The Crystal Ship Street Art Trail

Since 2016, Ostend’s Crystal Ship festival has been inviting street artists from around the world to paint the town, and the results stay up after each edition. After its tenth edition in 2026, the city has more than a hundred large murals on house fronts, blank side walls and public buildings, one of the largest collections of art in public space in Europe.

You can find them on your own, but the trails make it easier. The free Ostend City Walks app has the route, and the tourist office on the Monacoplein, next to the Kursaal, sells a brochure (€5) with three walking routes, through the Belle Époque streets and Westerkwartier, the city centre and the Oosteroever, plus one cycling route. There is also a free map for children.

This is a great way to see parts of Ostend most visitors miss, from quiet residential streets to the harbour on the east bank. Choose one walking route for an hour or two, or follow the cycling route to cover more ground. It is free, open all year and works in any weather short of a downpour.