Reviews_guests give their opinion_V2 scaled
V1 2 scale

Dogs allowed in our rental apartment

We are a dog-friendly holiday accommodation. Why? We allow dogs because we believe that everyone should be able to enjoy the sea with those they love. That is possible with your partner, your friends, your children, grandchildren… and therefore also with your dogs, cats, birds, hamsters…

Tenants regularly ask us if they can bring their dog. Or their dogs. In many holiday apartments, they receive a “no” to their question.

We do allow dogs. Other animals are also welcome provided they respect the house rules.

One or two dogs are perfect for us.

Dog-friendly apartment on Zeedijk

It is very nice to note that dog owners usually leave our holiday accommodations the cleanest of all renters. They follow the rules, pay extra attention to leftover dog hair, and put away their dog belongings neatly.

Because we then thoroughly clean and air everything out before the next tenants arrive, there is never a dog smell in our apartments.

Due to our strict rules, people with a pet allergy never experience any nuisance from the permitted dogs.

Book your holiday with your dog directly with owners Anke & Hans

Book now

Practical guide: with your dog on holiday in Ostend

Dogs are allowed here. And Ostend is fully geared towards holidaymakers with dogs. You will find beach areas that are accessible all year round. Restaurants are happy to place a bowl of water next to your table. And during walks, you will encounter plenty of four-legged friends.

Dogs are allowed everywhere on the beach. On most of Ostend beach, your dog can even run free. Run, play, sniff, and swim completely without a leash.

Always on a leash

Exceptions apply in only three zones. In these places, you must always keep your dog on a short leash:

1. The Sports Beach (at groynes 7 and 8)
2. The Klein Strand between the Westerstaketsel and the Westelijke Strekdam
3. The area between Raversijde and the border with Middelkerke. This is a protected nature reserve.

Moreover, Ostend has no fewer than ten walking fields, about five of which are within a short walking distance of our holiday accommodations.

Allowed on the beach all year round

There are also zones where the seasonal rules simply do not apply. Three beach sections are freely accessible to dogs at all times and at any hour of the day. Fun playing, walking, and swimming 24/24:

- From beach head 5 on the East Bank to the border with Bredene. Your dog may run free here.
- Small Beach (Westerstaketsel), on a leash required
- Raversijde to Middelkerke, a leash is mandatory here as well

From our apartments on the Zeedijk, you can quickly reach the areas on the Oosteroever. This is usually the favorite walking spot for our tenants with a dog. It is very quiet there, and there is plenty of room to run around.

Running in the dog forest

Ostend even has a real Dog Forest. You can find it between Karperstraat (near Groene 62) and the motorway.

The dog forest is no less than 3,5 hectares in size. You will find a walking route there for walkers with dogs. An added bonus is that dogs do not need to be on a leash while walking.

Our guests enjoy with their dog

Joke Galle

A major plus is also that our dog could come along; she thoroughly enjoyed the beach and the walks as well.

Very smooth contact with the owners!

Rosemie Donne

Very important: everything was so flawless, worthy of high praise.

Our dog really enjoyed the beautiful view of the sea.

We will definitely come back next year.

Bianca Stevens

Very beautiful and neat apartment! Easy and convenient to reach… nice quiet location! We would love to come back here!

Manu and Els

Dear Anke, We have now enjoyed a stay by the sea in your beautiful Loft three times. It is a pleasant experience every time. We enjoy the sea, but also the proximity of Ostend and the activities surrounding the Ensor Year. We did everything by bike, which we could safely store in the bicycle cellar. In the evenings, we enjoyed watching TV on a large screen, just to underline yet another of the many advantages of the loft. Until next time, Manu and Els Halsberghe-Vanderhoeght Kind regards.

Wim Matthijs

We have already stayed at Anke's apartment twice. Once in January, once in March. What a delightful place to stay. Just outside the hustle and bustle of Ostend city, yet close enough to walk there. Everything you need to have a wonderful time is there. It is nice that you have a view of the sea from your armchair, from the dining table, and from the kitchen. Always beautiful to look at. One of the few places where your faithful four-legged friend is also welcome. Very professional host. Everything is neat and decorated with great taste. For us, it is becoming/will remain our regular spot by the sea.

Restaurants that allow dogs

In almost every restaurant and tavern, you can ask for a bowl of water for your dog. But that is not all.

The list of restaurants where dogs are allowed inside is also long.

We provide a brief list of restaurants near Het Appartement and De Loft where your four-legged friend is welcome: Leffe Beach, Den Artisjok, De Monroe, and Kursaal Oostende.

Click below for the full list of dog-friendly restaurants.
Dog restaurants

Dog menu on the terrace Kursaal Oostende

Did you know that dogs now have their own menu on the terrace of the Kursaal? The dog menu in Ostend includes 125-gram portions of beef, fish, and poultry, always paired with vegetables. Additionally, chew bones are available in various sizes, suitable for dogs from Chihuahuas to German Shepherds.

The owner got the idea for her Dog's menu in Monaco. We predict that other Ostend restaurants will soon follow suit.

Our house rules for admitting dogs

Every tenant must occupy the holiday apartment as a good householder and respect the house rules. This also applies to tenants with a dog or other pet. Dogs are only permitted with us under these conditions.

These are our specific rules for those staying by the sea with a dog:
- Maximum of 2 dogs allowed.
- Bring a basket or blanket for your faithful four-legged friend. That way, he immediately has his familiar resting and sleeping place with him on vacation.

What is forbidden for dogs?

- get into the beds
- Lying in the seats
- To shake oneself dry inside
- Biting and scratching the walls or furniture
- Barking

After every stay, we inspect the accommodation for damage. Any damage caused by biting, scratching, or playing will be charged. If you trust your dog enough to bring him to our luxury holiday home, then we trust you too!

Small surcharge for pets

When booking your holiday, you indicate whether you are bringing 1 or a maximum of 2 dogs. For a small surcharge, we ensure that you do not have to miss your pet while on holiday.

Frequently Asked Questions about dogs in our apartment (FAQ)

Ostend dog beach 2026
Ostend dog beach 2026