Leuven Travel Tips

On a bike tour of Belgium, Leuven was an obvious and easy first stop, just 20 miles (32-km) from Brussels. What a gem of a city, youthful but historic, small but interesting, and the hub of Beer! Our 10-Day Belgian Bike Tour, from Brussels continued to magical medieval village of Mechelen, Antwerp, to Ghent, Bruges, then into The Netherlands for another 12-Days Cycling Zeeland and South Netherlands wonderful cities.

Leuven: Belgium’s Youthful University City
If Brussels is Belgium’s political capital, then Leuven (Louvain in French) is its college town. Just 25 minutes by train from Brussels, or 20 miles biking, this young fun city is as famous for its neo-Gothic architecture, and 1425 Leuven University, as it is for beer – calling itself the Beer Capital of the World – which is fair since it’s the birthplace of Stella Artois—and headquarters for AB InBev which also owns Anheuser Busch, Bud & Corona.

Where to stay in Leuven Belgium, best hotels in Leuven

Strolling Through History
Start with the #ILuvLeuven Walking Tour with a guide, the best way to soak in the city’s blend of historic beauty and contemporary vibe. The Town Hall is most impressive, which was built to outdo Brussels. At the Grote Markt, Leuven’s ornate Town Hall dazzles with an intricate façade that took 30 years to complete, adorned with 235 statues. Across the square, St. Peter’s Church stands as a Gothic counterpoint, its tower offering views over the rooftops.

Wander over to Martelarenplein, the station square lined with gabled houses and lively cafés. At its center, a Peace Memorial quietly honors those lost in wartime—an evocative reminder that Leuven, like much of Belgium, has seen its share of history.

Gardens and Castles
Nature lovers will be enchanted by the Kruidtuin, