Location: Leuven
Top Things to do in Leuven
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The 10 Best Things to Do in Leuven, Belgium
The old Burgundian university town of Leuven offers a range of adventures for overnight visitors or day-trippers from Bruges and Brussels. Tourists will find everything from gastronomic tours to architectural gems like the Gothic Town Hall. Nature lovers won’t be disappointed. The Kruidtuin Botanical Garden’s herbal gardens are the oldest in Belgium, and Heverleebos, a “city wood,” offers a respite for urban dwellers. The exploring is easy in Leuven, on foot or on one of the ubiquitous bikes.
Restaurants in Leuven
1. Town Hall (Stadhuis)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 984 reviews
Reviewed By gcr67 - Newcastle-upon-Tyne
One of my all time favourites. You can spend hours just looking at the myriad figures and ornaments.
2. Groot Begijnhof
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 886 reviews
3. Botanical Garden Kruidtuin
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 507 reviews
4. Old Market Square
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 695 reviews
The liveliest square in the heart of Leuven. During the day, you can enjoy some drinks on one of the many terraces. At evening, the ideal place the have a dinner or a drink to unwind after a tiring day. The longest bar in Europe with over 30 bars and restaurants. Also the place for a lot of (musical) events during the year.
Reviewed By platinumcitytrip - Leuven, Belgium
Known in Belgium as 'the longest bar in the world' for it's square circling row of cafés only interrupted by the Josephites college (high school) on one end. Great for summer evenings (and nights). Busier in the week with the students than in the weekends with the locals. A must when visiting Leuven and a fond memory of many who studied there.
5. Great Market Square (Grote Markt)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 347 reviews
Reviewed By Christiaan_Slabbert - Leipzig, Germany
I don't want to mimic my review of Leuven's Old Market Square, but this Great Market Square isn't really much different than, let's say, any other European market square. It's big, yes, with lots of restaurants and stores littered along winding alleys, but it is no way 'Great'; it's much closer to 'Average' (and yes, I know the 'Great' in its title refers to its size, not how good it is . . . #ImNotGoodWithPuns).
6. University Library & Bell Tower
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 394 reviews
Reviewed By riaano2017 - Johannesburg, South Africa
The library is definitely a must see, a impressive collection of books in a beautiful room, housed in an old stunning building. You can then take the narrow stairs to the top of the tower for a breathtaking view. Highly recommended.
7. Provinciaal Domein Kessel-Lo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 118 reviews
Reviewed By Trainbleu - Brussels
There are few public green spaces in Leuven and they are tiny. But it takes only 15 minutes by bus to get to a large park and recreation ground in the suburb of Kessel-Lo, called ‘Provinciedomein Kessel-Lo’ or ‘Provinciaal Domein Kessel-Lo’ in Dutch. There you will find lots of trees, even an orchard with old varieties of fruit trees, several ponds for boating or fishing, an adventure playground, an animal enclosure, and many sport facilities (including mini golf, football, tennis, outdoor swimming pool and splashing pool for children). The park is also great for walking or jogging, or to just sit and gaze. In the summer, the park can get a bit crowded.
Access to the parks and the Playgrounds is free. In summer there are two bars, where food is available. To get there, take bus 2 at the railway station or in the centre (direction Kessel-lo) and get off at ‘Provinciaal recreatiecentrum’, or at ‘Leopold Ruelenslaan’ if you want to visit the Eco Centre. For those arriving by car, there are several car parks: Parking 1 on Een-Meilaan (open from 1.4 to 30.9), Parking 2 on Beemdenstraat, Parking 3 on Holsbeeksesteenweg 55, Parking 4 on Domeinstraat 61. During the daylight saving time months, the park is open from 9 am to 9 pm, otherwise it’s open from 9 am to 7 pm. The opening hours of the attractions vary according to the seasons and the day of the week.
8. Saint Peter's Church (Sint-Pieterskerk)
Overall Ratings
4 based on 213 reviews
Reviewed By audmonamikaela - Lillestrøm.norway
I usually visit churches whenever I visited a new place. This church was quite impressive. A religious hymn was being played while I was roaming around the church. Although the church was not that big, but it compensates in its extravagant sculptures. The facade of the church was impressive as well as the architecture of the building. The furniture inside were made of high quality wood - I think it was made from mahogany. I lighted many candles inside the church for peace and for my loved one. My regret was I was not able to attend mass here. I hope I can attend mass one of these days. It is really worth visiting this church.
9. Arenberg Castle
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 73 reviews
Reviewed By Evenstar29 - Dusseldorf, Germany
Beautiful place in Leuven. It's situated right behind the sports centre of the University. A lot of Engineering classes are held here. The castle is surrounded by a small river and sometimes there are people on kayaks . In front of the Castle is a big lawn where you can lay down and relax, study or play an outdoor game with your friends. If you live in the City centre it takes you approx. 30min to walk there but it is worth it.
10. M - Museum Leuven
Overall Ratings
4 based on 258 reviews
Reviewed By Muzamil P - Brussels, Belgium
When I entered this museum, I went with a lot of expectations and I was very disappointed. Nothing that was wow or interesting, but it also depends on your taste of art that you like. I have been a lot of museums all over Europe and this one by far, has been my biggest disappointment.
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