In addition to the addresses on our Instagram route, there are some nice additional stops that deviate a little further from the route. They're well worth checking out!
CREATIVE WITH WATER (POP-UP)
Kustlaan 249, Aqualex Concept Store
This store is all about water. The Aqualex Concept Store sells drinking water systems and innovative designer taps. They also have a genuine experience space in which visitors can wander around among water-themed works of art. Designer Andreas Trenker designed an exclusive carafe for Aqualex, based on Knokke-Heist’s drinking water. And if the art isn’t already photogenic enough, the space is a work of art in itself (retro sci-fi feel anyone?). Don't forget the Knokke-Heist hashtag. Thank you. You're welcome.
PET STOP (POP-UP)
Duindistelstraat 8, Oh! My paws
Yay, dog and cat lovers! Four-legged paradise Oh! My paws has everything you need to spoil your furry friend. For example, you can buy an Apawrol spritz toy for your dog, so that you can finally (finally!) twin on a terrace with a matching drink. I know! We totally understand if you want to hang out here for a few hours to pet dogs! You can do the Instagram route another time. Stories and reels with dogs are the best, anyway.
GIRL POWER! (POP-UP)
Zeedijk 654, Les Jumelles
Founder and boss lady Magalie Aerts didn’t have to look far for a name for her concept store: she is a twin herself, and it sounds super cool in French. So what does Les Jumelles offer? Exclusive but affordable items for charismatic women who know what they want. And that means you! The store also has lots of cosy corners, crazy mirrors and murals that are simply begging for an influencer moment. A thousand likes coming your way!
© laeticia.van.schil
COLOUR BOMB
Strandstraat 12-20, Elevation n°1 by Antonyo Marest
In a side street off Kustlaan, you will find the colourful work of the Spanish artist Antonyo Marest on the façade of a building. Verrry instagrammable, don’t you think? You can admire his work all over the world, from New York to Sydney. He has a very graphic style and incorporates impossibly harmonic shapes into a flashy whole. Just pick your favourite section and shoot away! The huge ice lolly with neon lighting by Twan Kerckhofs from Art Nzo adds the perfect finishing touch.
ABSTRACT COLOURS
Zeedijk 309, street art by Oli-B
The building at Zeedijk 309 in Duinbergen will be demolished at the end of 2022, but until then passers-by can enjoy the colourful jacket which Brussels street artist Oli-B has painted on the building. The abstract and figurative shapes in vibrant colours form the ideal background for photos and videos with family or friends. Say cheeeeese! Or as we say in Knokke-Heist: champaaaaaaagne!
© Oli-B
TEA PARTY!
Elizabetlaan 85, Hotel Britannia
Hotel Britannia: the name says it all – it doesn’t get more British than this! Alongside the iconic façade, the hotel is renowned for its unique style and classy look. And you can already feel it coming: it's time for a high tea party! Put on your best attire, because we're going to drink fancy tea and enjoy triangular sandwiches and scones. Stylish photos guaranteed!
PICTURESQUE PLEASURE
Knokkestraat 20, L'abbiocco
The façade of aperitif bar and restaurant L'abbiocco makes the ideal Instagram background! If you pose in front of the picturesque Italian village that is painted on it, it looks like you’re really in Italy. Perhaps you can even fool your followers! And after your extensive Italian photo shoot, you can relax in the bar with a drink and a bite to eat – although the pink tiles on the first floor might well force you to take more photos too. Oooh, what a busy day! By the way, did you know that L'abbiocco means ‘the sense of satisfaction you get after eating a large Italian meal’? You've been warned.
IT'S SELFIE TIME!
Graaf d'Ursellaan 53, Scara
How handy can life be?! At the Scara store, they have a large mirror in their display window where you can take as many selfies as you want. So you can immediately show off your new acquisitions from their gorgeous clothing store. Tag them with the hashtag #scaraheist and you might end up in their stories! And drop in the hashtag #mykh too, while you're at it.
