Midway between Lille and Ghent, Kortrijk is considered one of Belgium’s little-known treasures price visiting. Removed from the vacationer hustle and bustle of Bruges or Brussels, this Flemish city combines medieval heritage, cultural modernity and a delicate lifestyle.
What to do in Kortrijk What are the must-see sights within the metropolis, and learn how to finest put together your keep ? On this journey information you’ll discover all the sensible info it’s worthwhile to uncover Kortrijk.
This journey information was produced in collaboration with Go to Flanders. Nevertheless, I reserve the precise to make my very own feedback, so the opinions and recommendation expressed listed here are fully honest.
Sensible info: getting ready your journey to Kortrijk
How do I get there?
- By prepare: Kortrijk is well accessible by prepare from Brussels (1h30), Ghent (40 min) or Lille (25 min). The station is positioned proper within the metropolis heart.
- By automotive: Positioned close to the E17 freeway, Kortrijk is lower than 1 hour from Lille and about 1h30 from Brussels.
When to go?
- Spring (April to June) and autumn (September to October) are the best seasons to go to Kortrijk. The local weather is gentle, vacationers are rarer, and the streets are nice for strolling.
- In December, the city lights up for Christmas, with an enthralling winter market.
What’s your finances?
- Lodging: from €60/night time for a 3* resort, or €40/night time in a hostel.
- Meals: between €15 and €30 per particular person in eating places.
- Visits: most visits are free, just some museums cost a payment (see subsequent article).
For whom?
Kortrijk is a perfect metropolis for {couples}, tradition and historical past lovers, or households with youngsters considering heritage.
How lengthy must you keep there?
It’s an ideal vacation spot for a weekend getaway or a day’s cease on the Flanders route. Someday is sufficient for a fast go to, however 2 days are really useful to get pleasure from each museums, walks and a very good meal on the town.
How do you get round?
Kortrijk is a small city that’s straightforward to discover on foot.
The best way to talk?
Kortrijk is positioned within the Flemish space so it’s primarily Flemish (Dutch) that the locals converse however most converse English.
A bit of historical past: the battle that made the legend of Kortrijk
Kortrijk is marked by an eventful historical past. Its fame was constructed across the well-known Battle of the Golden Spurs (1302), which noticed the Flemish militia defeat the French military. This feat of arms solid the city’s id and continues to be celebrated right now, notably within the Church of Notre-Dame.
Over the centuries, Kortrijk grew due to the textile trade, notably the flax manufacturing, which enriched the area. The city preserves the traces of this prosperity with luxurious buildings and an admirably preserved medieval heritage.
What to do in Kortrijk? 8 must-sees
The Grote Markt
Kortrijk’s central sq., the Grand-Place is the start line for any go to to the town. Right here, you’ll be able to admire the UNESCO World Heritage-listed belfry, a remnant of the medieval fabric corridor, in addition to the late-Gothic-Renaissance city corridor.
It’s additionally the proper place for a drink or dinner. There’s additionally a youngsters’s playground.
The Beguinage (Begijnhof)
A UNESCO World Heritage Web site, this beguinage based in 1238 transports you to a different time.
What’s a beguinage?
In Flanders, the beguinages introduced collectively a group of beguines, ladies who have been typically single or widowed, following a spiritual life however with out taking vows. Immediately, beguinism is completely extinct in Belgium.
Particular characteristic of the Kortrijk beguinage : it was constructed proper within the metropolis heart. Immediately it’s a haven of peace the place you’ll find a free interpretation heart, however solely in Dutch.
Tackle : Begijnhofstraat
Costs :free admission
Tip : very best on the finish of the day to benefit from the golden mild on the white facades.
Abby Museum
This brand-new visible arts museum, inaugurated in March 2025, is housed within the city’s former abbey, therefore its identify: Abby.
This museum questions the notion of id via the prism of artwork, due to short-term exhibitions supplied all year long. At the moment, the ” F**klore “ exhibition focuses on the custom of folklore, which could be very current in northern Europe.
