What to do and see in Leuven, Flanders: The Best Free Things to do

February 18, 2022 Jana Sager

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. Tartufo

Louis Melsensstraat 14, Leuven 3000 Belgium +32 16 23 06 42
Excellent
95%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 19 reviews

Tartufo

2. Town Hall (Stadhuis)

Great Market Square 9, Leuven Belgium +32 490 56 33 66 http://www.leuven.be/vrije-tijd/toerisme/bezienswaardigheden/monumenten/stadhuis.jsp
Excellent
70%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,299 reviews

Town Hall (Stadhuis)

Reviewed By GeryF17 - Leuven, Belgium

This is one of my favourite spots in Leuven.You can enjoy the splendid architecture, the hundreds magnificent statues decorating the walls of the building in the soft lights of the Winter garden,that gets constructed every year during December and stays on until.the beginning of January. I had the pleasure to enter the building 5 years ago while attending a wedding ceremony.

3. Old Market Square

Oude Markt, Leuven 3000 Belgium +32 16 20 30 20 [email protected] http://www.oudemarktleuven.be
Excellent
48%
Good
43%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 846 reviews

Old Market Square

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 TheAbbas - Leuven, Belgium

Its like a big bar that can fit 4000 people. Great atmosphere with the crowds and drinking beer and enjoying themselves. I visited during pandemic and it was empty but i can imagine how great in normal days it is.

4. Great Market Square (Grote Markt)

Leuven Belgium +32 16 20 30 20 http://www.leuven.be
Excellent
54%
Good
39%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 451 reviews

Great Market Square (Grote Markt)

5. Groot Begijnhof

Schapenstraat, Leuven 3000 Belgium http://www.leuven.be/en/tourism/sightseeing/monuments/great-beguinage.jsp
Excellent
62%
Good
34%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,134 reviews

Groot Begijnhof

Reviewed By Vizoog - Belgium, null

If you are visiting the Grand-Beguinage (UNESCO world heritage site, now owned by the university) nearby you can find an hidden gem. ‘De Grote Spui’, a medieval river lock complex established in 1365 BC From the backyard of Bistro ‘The Spuye’ you have a spectacular view of the system consisting of four arches with wooden lock gates. How to get there: Take Volmolenlaan in the direction of the Ring road (Tervuursevest). You will find a tunnel for pedestrians and cyclists, where the road crosses the river Dyle. Here is the entrance of the University Sports Facilities (Universitair Sportcentrum). The place is popular among both students and locals.

6. Provinciaal Domein Kessel-Lo

Beemdenstraat 55, Leuven 3010 Belgium +32 16 25 13 92 http://www.vlaamsbrabant.be/vrije-tijd-cultuur/provinciedomeinen/kessello/index.jsp
Excellent
52%
Good
39%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
3%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 146 reviews

Provinciaal Domein Kessel-Lo

Reviewed By ElviraHelena - Amsterdam, The Netherlands

This is an amazing park for everyone. Two lakes, many playgrounds, pool, has lovely areas to sit and relax and just walk. Is only some stops away by bus from the Central Station and is worth spending the day there. In winter is recommended to take your own food as the food stalls are closed.

7. Botanical Garden Kruidtuin

Kapucijnenvoer 30, Leuven 3000 Belgium +32 16 27 23 80 http://www.leuven.be/en/tourism/sightseeing/park-and-nature/botanical-garden.jsp
Excellent
60%
Good
35%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 676 reviews

Botanical Garden Kruidtuin

Reviewed By TheAbbas - Leuven, Belgium

It is really beautiful park with so many different flowers and plants. Its nice to take a romantic walk in it and enjoy it in a calm afternoon.

8. Arenberg Castle

Kardinaal Mercierlaan 94, Heverlee, Leuven 3001 Belgium +32 16 32 21 18 http://www.leuven.be/en/tourism/sightseeing/university/kasteel-arenberg/
Excellent
44%
Good
43%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 99 reviews

Arenberg Castle

Reviewed By fabiov55 - Leuven, Belgium

And a nice park to sit on a sunny day! There's a forest surrounding the castle that is worth a visit as well.

9. Tweebronnen City Library

Rijschoolstraat 4/0101, Leuven 3000 Belgium http://www.leuven.be/vrije-tijd/toerisme/bezienswaardigheden/moderne-architectuur/tweebronnen.jsp
Excellent
42%
Good
50%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 24 reviews

Tweebronnen City Library

10. Louvain Louvain

Oude Markt 39-40, Leuven 3000 Belgium
Excellent
68%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
5%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 19 reviews

Louvain Louvain

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