Westende Cristal Palace Hondenstrand

Middelkerke, Belgium

The Louis Logierlaan Hondenstrand is a designated on-leash dog beach located between the resort centres of Middelkerke and Westende on the Belgian coast. Situated adjacent to the sports beach (sportstrand), this zone is one of three year-round dog-friendly beach areas in the municipality of Middelkerke. Dogs must be kept on a leash of maximum 10 metres within this zone. The beach sits at the guarded area near Louis Logierlaan, starting from the groyne west of the sports beach. This is a supervised swimming zone where dogs and their owners can enjoy the sea together. The monitored setting provides added safety for both swimmers and dogs, making it a popular choice for families who want to combine a beach day with their four-legged companion. Parking is available near Louis Logierlaan. Showers are provided at beach entrances in Middelkerke for rinsing off sand and salt water after a swim. The location between Middelkerke and Westende means it is somewhat quieter than the central Middelkerke beaches near the Casino SILT, while still being easily accessible from both resort centres. This beach is open to dogs year-round, including during the summer period (June 15 to September 15) when dogs are banned from all other non-designated beaches in Middelkerke. Dog owners must always carry waste bags of at least 20 by 30 centimetres and clean up immediately after their pet. The 10-metre leash limit gives dogs room to explore the sand and water while keeping them under control near other beachgoers.

Nieuwpoort, Belgium

Nieuwpoort-Bad Strand is the main beach area of Nieuwpoort, a charming harbor town at the mouth of the IJzer river on the Belgian coast. During the off-season months from September 16 through June 14, leashed dogs are welcome across the full stretch of Nieuwpoort's beaches, making it an excellent destination for autumn, winter, and spring beach walks with your four-legged companion. The beach runs along the Zeedijk promenade and is divided into several named sections including Badinstallatie, Sandeshooft, Rotonde, Leopoldplein, and Vlaanderen. The sandy beach stretches approximately 3.5 kilometers and averages 50 meters in width, providing ample room for dogs and their owners to enjoy walks along the waterline. Nieuwpoort's beach has earned the Blue Flag quality mark for excellent water quality, good accessibility, and proper waste management. Parking is available at multiple locations close to the beach. The Leopoldplein car park is just 60 meters from the beach, Franslaan parking is about 300 meters from Beach Vlaanderen, and Paul Orbanpromenade parking sits 150 meters from the Badinstallatie section. Paid parking applies daily from April through September (10:00-19:00), with rates of approximately 1 euro per hour. During the off-season, the beach is considerably quieter and dogs can enjoy the wide open sand and surf. Beach showers are typically installed from May through September. Note that during summer (June 15 - September 15), dogs are completely prohibited on this beach. For year-round dog beach access, head to the nearby designated Groenendijk Hondenstrand to the southwest.

Nieuwpoort, Belgium

Nieuwpoort Groenendijk Hondenstrand is the designated year-round dog beach on the Belgian coast, stretching approximately 1,625 meters from Paardevissersweg at Groenendijk heading east toward the F. Timmermanslaan near Oostduinkerke. This is one of the few beaches along the Belgian coastline where dogs are welcome even during the peak summer months when most beaches enforce a strict no-dogs policy from June 15 through September 15. The beach is clearly marked with blue signs featuring a white dog symbol, making it easy to identify the permitted zone. Dogs must be kept on a leash at all times, and owners are required to carry waste bags and clean up after their pets. Fines for non-compliance range from 60 to 250 euros. The Groenendijk section is located at the southwestern edge of the Nieuwpoort beach area, where the coastline transitions toward Oostduinkerke. This stretch of sand is notably wide and backed by natural dunes, offering a peaceful atmosphere away from the busier central beach bars and entertainment zones of Nieuwpoort-Bad. The area is well-suited for long walks with your dog along the waterline. Parking is available nearby, though the designated dog zone is set slightly apart from the main beach infrastructure. The nearest parking areas are along the streets behind the dunes. Nieuwpoort earned the Blue Flag quality mark for its excellent water quality, accessibility, and waste management, making this a clean and well-maintained stretch of coastline for both dogs and their owners.