This list of essential places to visit in Leuven, will help you prepare a getaway to one of the most beautiful cities in Belgium.
Located 25 kilometers from Brussels, this small city can be visited in one day and in addition to its great attractions, it is famous for its great university atmosphere that is concentrated in bars, restaurants and leisure areas. In addition to this student atmosphere, this cozy city has a great cultural and historical heritage in which the spectacular City Hall building, located in the Grotemarkt, stands out, which already makes a visit to Leuven worthwhile.
Based on the day we spent in the city during our trip to Ghent, Leuven and Antwerp, we have made this list of those we believe are the 10 essential places to see in Leuven So you don't miss anything. We start!
How to get to Leuven from Brussels
If you are staying in Brussels, the most comfortable option to get to Leuven is to take a train, this being also the fastest.
The train from Brussels to Leuven departs every 15 minutes from the Midi (Sud), Central and North stations, and takes less than half an hour and the price is 5.50 euros, half if it is a weekend and you do not need to book it with in advance
If you have only one day, another interesting way to get to know Leuven is to book this excursion with a guide in Spanish by bus or this one that also includes the visit to Mechelen, located both between the best excursions in Brussels.
1. The Town Hall
The Gothic-style Leuven Town Hall and located on the Grote Markt, is one of the most essential places to see in Belgium.
This building impresses with its 3-story facade adorned with Gothic windows, numerous statues in niches and a beautiful entrance staircase, which have made it for us the most beautiful city hall in the world.
In addition to recreating outside, it is worth entering to see a collection of works of art and several rooms of the nineteenth century.
Visiting hours: every day at 3pm on a guided tour.
Leuven Town Hall
2. The University Library
The Flemish neo-Renaissance Library is the most symbolic building of the University and another of the essential places to visit in Leuven.
Although its origins date back to the 17th century, the current building was built after being completely burned during the First World War, thanks to American funds and during the Second World War, the building burned again and was reborn shortly after, until it reached the Currently the million books.
It is worth entering inside to see the reading room and climb the library tower from where you get the best views of the city.
Visiting hours of the tower: Tuesday and Thursday from 1pm to 5pm, and the rest of the days open at 10am.
3. The Great Beguinage
Touring the Great Beguinage, located on the banks of the Dijle River and a World Heritage Site, is one of the Top things to do in Leuven. In this 3-hectare complex with about 100 houses and courtyards, beguines lived, single women who were not nuns but who fulfilled the vows of chastity and obedience.
This 13th-century Beguinage, currently used as a residence for students and teachers, looks like a small town within Leuven itself, with its streets, gardens, small squares and the church of San Juan Bautista.
The Great Beguinage, one of the places to visit in Leuven
4. The Church of San Pedro
The Church of St. Peter, located in the Grotemarkt, is the oldest and most important church to visit in Leuven. On the outside it highlights its unfinished bell tower, Patrimony of the Humaniadad, which was going to reach 170 meters high to become the tallest in its time but in the end it remained at a height of less than a third of the projected.
Inside this 15th-century Gothic church there are two masterpieces of art such as the Last Supper and the Martyrdom of St. Erasmus.
Visiting hours: every day from 10 am to 4:30 pm, except on Wednesday that it is closed.
St. Peter's Church
5. Castle of the Arenberg
The Castle or Palace of Arenberg, which has its origins in the 12th century and is located half an hour walk from the center, is another of the most beautiful places to see in Leuven.
This beautiful Flemish Renaissance palace built in brick and sandstone stands out for its two towers crowned by two-headed eagles and although it was owned by the Dukes of Arenberg, it currently belongs to the Catholic University of Leuven and it is quite common to find locals Picnic in the great natural space surrounding the castle.
Our recommended hotel in Leuven
Our recommended accommodation in Leuven is the Hotel Ladeuze, located less than 10 minutes walk from the Town Hall and the train station that in addition to a fantastic location, has a very attentive staff that speaks Spanish and one of the best quality / price ratios the city.
6. Oude Markt, one of the best places to visit in Leuven
Oude Markt, one of the most popular squares in the city and known as the longest bar in the world, is another of the places to see in Leuven.
This beautiful old market square is surrounded by classic-style buildings rebuilt after World War II and as a curiosity to say that almost all these houses (over 40) have a bar on the ground floor, which is dedicated to serving good craft beer Belgian tourists and locals.
In good weather, something not very common in this country, the terraces are filled with students forming a fun and endless bar.
Oude Markt
7. Sculptures
One of the Top things to do in Leuven is to find the most famous sculptures that are scattered throughout the city. Our favorite is the Fons Sapientiae (source of wisdom), located near the Grotemarkt and representing a student acquiring knowledge.
Other popular sculptures are De Kotmadam which represents a home of a student apartment and is located in Oude Markt, Erasmus in honor of Erasmus of Rotterdam, The Balloon Of Friendship (friendship balloon) and the Totem, a needle of 23 meters high with a green beetle stuck in the tip.
Sculptures to see in Leuven
8. Abbeys
Between the most recommended abbeys to visit in Leuven they find each other:
- Keizersberg: This imposing abbey, located on a hill with good views of the city and surrounded by a wall, stands out for its gardens where you can find wells and remains of ancient buildings.
- Santa Gertrudis: located in the Little Beaterio impresses with its gothic tower built without nails.
- From the park: it is the most beautiful abbey to see in Leuven, where you will find green spaces, historical buildings and above all, an oasis of peace and tranquility.
- Vlierbeek: Benedictine abbey founded in 1125 with a beautiful church and a park where locals go to relax or play sports.
9. Stella Artois Factory
Beer in Belgium has a long tradition and the Stella Artois factory produces one of the most recognized worldwide.
During a guided tour of this building you can learn the entire production process of this beer and also teach you how to throw beer in a glass to finish with a tasting. If you have time and even if you are not a fan of this drink, we believe you can be a interesting place to visit in Leuven.
Visiting hours: every day from 9am to 7pm.
Try a Stella Artois, one of the best things to do in Leuven
10. M-Museum Leuven
This art museum located in an original building, which mixes modern and classic architecture in the old town, is the most important what to see in Leuven.
Inside there are several exhibitions in which you can see paintings and sculptures of the late Gothic along with others from the nineteenth century and contemporary and also from the terrace you have good views of the city.
Visiting hours: Thursday to Tuesday from 11am to 6pm.
If you feel like helping us complete the list of 10 places to visit in Leuven, add yours in the comments.
