Waregem Koerse
Belgium's oldest one-day sporting event (since 1847): horse racing on the Tuesday after the last Sunday of August with the Great Flanders Steeplechase, plus a funfair and hat contest.
PlizioGo
Waregem
Plizio editorial teamData Sources
City
ℹ️Practical info — Waregem
▾
🌤 Weather — 5 days
📍 Nearby
Sights nearby
💡 Tips
- Park slightly outside the center or use the Het Pand shopping center parking to save time.
- Rent a bike to explore the beautiful Leie river region surrounding the city.
- If traveling in late August, expect large crowds due to the famous 'Waregem Koerse' horse race.
- Visit the Flanders Field American Cemetery for a peaceful and moving historical experience.
🍽 Food
🍽
Vlaamse Stoverij
Classic Flemish beef stew, best enjoyed at a brasserie around the main square (Markt).
🍽
Local beer
Try some of the regional beers at one of the traditional cafes in the city center.
🍽
Belgian waffles
Grab a fresh waffle for a sweet treat at one of the local bakeries or tearooms.
🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots
🛍
Het Pand
A large shopping center right in the heart of the city with a variety of boutiques.
🛍
Saturday Market
Check out the weekly market on Saturday morning at the main square for fresh local produce.
🧘
Baron Casier Park
A beautiful city park featuring a small castle, handy for a relaxing stroll.
🧘
Flanders Field American Cemetery
A historic and deeply peaceful location just outside the busy center.
Water temperature…
Highlights of 2026
1
Waregem is a prosperous and dynamic city in the Flemish province of West Flanders, located in the valley of the Leie River. Worldwide, Waregem is inevitably linked with equestrian sports; the city hosts the annual "Waregem Koerse," one of Europe's most prestigious and traditional steeplechase races, which draws thousands of elegantly dressed spectators to the Gaverbeek Hippodrome every late summer. Historically, the city benefited heavily from the flax and textile industry of the Leie region, a legacy that lives on in Waregem's modern economy. A deeply moving historical site in the city is the Flanders Field American Cemetery and Memorial, the smallest American World War I military cemetery in Europe, where the fallen of the Battle of Flanders rest. Waregem uniquely combines sporting excellence, entrepreneurial spirit, and historical significance.
- Location: Belgium
- Top sights: Kasteel Casier · Kasteel van Potegem · Gaverbeekse Meersen
- Nearby: Harelbeke (9 km)
- Population: ~35.896
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 3 | 3 | 6 | 10 | 13 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 15 | 11 | 7 | 4 |
| Rain mm | 69 | 60 | 55 | 38 | 59 | 64 | 76 | 81 | 57 | 67 | 73 | 79 |
Live webcam – Waregem
See what it looks like near Waregem right now.
Waregem › North-east: Sint-Amandus-en-Blasiuskerk · 0.1 km · Open webcam on Windy · Webcams provided by Windy.com
Geography
Explore nearby
Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
Vehicle
Only stops with (optional):
© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
A day in the city
Pick weather + travel mode, get a concrete day plan.
09:00→15:272.5 km walk6 places0/6
Day budget: ≈ 20–26 €Entries 23€ · Transport 0€
Start your day in the heart of Waregem at Saint Amandus Church. The morning takes you through the green De Brink park and to the vibrant De Schakel cultural center. After lunch, immerse yourself in modern art at Be-Part, then relax in the spacious Baron Casier Park, enjoying nature and tranquility. In the afternoon, explore the famous Racecourse, the city's landmark. End the day with a pleasant stroll along the Gaverbeek stream before stopping at one of the local restaurants.
← swipe for more places →
📍
09:10 · 47'
Saint Amandus Church
Note the impressive stained-glass windows depicting biblical stories.
🚶 9'0.31 km
🚶 14'0.57 km
📍
11:07 · 47'
Cultural Center De Schakel
Check the schedule, there might be an interesting exhibition or event.
🚶 11'0.4 km
📍
12:05 · 47'
Be-Part, Platform for Contemporary Art
Focus on the works by local Belgian artists.
🚶 11'0.4 km
🚶 20'0.85 km
📍
14:10 · 47'
Waregem Racecourse
Even without a race, the architecture of the stands is impressive.