CHILLAXING IN STYLE
Oosthoekplein 1 A, Libertà
Libertà is a modern pizzeria and cocktail bar in one. We couldn't think of a better combination ourselves. And there's so many things to capture on camera: the large, piping-hot pizzas, the neon sign showing the name of the restaurant, the coolly lit Campari bar and your own blissful face when you have a delicious pizza in your stomach! Want to chill out after a busy day at work? This is the place to be.
GUILT-FREE PLEASURES
Zeedijk 682, Not Guilty, Chocolate Bar
Sometimes you just want to miss out on the main course and go straight to dessert. Without feeling guilty. At the chocolate bar Not Guilty, you can immediately surrender to the sweetest part of the meal. Chocolate naturally plays the starring role in all their creations, but they also demonstrate that sweet isn’t just one taste. Whether you go for a macaron or molten chocolate cake, the resulting work of art can be photographed in a hundred different ways. And every side is equally delicious!
SAND ART
Zeedijk-Het Zoute 746, J&O Saverys Gallery
Yellow, orange and blue. These are all the colours you need to convey the atmosphere at the coast. The Saverys sisters used this idea as a starting point for their works, which can be viewed in their own gallery. At J&O Saverys, you can see the essence of Knokke-Heist hanging on the walls. The large, serene blocks of colour in their artworks are also perfect for a fun backdrop. And if you really go for a close-up, you can’t miss the sandy texture of the paint on the works. This is because Julie and Olivia used sand from very our own seaside for their current exhibition, ‘Sable’!
NEVER NOT HUNGRY
Dumortierlaan 131, Marie-Rose Bakery
Marie-Rose Bakery is one of the most recent culinary additions to our coastal resort. Here, you will find everything from a classic French pain au chocolat to fermented kimchi fries. Inspiration from various major world cities is brought together on the plate, satisfying the most discerning of foodies. Pastry chef Ruben learned his trade from the outstanding Sergio Herman, and now you get to reap the benefits. No time to stick around? No problem, all these tasty treats are available for takeaway. ‘If you can’t stay, take me away!’
BONJOUR
Zoutelaan 47, Bonjour, coffee bar
Knokke-Heist just can’t hide its love of the French language. And it doesn’t have to, as it’s guaranteed to get you in the holiday mood even faster. And Bonjour is the perfect place for that. This lunch location invites you to pop in and relax with a coffee or a bowl of soup. A simple hello that will make your day. And if you’d like to pass on the vibe, just take a photo of the letters on the shop window to share with your friends.
MY STYLE, MY TILE
Lippenslaan 171, Scotch & Soda
On the corner of Lippenslaan you will find a branch of Scotch & Soda, a brand that needs no introduction. Whether you're looking for a suitable jacket for the cold winter weather by the North Sea or just want to go window shopping, be sure to admire the beautiful mosaic tiles when you enter. The playful hexagonal pattern is a delight to capture on camera, and the tiles also remind us that this is a seaside resort!
NOT SUCH AN UGLY DUCKLING
Lippenslaan 98, Ugly Duckling
It’s brand-new and just waiting for your approval. The playful colours and bold neon lighting will immediately welcome you and help the day to merge seamlessly with the night. This cool business is anything but an ugly duckling. However, our feathered friend does appear in the dishes, on the napkins and in the ice cubes that float around in the restaurant's original cocktails. Enough to make an entire collage on your Instagram after you've gobbled up all that deliciousness.
IF WALLS COULD TALK
Lippenslaan 35, Hotel Prins Boudewijn
You can see its burgundy walls from far away. The picturesque Hotel Prins Boudewijn almost seems to have chosen its bright colour especially for your photos. All you need here is a section of the wall, an original pose and a friend to take your photo. This hotel was also a meeting place for many great artists, such as the Belgian painter Alfred Verwee.
