Belgian travel: What to do in Knokke

985
Belgian travel

Dining 

Alexandra
As Knokke is situated right on the North Sea, it makes sense to dine at a restaurant specializing in the freshest seafood. Featuring a lovely outdoor patio area and located just a few metres away from the sea, Alexandra has been attracting a faithful stream of customers for years. Husband and wife Patrick and Chris Plovier combine tasteful dishes and a fun atmosphere to produce a memorable dining experience. www.restaurantalexandra.be

Cuines 33
A Spanish-style tapas restaurant, Cuines 33 represents the concepts of 3 C’s: contemporary, conceptual and cosmopolitan. Each creatively concocted dish on the restaurant’s menu is centred on taste and made exclusively with seasonal ingredients. An ideal location to dine with colleagues or friends, Cuines 33 offers a variety of options, including a six and eight plate ‘Sabour’ menu for groups of five or more. www.cuines33.be

Bristol Brasserie
Located merely steps from the sea, Bristol Brasserie is widely regarded as being the finest brasserie along the Belgium coast. With a menu laden with fresh, reasonably priced dishes and a wall of windows offering a spectacular view of the North Sea and Knokke promenade, the brasserie is an excellent choice for either lunch or dinner. Closed Wednesdays and Thursdays. www.brasseriebristol.be

La Suite
A cosy eatery that combines the charms of a Parisian bistro with a gastronomic restaurant. The walls are framed with photos of French film stars from the last century and classic French chansons provide the background music. The French/Belgo cuisine matches the decor – little wonder that former Belgian national football team boss Georges Leekens lists it in his top five restaurants. www.lasuitebvba.be

La Reserve
Reflecting ‘l’art de vivre’ of Knokke, La Reserve is the place to go for gourmet dining and spectacular views. Consisting of the ‘Bistro’ with an open kitchen, the private ‘Dinner 160’ and the trendy ‘Bar 160’, La Reserve has something for each group of visitors. www.la-reserve.be

Museums Sincfala – Museum of Zwinstreek
Learn what life was like as a Heist fisherman in the early 1900’s at Sincfala. Featuring an old school house where presentations are given about the education, fishing techniques and superstitions of the time. The museum also features a garden in which sits an old ship, Jessica, from 1935 and guided tours are offered to visitors. www.sincfala.be

For Freedom Museum
A tribute to the roughly 1,000 Canadian soldiers who lost their lives during Operation Switchback on 1-2 November 1944. Included in the museum, which has been in operation since 2008, are exhibits of military machinery, combat gear, and a realistic impression of Operation Switchback. Open 10h-17h Tuesday-Sunday. www.forfreedommuseum.be

Paul Delvaux Museum
With a selection of the works of Belgian painter Paul Delvaux, the museum aims to give visitors a glimpse of the joy the painter felt while working on his creations. Included in the galleries are collections of drawings, prints, watercolors and oils that display the evolution of Delvaux’s artwork. Born in 1897, Delvaux found his niche in decorative painting at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Brussels before becoming one of the country’s most iconic artists. www.delvauxmuseum.com

Shopping

Bellerose
Created in 1989 and inspired by vintage workwear, Bellerose is a true Belgian line offering stylish and unique pieces. The Knokke location offers collections for both men and women and has a fun, quirky atmosphere. www.bellerose.be

Corpo Collezione
Specialising in custom suiting and tailored life of leisure Beautiful Knokke togethermag.eu I 77 business attire, Corpo Collezione caters to the taste, size, and personality of each client. The brand has three lines: Trendy, Casual and Classic Business, creating a well-rounded and wellrespected collection. www.corpocollezione.com

Mason’s Store
Always a step ahead of the trends, Mason’s Store offers ‘Must Have’, a unique shopping experience where its team screens international brands for the latest looks and concepts. Offering pieces for every occasion, Mason’s store is the place to go to shop for you as well as to pick up a gift for a friend. www.musthave.be

New Paris Londres
A well-known shop among locals, New Paris Londres offers exclusive shoes, handbags and accessories. The store has three distinct locations in Knokke in which you can find different products from either their Casual, Fashion, or Luxury collections. www.newparislondres.be

Roelandt Jewellers
A jewellery store for all occasions, located on Lippenslaan. Roelandt offers a great variety of classic and modern Swiss watches and timeless gold. Younger customers are catered to as well at Roelandt Fashion Time, a trendy branch of the store located just down the street. www.juweliersroelandt.be

To do and to see

Franlis Harbor Tour
The best way to see a lively port in action, a harbour tour allows visitors to Knokke a unique and memorable sight-seeing experience. The 75-minute trip takes passengers to the Belgian Navy Base as well as gas and wind turbines along the shore. With more than 45 years in operation Franlis offers fun, safe and memorable tours. www.franlis.be

The Zwin
For Nature and bird lovers who travel to Knokke, the Zwin is a beautiful nature reserve located along the coast. With a variety of birds migrating through the area each year, the reserve is an ideal place to experience Belgian wildlife. The reserve is also home to a variety of vegetation that is not found in any other part of the world. www.west-vlaanderen.be

Nightlife Antique Café
Doubling as an antique gallery, the Antique Café in Knokke regularly puts on trendy and fun events. Offering drinks ranging from exotic teas to luxury champagne and featuring a variety of indoor and outdoor lounging options, the café is an excellent choice for a unique and memorable night out. What’s more, if you happen to fall in love with the chair you’re seated in, chances are it’s for sale! www.antiquecafe.be

Kitsch Club
Every Wednesday through Saturday night, the Knokke Kitsch Club cranks up the volume of its 80s and hip-hop music to take its visitors back in time. The club is kept modern with a contemporary and cozy atmosphere, however – it’s the place to go for an uncomplicatedly good time. www.kitschclub.be

Zuri

A chance to leave this world behind, Zuri’s décor transports visitors into a futuristic world of abstract whiteness that remains cozy with warm lighting and a friendly bar staff. The club’s DJs leave commercialized mixes behind and opt for original beats that match the vibe of Zuri’s visitors.