Imagine yourself as a true resident of Knokke-Heist with this professional jargon.
BEACH PROMENADE
BEACH BARS
Most visitors prefer the service of a beach concession, where the staff will happily prepare a lounger for you. Lay down on the deliciously soft, comfortable cushions. The bars serve rosé, regional beers, and refreshing summer lemonades. Children can romp around the play area, while teens try to outdo each other during a game of petanque. From April until early October, you can visit any of the more than 20 beach bars in Knokke-Heist and sip a drink with your toes in the sand.
BLUE FLAG
Here the quality of the sea water is unrivalled. Knokke-Heist was awarded the Blue Flag label for sustainable tourism and leisure.
GO-CARTS
A quick spin in a go-cart is a must: from small go-carts for one child to the larger models which can seat six at a time. It’s a unique experience that everyone should try at least once! The locals call them ‘billenkarren’ (‘buttock cars’), because women’s skirts sometimes ride up while pedalling, exposing more than they had perhaps intended. The tourist offices and go-cart rental services can suggest a number of great go-cart routes, but taking a spin up and down Zeedijk can be just as much fun. Did you know that the world's only manufacturer of billenkarren is based in KnokkeHeist, by the way?
BOULES DE BERLIN
One of the tastiest traditions! During the summer months, the sellers walk up and down the beach, peddling their tasty treats. Cream or jam? Do try one!
ETIQUETTE
There’s always plenty of space on the beach to enjoy yourself. The sea provides some soothing background noise. To ensure that everyone can enjoy themselves, you cannot play any music on the beach and hookahs are not permitted. Leaving the beach? Remember to slip on your daywear again because as soon as you head into the centre, a strict dress code applies.
BEACH
In Knokke-Heist, the beach has become something of a religion. Nothing quite compares to the lure of the sea. The long, wide sandy beaches change as the seasons progress – and the sea is always a good place to cool off. During high season, lifeguards keep a watchful eye on swimmers as they splash around in the waves.
BEACH CABINS
In the summer months, the distinctive white beach cabins form a second skyline along the coast. Want to rent one? Then be quick, because they are incredibly popular!
BEACH GAMES
The beach is a marvellous place to play. Here you can sell paper flowers, build sandcastles, splash around in the salty seawater, or frolic in the sand. A typical Belgian tradition are the beach shops with crêpe paper flowers. Children learn business skills from an early age as they trade their homemade creations for currency – shells, but only the couteau variety with the serrated edge.
VITAMIN Sea
Your toes in the sand, your nose to the wind, your eyes closed, enjoying the soothing sound of the waves – can you think of anything more relaxing? According to some, sea air is the best panacea for all ailments.
WATER SPORTs CLUBS
Are you like a fish in water? In Knokke-Heist, five water sports clubs will be happy to introduce you to the ferocious waves. No waves today? Then look to the wind for fun! And on calm summer days, there are lots of other alternatives. In summer, everyone heads to the water for a cooling plunge. During the winter, on the other hand, the sea is dominated by surfers – because that’s when the waves are at their best! But you can also enjoy that unique sea feeling from the comfort of the beach.
ZEEDIJK
The beach starts on Zeedijk. It's perfect for a nice stroll, to see and be seen. And yes, there are toy shops with beach balls and inflatables, but it also has art galleries, elegant boutiques and restaurants galore. More than 11 km of beaches and 10 km of promenade await.
QUALITY OF LIFE
POP-UP
Discover the pop-ups: you can find lots of new temporary shops, unique concepts and designers in all the shopping areas. Many famous brands like to spend the summer at the seaside, often selling a unique collection.
SHOPPING SHUTTLE
The free shopping shuttle – check the times in the Distrimob app – will take you to the main thoroughfares: Lippenslaan, Dumortierlaan and Kustlaan. You can even go shopping on Sunday, because in Knokke-Heist all the shops are open seven days a week. Grab an up-to-date shopping map from the tourist office
ART
With more than 90 art galleries in a 2 km² area, Knokke-Heist is a one-of-a-kind destination for art lovers. The galleries open their doors to the public twice a year, during ART Knokke-Heist, making art accessible for everyone. The ART Tour is another great chance to discover art: it's a quiet, sustainable tour, combining contemporary art with a few culinary stops. You may even run in to artworks in places where you least expect it. Look carefully at the waterline when the tide is out, and you might spot one of three artworks on a breakwater.
EXQUISITE DINING
You’ll be happy to know that Knokke-Heist is home to many talented chefs! Bartholomeus**, Sel Gris*, Cuines, 33* and Boo Raan*: our resort boasts a whopping five Michelin stars! But there’s more: 25 stars light up the sky in a 20 km radius around Knokke-Heist. Unique: Knokke-Heist is the only town in the world to have its own dedicated Gault&Millau guide, with a selection of high-end artisanal bakeries and pastry shops, fishmongers, traiteurs and butchers, beer cafés and wine shops, chocolate makers, coffee bars, ice cream parlours and, of course, restaurants. The guide is the culinary reference par excellence for anyone wanting to give their taste buds a treat in Knokke-Heist. It is on sale at the Knokke-Heist tourist offices and in local bookshops for €19.95.
FUN FOR KIDS TOO!
Knokke-Heist also caters to its youngest visitors. The resort organises events and treasure hunts, has play areas, attractions and much more – just for children.
TOP-LEVEL SPORTS
Knokke-Heist is internationally famous for its top sports. World, European and Belgian championships punctuate the year, along with international tournaments. The Cold Water Classic, the World Padel Tour, the IRONMAN® and Knokke Hippique – top-level sports in every category feel equally at home in Knokke-Heist.
