FAQ: frequently asked questions at a glance

• Is there free wifi in the museum?
Free wifi is provided in the visitor center; this is the reception building with the shop. There is no WiFi on the abbey site itself nor in the museum rooms.

• Can I bring my dog?
Your four-legged friend is only allowed on the abbey site. Not in the museum. Unless it concerns a guide dog; he can of course accompany his owner to help.

• Food and beverages?
The museum café, our 'Guesthouse', is only open during opening hours in the summer months (July and August). A small drinks menu is available, however there is no food available. We would also highly recommend the Sint-Idesbald brewery in Koksijde. There, you will be able to taste our abbey beer(s) on the actual site of Ten Bogaerde, a former abbey farm of the Abbey of the Dunes.

• Can I pay by cash or card?
Cash payments are no longer possible at the museum. You can only pay by card or via the Payconiq application. This applies to the ticketing desk. During the months of July and August the same applies to the museum café. Cash payments are possible in the museum shop and at the South Abbey Mill.

• Can I only visit the abbey site with its garden and ruins without the museum?
Yes, you can! A visit to the abbey site (without the museum) is free of charge.

• Is a visit to the Abbey Museum free?
A visit to the abbey site with its garden and the ruins is included in your museum ticket (the outside area is free of charge, hower the museum is not). Please consult our prices here to see if you are eligable for a discounted rate.

• Can I have a picnic on the abbey site?
Of course! Picnic benches are provided on the grounds outside. So feel free to bring your picnic. You can also picnic on the lawn by the visitor center. But please dispose your waste in the bins provided. Thank you!

• Can I take pictures in the museum?
This is allowed, so definitely bring out your mobile phone or camera, but please respect our museum collection but not using flash photography .

• Is the abbey site always open with the museum?
That is the case during our opening hours. Only with strong winds from 6 Bft, we are obliged to close the abbey site as a precaution: because of the high trees, we do not take any risks towards the safety of our visitors.

• Is there a bicycle shed?
Near the entrance there is a covered bicycle shed.

• Can I charge my electric bicycle at the bicycle shed?
There is no charging point. Therefore it's best that your battery has some energy left on your arrival.

• Can I charge my electric car during my museum visit?
No, there is no electric vehicle charging points for electric cars.

• Approximately how much time should I allow to visit the museum and the abbey site?
We recommend that you allow about two hours.

• Is the museum accessible for wheelchair users?
The entire museum is wheelchair accessible. The outside part is more difficult; you might need some help there. 

• Is the outdoor area accessible for wheelchair users?
The abbey site with its garden and the ruins are more difficult to access for wheelchair users. There is an adapted shell path (parallel to the cobblestone path) that takes you to the ruins. In general, we see that this is possible with the help of a supervisor. Be sure to take a look at the Accessible Flanders website for more information.

• Is the museum accessible by public transport?
Yes, you can reach us perfectly by train, tram and/or bus. More info on this page.

• Is there an audio guide?
There are no audio guides. In the museum itself there are several interactive audio setups.

• Is there a combi ticket to also visit the mill?
There are no combination tickets, you will have to book two separate tickets.