Leuven
Discover Leuven
Leuven (French: Louvain) is a flourishing and lively city of about 100,000 inhabitants (2018). It is the capital of the Belgian province of Flemish Brabant. It's a genuine university city which reflects in the streets. During the academic year (end of September until end of June) the city is full of young people, especially on weekdays. Sometimes it may seem that there are no other people living in the city. Summer in Leuven in general is calmer, although a lot of summer events are organised. The university that was founded in 1425 and has more than 40,000 students is the oldest Catholic university in the world. The historic centre is one of the most beautiful in Belgium. Leuven has a very central location in Flanders, which makes it the ideal starting point to discover the other parts of the nation: Brussels is practically just around the corner, the coast is only a 1½-hour train ride away and Antwerp, Bruges, Ghent, Liège, Mechelen and Hasselt are nearby.
What to Experience in Leuven
Taste of Leuven...
In general, you'd have to really make an effort to find a horrible meal in Leuven. Almost all restaurants are tasty and relatively cheap (for Belgium), given the student population. Many Belgians enjoy French fries and snacks in a Frietkot if they're looking for a quick and cheap bite. Try fresh North Sea Mussels, during their season (roughly August–March). Every year, you'll see the big signs announcing their arrival in front of many restaurants. Smoking is not allowed in restaurants. The more common, bigger restaurants can be found right next to City Hall on the Grote Markt. Look for cheaper restaurants on the Oude Markt (Old Market) as that's where the student population mostly enjoys their meal. It has many smaller restaurants and bars (the Old Market is sometimes called the longest bar in Europe), but all of them stop serving food after 22:00. There are many good eateries and a great atmosphere (eating outside during the summer is a can't-miss!) in the Muntstraat, very different styles from classical French Belgian cuisine to "Mexican", Italian, Vietnamese, Chinese and Japanese. Consult the brand new website for more information. But these restaurants of this street are quite overpriced. Parijsstraat has some restaurants with a nice atmosphere. The Martelarenplein houses a lot of restaurants and bars just a stone's throw away from the railway station.
Festivals & Events
Experience the vibrant festivals and cultural celebrations of Leuven.
Attend the nearby and world renowned Rock Werchter music festival in late June/early July, or Marktrock in the city centre, around August 15. Leuven is truly a beer city, with the world's largest brewery Inbev being founded here. Try the many tasty beers, but beware, some have much higher alcohol levels than in the rest of the world! Bars are mostly entrance-free and prices are relatively low. You can visit the many bars around the Old Market every night, but expect a lot more ambiance on Wednesday and Thursday during the Academic Year, when the student population is in the city (late September to early December and early February to the end of May). The area around the Tiensestraat, where there are bars owned by student organisations: Regulations have become stricter in the last few years and visitors of these bars may be requested to provide proof that they are KU Leuven students.
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsBrussels Airport in Zaventem is the main international airport in Belgium and has many direct international connections from North America, Asia and especially Africa. Brussels has flights from all European capitals and most other major cities. To get to Leuven from Zaventem, you may take a train to Leuven (13 minutes) for €11.20. It runs every half hour on weekdays and three times per hour on weekends. You may also take a De Lijn bus from the airport to Leuven (1 hr, €3). Taxis wait at the arrivals area (about 20 min, depending on traffic, about €70, €45 for pre-booked taxis). More low-cost carriers arrive at Brussels South Charleroi Airport but travel time to Leuven is considerably longer (approx. 1½ hr). You can purchase a combined bus+train ticket for €17.40 that will enable you to take the A2 bus from Charleroi airport to Fleurus, and from there on to Leuven or Heverlee train station....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
The city has installed several new touristic road signs and city maps at several locations, which make getting around in the city a lot easier. Don't be afraid to ask people on the street for information, as they are usually very open and helpful towards tourists - some will even walk you to your destination. The public transport company De Lijn has a number of bus lines through Leuven. Centre of their network is the train station and the stop at the Rector de Somerplein. Since distances are not that big, you won't really need public transport unless you're going to Meerdaalwoud, Heverleebos, Campus Arenberg or the hospital Gasthuisberg. There is no subway or tram line. When arriving in Leuven by train, walk to the Martelarenplein in front of the Station and walk down the Bondgenotenlaan in order to get to the city centre: the Grote Markt (Grand Place) where the tourist information desk is situated. Discover the rest of the historic city centre from there.
Where to Stay
Leuven is a very safe and clean city, with very low crime records. In general, there are no unsafe spots in the city best avoided. The streets are safe, even at night, although you better avoid public gardens at night. Even though most of them have closing hours which vary throughout the seasons. Of course, it is advised to take the precautions tourists are urged to take everywhere (e.g. to avoid pickpocketing). If you have a bike, make sure it is secured with a decent lock as students tend to 'borrow' bicycles. Similarly, jackets left unattended in bars may be at risk. The city centre police station is located next to City Hall at Grote Markt. Don't hesitate to walk in if you have questions. Police usually patrol by car and on foot, and most of the times anonymously instead of walking around in uniform (especially at night). Try to avoid the area around Sint-Maartensdal and De Bruul (between Brouwersstraat and Pereboomstraat).
Money & Budget
Shopping in Leuven is easy: you can pick one of the two main roads both starting at the Train Station and ending at the Grand Place, near City Hall and St. Peter's Church. Stores usually close around 18:00, and at 20:00 on Thursday. Supermarkets are usually open until 20:00, 21:00 on Friday. In general, you'd have to really make an effort to find a horrible meal in Leuven. Almost all restaurants are tasty and relatively cheap (for Belgium), given the student population. Many Belgians enjoy French fries and snacks in a Frietkot if they're looking for a quick and cheap bite. Try fresh North Sea Mussels, during their season (roughly August–March). Every year, you'll see the big signs announcing their arrival in front of many restaurants. Smoking is not allowed in restaurants.
Safety Information
Safety Overview
Leuven is a very safe and clean city, with very low crime records. In general, there are no unsafe spots in the city best avoided. The streets are safe, even at night, although you better avoid public gardens at night. Even though most of them have closing hours which vary throughout the seasons. Of course, it is advised to take the precautions tourists are urged to take everywhere (e.g. to avoid pickpocketing). If you have a bike, make sure it is secured with a decent lock as students tend to 'borrow' bicycles. Similarly, jackets left unattended in bars may be at risk. The city centre police station is located next to City Hall at Grote Markt. Don't hesitate to walk in if you have questions. Police usually patrol by car and on foot, and most of the times anonymously instead of walking around in uniform (especially at night). Try to avoid the area around Sint-Maartensdal and De Bruul (between Brouwersstraat and Pereboomstraat).
Nearby Destinations
Glimpses of Leuven
patio bistro sets near bulding
a view of a building with flowers in the foreground
a large building with many spires on top of it
A place among the books
This picture was taken on my last night in Leuven before I went home for the summer. I was enjoying the sunset in the city centre when someone on a bike passed me and caught a glimpse of the sunset too. He also stopped to take a picture, but I think mine came out great with him as the subject. Thank you, random biker!
white train on train station during daytime
a city street lined with tall buildings and bicycles
a row of buildings on a cobblestone street
a large monument with a clock tower in the middle of it
Skyline of Leuven, Belgium.
patio bistro sets near bulding
a view of a building with flowers in the foreground
a large building with many spires on top of it