Best Things To Do In Leuven, Belgium (+ Map & Tips)

There’s more to Leuven than Stella Artois and cute cobbled laneways. From innovative food to fascinating historical legacies, here’s our list of the best things to do in Leuven.

Leuven, a small medieval city in Belgium, was built at the end of a navigable river in the 15th century. With its strategic position, it became a pint-sized ancient capital and a thriving market town.

Throughout its history, it has survived Spanish religious wars, French revolutions, German occupations and an annual influx of 55,000 university students. No small feat for a town of 100,000 people.

But it was the First World War that brought the most change. By the end of it, only one building in the historic centre rose above the rubble: Leuven’s stunning Town Hall.

An ancient town with a youthful core, Leuven hums to the rhythm of a city full of young, creative energy.

This vibe is felt most in the cobbled lanes with atmospheric bars, each boasting a beer list longer than Leuven’s chequered history.

Here’s our guide to the best things to do in Leuven – the inconspicuous Flemish gem.

MAP: LEUVEN

Use this map to help plan your Leuven trip. All the attractions, sights and museums we listed in this blog post have been added.

USING OUR MAPS. Click on the top right corner to open in the Google Maps app. Click on the star to save to your Google account.  

THINGS TO DO IN LEUVEN, BELGIUM

1. HAVE A DRINK AT OUDE MARKT

Beer and the university are the soul of Leuven, and there’s no better place to experience what these two institutions have brought to Leuven than at Oude Markt – the longest bar in Europe.

A market has been held on the site since 1150, but has been rebuilt several times over the years.

It’s the social heart and soul of Leuven and a popular meeting spot for both students and visitors, who you’ll find spilling out onto the pedestrian-friendly streets lined with bars, restaurants, cafes and terraces.

It’s always a lively place at the architecture, particularly the Holy Trinity College, which is stunning.

2. CLIMB THE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY TOWER

The Leuven University Library was burnt to the ground during the war, destroying 230,000 books and 750 medieval manuscripts.

It was rebuilt with donations from 400 American universities by architect Whitney Warren, who also designed Grand Central Station in New York.

The building is loaded with symbolism, including a statue of the Virgin Mary killing the German eagle, St George and St Michael killing the devil, and a clock with 48 stars representing the 48 states of the USA (at the time).

The library is only open to students, but you can pop your head in and examine the exquisite woodwork on your way up to the tower.

As you climb to the top, each floor has photographs depicting the history of the building with information in English detailing the events around the German destruction and the reactions from around the world.

At the top, you’re treated to one of the best views of Leuven.

There is also a live carillon concert on Tuesday evening and Wednesday at lunchtime. You can hum along to popular classics, and he’ll even take requests.

Details – You can usually buy tickets for the tower without advanced booking. But, if you want to see the Carillon concert, space is limited to 30 people, so booking online is recommended.

3. MARVEL AT THE LEUVEN TOWN HALL

The lavishly ornamental Town Hall is one of the first things to grab your attention when walking around Leuven.

Construction started in the 15th century, and it took 30 years to build. Miraculously, it survived unscathed through two world wars.

The incredible facade is decorated with canopied niches containing 235 statues of local scholars, artists, nobles, biblical figures, eminent citizens and, of course, dukes.

The Town Hall is currently closed for extensive renovations and is due to open to the public in 2029. But you can still admire this Gothic masterpiece from the outside.

4. VISIT THE BEGUINAGE COMMUNITY

In the 16th century, there were two main options for women. They could be married to a man and have children, or they could be married to the church and become a nun.

Unsatisfied with these choices, some women looked to Beguinages for freedom. These semi-religious communities allowed single women (mostly widowed) to do charitable work while earning an income.

Beguinages managed to survive the Papal Inquisition by Pope Gregory IX, where Beguines were deemed heretics and many were burned at the stake.

A compromise was later reached, and they were allowed to continue if they took a vow of obedience to the church, lived in a gated community, and dressed so they could be identified.

