Halfway between Lille and Ghent, Kortrijk is one of Belgium’s little-known treasures worth visiting. Far from the tourist hustle and bustle of Bruges or Brussels, this Flemish town combines medieval heritage, cultural modernity and a gentle way of life.
What to do in Kortrijk What are the must-see sights in the city, and how to best prepare your stay ? In this travel guide you’ll find all the practical information you need to discover Kortrijk.
This travel guide was produced in collaboration with Visit Flanders. However, I reserve the right to make my own comments, so the opinions and advice expressed here are entirely sincere.
Summary
Practical information: preparing your trip to Kortrijk
How do I get there?
- By train: Kortrijk is easily accessible by train from Brussels (1h30), Ghent (40 min) or Lille (25 min). The station is located right in the city center.
- By car: Located near the E17 freeway, Kortrijk is less than 1 hour from Lille and about 1h30 from Brussels.
When to go?
- Spring (April to June) and autumn (September to October) are the ideal seasons to visit Kortrijk. The climate is mild, tourists are rarer, and the streets are pleasant for strolling.
- In December, the town lights up for Christmas, with a charming winter market.
What’s your budget?
- Accommodation: from €60/night for a 3* hotel, or €40/night in a hostel.
- Meals: between €15 and €30 per person in restaurants.
- Visits: most visits are free, only some museums charge a fee (see next article).
For whom?
Kortrijk is an ideal city for couples, culture and history enthusiasts, or families with children interested in heritage.
How long should you stay there?
It’s a perfect destination for a weekend getaway or a day’s stop on the Flanders route. One day is enough for a quick visit, but 2 days are recommended to enjoy both museums, walks and a good meal in town.
How do you get around?
Kortrijk is a small town that’s easy to explore on foot.
How to communicate?
Kortrijk is located in the Flemish area so it’s mainly Flemish (Dutch) that the locals speak but most speak English.
A little history: the battle that made the legend of Kortrijk
Kortrijk is marked by an eventful history. Its fame was built around the famous Battle of the Golden Spurs (1302), which saw the Flemish militia defeat the French army. This feat of arms forged the town’s identity and is still celebrated today, notably in the Church of Notre-Dame.
Over the centuries, Kortrijk grew thanks to the textile industry, particularly the flax production, which enriched the region. The town preserves the traces of this prosperity with sumptuous buildings and an admirably preserved medieval heritage.
What to do in Kortrijk? 8 must-sees
The Grote Markt
Kortrijk’s central square, the Grand-Place is the starting point for any visit to the city. Here, you can admire the UNESCO World Heritage-listed belfry, a remnant of the medieval cloth hall, as well as the late-Gothic-Renaissance town hall.
It’s also the perfect place for a drink or dinner. There’s also a children’s playground.
The Beguinage (Begijnhof)
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this beguinage founded in 1238 transports you to another time.
What is a beguinage?
In Flanders, the beguinages brought together a community of beguines, women who were often single or widowed, following a religious life but without taking vows. Today, beguinism is totally extinct in Belgium.
Special feature of the Kortrijk beguinage : it was built right in the city center. Today it’s a haven of peace where you can find a free interpretation center, but only in Dutch.
Address : Begijnhofstraat
Prices :free admission
Tip : ideal at the end of the day to enjoy the golden light on the white facades.
Abby Museum
This brand-new visual arts museum, inaugurated in March 2025, is housed in the town’s former abbey, hence its name: Abby.
This museum questions the notion of identity through the prism of art, thanks to temporary exhibitions offered throughout the year. Currently, the ” F**klore “ exhibition focuses on the tradition of folklore, which is very present in northern Europe.
While admission to the exhibition is charged, part of the museum is open to the public. The ” living ” invites artists to create from scratch a living room in which visitors can sit and relax, surrounded by works of art from the museum’s collections. Until September 6, you can discover Rinus Van de Velde’s living room.
Address : Beginhofpark
Hours : daily except Mondays, from 10am to 6pm
Prices : €12, €6 for 12-25 year olds, free for under 12s.
Saint-Martin church and tower
Right in the center of town, this majestic Gothic church from the 14th century can be seen from afar thanks to its tower, which stands 83 meters high!
If your legs allow it, it’s possible to climb to the very top of the tower (around 250 steps) free of charge and enjoy an exceptional panoramic view over the whole city.
Address : Sint-Maartenskerk, Grote Markt
Hours : daily, 10am to 5pm
Prices : free admission
Access to the tower : free, on reservation of a ticket on this link
Notre-Dame church and the Counts’ Chapel (Gravenkapel)
Built from the late 12th century onwards, Notre-Dame church was once part of a fortress located on the domain of the Counts of Flanders. It houses some artistic treasures, including ” The Erection of the Cross ” by Van Dyck.
At its far end, the Chapel of the Counts built in 1370 by Count Louis de Maele is richly decorated with portraits of the Counts of Flanders.
Every half-hour from 10am to 5pm, you can also see ” L’expérience 1302 ” (referring to the date of the Battle of the Golden Spurs), a free sound and light show that revisits the history of the county of Flanders and the Battle of the Golden Spurs. A 12-metre interactive table will also help you learn more about the region’s history.
Address : Deken Zegerplein 1
Hours : Monday to Saturday 8am to 6pm, Sunday 11am to 6pm
Prices : free admission
Experience 1302 : free, reservation advised at this address
The Broel Towers (Broeltorens) and the quays of the Lys river
The walk along the quays of the Lys is particularly pleasant. You’ll see the Broel Towers, two round towers emblematic of the city, remnants of the old fortifications.
Address : Broelkaai
Tip : it’s the perfect spot for a picnic break on the docks or for a sunset.
The town hall (Stadhuis) and aldermen’s rooms
On Kortrijk’s main square, this flamboyant building erected around 1520 is a real eye-catcher ! Take a close look at its facade : you’ll be able to see statues of the main counts of Flanders.
The interior is open to visitors free of charge, and features the sumptuous aldermen’s and council chambers.
Address : Grote Markt 54
Prices : free admission
Shopping !
If you feel like doing a bit of shopping, head for Lange Steenstraat, a shopping street with many boutiques.
Interactive map of Kortrijk
Find all the addresses mentioned in this article on this map:
Where to sleep in Kortrijk?
Opposite the station, the Parkhotel lets you put down your suitcases and relax with spacious rooms. The buffet breakfast is varied and gourmet.
Several other accommodations are available in Kortrijk. Enter the dates of your stay below to see the accommodations and their rates:
Affiliate links
Where to eat in Kortrijk?
There’s no shortage of restaurants in the city, especially around the quays and the Grand Place.
I recommend Momma by Maddox, a bistronomic restaurant offering tasty modern cuisine.
For lunch AbbyCafe, the Abby Museum restaurant, is a fine address with simple but gourmet dishes. – Reservations recommended.
What to see around Kortrijk
Extend your stay in Flanders: many other towns await you ! I particularly recommend :
- Leuven
- Bruges
- Mechelen
- Antwerp
Enjoy your trip to Kortrijk!
This travel guide was produced in collaboration with Visit Flanders. However, I reserve the right to make my own comments, so the opinions and advice expressed here are entirely sincere.
All photographs illustrating this article are the property of Culturez-vous and may not be reused without written permission.
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