Knokke-Heist is one of the most famous Belgian resorts on the North Sea. Every year thousands of Belgians spend their holidays here, who are attracted by sandy beaches and a rich cultural offer.
The city was created by joining two fishing centers, Knokke and Heist, which dates back to the 12th-13th centuries. Almost nothing has survived from the old buildings, because between the 15th and 17th centuries the towns were repeatedly destroyed as a result of wars with England and France. Knokke-Heist's career began in the mid-nineteenth century, when the area began to be considered a good place for seaside rest.
Today, the tourist part of Konkke-Heist is primarily hotels and guesthouses located on the seafront promenade and sandy beach. The season here is quite short but intense. When the water in the sea is cooler and the weather does not allow for sunbathing, you can take advantage of various forms of active leisure, including walking, cycling and sports fields. A popular place for excursions is the Zwin reserve, which includes dunes and coastal wetlands. The city also has one of the largest golf courses in Belgium, Het Zoute.