LOVE AND PASTA
Lippenslaan 17, Mangiamo
At Mangiamo, there’s no hiding the fact that pasta goes straight to your thighs. ‘I just want abs- … -olutely all the pasta’. Here, they wear humour on their T-shirts. The Italian flavours are spot on too! And people who love matching colour combinations mustn’t miss the special house latte, with spirulina. It’s the same petroleum blue colour as the walls! But that’s enough drooling, as the name of the restaurant suggests: let’s eat!
HOUSES IN THE SKY
Maurice Lippensplein, Beach Castle by Jean-François Fourtou
No, a tornado hasn’t passed through here. These Belgian beach cabins have been transformed by artist Jean-François Fourtou. You may already have seen the tower when you arrived in Knokke-Heist. It's become a real symbol of the community and its beach, so feel free to share it. And let everyone know what you think of it in the caption!
NO RESERVATIONS?
Elizabetlaan 160, Hotel La Réserve
The shore of Lake Zegemeer proudly boasts a Knokke-Heist monument. Hotel La Réserve is a place that should be added to the top of your bucket list. Anyone who can manage to get inside and flaunt the evidence on Instagram will make his or her followers green with envy. After all, this four-star hotel also offers a beautiful view of the lake from its luxurious rooms. Outside in the car park, it's the prestigious cars that steal the show. Pose here next to the vehicle of your dreams. And who knows, a lucky shot might just earn you a sponsored deal with Porsche or Bentley!
AT THE PHARMACIST
Elizabetlaan 178, The Pharmacy, cocktail bar
Is it time for a summer aperitif yet? The Pharmacy conjures up magical flavours and serves its cocktails in a highly individual, cosy interior. Although the evening sun will probably tempt you out onto the terrace, you can bask in retro furniture with wood and velvet accents indoors. It will be hard to choose between a photo of your cocktail, the old drinks cabinets or the colourful wallpaper.
IN THE MOOD FOR FOOD
Elizabetlaan 185, ENSO – Boutique Hotel & Brunch/lunch spot
At the ENSO Boutique Hotel, you can order dishes that will make your Instagram feed go into overdrive! Too busy or not in the mood to go inside for a beautiful photo of this classy place? Don't panic, it also looks amazing from the outside. The modern façade is simply begging for a black-and-white photo.
BELLA ITALIA
Zeedijk 508, Cicciolina, bar
One of Italy's most famous sex kittens, La Cicciolina, inspired the founders of this new hotspot to turn their bar beside the sea into a feast for the eye, lens and taste buds. This iconic woman's sensuality is reflected in every detail. You will notice it on the pink terrace, the red carpet inside and the sultry atmosphere that is reminiscent of a hot evening at a casino in LA at the beginning of the 1970s. Time for a shameless selfie. So paint your lips, put on your sunglasses and wait for a bit of sun. Ciao, bella!
THE RICH AND FAMOUS
Zeedijk 509, Grand Casino Knokke
The casino is a must-see. You’ll find a great angle on every side of the building with all its Art Deco ornaments. This historic highlight designed by Léon Stynen is surrounded by car parks, so you can take all the space you need to show off the Casino in all its glory. Since the golden Walk of Fame was created recently, there's no excuse not to think you're a movie star. When the sun goes down, the atmospheric lighting comes on. And with a little imagination, you can imagine yourself walking towards the flashing lights of the paparazzi here.
ICE-CREAM DREAM
Zeedijk-Albertstrand 539, Ijsbar Liliane
With a name like Liliane, you just know this shop is going to spoil you with the most luscious of sweet, home-made treats. With a great range of traditional ice creams, pancakes, waffles and sandwiches, it will exceed your expectations. Flavours and suggestions are also announced in the shop on a traditional letterboard, one where you have to move each letter manually. Ice-cream shop and tearoom Liliane clearly goes the extra mile to ensure a great experience. You could almost forget to capture your giant ice-cream sundae on camera!