Whereas admission to the exhibition is charged, a part of the museum is open to the general public. The ” residing ” invitations artists to create from scratch a lounge during which guests can sit and calm down, surrounded by artistic endeavors from the museum’s collections. Till September 6, you’ll be able to uncover Rinus Van de Velde’s lounge.
Tackle : Beginhofpark
Hours : each day besides Mondays, from 10am to 6pm
Costs : €12, €6 for 12-25 12 months olds, free for below 12s.
Saint-Martin church and tower
Proper within the heart of city, this majestic Gothic church from the 14th century could be seen from afar due to its tower, which stands 83 meters excessive!
In case your legs enable it, it’s attainable to climb to the very high of the tower (round 250 steps) freed from cost and luxuriate in an distinctive panoramic view over the entire metropolis.
Tackle : Sint-Maartenskerk, Grote Markt
Hours : each day, 10am to 5pm
Costs : free admission
Entry to the tower : free, on reservation of a ticket on this hyperlink
Notre-Dame church and the Counts’ Chapel (Gravenkapel)
Constructed from the late 12th century onwards, Notre-Dame church was as soon as a part of a fortress positioned on the area of the Counts of Flanders. It homes some creative treasures, together with ” The Erection of the Cross ” by Van Dyck.
At its far finish, the Chapel of the Counts inbuilt 1370 by Depend Louis de Maele is richly adorned with portraits of the Counts of Flanders.
Each half-hour from 10am to 5pm, you can even see ” L’expérience 1302 ” (referring to the date of the Battle of the Golden Spurs), a free sound and light-weight present that revisits the historical past of the county of Flanders and the Battle of the Golden Spurs. A 12-metre interactive desk may also enable you study extra concerning the area’s historical past.
Tackle : Deken Zegerplein 1
Hours : Monday to Saturday 8am to 6pm, Sunday 11am to 6pm
Costs : free admission
Expertise 1302 : free, reservation suggested at this tackle
The Broel Towers (Broeltorens) and the quays of the Lys river
The stroll alongside the quays of the Lys is especially nice. You’ll see the Broel Towers, two spherical towers emblematic of the town, remnants of the outdated fortifications.
Tackle : Broelkaai
Tip : it’s the proper spot for a picnic break on the docks or for a sundown.
The city corridor (Stadhuis) and aldermen’s rooms
On Kortrijk’s primary sq., this flamboyant constructing erected round 1520 is an actual eye-catcher ! Take an in depth have a look at its facade : you’ll have the ability to see statues of the primary counts of Flanders.
The inside is open to guests freed from cost, and options the luxurious aldermen’s and council chambers.
Tackle : Grote Markt 54
Costs : free admission
Procuring !
In the event you really feel like doing a little bit of procuring, head for Lange Steenstraat, a procuring road with many boutiques.
Interactive map of Kortrijk
Discover all of the addresses talked about on this article on this map:
The place to sleep in Kortrijk?
Reverse the station, the Parkhotel enables you to put down your suitcases and calm down with spacious rooms. The buffet breakfast is diverse and connoisseur.
A number of different lodging can be found in Kortrijk. Enter the dates of your keep beneath to see the lodging and their charges:
Affiliate hyperlinks
The place to eat in Kortrijk?
There’s no scarcity of eating places within the metropolis, particularly across the quays and the Grand Place.
I like to recommend Momma by Maddox, a bistronomic restaurant providing tasty trendy delicacies.
For lunch AbbyCafe, the Abby Museum restaurant, is a fantastic tackle with easy however connoisseur dishes. – Reservations really useful.
What to see round Kortrijk
Prolong your keep in Flanders: many different cities await you ! I notably suggest :
Take pleasure in your journey to Kortrijk!
This journey information was produced in collaboration with Go to Flanders. Nevertheless, I reserve the precise to make my very own feedback, so the opinions and recommendation expressed listed here are fully honest.
All images illustrating this text are the property of Culturez-vous and might not be reused with out written permission.
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