De panne with kids

Mini guide

De Panne is a seaside town in the Belgian province of West Flanders. It is the southernmost municipality of Belgium and borders France. The municipality has approximately 11,000 inhabitants. De Panne is about a 45-minute drive from Bruges and just over 3 hours from Utrecht.

People mainly come to De Panne for the beach. On this widest beach in Belgium, you can enjoy walking, horseback riding, and sand yachting. In this blog, you’ll find everything you need for a successful weekend in De Panne with children.

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Things to do in De Panne with kids

Plopsaland De Panne with kids

As a parent, you will probably know De Panne from Plopsaland De Panne. Plopsaland De Panne is a theme park by Studio 100 and the most visited theme park in Belgium. The park is mainly popular among younger children, but in recent years, there has been significant work on attractions for the real daredevils. So, it’s a park for young and old! Most attractions are styled after Studio 100’s programs, such as Bumba, Kabouter Plop, Maya the Bee, and Prinsessia.

The coastal tram has a stop at the entrance. There is also a large parking lot for the park. You can find more information at www.plopsalanddepanne.be.

The beach and the promenade

The beach is never far away in De Panne. And did you know that this beach is the widest in Belgium? In some areas, the promenade is hundreds of meters from the sea. The long promenade is lively and filled with restaurants. You can easily spend an afternoon at this beach.

Hiking in the Westhoek Nature Reserve

The Westhoek nature reserve, along with the dune areas in France and the North Sea beach, forms a large hiking area. You can take a walk of 21.5 or 11 kilometers here. We chose to walk about 1 kilometer out and 1 kilometer back with the kids. That was quite a distance for those little legs (though it’s best to bring a stroller for this first stretch!). We walked to the Panoramic Platform North, where we had a beautiful view of the nature reserve and the North Sea. The kids can play in the sand and run down the dunes—great fun!

Here you can find more information about the nature reserve. The Visitor Center De Duinpanne is also worth a visit. Here, you can discover the unique dune, coastal, and marine life of the area. There is also a terrace and a playground with adventurous climbing and scrambling courses for young and slightly older children.

Are you looking for even more activities with children in De Panne? Check out Tripadvisor!

The ideal duration of stay in De Panne with kids

De Panne is a great destination for a (long) weekend getaway. However, with nice weather, you can also easily enjoy a week here with hiking and visits to the beach.

The best time to visit De Panne with kids

The best time to visit De Panne is from May to October. During this period, the temperature is mild, and there is hardly any precipitation.

The most child-friendly hotels in De Panne

Hotel C-Hotels Continental

The C-Hotels Continental is a 3-star hotel in De Panne. The beautifully decorated accommodation is located about 100 meters from the beach and 3.8 km from Plopsaland. The hotel has a fun play area for the children.

Average price of a famliy room: €118 – More information

Plopsa Hotel

Plopsa Hotel is located in De Panne, 2.3 km from the beach, and offers accommodation with a restaurant, free private parking, a bar, and a terrace. The property provides room service and free Wi-Fi throughout.

Average price of a famliy room: €200 – More information

Duplex

Duplex is located in De Panne, just 150 meters from the beach. The apartment features 2 bedrooms, a flat-screen TV with cable channels, a fully equipped kitchen with a dishwasher and a microwave, and 1 bathroom with a shower.

Average price of a famliy room: €225 – More information

B&B Armalot by Julia

This trendy B&B is located 350 meters from the beach and 2.2 km from Plopsaland. B&B Armalot by Julia features a shared lounge, a terrace, and a communal kitchen. The bed & breakfast offers free Wi-Fi and free private parking.

Average price of a famliy room: €215 – More information

The best restaurants in De Panne with kids

Imperial De Panne – www.imperialdepanne.be
Our favorite in De Panne. A trendy and delightful restaurant by the beach. There is a special children’s menu and a kids’ corner, so big! Definitely worth a visit.

Armalot by Julia – www.armalot.be/restaurant
Choose small dishes from the menu to enjoy on your own or to share. The emphasis is on freshness and small-scale offerings. The menu is limited, allowing them to serve freshly made dishes at fair prices.

Moom – www.tripadvisor.nl/Moom
At Moom, you can enjoy a delicious cup of coffee, a tasty breakfast, a light lunch, and homemade pastries.

Bakkerij Rosseel De Panne
A delightful bakery in the center of De Panne, with seating available.

Komilfoo – www.brasseriekommilfoo.be
Brasserie restaurant Kommilfoo is located in the heart of De Panne and has a children’s menu, so kids are very welcome!

Still exploring options for a family-friendly holiday? On our homepage, you’ll find an overview of popular destinations for families.

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