Review of De Panne
Don't fret if you've never come across De Panne; you are not alone. This little beach village tucked along Belgium's North Sea coast is the sort of place that surprises you, like that one friend who never uses social media yet always seems to know what's happening. Though it lacks Bruges' magnificent cathedrals or Brussels' nonstop nightlife, De Panne has something much more underappreciated: charm, seaside air, and sand. Much sand.
Let's first discuss the clear draw: the beach. The coast of De Panne is large, flat, and most importantly, clean. You can walk for kilometres without seeing anything more dangerous than a seagull that obviously owns the place. Families, couples, or anyone in search of an existential moment, looking at the grey-green vastness of the North Sea and pondering why you didn't choose to be a sailor instead, will find it ideal. Climbing the magnificent dunes around the town will provide you with a reasonable justification to lament about activity while covertly appreciating the view.
You're exactly right if the beach conjures images of lazy days and ice cream. At first glance, the town's few coffee shops and ice cream parlours seem simple, but if someone cared enough to stir things up, they might serve up scoops fit to win awards. De Panne has you covered with fresh shrimp, mussels, and the occasional dodgy crab that might have a sense of humour if you're more of a seafood enthusiast. Eating here should be less of a task and more of a little celebration of living close to the sea, which is just what it feels like.
Those who appreciate their holidays with a dash of kitsch will find Plopsaland, a theme park that resembles someone asking a cartoon character to create a roller coaster. Children will love it; grown-ups will either find reliving youth fun or pretend to enjoy it while covertly organising a coffee break close by. Perfect for individuals who enjoy going slowly and treating it like a beautiful journey rather than just a very long bus ride, the town also features a lovely tram that meanders along the coast.
Walking around De Panne, you soon see that time slows down there. Locals are welcoming in that calm, little, amused manner that makes you feel welcome without overwhelming you. Though "noticing more" only refers to counting the quantity of seagulls trying aerobatics over the sea, there is a rhythm here that inspires you to do less and see more.
De Panne is ideal, in a sense, for individuals who enjoy the idea of a beach vacation but without the disturbance of thousands of yelling tourists. It's subtle, peaceful, and sometimes shocking. You come for the sea and sand, and depart seeming like you've found a small secret not to be disclosed too loudly. Perhaps that is just the ice cream talking. Either way, De Panne reminds us that the best vacations are sometimes the ones you find unexpectedly, ideally with a waffle in hand.
