Knokke-Heist, Belgium Tourist Attractions
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Together with Ostend, Knokke-Heist, situated near the Dutch border in an attractive landscape of dunes, is probably the most elegant seaside resort in Belgium.
Walks and Cycle Tours
Among the best walks in and around Knokke-Heist are the "Bloemenwandeling" through the residential suburb of Het Zoute, the "Landelijke Knokke" and the "Polderwandeling" through the attractive dune landscape. The 7km/4miles long Zeedijk which stretches from Heist past Duinbergen to Het Zoute across the wide beach is lined with numerous hotels and villas. The tourist information office has brochures with a total of 10 cycle tours in the surroundings of Knokke-Heist.
Festivals
As well as the permanent choice of entertainment there are occasional important fairs and festivals which are mainly held in the Scharpoord cultural center. These include the Kartoenale (World Cartoon Exhibition), the Knokke European Song Contest and the folk festival in July and August.
Heist
The western part of this agglomeration is Heist which is increasingly in danger of being swallowed up by the expanding town of Zeebrugge.
Heist Regional Museum
The regional museum illustrates the history of fishing, local crafts and everyday life and the "Humorhall" has a collection of humorous photographs.
Meer van Heist
Visitors can get in trim at the "Meer van Heist", an indoor swimming pool with sea water and artificial waves, and the "Fit-o-meter" keep fit park.
Knokke and Albertstrand
Knokke's busy main street is the Lippenslaan, which, near the railroad station, adjoins the Verweeplein with the town hall and monument to the animal painter A. Verwee.
Knokke and Albertstrand Complex
To the west of Knokke is the new quarter of Albertstrand with the famous complex situated alongside the dike. It is worth a look as it contains some fine works of art. The sculpture "Le poète" by Ossip Zadkine stands in front of the building. In the foyer hangs a 7 ton chandelier made from 22,000 pieces of glass, considered to be the largest in Europe. The walls are hung with works by famous painters including René Magritte's "Le Domaine enchanté".
Zegemeer
The Zegemeer is an artificial lake in the dunes. On its south bank was built the Scharpoord cultural center with the modern Institute for Thalasso therapy.
Het Zoute, Belgium
Het Zoute, with its elegant villas set back in the dunes and the evening meeting place of Albertplein, owes its reputation as a fashionable seaside resort to Knokke-Heist. The Royal Golf Club de Zoute, with two 18-hole courses, one of the largest in Europe, and the grounds of the Riding Club add to this.
Bronlaan
A recent attraction is the butterfly garden in the Bronlaan with exotic and indigenous butterflies under 425sq.m/4,575sq.ft of glass.
Knokke - Heist - Het Zwin Nature Reserve
The Het Zwin nature reserve stretches from the end of Het Zoute over the Belgian-Dutch border. Some two fifths of the 150ha/370 acres are accessible to walkers.Het Zwin is now the silted inlet that once made Bruges one of the richest harbors in Europe. Today the countryside, bordered by dunes and the sea dike and criss-crossed by rivulets subject to the tides, provides a unique habitat for plants and animals. Over 100 species of bird nest in Zwin, among which are waders, ducks, the silver plover and snipe. At the entrance to the nature reserve the indigenous species are kept on several ponds and in aviaries so that the visitor can see many of the birds at close hand without disturbing those in the wild. The best times to visit are in Spring, to see the birds, and in July and August when the ground is covered with sea of blossom, the "Zwinneblom".
Sincfala Folklore Museum
This museum is located in a restored 19th century schoolhouse. It displays exhibits on the fishing industry in Knokke-Heist and area. Visitors can also see a model of an old-time school classroom.
The Butterfly Park
The Butterfly Park is like a fairy tale park where visitors can view hundreds of brightly colored butterflies.
Map of Knokke-Heist Attractions
Map - Knokke-Heist
