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.
By: Paul Healy | Last Updated: | Comments & Questions
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.

HOW TO GET TO LEUVEN
Leuven is conveniently located just 30 kilometres from Brussels (26 kilometres from Brussels Airport) with excellent rail connections. This makes Leuven a perfect option for that cultural European weekend break.
BY TRAIN
International high-speed trains connect Brussels to many destinations in France, Belgium and the Netherlands.
Check prices and timetables with Thalys. If you’re coming from London, Eurostar will get you to Brussels in 2 hours, where you can easily connect to Leuven on the same ticket.
From Brussels, it’s around 20 minutes by train to Leuven.
BY AIR
The closest airport to Leuven is Brussels International Airport, which has daily flights from many European destinations. Convenient train service will whisk you from the airport to Leuven in 15 minutes (€8.80). Check timetables at Belgian Train.

WHAT TO DO IN LEUVEN, BELGIUM
1. HAVE A DRINK AT OUDE MARKT, THE LONGEST BAR IN EUROPE
Beer and university life are the soul of Leuven’s personality.
There’s no better place in town to experience what these two institutions have brought to Leuven than at Oude Markt – affectionately known as the longest bar in Europe.
A market has been held on the site since 1150. Heavily damaged in the war, the square has been rebuilt over the years with a style that many war-ravaged cities across Europe would be envious of.
The university, KU Leuven – in addition to adding an extra dose of youthful enthusiasm into the nightlife – is also front and centre in the Belgium beer scene.
The Faculty of Bioscience Engineering puts great minds to great work by developing a scientific approach to beer production. Everything from relentlessly testing new flavours, to developing exacting brewing methods and eco-friendly techniques is researched at the university.
A night at Oude Markt is the perfect place to sample this innovation.
Try the brew from Professor Freddy Delvaux who set about creating an academically correct beer.
Geuze Boon combines brews at different stages of fermentation to allow a second fermentation to occur in the bottle.


2. VISIT THE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY & TOWER FOR A CARILLON CONCERT
On 25 August 1914, German soldiers rampaged through Leuven, killing around 300 civilians and causing widespread destruction.
The university library was burnt to the ground, destroying 230,000 books and 750 medieval manuscripts.
After the war, the library was rebuilt with donations from 400 American universities.
The architect was 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).
Sadly, 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.
But to see the tower really come to life, go to a live carillon concert on Tuesday evening or Wednesday at lunchtime.
Here, you can join the carillonneur in the bell chamber and listen as they energetically beat a keyboard, melodically ringing 63 bells installed in the tower.
You can hum along to popular classics, and he’ll even take requests.
DETAILS | CARILLON CONCERTS
when – Tuesday from 7 pm to 7:45 pm / Wednesday from 1 pm to 1:45 pm | cost – €8 | tickets – space is limited to 30 people, so book online to secure a spot



3. MARVEL AT THE LEUVEN TOWN HALL
When Duke John I asked the pope for permission to build a university, it was a tentative maybe. There were a few conditions that had to be satisfied first.
For starters, it had to be Catholic. Secondly, the old town hall had to be rebuilt with far more glamour.
And so today, miraculously unscathed after two world wars, the Leuven Town Hall stands triumphant over the Grote Markt.
Flamboyantly stuffed with turrets, flags, statues and intricate engravings, the pope’s request for more glamour was well and truly delivered.
The first stone was laid in 1439, and it took 30 years to build. The façade is loaded with statues of local scholars, artists, noble folk, biblical figures, eminent citizens and, of course, dukes.
In all, there are 236 statues in the building.
DETAILS | LEUVEN TOWN HALL
The Leuven Town Hall is currently closed for renovations. It’s expected to open in 2029.


4. UNDERSTAND THE DEVOUT 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.
But unsatisfied with their choices, some looked for other ways to live their lives without being controlled by the church or a man.
This emancipation came in the form of a concept that had been around since the 13th century. Beguinages were semi-religious communities where single women (mostly widowed) could do charitable work while earning an income.
These communities gave them an interdependence they would have otherwise found impossible to obtain.
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, and today, the Great Beguinage of Leuven is an atmospheric neighbourhood to stroll around.