The Groot Begijnhof in Leuven flourished in the 16th century, where, at its peak, 360 Beguines once lived.

In 1988, the last Beguine died, but today you can stroll around the Great Beguinage of Leuven to see the community they lived in.

It’s free to stroll around, but the best way to see it is on a guided tour. You can book the very informative Heritage Tour online.

5. STROLL AROUND LEUVEN CEMETERY

The story goes that Léon Schreurs was out drinking the night before he was due to leave for the battlefields with his platoon. Enjoying too many of Belgium’s fine beers, he fell asleep at the bar, and his platoon left without him.

The next day, Germany invaded Leuven.

Seeing them march towards town, Léon hid behind a post box, ready to make what little impact he could to defend his city.

He was a lone man armed with a single rifle, taking on the approaching German army. He killed 5 of them, but was soon shot and killed himself.

Léon Schreurs became known as the last defender of Leuven.

Schreurs now rests in the Leuven Cemetery – a thoroughly understated but interesting thing to do in Leuven.

The cemetery contains a fascinating, easy-to-miss crypt and memorials to both the First and Second World Wars.

Look for a small staircase beside the First World War memorial that you’ll need to squat down to enter.

You might need to turn the light on – don’t forget to turn it off.

Once you finish in the crypt, spend some time strolling around the graves from the Second World War to get a sense of the size of the loss incurred in this small city.

6. EXPLORE FLEMISH ART AT M MUSEUM

The collection at M Museum started in the early 19th century as a small selection of artefacts in the Town Hall.

After a succession of homes and the acclimation of more curiosities over time, the collection arrived at its current home in 2009.

The building blends historical remnants in a contemporary shell. It’s beautifully laid out and makes great use of available space.

The permanent collection includes late-Gothic and Renaissance paintings and sculpture from Leuven and Flemish artists.

From room to room, experience religious art, stained glass windows, wood carvings and gold trinkets alongside contemporary pieces, modern interpretations and quirky installations.

Details – Check prices and book tickets online at M Leuven.

7. ENJOY HIPSTER FOOD AND DESIGNER COFFEE

Apart from educating the minds, the university contributes another equally important factor to this bustling town: good food.

From designer hotdogs to organic soup bars, tiny neighbourhood digs to experimental sharing concepts, vegan options and local classics, Leuven delivers it all in stylish surroundings.

We highly recommend Barraca (Tiensestraat 34), an Italian-inspired, socially fuelled tapas with a twist for a swish dinner. Their dragon balls with prawns were on the money, and the décor buzzed with a cool NYC Lower East Side vibe.

The mesmerising performance of the chefs preparing the tasting menu from the kitchen bar at Hop Gastrobar (Vaartkom 1a) is matched by the triumph of the dishes and the pairing of the beers.

The simple but very innovative take on classic Belgian sandwiches at Bar Leuv (Parijsstraat 6) is an excellent choice for lunch.

Follow it up with an outstanding coffee at Mok Roastery & Speciality Bar (Diestsestraat 165). Their flat whites were nutty and subtle with slight citrus notes, and the milk was textured to perfection.

On the way to coffee, pick up handcrafted chocolate from Zuut (Vismarkt 2).

8. EXPLORE LEUVEN ON A BIKE TOUR

Away from the heaving bars, monumental architecture and world-class art, there’s a more subtle side to Leuven.

A side that shoulders the pleasures and sorrows of history. A less-visited side. One that’s best explored on a bike tour.

On our tailor-made tour, we escaped into the grounds of St. Gertrude’s Abbey – a quiet, tree-lined sanctuary still wearing the bruises of history.

The abbey was suppressed during the French Revolution and, much later, suffered damage during the First World War.

Today, community housing has been constructed from the rubble left over from the war.

Next, we cycled out of town to Park Abbey – an atmospheric reminder of older times set in beautiful grounds.

Like St. Gertrude’s Abbey, Park Abbey was also confiscated by the French Republic. With bold determination, it has been inhabited since 1129 by monks performing pastoral work.

