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Municipality in Flemish Region, Belgium
Photo: Marc Ryckaert (MJJR), CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Kortrijk (French: Courtrai, sometimes referred to in English as Courtray) is a city in Flanders, the northern part of Belgium. It is the capital and biggest city of the arrondissement of Kortrijk, which has about 285,000 inhabitants (2014). The wider municipality comprises the city of Kortrijk proper and the towns of Aalbeke, Bellegem, Bissegem, Heule, Kooigem, Marke, and Rollegem.
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An interactive museum showing you the Battle of the Golden Spurs (11th of July 1302). This battle is historical because it was one of the first battles where a peasant-based army defeated a knights army. After the battle, the spurs of the fallen horses were kept as a victory sign. The battle gave Flanders its regional holiday. The museum is located inside the beautifully conserved Groeninge Abbey.
Museum of Flax and river Lys
New museum that opened in 2014 on the banks of the Lys (Leie) river. Shows a historical image of the flax industry in Kortrijk and the surroundings.
Museum for the visual arts
Stadhuis
Belfort
This medieval bell tower is one of the highlights of Kortrijk and listed as a .
The scenic beguinage (a ) was founded in 1238 by Johanna Van Constantinopel. It was destroyed 3 times and rebuilt for the last time in the 17th century.
These two identical towers are remains of the medieval city wall. They are the typical image of Kortrijk. Build in the 13th and 15 century, they are on both sides of the Leie river.
This historic hospital was founded in 1211. It is the oldest hospital in Kortrijk and one of the oldest in the country. The courtyard still faithfully reproduces the atmosphere of the centuries-old monastery. Some parts of the hospital are replaced with modern buildings.
Medical garden and 13 old houses. The site dates back to the 17th century.
The Groeningepoort gate is built in 1908 to commemorate the 600th anniversary of the Golden Spurs battle on the location of the Groeningekouter, the field of the battle took place. In the park that now covers a part of the former battle field, you can also find the Groeningemonument.
A rather impressive, chateau-like building. Schouwburg is the Dutch word for theatre.
Fontein De Golf
Made by Olivier Strebelle.
A Gothic church, built and rebuilt after a fire in the 14th century.
Main cultural center of the city. Frequent concerts of usually rather unknown local singers and bands.
They were promoted in 2026 and now play soccer in Pro League, the top tier. Their Guldensporen Stadion (capacity 9400) is 1 km northwest of town centre.
This is the main exhibition centre of the region and from time to time hosts fairs that can attract a big crowd.
Since 2013 it is held in Kortrijk in mid-August.
Eat-in and take-away burger chain with surprising and tasty combinations - includes a lot of vegetarian options.
Vegetarian restaurant near the K shopping centre. Only open during lunch time on weekdays.
Budget restaurant with tasty dishes.
Restaurant with Belgian dishes.
Delicious dishes in a stylish setting. This restaurant is one of Kortrijk's most cherished ones.
Perfect place to go during daytime.
The little brother of Den Bras, located in the cellar. Den Trap is a bar with high rock and roll appeal, and sometimes during the week you can enjoy a free concert here from very promising bands in the area.
Cozy little place to have a small drink and play board games. Homely atmosphere, and they have a cat walking around. In one of the rooms is a piano you can play on. Also small snacks are available.
The Pit's, the concert place of vzw Bang Zoom Noise Produktions (BZN), started in December 1988. Kortrijk had in the 1980s some places where "alternative", "non-conformist" music could play. For various reasons those places stopped doing that and some locals decided it was their time to set things up. After 27 years more than 2000 bands have played; most part in The Pit's and some on other stages under various co-organisations. This is rather a huge achievement for a completely volunteer run organisation. Among the bands who played are: Drive Like Jehu, GO!, Crowbar, Eyehate God, Rancid, Nations on Fire, The Mummies, Antiseen, New Bomb Turks,Supersnazz, the Spits, the Locust, Dead Moon, Groovie Ghoulies, Killdozer, Deadbolt, D.O.A., Strychnine, Zeno Tornado...
HI Hostel within walking distance east of the city centre. Was renewed in 2015. Rooms for 1 to up to 6 people.
In the heart of the pedestrian area, a large covered shopping centre, named K in Kortrijk, opened in 2010. This shopping mall makes the pedestrian link between the Lange Steenstraat and the Veemarkt-square and offers some 90 large stores.
By bus
Next to the train station there is a large bus station, giving access to regional bus lines and a well-constructed city bus network.
By car
Kortrijk has an inner beltway, the R8.
By plane
Kortrijk has a well-formed bus system, offering easy transport to main spots like Kortrijk Xpo and most surrounding cities.
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Lesquin · International · LIL
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Articles and travel topics about Kortrijk and Belgium.
ItinerariesStretching from Knokke to Adinkerke, the Kusttram (Dutch for "Coast Tram") makes it possible to travel almost the entire length of the Belgian coast by tram.
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Culture & historyThe Belfries of Belgium and France are a world heritage site. The site comprises 56 belfries from Flanders and Wallonia in Belgium, and from far northern France.
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Culture & historyTwin towns may refer to one of: Town twinning, two geographically-disparate municipalities which have been paired as twin towns, partner cities or sister cities as part of a cultural, economic or paradiplomatic…
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Travel tipsTrains are a great way to get around in France. You can get from pretty much anywhere to anywhere else by train.
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