking and walking, leave time for lunch, coffee and an unexpected discovery.
Allow a relaxed full day. For lovers of art, heritage and city walks.
Walking & nature
In the open polder landscape there is a lot to see once you slow down. Birds forage between the meadows and the water, clouds drift across the horizon. Follow a walking route from the visitor centre and take binoculars to a bird hide. In winter, the overwintering geese bring extra life to the landscape.
Allow a few hours. For birdwatchers and unhurried walkers.
Mudflats, salt marshes, birds and plants living to the rhythm of the tide: the Zwin has a character all its own. Walk on your own or join a guide, who helps you notice the small differences in the landscape and explains why so much life comes together right here.
Allow half a day. For nature lovers, on your own or with a guide.
Between Blankenberge and Zeebrugge lies De Fonteintjes: a narrow strip of coastal nature with dune ponds, reeds and wet dune valleys. Water, greenery and dunes alternate here, with birds worth pausing to watch along the way.
Fancy a longer walk? Explore the coastal strip between Blankenberge and Zeebrugge too, with dunes, beach and open sea views. Away from the continuous buildings along the promenade, the landscape has room to breathe. A lovely place to enjoy the fresh air and watch the wind ripple through the marram grass.
Wear sturdy shoes and keep to the accessible paths. The nature trails in De Fonteintjes are not suitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs; dogs must stay on a lead.
At your own pace For nature lovers, walkers and anyone who enjoys birdwatching.
Knokke
In Knokke you alternate shop windows with art and sea. Stroll past the boutiques of the Lippenslaan, Dumortierlaan and Kustlaan, step into a gallery and make time for a terrace. Even without a shopping list there is plenty to rest your eyes on.
Combine an afternoon in Knokke with a morning in the Zwin. That way your day has space and nature as well as the liveliness of the resort.
Allow an afternoon. For those who love art, fashion and a terrace.
A grey day lends itself to art and stories. At the Belle Epoque Centrum you see how Blankenberge grew into a seaside resort. In Bruges, the museums give every reason to linger. Choose one visit and take your time.
Explore virtually
With these virtual tours you can explore the region in 360° and gather ideas for your stay.
Discover well-known views and little corners of Bruges. A lovely introduction to the city before you set out yourself.
Look around West Flanders and find inspiration for your next outing. You may discover a place you would love to visit in person.
Both virtual tours were made by Carine’s son.
Walk along the beach, explore the harbour and take time to relax on a terrace. Fancy some art along the way? Follow the Beaufort art walk in Blankenberge.
Take a bike ride with Lissewege and Ter Doest as your destinations.
Start in the Zwin, then head to Knokke for art, boutiques and a terrace.
The Google Maps links start at Polderlicht and are a route suggestion; Google itself shows the current route and time. For signposted routes and current diversions, follow the official pages.
Shoes off, something to drink and a little longer outside. At Polderlicht the last part of the day can be unhurried too.
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