The historical heart of Damme retains a medieval feeling even today with its town hall, the church of Our Lady, the former Saint-Jan's hospital and museum, the "Huyse de Grote Sterre", which is the home to the tourist office and the 'Owl Glass Museum'.

The polder villages of Oostkerke, Hoeke and Lapscheure are within walking distance. During the wintermonths the presence of thousands of wild geese offers spectacular views. The unique neo-gothic hamlet Vivenkapelle is a must for architecture buffs. The Ryckevelde woods at Sijsele offer a pleasant spot in which to relax and unwind.

Damme-Literary Village

Damme is a ‘literary village' since 1997 along with Redu in Wallonia and Hay-on-Wye in England. It has a concentration of bookshops and assorted antiquarian bookshops. There are regular literature activities that include book fairs, auctions, presentations, literary courses, bookbinding, papermaking, calligraphy, etc. The town's art galleries house permanent exhibitions of works by contemporary artists.

Musica Flandrica Damme

The tourist office of Damme organizes Sunday morning concerts in the medieval town hall of Damme, linked to the monthly book markets. Information/reservation :
Musica Frandrica Damme

Nature reserves

The holiday homes are located alongside 17 ha of nature reserve known as “De Stadswallen van Damme” (ramparts). Knokke-Heist is home to the world-renowned Zwin nature reserve.

Gastronomy

In the historic centre of Damme (at 300 metres) you will find 25 catering establishments ranging from simple eating houses to top class restaurants that reflect the Burgundian lifestyle of the Flemish people. Since 2013 Restaurant De Zuidkant holds a Michelin star

Walking and cycling

Damme is situated at the crossroads of several sign posted cycle routes as the Riante Polder route linking Damme with Knokke-Heist (44 km), the Maerlantroute running from Damme to Sluis-Aardenburg and Maldegem (54 km), and the Beverhoutsroute, which explores the woodland area between Bruges and Beernem (38 km). The holiday homes lie on the international cycle route LF 1: the North Sea route from Den Helder in Holland to Boulogne in France (360 km) and the Flanders Bicycle Tour Bikes are available for hire at the tourist office in Damme, at the Tijl en Nele cycle shop and at Ben's Bike Rental. (www.arlando.be) (www.amusementvlaanderen.be).

Fishing

There are jetties on the Damse Vaart for anglers who wish to try their luck. Each year, the waterway is restocked with carp, whitefish, redeye, eel, perch and pike. A fishing licence is available at the post office. The fishing season along the Damse Vaart is closed between the 15th of April and the 31st of May.

Fishing licence

A fishing licence is required. You can buy them in every Post Office in the Flemish Region. The validity is of one year.

Usefull adresses:
Provinciale Visserijcommissie, Burg 2b, 8000 Brugge,
Tel. 050/40 57 04, patrick.van_hooimissen@west-vlaanderen.be

Beheer van de visstand en de visserij
Agentschap voor Natuur en Bos
Zandstraat 255 bus 3, 8200 Sint-Andries, Tel. 050/45 41 56, visserij.wvl.anb@vlaanderen.be

Horse riding - tennis - golf

In the immediate vicinity there are horse riding centres in Oostkerke, Moerkerke, Sint-Kruis and Dudzele. Tennis courts are available in Sijsele, Moerkerke, Sint-Kruis and Knokke, while golfers go to the Damme Golf & Country Club in Sijsele or to Knokke.



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