Kris’ wheelchair-friendly adventure along the Flemish coast

Two friends take a selfie by a colorful building; one sits in a wheelchair with a mounted device.

An accessible trip through Flanders

In autumn 2026, we welcomed a number of travellers with disabilities to Flanders. They talked about their accessible trip to Flanders on their socials, and were the first to try out the Selfie for All spots. These tactile paving tiles help blind and visually impaired people excellently position themselves for the perfect selfie. Read about Kris’ adventure along the Flemish coast, with stops in Ostend, De Panne, and Oostduinkerke.

Who is Kris?

@bucketkris
The Netherlands 🇳🇱
Has an unpredictable illness, mobility difficulties, and several allergies
Loves backpacking and slow travel
Often travels alone with her electric handcycle
Was joined and helped on this trip by her friend Annika

Smiling person with short hair sits by a window in a café, with both hands raised in a gesture.

Ostend, the home town of James Ensor

The Flemish coast stretches for an impressive 67 kilometres. There is plenty to discover. Kris and Annika begin their story in proud Ostend. This city combines the rugged life of its fishing community with art and grandeur. Flemish Master James Ensor is the city’s artistic figurehead. Want to get to know him better? The James Ensor House, where he spent the last 30 years of his life, welcomes you with open arms. The museum and visitor experience take you through his life and work. Everyone can enjoy this wonderful experience. The entire museum accommodates wheelchairs, and audio guides and additional information are available for visitors with visual impairments. The visit left an impression: “Hats off!”

Step into the world of James Ensor

An accessible tour of spectacular street art

Ostend is full of art, which you can see throughout the city thanks to The Crystal Ship. This street art festival regularly drops anchor in Ostend. Each time, dozens of new artworks appear in its streets and squares. Some are monumental; others are subtly tucked away. Kris and Annika discover it all on a walk past many of the highlights. The route mainly follows paved paths, promenades, and the seafront. The free ferry to the artworks on the east bank also accommodates wheelchairs. A wonderful, carefree adventure exploring art by the sea.

Explore the accessible The Crystal Ship route

The Coastal Tram: a carefree ride along the North Sea

The Flemish coast is packed with highlights. What is the best way to discover them? By Coastal Tram, of course. It follows the North Sea coast: 67 stops along 67 kilometres. Kris and Annika take the opportunity to travel to their next destination. “Getting to the beach in a wheelchair? It’s lovely and warm on the tram that takes us all the way from Ostend to De Panne.” The trams are accessible to people with reduced mobility, too. They have low floors, designated wheelchair spaces, and retractable ramps. Another tip for art lovers: the Coastal Tram is the ideal way to discover Beaufort Sculpture Park. This open-air museum features more than 40 artworks in public spaces along the entire Flemish coast.

Explore the Flemish coast by Coastal Tram

Yellow sculpture like paint splashes on a dune, with sea and beach in the background and a person with dog.

Westtoer APB

Sun and sea? Carefree!

What could be better than a long walk on the beach? You breathe in the salty sea air as the wind plays with your hair. But that can be difficult if you have reduced mobility. Fortunately, Duinpanne Visitor Centre has a solution. You can hire a special beach wheelchair there, designed for the conditions. Annika used her strength to push Kris along on their outing, but an electric wheelchair is also available. The same visitor centre is also a starting point for a carefree visit to De Panne’s nature reserves. Walking on Four Wheels is a comfortable, wide path that accommodates wheelchairs. Its surface is adapted for wheelchair use, too. There are plenty of benches along the way if you need a rest.

Enjoy a wheelchair-friendly outing on the beach or in nature

Wooden terrace with picnic tables by a pond; three people sit and talk, building in the background.

Provincie West-Vlaanderen

The caviar of the North Sea

After stopping in Ostend and De Panne, Kris and Annika travel on to the final stop of their North Sea trip: Oostduinkerke. This small town has had a huge influence on our culinary culture. It is home to the shrimp fishermen on horseback. On the beach, sturdy farm horses wade through the surf. They pull large nets through the sea to catch North Sea grey shrimp. This is the only place in the world where fishing is still done in this traditional way. No wonder UNESCO has recognised the practice as a piece of global intangible cultural heritage. Fancy a taste? You will find Estaminet De Peerdevisscher, famous for its delicious, freshly made shrimp croquettes, next to the fascinating and accessible NAVIGO Fisheries Museum. It is a tasty end to a wonderful adventure by the North Sea.

Discover the fishing tradition and taste North Sea grey shrimp

Man in yellow jacket rides a horse through shallow seawater along the beach, with baskets and seagulls.

Kris looks back

“We enjoyed our stay in Flanders. The people are so friendly, which makes everything even better. I have a lot of allergies, so eating out can sometimes be difficult. Everyone here made sure to keep them in mind. They always prepared something so I could eat with everyone else. When we come back to De Panne, I’ll definitely try the electric beach wheelchair. What a fantastic invention!”

Get to know Kris better

What do you really enjoy doing on holiday?
“Learning something or discovering more about the world.”
What do you ALWAYS take on holiday?
“My much-loved, well-worn backpack.”
What do you dislike on holiday?
“Following the tourist trail without visiting local destinations.”
What’s your favourite Flemish dish?
“Brussels waffles.”
What makes you feel truly welcome when you travel?
“Meeting kind people who help me find solutions.”

We welcomed Kris and Annika with open arms. Their visit was thought-provoking, and we learnt a great deal from it. We remain committed to making Flanders as accessible a place as possible. Do you have any comments, suggestions, or tips? Let us know via toegankelijk@toerismevlaanderen.be.

Practical information about Kris and Annika’s trip

Transport
Kris and Annika travelled by train from Schiphol to Ostend. Along the coast, they travelled by Coastal Tram and by taxi with a driver experienced in transporting wheelchair users.
Accommodation
Hotel Mercure in Ostend
Wheelchair-accessible apartment Eb en Vloed in De Panne
B&B Terre du Nord in Nieuwpoort.
Restaurants
De Grote Post
Lizette & Lucien
Mirage
Restaurant Parkhotel
De Wasserette
Brasserie Carrousel