Oudenburg – Discover Roman history and polder landscapes

Oudenburg combines Roman history, historic paths and peaceful experiences in nature. The historic town centre lies on a sandy ridge, an extension of the sandy region, around 8 kilometres inland from today’s coastline. This gives the town its own character, combining polder landscapes, cultural heritage and excursions in the surrounding area.

Roman history and historic traces

The Romeins Archeologisch Museum Oudenburg tells the story of the Roman fort at Oudenburg and the Roman presence in the wider area. Visitors of different ages can follow an audio-guide tour there, specially designed for younger and older people. Those travelling with several generations can therefore enjoy a cultural experience that appeals to different age groups without everyone having to share the same interests.

In Abtspark, you can walk along a reconstruction of a Roman road. Abdijhoeve also directs attention to the past: it is one of the last surviving remnants of the former Sint-Pietersabdij. The large whitewashed entrance gate bears the year 1671. The tiny 't Spaans Tolhuis on the towpath from Plassendale to Bruges was once the gateway to a powerful 17th-century fort. At the archaeological site of Roksem next to the Geboortebos, a small model shows what this building probably looked like.

Walks with different themes

The Belpop Bonanza walk takes you to ten different locations featuring stories and anecdotes about the history of pop and rock music in Oudenburg. It complements the Roman and religious themes with a musical perspective on the town. When planning a trip around different interests, this focus can be considered separately from a visit to the Romeins Archeologisch Museum Oudenburg or a walk in Abtspark.

The “Met Moovie op stap” exercise route starts in Abtspark at Marktstraat 25 and is 6.3 kilometres long, or around 9,000 steps. The “Stappen langs Erfgoed” town walk also starts and ends at Abtspark at Marktstraat 25. The information about the start, finish and route helps you plan your day around your preferred distance and theme.

De Hoge Dijken and views across the polders

The 52-hectare De Hoge Dijken nature reserve offers opportunities for peaceful relaxation, nature experiences, walking and fishing. The area includes the De Grote Zaagbek visitor centre and four birdwatching hides. From the Het Rietnest observation tower, you can look out over the flat polders and the Zwaanhoek nature reserve. Those seeking quieter moments in nature alongside cultural discoveries can make this landscape their own focus during their holiday.

The Plassendale lock complex lies close to the destination, north of Oudenburg. It consists of two tidal locks and a turning basin on the Plassendale–Nieuwpoort northeast–southwest canal, which runs at right angles to the Bruges–Ostend east–west canal. Free parking is available at the RAM; travelling by public transport is also possible.

Choose accommodation to suit your travel profile

When searching for a holiday apartment or holiday home in Oudenburg, you can first decide which experiences should shape your trip. Culture enthusiasts can plan around the museum, Roman reconstruction, historic buildings and the Belpop Bonanza walk. For days in nature, De Hoge Dijken, the Het Rietnest observation tower, walking and fishing take centre stage.

If you would like to extend your travel plans beyond Oudenburg, you can also find Koksijde-Bad, Oostkamp, Zonnebeke, Kortrijk, Koksijde, Veurne, Ichtegem and Koekelare.

For the broader travel overview: West Flanders.