Courtrai, Belgium
What to do in the valley of the Lys in a weekend?
Located between the charming cities of Kortrijk and Ghent in Belgium, the Lys Valley is an ideal destination for an escape combining nature, heritage and cultural discoveries. Whether you are a fan of outdoor walks, passionate about history or looking for original activities, this region is full of treasures to explore.
In this article, we offer 5 essential activity ideas to do around Kortrijk and Ghent, to fully enjoy your weekend in the Lys Valley.
```5 activities essential to do between Courtrai and Ghent
To visit Courtrai, its beguinage and its museum of art plastic
Kortrijk, or Courtrai in Flemish, isn't the first choice for a city trip in Belgium, and yet, we were pleasantly surprised by this city located on the banks of the Lys.
```To stroll in the beguinage Saint-Élisabeth of Courtrai
It was while passing through a door between two alleyways in the historic center of Kortrijk that we stumbled upon the Saint-Elisabeth beguinage. These small houses with white bricks and green windows form a haven of peace in the city center.
The Kortrijk beguinage was founded in the 13th century and has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1998. The 41 houses, among which you can stroll for free, date back to the 17th century.
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Practical information
📍 Begijnhofstraat 2, 8500 Kortrijk
💸 Price: free access visit
```To visit the ABBY Museum, the new museum of art modern in Courtrai
The ABBY museum is the brand new plastic arts museum in Courtrai, located in the Begijnhof park. Inaugurated in April 2025, you can discover over 1000 m² of exhibition space divided into 3 rooms. You can find, in the basement, the opening exhibition entitled: F**klore. Reinventing Tradition. This illustrates with humor and irony customs, crafts, and traditional stories. A refined exhibition that mixes styles and arts. You will even have the opportunity to taste a piece of speculoos, the mold of which was specially created for the exhibition.
At the entrance to the museum, you will discover "Le Living de Rinus Van de Velde", where the artist has reproduced chairs, sofas, lamps in cardboard, wood and paint. An invitation for the visitor to immerse themselves in the artist's universe.
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Practical info
🕒 Hours: From 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., closed on Mondays
💸 Price: €12 per adult (18-64 years old) - Free with the passMuseum
```Admire the view from the tower of the church Saint-Martin
If you have the opportunity, we advise you to climb the 163 steps to the top of the Saint-Martin church tower. After this small effort, you could enjoy the 360-degree view of Courtrai. You can observe that the city is truly surrounded by nature and the Lys valley. Entry to the tower is free by registering on this link.
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Practical information to visit the tower of the church Saint-Martin
🕒 Hours: Monday to Sunday from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
💸 Prices: Free by booking via this link
```We only spent half a day in the center of Kortrijk, so you can imagine that the list of activities is not exhaustive. We hope to return for a city trip, a weekend, to gently discover the historic center of Kortrijk, its must-see heritage (like the Broel Towers) and find good addresses.
```To do of rafting Tankkd on the Lys
If you're looking for an unusual activity to do in Flanders, Belgium, this is it! Tankk rafting is an activity that takes place on the water, not in a boat or on a board, but in a stock tank. This container was used as a watering trough for cows or as a flower box.
It's therefore aboard our Tankk, paddle in hand and music on the loaned speaker, that we explore the Lys valley. An unusual activity to surprise your loved ones, to do with friends, family or as a couple to enjoy a moment out of time.
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