✓ Handpicked Luxury Stays in Budget on 🏡 booking.com
Exploring Belgium you’d come upon one great attraction after another. No matter what time of year you come, there’s never a shortage of things to do and sights to see in Leuven.
Through this Leuven blog, I will share with you some of the most interesting things to do in Leuven.
Going on a 4 days trip is sufficient to see some of the most interesting places in Leuven. But if you can add 2-3 days more you’d be able to experience rather than ‘see’ that an ordinary tourist does. Let me share with you the best things to do in Leuven and tips to make the most out of your trip.
1. Historical Leuven Town hall
Quick Facts:
- The city hall was built somewhere around 15th-century.
Address: Grote Markt 9, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
2. Groot Begijnhof Leuven
One of the oldest neighborhood in Leuven, Groot Begijnhof Leuven still retains its nostalgic charm.
Quick Facts:
- Spread over an area of 4.2 ha (10 acres), it was designated as World Heritage Site in 1998.
With so much to offer, no wonder Groot Begijnhof Leuven is one of the top things to do in Leuven.
Address: Groot Begijnhof, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
3. M Leuven
An interesting museum in Leuven, M Leuven collects some of the finest pieces of modern art.
It is a premier modern cultural destination with over thousand pieces from the 20th and 21st centuries. Visitors come to marvel at the varied collection of artworks, which includes everything from abstract paintings, digital art, unique photographs and expressionism.
Quick Facts:
- The highlight of the place includes the beautiful building with a really nice terrace.
- The modern art museum was opened on 2009.
- M Leuven was opened in 2009.
Address: Leopold Vanderkelenstraat 28, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
4. Hortus Botanicus Lovaniensis
Hortus Botanicus Lovaniensis is a large expanse of green located in the very heart of Leuven.
The Hortus Botanicus Lovaniensis is divided into several section, with each having its own importance.
The dome-shaped greenhouses, mainly housing tropical plants, are the highlight of this place. Including both indoor and outdoor displays there are thousand of species in this botanical garden.
Quick Facts:
- Some of the things Hortus Botanicus Lovaniensis features include greenhouse.
- The botanical garden traces its origin back to 1738.
A natural crowd puller, Hortus Botanicus Lovaniensis is right up there in the list of best things to do in Leuven.
Address: Kapucijnenvoer 30, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
5. Saint Peter’s Church
A beautiful addition to city’s architecture, Saint Peter’s Church is a house of christian worship located in Leuven.
As this is a sacred location, anyone who want to enter are advised to cover their knees and shoulders. The cemetry has got quite a few notable person buried.
Quick Facts:
- Done in Romanesque style, it was Matheus de Layens, Sulpitius van Vorst, Jan II Keldermans who designed it.
- Some of the things Saint Peter’s Church features include an ornately decorated pulpit and a medieval bell tower.
- The church was built somewhere around 15th-century.
- The church was opened on 1425.
Address: Grote Markt 1, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
6. Kasteel van Arenberg
Located on top of a high hill, Kasteel van Arenberg is a beautiful medieval structure.
Occasionally, you will find information boards giving you details about the place. There are trails running around the castle which takes you through the woods and to a series of vantage points.
Quick Facts:
- The castle was built somewhere around 16th-century.
- Evident throughout its structure is the Renaissance architecture style.
An incredible sight, Kasteel van Arenberg scores high in the list of the best things to do in Leuven.
Address: Kardinaal Mercierlaan 94, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
7. Kessel-Lo Provincial Domain
Kessel-Lo Provincial Domain is a beautifully landscaped park spread over a large area in Leuven.
It is a good way to reconnect with nature – relax under the shady trees, watch the kids play.
One of my favorite thing to do here is simply grabbing a book, and lying down on the lap of green. The Kessel-Lo Provincial Domain is composed of numerous different sections including abundant lawns, fountains, a monument, shady trees and a variety of flower beds.
Address: Holsbeeksesteenweg 21, 3010 Leuven, Belgium
8. Park Abbey
Quick Facts:
- Some of the things Park Abbey features include guided tours.
- The abbey was built somewhere around 12th-century.
- Built in Baroque style, it is eye pleasingly pretty site to look at.
Add it to your Leuven trip if you have time.
Address: Abdij van Park 7, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
9. Leuven Oude Markt
The Leuven Oude Markt, surrounded by historic buildings, is one of Leuven’s principal squares.
It has been the city’s social and administrative centre for centuries.
Here you will find the churches and clock toewrs, along with numerous other historical buildings. Locals and visitors alike congregate on this wide main plaza to have a good time.
Address: Oude Markt 44, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
10. Château de Horst
Take a liesurely stroll on the villa grounds, where you will find a well-maintained garden, a calm pond, and a colorful ensemble of flower beds. The striking front façade is worth a second look.
Quick Facts:
- Some of the things Château de Horst features include an old stone tower.
If you have time, it makes for a nice addition to your Leuven trip.
Address: Horststraat 28, 3220 Holsbeek, Belgium
11. Grote Markt
Grote Markt is the main square located in the central Leuven.
This is where various festivals, concerts and carnivals are held throughout the year.
12. Doode Bemde
Doode Bemde is a protected natural area, harboring a variety of flora and fauna.
A whole world of discovery and adventure awaits you upon your visit to Doode Bemde.
The park was formed to protect the invaluable ecosystems and residents living there. As for wild life, a variety of animal and bird species is found here.
If you have time, it makes for a nice addition to your Leuven trip.
Address: Pastoor Tilemansstraat 17, 3051 Oud-Heverlee, Belgium
13. Sint-Donatus Park
Sint-Donatus Park is a large landscaped park, an oasis of greenery, located in Leuven.
It will not be wrong to say that Sint-Donatus Park is truly an icon of landscape architecture.
Sint-Donatus Park allows you to spend time actively – engage yourself in walking, running or cycling. The park is wonderfully designed with features such as ponds, fountains, and gravelled paths.
Quick Facts:
- Some of the things Sint-Donatus Park features include greenery, a pond.
- The park was built somewhere around 12-century.
Address: Vlamingenstraat, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
But beyond the famous attractions in Leuven, there is something that pulls you back again and again, perhaps it’s the city’s charm. All in all, whether you are a backpacker, a solo traveler, slow traveler, a female traveler or a couple there are plenty of interesting things to do in Leuven for everyone.
And it’s not difficult to create an itinerary that includes some of the best tourist attractions in Leuven. If you have any questions or suggestions on sightseeing in Leuven, I would love to hear them in the comments section below.