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When visitors arrive in Oostende from the railway station their attention is immediately captured by the twin towers of the Saint Peter and Saint Paul's church. This neo-gothic church, built in 1904-1905, was designed  by architect Delacenserie.The use of sandstone sets it apart from other churches in the Province of West-Flanders that are mostly entirely built with bricks. Inside the church is the mausoleum for Belgium's first queen Louise-Marie who died in Oostende in 1850. The stained-glass windows show the portraits of different Belgian Kings. Next to the church is an older tower (the 'Peperbusse') a remainder of the former church from the 18th century that stood here before it was destroyed by fire in 1896.The first  stone of the tower itself was laid on July the 20th 1478. The tower now houses a small museum. 

One of the entrance gates to Oostende is the railway station. This building in eclectic style with Baroque elements was constructed in 1910-1913.

Next to the statue of King Leopold II rises the 'Thermae Palace Hotel', which was always the most prestigious hotel in Oostende (see picture below).

 The hotel, together with the 390 m long gallery is one of the most impressive and elegant constructions of the Belgian coast. As befits a city with a past heavily depending on fishermen, Oostende has a monument for the sailors and fishermen who died at sea. The monument represents a sailor who is standing on a column while holding out against the wind from across the sea.A bit further up the Albert I promenade stands the Casino of Oostende, one of the largest casinos in Europe. It was built in 1953 according to plans designed by architect Stijnen. Since more than 150 years it has been one of the attraction poles for visitors of the city. The present building is the fourth Casino to occupy this spot. Above the entrance is a sculpture by Oscar Jespers, 'The four elements'. The games room is decorated with frescoes by the famous Belgian painter Paul Delvaux. Oostende is planning a complete renovation of the casino. Another option exists:  building a complete new casino complex on an artificial island in front of the beach.

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