ALL FOUR SEASONS
MICROCLIMATE
We won’t deny that it does rain here now and again. But the dark clouds overhead always make way for the sun very quickly. The unique climate ensures pleasant summers and mild winters. If you are not deterred by the cold, you’ll be happy to know that the many water sports clubs are also open in winter. Your options: wakeboarding at Lakeside Paradise or heading out into the North Sea at one of the water sports clubs on the beach.
AUTUMN, WINTER AND SPRING
Once the beach bar furniture has been packed up and returned to storage, the beach belongs to the walkers. Take your dog with you: he or she will enjoy sprinting in the sand, and you’ll feel reinvigorated after a long walk into the wind. Dogs are welcome throughout the winter months on the beach. In summer, however, the beach is off-limits, except in the evening and early in the morning. The shops and restaurants are open year-round, seven days a week, making Knokke-Heist the perfect destination for some Christmas shopping in November or December, to score some bargains during the January sales, or to check out the new collections in February and March. During these months, Knokke-Heist remains as lively as ever, with events, exhibitions and performances.
TASTING THE SEASONS
The menus change with the seasons. There is fresh game (pheasant, hare, quail) in autumn, hot cocoa with or without a shot of something stronger in winter, and the first asparagus and lamb to herald spring. And summer means ice cream, mussels and a glass or two of rosé.
HOLIDAY SEASON
From the end of November, Knokke-Heist is the best place to shop for gifts for under your Christmas tree. Or to find just the right outfit for New Year’s Eve. Here you can always pick up something unique, 7 days a week. And the Christmas lights make the experience even more magical. Many families spend the holidays at the seaside. Stop for a delicious, fresh pancake after a long beach walk. You can always burn off the calories on the skating rink with the ice bumper cars.
CLEARING THE COBWEBS
Just a popular as hygge or cocooning: clearing your mind with a gusty walk – or ‘uitwaaien’ as it's referred to here. Walking into the wind helps you regain some focus. Your thoughts are carried away by the waves, and you experience an overwhelming sense of peace.
EXHILARATING SPORTS
If you’re an active type of person, there’s loads to do here: running, yoga, tennis or petanque, the gym, basketball courts and football pitches... in Knokke-Heist, you can enjoy almost any sport. Grab your surfboard and head to one of the five water sports clubs. Lots of water fun and a healthy blood circulation guaranteed! Register for the annual beach run or sea swims. Do you like cycling? Then a triathlon may be right up your street – whether it's on or off the beach. As you can see, there is no shortage of sport in KnokkeHeist – whether you're young or old, and want to compete or just do it for fun.
ART OF LIVING
DETAILS
Knokke-Heist values quality – as becomes apparent when you visit. The municipality invests in cleanliness and safety, making it a delightful place to visit. And the greatest luxury is having everything within easy reach: shopping, good food, a bit of art and culture, and an invigorating walk in nature. In Knokke-Heist, luxury is in the little things.
MOBILITY, KH-STYLE
Getting around KH is an experience in itself. You can jump into a golf cart or onto a bike: the wonderfully wide cycle paths connect all the outposts of this bike-friendly municipality. There are a variety of hiking trails to choose from as well as a walking route network. The coastal tram, the world’s longest tram line, starts and ends in Knokke-Heist. Land in style at the heliport. You can also book a flight over lovely Knokke-Heist here. Parking is usually a breeze, though during the summer months, you’re probably better off using an underground car park. It’s always nice to take a spin in a classic car on a special occasion.
BORDERLINE
Knokke-Heist’s unique location, near the Dutch border, adds another dimension to this region. Crossing the border is easy: just cycle along the new Zwin dyke and into the stunning Zwin nature reserve. Stop for coffee and poffertjes (mini pancakes) in the picturesque villages of Sluis and Aardenburg and return to Knokke-Heist just in time for a delicious dinner. Read all about it in the chapter about the Zwin region (p.138).
MOVING WITH THE TIMES
Knokke-Heist has always been a pioneer, including in terms of sustainability. Food is sourced directly from farm shops or from the fishing boats in Zeebrugge. Overtourism is prevented where possible. Hotels aspire to the Green Key label, the municipality works hard to maintain its Blue Flag beaches, and Knokke-Heist is also a Fairtrade municipality. Moreover, since 2014 up to 500,000 honeybees have been circling Knokke-Heist like miniature drones. They are contributing to the scientific research of Beeodiversity. This would have never been possible without concerted efforts by the municipality: more than 20,000 m² of flower meadows were added and a ban on pesticides was enforced. Knokke-Heist was the first municipality to win the title of most bee-friendly town as a result. To find out more, follow the bicycle trail. You can pick up a map from the tourist office.
REGIONAL PRODUCTS
There are tasty treats to be had everywhere you go, not just in the restaurants. Thanks to Knokke-Heist’s location between the North Sea and the polders, you can enjoy all kinds of tasty regional products here. From quality meat to delectable pastries – there's no shortage of choice! The best-known is undoubtedly the long toffee from Moeder Babelutte.
LOCALS
A seaside resort like Knokke-Heist relies heavily on its locals. They live here year-round, enjoying life to the full in this lush green garden by the sea. Want to meet them? Head to one of the weekly markets and listen as they discuss the latest gossip while stocking up on all kinds of delicacies from the sea and the polders. The cafés' regulars argue about cycling races, football and more in the typical West Flemish dialect, while sipping a Rodenbach, Paljas or Brugse Zot beer. ‘Washashores’ (people who move to the seaside from the hinterland) like to blend in with the hospitable local crowd. The residents live by the rhythm of the seaside, sharing their parks, playgrounds, petanque courts and lifestyle with their guests. Be nice to them, because without them, you would never be able to experience that unique KH feeling.