09:00→16:4813.3 km ride7 places0/7
Day budget: ≈ 33–45 €Entries 27€ · Transport 12€
Grab your bike and start the day with a contemplative visit to Flanders Field American Cemetery. The morning is all about equestrian sports at the famous Racecourse. After a relaxing lunch break in Baron Casier Park, cycle to the city center to admire Saint Amandus Church. In the afternoon, your tour takes you through De Brink Park and ends with an idyllic ride along the Gaverbeek, where you can fully enjoy the Flemish landscape.
← swipe for more places →
🚲 20'2.78 km
📍
10:17 · 47'
Flanders Field American Cemetery
A place of silence and remembrance. Please show respect.
🚲 36'5.43 km
🚲 8'0.85 km
📍
12:35 · 47'
Park Baron Casier
Well-suited for a lunch break. There's plenty of space to spread out.
🚲 10'1.11 km
🚲 5'0.31 km
🚲 20'2.79 km
09:00→15:037.4 km drive6 places0/6
Day budget: ≈ 22–30 €Entries 25€ · Transport 1€
Your car day begins with a moment of reflection at Flanders Field American Cemetery. After this first stop, drive to the next cluster: the famous Waregem Racecourse. Spend the late morning exploring this landmark and the adjacent Baron Casier Park, where you can also have lunch. In the afternoon, park in the city center and discover the last cluster on foot: stroll from Saint Amandus Church through De Brink Park and take a look at the modern art at Be-Part before the day ends.
← swipe for more places →
📍
09:10 · 47'
Parking at Flanders Field American Cemetery
Park here to explore your first cluster.
🚗 4'0.16 km
📍
10:01 · 47'
Flanders Field American Cemetery
Take time to read the inscriptions and soak in the atmosphere.
🚗 20'5.13 km
📍
11:08 · 47'
Parking at the Racecourse
The next cluster starts here. There's usually ample parking.
🚗 4'0.16 km
🚗 6'0.85 km
🚗 7'1.14 km
📍
13:46 · 47'
Parking in the City Center
Leave the car here for the rest of the day and explore the rest on foot.
Sights in the town Waregem (16)
Frequently asked questions
What is Waregem Koerse?
A world-famous horse racing event held annually on the first Tuesday after the last Sunday in August.
Are there memorial sites in Waregem?
The Flanders Field American Cemetery is the only WWI American military cemetery in Belgium.
What is HippoLogia?
A museum dedicated to the history of horses and equestrian sports in the region.
Which park is good for relaxing?
Baron Casier Park is a green oasis in the city center with a castle, ponds, and walking paths.
What is the Gaverbeek Stadium?
It is the home stadium of football club SV Zulte Waregem, known for its passionate atmosphere.
Waregem: where is it located?
Waregem is located in Belgium.
Waregem: what is there to see?
Highlights include Kasteel Casier, Kasteel van Potegem, Gaverbeekse Meersen.
Waregem: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.
Waregem: why is it worth visiting?
Waregem is a prosperous and dynamic city in the Flemish province of West Flanders, located in the valley of the Leie River.
Explore with Plizio
Discover more places in Europe
More places in Belgium →
Nearby cities
Ghent
Ghent is a prominent university city in Flanders featuring a well-preserved medieval center.
Bruges
Bruges is famous for its canals, cobbled streets, and medieval buildings.
Mons
Mons is a historic city in Wallonia and the cultural center of the Hainaut province.
Aalst
Aalst is a Flemish city on the Dender River, famous for its vibrant carnival.
Mechelen
Mechelen is located in Flanders between Antwerp and Brussels, once serving as the capital of the Netherlands under Margaret of Austria.
La Louvière
La Louvière is an industrial city in the Hainaut province.
Kortrijk
Kortrijk is a historic city on the Leie River in West Flanders.
Tournai
Tournai is one of Belgium's oldest cities and was once the first capital of the Frankish Empire.
Ostend
Ostend is the largest city on the Belgian coast and a major seaport.
Sint-Niklaas
Sint-Niklaas is a Flemish city located between Antwerp and Ghent.
Roeselare
Roeselare is a Flemish city in the heart of West Flanders.
Mouscron
Mouscron is a city in Wallonia located right on the French border.
Dendermonde
Dendermonde is located at the confluence of the Dender and Scheldt rivers.
Beveren
Beveren is a municipality in the province of East Flanders.
Lokeren
Lokeren is a Flemish city on the Durme River.