48 hours in Kortrijk

Mensen in een bootje varen met uitzicht op de twee Broeltorens in Kortrijk.

©Toerisme Leiestreek vzw

Two full days in Kortrijk? You'll have a packed itinerary. This charming city on the Lys River is well worth a visit. The people of Kortrijk, known as the City of Golden Spurs in reference to the Battle of the Golden Spurs in 1302, have added creative contemporary flair to its rich historical heritage. As an added bonus, the city is easy to explore on foot, by bicycle or even by boat. Enjoy relaxation pur sang in Kortrijk.

Day 1

Visit the Texture Museum

Kortrijk is home to many places where you can enjoy great food, including a delicious breakfast. Once you have finished your morning coffee and croissant, why not head to the Texture Museum? This museum pays tribute to the city's rich textile past. Due to its prominent location on the Lys River, Kortrijk was known far and wide for its flax and linen since the early Middle Ages. The craftsmanship, entrepreneurship and innovation of those days still linger in the DNA of the city and its residents today.

A child in a green shirt walks on a path surrounded by tall grass, towards a brick building with a yellow roof, under a blue sky with scattered clouds.

Peaceful tranquillity in the Beguinage

From the bustling Grote Markt main square, it's just a short walk to the 13th-century Beguinage, recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Be sure to visit the Gothic St Matthew's Chapel and the experience centre, which explores the phenomenon of beguinages from a modern perspective. In one of the houses, the public can get a glimpse into the home of the Beguines - women who didn't take holy vows but lived together as part of a religious community.

Good to know: you can visit the Beguinage free of charge. If you would prefer a guided tour or to use an audio guide, Visit Kortrijk would be happy to assist. When your tummy starts to rumble, Huyze Begga - located in the former residence of the order's Grand Dame - serves fine cuisine.

More great places to have lunch in Kortrijk

Flanders’ Finest Cycling Route: Flax Lys Cycle Route

Kortrijk is your ideal base for a cycling route featuring the Lys River. The Flax Lys Cycle Route is 42 kilometres long, the vast majority of which runs along dedicated, car-free bicycle paths. There's plenty to see along the route: a 100-year-old wingnut tree, the start and finish locations of two cycling races, a flax retting facility, a river lock, the beautiful nature of the old Leiearmen, the De Gavers nature reserve and the trendy Buda Island. It's safe to say that the Flax Lys Cycle Route is a one-of-a-kind experience.

More info about this route and download GPX

A serene scene of two people on a wooden bridge over a river, surrounded by tall reeds and lush green trees, under a partly cloudy sky.

Kris Jacobs

Tip!
Need a break along the way? You'll find a warm welcome at the André Desmedthuis, a cultural and arts centre in Wielsbeke.

Gourmet dining in the evening

Kortrijk is dotted with plenty of delicious dining options. For example, there's Va et Vient, where you can enjoy gourmet dining in a historic and contemporary setting on the banks of the Lys. Chef Matthias Speybrouck has worked with Piet Huysentruyt at Le Lutin Gourmand, Sergio Herman at Oud Sluis, and Kobe Desramaults at In de Wulf and De Vitrine, among others. He has developed his own style over the years, which he likes to describe as 'Rough and Refined'. Here are more food and drink locations in the area.

A black speckled plate with a small, artful arrangement of mixed greens and carrot shavings on a rustic, textured brown surface. Minimalist and elegant.

Michael Dehaspe

Day 2

City Walk

A delicious breakfast is the ideal fuel for the 7.8-kilometre walking route through Kortrijk. This is uniquely signposted with bronze rivets. The very first one is in the ground at the Beguinage. You then head towards the medieval Belfry, where the magnificent view is worth the 231-step climb. The Broel Towers, St Martin's Church and Our Lady's Church - with their Flemish Masters - are also on the route and testify to the city's rich history.

But Kortrijk is not stuck in the past. Renowned architects and landscape designers have brought about a metamorphosis of the city, something you'll notice during your walk. The banks of the Lys, Buda Island, the many bridges, the city parks and the shopping district all help shape a contemporary city that has retained its identity throughout the centuries.

More info about this route and download GPX

Aerial view of a European city with red-tiled roofs and a prominent Gothic cathedral, surrounded by trees under a clear blue sky, conveying historic charm.

Visit Kortrijk

Have lunch at Buda Kitchen or Abby Café

As you stroll through Kortrijk, you will stumble across various great places to eat. Buda Kitchen is a must for foodies, with sophisticated urban design as an added treat. Then there's the Abby Café, in the museum garden of Museum Abby. It's the perfect spot for when your appetite for fine art gives way to an appetite for surprising flavours. You can find more tips at the bottom of this page.

A modern café with high, angular, rust-colored walls and a narrow skylight. Patrons sit at tables, enjoying a serene, airy atmosphere.

Barozzi Veiga - Tab Architects

Finish with a boat ride and a beer

Kortrijk really is the gem along the Lys. So a boat ride on the Gouden Rivier is a great idea. Just stop by one of the rental companies along the quay to sign up. Do you have a whole day to spare? Then cruise as far as Sint-Martens-Latem and treat yourself to gorgeous river landscapes.

Once back on shore, quench your thirst with a refreshing Belgian beer. The sidewalk cafes on the Grote Markt beckon with a fine selection of beer. Did you know that Belgian beer culture is listed on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list? So it's no ordinary glass of beer but UNESCO-recognised culture you're drinking. Cheers!

Want to see more of Kortrijk? The Chocolate Trail takes foodies on a journey from cocoa beans to pralines in a real chocolate factory. During the Kortrijk Creative City Tour (an eight-kilometre walk along unique landmarks), you will find out why this city on the Lys was awarded membership in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network in the field of design in 2017.

Starting in 2025, Chocolatier Vandenbulcke from Heule will open an interactive visitor center, The Chocolate Trail, the first of its kind in Belgium.

chocolatier Vandenbulcke - ABS Agency

Click here for more food and lodging addresses and travel tips in Kortrijk (Tou…

Discover more restaurants in the Kortrijk area

Accommodation in Kortrijk

Master Tour Kortrijk

During this Master Tour, discover how Kortrijk's past and present perfectly blend together in a cocktail fizzing with creativity! A historic gem and modern metropolis, Kortrijk combines the best of both worlds.

On a Flemish Master Tour in Kortrijk

Aerial view of a riverside beach area with colorful umbrellas, surrounded by grass and pathways. Reflections shimmer on the calm river water at dusk.