SEA & BEACH
Fancy a bracing dip or a day at the beach? Come to Knokke-Heist, where you will find miles of beach for your enjoyment. During the warm summer months, you can swim, relax and exercise here to your heart's content. Or unwind in one of the numerous beach bars and treat yourself to a delicious aperitif with your toes in the sand.
GASTRONOMIC DELIGHTS
Trendy dining, a tasty lunch or a quick bite to eat? Explore our culinary offerings and discover top gastronomic restaurants, homely bistros and cosy restaurants. Bon appetit!
SHOPPING
In Knokke-Heist, shopping is a unique experience. The range varies from refreshingly simple to remarkably exclusive stores. Many internationally renowned fashion and interiors brands have their flagship stores in the golden triangle of Lippenslaan, Dumortierlaan and Kustlaan. The shops are also open on Sundays.
Would you prefer to browse authentic market stalls in search of local products? If so, head to the markets in Knokke on Wednesday and Saturday mornings and in Heist on Tuesday mornings. Afterwards, why not enjoy a snack or drink on a nearby café terrace?
ART & CULTURE
Knokke-Heist has always held a special appeal for artists, sculptors and painters. Art can be found in the most unexpected locations. Splendid works by well-known artists such as Jean-Michel Folon, Aurora Cañero and Antony Gormley adorn the streetscape. You can also admire outstanding works by international artists from Appel to Zadkine in over 85 art galleries.
The Knokke-Heist Cultural Centre is most definitely an asset in the cultural arena. The programme offers a wide range of events, from performing arts to visual arts and from art workshops to open-air entertainment. Alternatively, visit the For Freedom Museum and Experience Center HEY.
NATURE
Beaches, dunes, mud flats and salt marshes, ponds, reed marshes and forests: Knokke-Heist is undoubtedly the greenest municipality on the Belgian coast. The 9 km long seafront forms the natural umbilical cord between the Zwin region and the Bay of Heist, and is the ideal route for hikers and cyclists. Be sure to put Zwin Nature Park on your list. It’s well worth a visit in every season!
If you would like to move to Knokke-Heist, the staff at the local council will be happy to help you.
PAPERWORK
Depending on your country of origin, you will need to bring and submit various documents and information. In order to help you as effectively as possible, each application is examined individually by our employees. So don't hesitate to call or simply pop in to Knokke-Heist Burgerzaken (Civil Affairs Department).
Town Hall
Alfred Verweeplein 1
8300 Knokke-Heist
T. +32 50 630 100
E. burgerzaken [at] knokke-heist.be
Opening hours:
Monday to Friday: 8.30 am – 12 noon and 1.30 pm – 4.30 pm
Saturday: 9 am – 11.30 am
In Knokke-Heist, you don’t pay any additional local taxes. Always a bonus! For more information, please contact our employees on +32 50 630 147 or e-mail us at ontvangsten [at] knokke-heist.be.
EASY ACCESS
Knokke-Heist is easy to reach by car via the major traffic routes E34, N49, E40 and A11.
If you prefer to travel by train, there are no fewer than three train stations in Knokke-Heist with services that run to Brussels every hour via Bruges. For more information about rates and timetables, visit www.belgianrail.be
Would you prefer to reach your destination a little faster? If so, the Knokke-Heist heliport will certainly offer peace of mind. Or simply take a plane from the nearby Ostend–Bruges International Airport, Zaventem Brussels Airport or Brussels Charleroi South.
EDUCATION & CHILDCARE
Knokke-Heist offers a wide range of high-quality education services, from nursery and primary schools to secondary schools. In addition, university cities such as Ghent, Brussels, Antwerp or Leuven are easy to reach by train.
Childcare
De Duinhuisjes
Clara Di Luna
De Kikker
Juttekind
Li-Lo-La
Nursery and primary education
De Vuurtoren (special needs education)
De Driemaster
Sint-Margaretaschool
OLVO Heist & Ramskapelle
Heilig Hartschool Knokke
Secondary education
MAKZ (+ boarding school)
Sint-Bernardusinstituut
Sint-Jozefslyceum
VTI Heist & Zeebrugge
USEFUL CONTACT DETAILS
Knokke-Heist Local Council T +32 50 630 100
Knokke-Heist Tourist Office T + 32 50 630 380
Flemish Gas and Electricity Regulator www.vreg.be/en
Water & waste management AGSO T +32 50 442 500
Electrabel energy line T 078 35 35 35
Faults and defects T 078 35 35 00
Suspected gas leaks T 0800 650 65
Meter readings T 0800 212 41
Emergency number T 112
Ambulance and fire department T 100
Police T 101
AZ Zeno Hospital Knokke-Heist T +32 50 535 000
GENERAL INFORMATION
General information for expats in Belgium can also be found on the website of the federal government. Among other things, it contains information about buying or renting houses, social security, taxes and healthcare: https://www.belgium.be/en