5. VISIT THE ATMOSPHERIC WAR MEMORIAL AND CRYPT AT THE 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 one man armed with one rifle and took 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.
It’s a long, deep catacomb with a number of graves on either side, including Léons.
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 on this small city.
DETAILS | LEUVEN CEMETERY
hours – 8 am to 3:45 pm (Mon-Fri) / 8 am to 7 pm (Sat-Sun) | cost – free


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.
And what a stunning home it is.
The building blends historical remnants in a contemporary shell. It’s beautifully laid out and makes great use of every nook and cranny.
From room to room, experience religious art, stained glass windows, wood carvings and gold trinkets alongside contemporary pieces, modern interpretations and quirky installations.
DETAILS | M MUSEUM
hours – 10 am to 6 pm (Fri-Tue) / 11 am to 10 pm (Thu) / Closed Wednesdays | cost – €12 / €10 | tickets – online

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 styled-up 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 Belgium sandwiches at Bar Leuv (Parijsstraat 6) is an excellent choice for lunch.
Follow it up with an outstanding coffee at Mok Roastery & Specialty 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 during the damage inflicted in 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, who tailored a tour specifically for some of the things we were interested in seeing.


9. DISCOVER MASTERPIECES INSIDE 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.
St Peter’s Church is an essential thing to do in Leuven due to the masterpieces it houses.
The Last Supper by Dirk Bouts is one of the most famous works of art to come out of Flanders. The Nazis seized it during the occupation, but Germany was forced to return it as part of the Treaty of Versailles.
DETAILS | ST PETER’S CHURCH
hours – 10 am to 4:30 pm (Mon-Sat) / 11 am to 4:30 pm (Sun) | cost – free

ILUVLeuven TICKET
A great way to see all the sights in Leuven and save some money on entrance fees is with the ILUVLeuven ticket.
The ticket provides:
- A 45-minute walking tour of the city.
- University Library & Tower Access
- M Museum or Park Abbey
Tickets can be purchased at the M Museum, the University Library, at the Tourist Office (Naamestraat 3), or online at Visit Leuven.
WHERE TO STAY IN LEUVEN
Being a thriving university town, there are a number of great options for staying in Leuven to suit every taste. Here are some recommendations from us.
OUR PICK
URBAN COOL
PENTAHOTEL
With well-appointed rooms, a 24-hour lobby bar and interesting design touches, it’s hard to go past the pentahotel. The location is excellent, and the vibe is cool.
STYLE
THE FOURTH
With a dedication to details and an effortless style, the high-end option in town is The Fourth – Tafelrond. It’s a stunning hotel located right beside the town hall, with enough classes to make anyone feel like they’ve indulged themselves.

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- Paul & Mark.
Paul Healy
Paul is an experienced travel writer with a collection of prestigious industry awards, including the title of Blogger of the Year at both the British Guild of Travel Writers and the TravMedia Awards.
His expertise lies in crafting engaging content, focusing on city breaks, comprehensive country-wide guides, and useful travel tips.
Beautifully photographed. You convinced me Leuven is worth visiting with your comment about the beer.
Thanks, Stuart. I highly recommend the beer, it was excellent. We certainly tried enough to make sure.
Interesting history and it sounds like a place worth visiting aside from the usual sites in the same area. I’ll be sure to add it to my list of places to see for the (hopefully near) future.
Thanks, Stuart – Yes, Leuven is a great alternative so some of the popular spots in Flanders.
Our only visit to Leuven was far too short, reading this post I need to return. Thanks for the tip on the crypt, it sound so interesting.
Thanks, Janis. Leuven is definitely worth another trip!
Gorgeous pictures! I was sold as soon as I saw the second picture. Leuven looks like a place I need to add to my list. Thanks for putting it on my radar as this is the first time I ‘m even coming across it