Hotel Restaurant Amaryllis and Veurne

Veurne is an excellent choice for a slow-paced weekend in Belgium, especially if you value history, local dining and a calm atmosphere. We visited and found the town compact, with most highlights within walking distance. Hotel Restaurant Amaryllis, in an elegant 18th-century townhouse, worked well as a base. From there, a guided visit to the historic city hall and a climb of the Sint-Niklaastoren are easy. Add a few carefully chosen restaurant stops and some time to explore the Museum aan de IJzer, and our weekend feld complete without being rushed. © Photo: Travel Magazine Belgium - PdB

Published 11 February 2026

Hotel Amaryllis

Set within one of Veurne’s streets recognised for its historic value, Hotel Restaurant Amaryllis occupies a 18th-century townhouse. Nine years after taking over the property, owners Tineke Gunst and Steve Vanbelle completed a full renovation of the hotel last year. Their positioning is clear: a small-scale hotel and bistro that prioritises calm and a personal welcome.

With just 14 rooms, free parking and a notably quiet setting, the hotel works efficiently as a base for exploring Veurne and the wider Westhoek. During our stay, we also took time for a walk along the nearby North Sea beach, an easy addition to visits to the region’s First World War sites.

Double Deluxe room

Our room was well-considered for a leisure stay. The Double Deluxe was big enough and delivered the everything we needed: a comfortable bed with quality linen, coffee and tea facilities, and Wi-Fi.
The bathroom, with a walk-in shower, hairdryer and a set of toiletries, is functional and efficient.
A nice box of Belgian chocolates, a bottle of water and decent storage space made us feel welcome.
© Photo: Travel Magazine Belgium - PdB

Breakfast at Amaryllis

Breakfast is a strength and always included in the room rates. It is served as a buffet in the refurbished bistro, overlooking the garden. Bread and bakery-style rolls are fresh daily. Eggs and bacon are prepared to order and served at the table by Tineke. The overall selection of fresh products is large and supports a healthy start of the day.
© Photo: Travel Magazine Belgium - PdB

Traditional Belgian bistro

The hotel’s restaurant follows a traditional Belgian approach with a seasonal rhythm, more stews in winter and salads in summer, complemented by a terrace in good weather. We appreciate the focus on Belgian classics such as shrimp croquettes, pork tenderloin with gratin, cod with a shrimp sauce and mashed potatoes, and a classic fish pan. The restaurant is a practical option if you arrive late or prefer not to leave the hotel for dinner.

Hotel Amaryllis, Zwarte Nonnenstraat 8, Veurne, Belgium
Website

Veurne: from tower to town hall

A short walk from our hotel brings you straight into the compact heart of Veurne, a town that carries the dignity of its past. Once an administrative centre in the medieval Westhoek and later tied to the First World War front line, Veurne has preserved a coherent historic core. The highlight of our visit was the Stadshuis on the Markt, an example of early 17th-century Flemish Renaissance architecture that once formed part of the administrative seat of Veurne-Ambacht and served as headquarters for King Albert I during the war.

With our excellent guide Françoise, the building’s civil role and decorative details came clearly into focus. We recommend taking this tour with a guide to fully appreciate the experience.

Climb the Sint Nicholas Tower

The nearby Sint-Niklaastoren adds a more active dimension to the visit. The climb of 214 steps is structured, with resting points where visitors can learn about the carillon, the former bell foundry, the history of the tower and its surroundings, and the post-war reconstruction of the city. At the top, the reward is a wide 360° panorama. On a clear day you can see the North Sea, the West Flemish hills including the 156 metre Kemmelberg, the IJzertoren in Diksmuide, and even the port of Dunkirk in northern France.
Beyond these sights, Veurne is great for slow exploration with landmarks such as the Sint-Walburgakerk, the Spaans Paviljoen and the Sint-Walburgapark just behind the Grote Markt.
Toerisme Veurne website.

Understanding WWI at 'Museum aan de IJzer'

The Museum aan de IJzer in Diksmuide is in our opinion one of the most meaningful visits in West Flanders. Located inside the 84-metre IJzertoren, the museum tells the story of the First World War in a clear, practical and very human way. The message “No more war”, visible on the tower in four languages, sets the tone from the start and is reinforced by the white poppy symbol of peace. As you move through the 22 exhibition floors, the museum explains the Belgian-German front on the Yser while placing it in a broader historical context.
We appreciated the balanced approach, the museum never feels heavy or abstract. If you want an in-depth understanding of the First World War in the Westhoek, this is an essential stop.
Website
© Photo: Museum aan de IJzer

Restaurant Bij De Witten

In the quiet village of Fintele (a 15 minute drive from Veurne) along the IJzer, Bij De Witten is a small local 'eetcafé' where unpretentious hospitality defines the experience. Owners Ellen and Peter keep the tone informal and house-like, inviting you to dine at ease while a contemporary menu is updated weekly with seasonal suggestions. The kitchen works around regional sourcing, buying from nearby producers such as Beauvoordse Walhoeve, Hoflandhoeve, Houtemse Vleeshoeve, De Veurn’ Ambachtse and Groenten en Fruit Elisa & Wostyn.

Homemade Picon and 90 beers, this is Belgian comfort

During our visit, the Orvalburger and local bacon showed honest flavour and proper product respect, while the house Picon vin blanc offered a pleasantly bitter orange lift. Beer remains important, with around 90 beers, ranging from draught Sint-Bernardus to trappists and gueuze. Peter’s training at Ter Groene Poorte in Bruges is also visible in the sweeter moments: winter afternoons bring fresh pancakes and waffles, and on Sundays his crisp 'oliebollen' draw a loyal local following. In summer, you can have a drink or eat on the terrace.
© Photo: Travel Magazine Belgium - PdB

Kaffee Bistro LKKRS

Outside the centre of Zedelgem and a 35 minute drive from Veurne, Kaffee Bistro LKKRS

positions itself as a classic brown café with a local heart. The atmosphere is warm and unpretentious, with a lived-in interior with a nostalgic touch. The welcome is super friendly, the smell of freshly roasted coffee setting the tone from the start. The kitchen keeps things simple and Flemish. During our visit, the beef stew with fries was comforting, while the Pasta LKKRS, their local interpretation of spaghetti bolognaise, proved a great option.

More than 100 Belgian beers

The drinks offer is another strength: more than 100 Belgian beers, nine on draft, plus the house brew LKKRS Hoppepoj, a 6,5% blonde with a clean malty profile and fresh hop finish. In summer, the terrace adds extra appeal for a stop. If you're looking for an authentic place to drink or dine among West Flanders locals, Kaffee Bistro LKKRS is a great address.
© Photo: Travel Magazine Belgium - PdB