When you think of a day in De Panne, the first thing that probably comes to mind is the famous amusement park that draws thousands of visitors each month. While De Panne is often associated with Plopsaland, there’s so much more to explore away from the crowds. I spent a peaceful day in De Panne surrounded by nature – in Flanders’ oldest nature reserve – and among beautiful architecture. Looking for the best things to do in De Panne? Discover it below!
This blog post was sponsored by the tourism office of De Panne, nevertheless it contains my authentic experiences as usual. 🙂
Best things to do on a day trip in De Panne
Catch the sunrise or sunset at Westerpunt
The best place to start your visit to De Panne is Westerpunt. This brand-new viewpoint was recently opened and offers a stunning 360-degree view of the De Panne coastline and even France in the distance.
What makes this viewpoint unique is its location – at high tide, the water reaches right up to the steps of the structure, making you feel almost as if you’re in the sea. It’s also an architecturally interesting piece, or so a friend told me, as I’m not much of an architecture expert myself.
But the real reason to visit Westerpunt? The phenomenal sunrises and sunsets you can enjoy there. I began my day in De Panne with a breathtaking sunrise all to myself and ended it with a gorgeous sunset. Thinking, “I’m not an early riser…”? In spring and autumn, catching the sunrise is totally doable!
Follow the Westhoek walking route
From the Westerpunt, you’re perfectly placed to start the Westhoek walking route. This 10.5 km trail winds through the Westhoek Nature Reserve, which happens to be the oldest nature reserve in Flanders. You’ll wander through the Calmeynbos, a dune forest, and of course across the Westhoek dunes!
A fun extra: part of the route follows the border path with France, so you’re essentially walking right on the Belgian border at the country’s westernmost point!
Technically, the route starts at the Duinpanne Provincial Visitor Centre, but since Westerpunt is on the path, you can jump in from there. Begin with a stroll along the beach – the widest in Belgium – before heading into the dunes along the border path. Along the way, you’ll find several viewpoints with wide-open vistas of the nature reserve. Don’t hesitate to stray from the route a bit for even better views!
Once you reach Duinpanne, you can grab a quick snack and check out the “Sea Change” exhibit, which teaches you all about our seas and oceans. Afterward, head back through the woods and dunes to Westerpunt, where you started your walk.
Lunch Tip! Can you get around easily, or are you traveling by train? Stop by The Food Shop at De Panne station in Adinkerke. Enjoy a delicious lunch there, or pack it up to take along on your walk!
Stroll through the historic Dumont district
After a walk through the dunes, you’ll have a good sense of De Panne’s natural beauty, but the town itself has some cultural gems as well, particularly in the Dumont District.
This neighborhood is named after architect Albert Dumont, who, in the early 20th century, envisioned creating a vacation paradise here with a unique rural feel. He designed houses in a charming cottage style, complete with wooden balconies, decorative facades, and asymmetrical roofs. Each house has its own authentic character.
A walk through this district feels like stepping back in time. Plus, it’s a peaceful escape from the crowds, as this quiet area doesn’t get much tourist traffic.
Don’t miss a climb up Kykhill as well. This hill was once where the fishermen’s wives would wait for their husbands to return from the sea. While the sea view is now blocked by coastal buildings, you’ll still get a lovely view over the historic Dumont District!
Try sand sailing
Sand – what? Yes, De Panne’s beach has something for the adventurous too! At the Royal Sand Yacht Club, you can book a sand sailing initiation. You’ll zoom across the beach at low tide in a small cart with a sail. It’s like sailing, but on sand instead of water!
If there’s enough wind, you might catch the club practicing on the beach, near Westerpunt. It takes some skill to get the hang of steering, but once you do, you’ll be racing across the sand in no time. Prefer to watch? Check when they’re practicing, or book a group or private lesson to try it yourself!
Meet Pier Kloeffe
A visit to De Panne wouldn’t be complete without a stroll along the promenade. Walk past beach bars and ice cream stands, and you’ll encounter a special figure along the way – a statue surrounded by dune grass.
Pier Kloeffe is a character everyone here knows. Born Petrus Decreton on August 4, 1853, he was a notable fisherman from De Panne. His nickname, “Kloeffe,” comes from the tavern “De Kloeffe,” which his ancestors ran along the road to Veurne. Over his lifetime, he undertook nine journeys to Iceland on a traditional fishing vessel called a “galette.”
After World War I, he opted for a quieter life, practicing shore fishing from the beach in his signature fisherman’s attire. His statue now stands on the promenade as a tribute to De Panne’s fishing heritage.
A few practical tips
There you have it – with these attractions, your day in De Panne is sure to be well-spent! Here are some additional practical tips.
- By Car: You can park near the Westhoek Nature Reserve, at Koningsplein (both free on weekdays from October to May, otherwise paid), or at Duinpanne.
- By Public Transport: Take the train to De Panne station in Adinkerke. From there, hop on the coastal tram, which will take you to the center of De Panne in minutes.
- Restaurants: Have a nice lunch in the afternoon or enjoy an evening snack while the sun sets at one of the restaurants listed on the website of De Panne.
- Where to Stay: A night in the historic Dumont district or getting up with a view of the sea? You’ll find all the inspiration for great stays here.
Have you visited De Panne yourself and have some tips to share? I’d love to hear them! One thing’s for sure – I’ll need to go back myself, as there’s still so much more to see. Here are a few more activities you might want to check out:
- Museum Cabour WWII & 2/4th Lancers – This museum, located in the Cabour dunes, highlights the history of the 2nd and 4th Lancer regiments and significant WWII events in the region.
- Retro Fish Shop – Discover De Panne’s fishing heritage in a former fish shop and smokehouse filled with ship models, artifacts, and photos of fishing life.
- Nostalgic Media Museum – This museum offers a unique journey through the history of radio and television with a collection of vintage radios, TVs, and other media devices.
- Houtsaeger Dunes Walk – This walk through the Houtsaeger dunes leads you along unpaved paths in a diverse dune landscape where donkeys graze, and ponds are home to water plants and amphibians.
- Oosthoek Dunes Walk – Stroll along the scenic Artists’ Path in the beautiful Duinzoom Oosthoek, a unique and preserved dune-polder transition.
