Weekend getaway Kortrijk
City trip Kortrijk with Eurocity Direct or Eurostar
- Starting at € 43 one-way trip with Eurocity Direct
- Starting at € 49 one-way trip with Eurostar
- After 2.58 hours to the heart of Kortrijk with Eurocity Direct and a regional train
- Travel comfortably and arrive well-rested
During this two-day city tour you will discover Kortrijk, a surprising city in the Lys region. The city offers a mixture of creativity, innovation and individuality. Beautiful modern museums sit next to medieval courtyards. We would like to give you some tips on how to explore the city and its surroundings.
Two days in Kortrijk, what can you do?
Day 1: History and biking
Texture Museum
The Texture Museum is within walking distance of the city centre. It tells the story of flax, the fibre that was so important to Kortrijk and the Lys region. The museum shows how flax and linen have shaped the economy and identity of the region for centuries. Craftsmanship and innovation made Kortrijk an international centre for linen production. The exhibition is partly interactive and very well designed. Highly recommended for lovers of heritage, design and crafts.
Address: Noordstraat 28
Lunch at Huyze Begga
Near the Beguinage, you can have lunch at Huyze Begga, the former home of the Grand Dame. You can recognise it by its stepped gable. Kimberly and Joeri run a refined restaurant here, where freshness and quality are key. They and their team welcome you in a relaxed atmosphere and, weather permitting, you can sit outside.
Address: Begijnhof 31
Bike along the River Lys
Kortrijk and the river Lys are inextricably linked by their flax history. Discover the region for yourself on a leisurely cycle ride along the water. The 42-kilometre Flax Lys cycle route follows the river and is signposted with hexagonal signs. You start from the City Park Meadow and explore both banks of the river. Along the way you will pass old smokehouses, the Drietrapssluis in Ooigem, the Zavelput in Beveren-Leie and the provincial domain De Gavers.
The house of André Demedts in Wielsbeke is a nice place to take a short break.
Dinner at Va et Vient
At Va et Vient in Kortrijk you can enjoy a gourmet dinner on the banks of the Lys. Chef Matthias Speybrouck previously worked for Sergio Herman. He calls his cooking style “Rough and Refined”.
Of course, there are more restaurants in Kortrijk where you can enjoy a delicious meal.
Overview addresses restaurants Kortrijk
Sleeping in a hotel near the station
The Park Hotel is a fine and luxurious hotel opposite Kortrijk station. It has beautiful rooms and a fitness centre. You can also rest your weary legs in the wellness area with saunas and steam baths. They also serve a delicious breakfast!
View more hotels, holiday homes and B&Bs on Booking.com.
Day 2: City walk, art and history
After breakfast at the hotel, take a walk around the city. Next to the beautiful Beguinage is the VVV tourist office. There you can pick up free walking tours. One of the walks is the 7.8km city walk, which starts in the Begijnhofstraat. You follow the bronze rivets on the ground as you walk through Kortrijk. This walk shows how the city has changed over the centuries. You will walk along the river Lys and through its historic centre. Along the way you will also see contemporary urban development: the lowered Leieboorden, Buda Island, modern bridges and the K shopping centre.
You will not walk through Onze-Lieve-Vrouwestraat on this walk, but you may want to deviate from the route for a moment to visit the quaint bookshop Tiny Stories. It is a shop with a quirky selection of books for all ages. Highly recommended!
Address: Onze-Lieve-Vrouwestraat 12
New museum: Abby
In 2025 a new museum opened in Kortrijk: Abby. The museum is housed in the old Groeninge Abbey from the 16th century. It is a museum of modern visual art. There are several playful temporary exhibitions with a specific theme.
There are also interesting workshops, for which you must register in advance.
Address: Begijnhofpark
Lunch in the city
A tasty lunch can be had at Buda Kitchen. The restaurant is located in the centre of town, on the large island of the Lys.
Address: Budastraat 52
Experience the Battle of the Golden Spurs
Have you ever heard of the Battle of the Golden Spurs? The battle took place near Kortrijk in 1302. It was a battle between the armies of Flemish towns and French knights. The winner is anyone's guess...
The battle is beautifully depicted in the Church of Our Lady . In a part of the church, images are projected on the walls so that you can relive the battle. It is advisable to book in advance.
Address: Deken Zegerplein 1
Dinner at bij Nata
Bistro Nata is located on the Grand Place and is the ideal place for a pleasant dinner. In summer you can sit on the terrace. The restaurant is open daily.
Address: Grote Markt 4
Extra tip: rent a boat
Got some time on your hands? Then take a canal trip. Several rental companies offer you the opportunity to discover Kortrijk from the water, with beautiful cruises along the Lys.
View the boat rental offers
Tip: Blue-bike, rent bikes for less
If you have ever used OV-fiets in the Netherlands, you will know how easy it is to rent a bike when you arrive at a station. Belgium has its own version of this: the Blue-bike. This is not only an alternative way for Belgians to travel, but also has many advantages for Dutch people who regularly visit Belgium. You can also pick up this bike at Kortrijk station, at the end of track 1.
To Kortrijk by train
Going to Kortrijk for a few days? Then travel comfortably by train. Are you taking the Eurocity Direct or the Eurostar? Then travel to Antwerp. From there you can take a connecting train to Kortrijk. The Eurocity Direct service takes 2.58 hours from Amsterdam. The price starts at € 43 for a one-way trip with Eurocity Direct. You can book your tickets up to 180 days in advance. Sometimes, it's cheaper to travel with EuroCity. This train runs between Rotterdam and Brussels. Book your ticket early as availability of the lowest Saver fare is limited.
Weekend getaway Kortrijk
Train to Kortrijk
Kortrijk is a charming Flemish city with medieval buildings and modern museums.
Blue-bike in Belgium
Join Blue-bike and you can easily and for a little money collect a bike at the station.