Blankenberge is one of the most important seaside resorts on the Belgian coast in terms of tourist numbers and hotel reservations.

It is a national and to a certain extent international seaside resort, attracting visitors from across northern Europe.

This not only ensured a growing export of fish but also an easy connection for the inhabitants of Bruges who came to the sea for a day of relaxation.

During the Belle époque, the fashionable Blankenberge was the favorite holiday destination of the Belgian beau monde; only the crowned heads, the nobility, prominent politicians, artists and the rich bourgeoisie could afford to spend their summer holidays in their second residence by the sea.

Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the throne of the Habsburg Empire, for example, regularly visited.

With the increasing prosperity in the 1960s and 1970s, mass tourism also made its appearance in Blankenberge and from then on it mainly attracted the working and middle class from the Belgian interior.

Blankenberge, formed part of the Atlantic Wall defences constructed by the German occupiers.

Every year this event is commemorated on the following Saturday afternoon with a ceremony and a performance by a concert band on Manitobaplein.

Before the First World War, Blankenberge was an exclusive holiday resort frequently attended by Royalty.

The Archduke enjoyed his walks to Wenduine and attended service daily at the St Rochus church.

The Archduke and his wife were planning to travel again to Blankenberge after their last official engagement before the summer holiday at Sarajevo in 1914 where they were killed.

Notable musical institutions were the "Eden" were popular Flemish artists performed on the board walk.

International artist such as Joe Dassin, Boney M, Plastic Bertrand and Dalida attended this event.

Later the Flemisch Private TV broadcaster VTM organised "Tien om te Zien" with musical performances of Flemish artists.

The films Franz (1971) by Jacques Brel with Barbara , Isabelle and Lust (1975) with Anicée Alvina, Rimbaud Verlaine (Total Eclipse) (1995) with Leonardo DiCaprio and Le Tout Nouveau Testament (2015) with Catherine Deneuve, Benoît Poelvoorde and François Damiens were notably filmed in the city (or at least in part).