Today, it conducts organic farming experiments and music research, among other social programmes.

Next up was De Smidse – the former forge for the brewery – which now houses a contemporary dining space with an award-winning Italian restaurant, a bakery and a concept store where you bring your own containers to be refilled with local produce.

We highly recommend Leuven Leisure, which tailored a tour specifically for some of the things we were interested in seeing.

9. SEE THE MASTERPIECES IN ST PETER’S CHURCH

St Peter’s Church occupies prime real estate on Grote Markt.

In 1505, a plan was hatched to add 3 towers to the church, with the central spire rising to 170 metres.

If successful, this would have been the tallest structure in the world at the time.

Unfortunately, insufficient ground stability and several collapses saw the towers shrink from their intended scale.

Today, they barely rise above the church roof – 3 stunted reminders of what could have been. It didn’t deter UNESCO, which listed the belfry anyway.

It’s free to enter and admire the incredible artwork inside, including The Last Supper by Dirk Bouts.

PLANNING & LOGISTICS

WHEN TO GO?

The best time to visit Leuven is during the shoulder seasons: April-June and September-October.

From March to May, temperatures are mild, ranging from 10-20°C (50-68°F), with occasional sunshine, making it perfect for exploring the university town’s charming streets and outdoor cafes.

Summer months from June to August offer pleasant, warm weather with average daily maximum temperatures reaching up to 23.2°C (73.8°F) in July, though this is also when you’ll encounter the most tourists.

September and October bring crisp autumn days ideal for walking around the historic centre.

HOW LONG DO YOU NEED?

One full day is enough to see Leuven’s main attractions, including the stunning Town Hall, university buildings, and charming Grote Markt.

With 2 days, you can explore more thoroughly, visit additional museums, enjoy leisurely meals at local restaurants, and take a bike ride outside the city centre.

HOW TO GET THERE?

Leuven is exceptionally well-connected by train, making it one of Belgium’s most accessible cities for day trips or short stays.

Here are the most common train routes to Leuven:

• From Brussels: Direct trains every 15 minutes, journey time 27-39 minutes
• From Brussels Airport: Direct train connection, journey time approximately 15 minutes
• From Antwerp: Direct trains regularly, journey time approximately 45 minutes
• From London: Eurostar to Brussels, then connecting train (total 3-4 hours)
• From Amsterdam: Train to Brussels, then connecting train (total 3-4 hours)

Train tickets cost €5-9 and can be booked via thetrainline.com or omio.com. Both platforms accept international cards.

GETTING AROUND?

Leuven train station is located about 1.5 kilometres from the historic centre, which is an easy 15-20 minute walk through pleasant residential streets.

The historical center of Leuven is traffic-free, making it perfect for pedestrians. The compact medieval core means everything is walkable – most major attractions, restaurants, and shops are within a 10-15 minute walk of each other.

Buses: Local De Lijn buses operate regularly, with tickets costing around €4 and can be paid with contactless cards.

Bikes: As a university city, Leuven is very bike-friendly with numerous cycle paths and bike rental options available.

WHERE TO STAY?

Leuven’s compact size means most accommodations are within easy walking distance of the main attractions. The historic centre offers the most atmosphere, while areas near the train station provide convenient transport links.

• Pentahotel (€€) – 24-hour lobby bar, interesting design touches, excellent location, and a cool vibe.
• The Fourth – A stunning high-end hotel located right beside the Town Hall.
• Park Inn by Radisson Leuven (€€) – Modern hotel with contemporary amenities near the centre.

MORE BELGIUM GUIDES

• We’ve covered all the best things to do in Bruges on our 1 or 2 day itinerary.
• Discover the best things to do in Antwerp with our comprehensive guide.
• Our guide to visiting Mechelen has a few hidden gems.
• Here’s what you need to know to visit Ghent on a day trip.
• Our guide to Leuven, Belgium.
• The best things to do in Brussels, Belgium’s gritty capital.