Surrounding a series of locks on the IJser River, Nieuwpoort is a historic port town on Belgium’s North Sea coast. It played an important role in the 1914 Battle of the Yser and features a cobblestoned medieval town and a breezy beachside district.
Things to do in Nieuwpoort
One of Nieuwpoort’s most striking architectural landmarks is the Koning Albert I-Monument, which was unveiled in 1938 as a tribute to the Belgian troops who fought during World War I. It is constructed from IJzer Plain bricks and topped by a circular lintel, with an equestrian statue by sculptor Karel Aubroeck. Now known as Westfront Nieuwpoort, it includes a visitor’s centre featuring a large painting depicting the Battle of the IJser.
In the summer months, you can relax on the sands of Strand Van Nieuwpoort, which expands to 50 metres in width at low tide. The beachfront promenade is dotted with benches where you can soak up the views and restaurants serving locally caught fish. If you’re a keen angler, you can join the local fishermen on one of the two long, wooden piers that frame the mouth of the IJzer River.
You can see the daily catch being unloaded for auction at the Vismijn, which was constructed in 1952 near the locks and spillways of De Ganzepoot. Join a guided tour to experience the action of this bustling fish market and learn how De Ganzepoot’s sophisticated lock complex drains the surrounding polders.
Getting around Nieuwpoort
Nieuwpoort is a 40-minute drive from Bruges and around an hour from Ghent while Brussels Airport is 1.5 hours away. Trams connect from the town centre connect to the seaside district of Nieuwpoort-Bad and buses travel throughout the town. The centre of Nieuwpoort can easily be explored on foot.