The coastal city of Ostend is both a resort and a working port, with locations reflecting all aspects of life by and on the sea. Inland the countryside is lush, with long straight roads, creeks and meadows, farms and secluded villages.

Ostend's wide beaches and extensive boardwalk provide archetypal seafront atmosphere. Overlooking buildings range from art deco arcades and Belle Époque hotels to monumental apartment blocks and rich villas. Tourist settings include beach huts, café terraces, shops and restaurants.

Further from town the beach becomes wilder, with sand dunes, nature trails and camp sites. Ostend also boasts a number of distinctive military locations, such as a 19th century fort and sea-facing bunkers dating from World War II.

Two of Ostend's signature buildings are the Casino, a grand concert hall and gambling establishment dating to the 1950s, and the Wellington race track, reconstructed after WWII in its original 19th century style. Churches range from the Gothic to contemporary, and there is also a Neo-Romanesque synagogue.

The harbour is a setting for vessels of all shapes and sizes, from yachts and small sailing boats to fishing boats, commercial shipping and passenger ferries. Top billing goes to the Mercator, a three-masted sailing ship previously used as a training vessel for the Belgian merchant marine.

Associated architecture includes a ferry terminal, fish markets, a marina, lighthouses and water towers. Away from the water the city boasts airports, railway stations, shopping and residential neighbourhoods of all kinds.

The Ostend Film Office also covers the following adjoining municipalities: Mariakerke, Raversijde and Zandvoorde.