Astropolis

About the museum

Astropolis grew out of amateur astronomy in Ostend. In the mid and late 1980s a group of teenagers became members of JVS Quasar, the youth association for astronomy in Ostend. At the end of the 1990s they founded the Astro Event Group vzw, an association for adults focused on astronomy and space travel. At the end of 2010 the group was threatened with losing its premises when the building it occupied was sold, and it decided to build its own home.

The association took part in the Meesterproef 2014, an architecture competition run by the Flemish government, which allowed architect Pieter-Jan Peeters to draw the design, with support from city architect Lesley Sanders. In this way the original plan for a modest building of 64 m² grew into a larger project. The association was renamed Astropolis vzw and built up an extensive public programme.

Today Astropolis is a Space Science Center in the Nieuwe koers park on the Duinkerkseweg, with a small and a large exhibition space, the Lemaitre auditorium with 54 seats and a 6-metre-wide observation dome. The non-profit association promotes astronomy, climatology and space travel to as broad an audience as possible, through exhibitions, lectures, observations, excursions and workshops.

Highlights

• Large interactive exhibition on Mars: the mysterious planet (2026–2028)
• Lemaitre auditorium with a 5-metre-wide screen, Dolby Atmos and 3D
• Stargazing in the 6-metre dome at Astropolis at night
• Workshops during school holidays: robot rovers, telescopes and micro rockets
• Astrocafé with terrace in the Nieuwe koers park
• Free car park and bicycle parking

Operated by

Astropolis vzw

Admission & discounts

At the box office a ticket for visitors aged 18 and over costs €10; online it is €8. Teachers with a teacher's card pay €6. The ticket gives access to the exhibitions and the auditorium. On the day itself online tickets can no longer be bought; they are available only at the information desk.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The entire building, except the large observation dome, is fully accessible to wheelchair users: the entrance has a gentle ramp, there is a spacious lift, and the auditorium has four spaces for wheelchair users. Small dogs and calm guide dogs are welcome in the building.

Kids & families

Great for kids & familiesRecommended for ages 8+

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations

The workshops are mainly for children aged 8 to 12 and usually take place during school holidays. The exhibitions are understandable from age 8. There is a family ticket for 4 people.

Getting there & parking

Astropolis lies on the Groen lint cycle path around Ostend, with ample bicycle parking but no charging points for electric bikes. The Waze app will direct you to the nearby cycle path.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

Astrocafé with terrace and a view over the Nieuwe koers park. There is a physical and an online shop, selling telescopes among other things.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events

Rooms for hire for own activities and corporate events.

Plan your visit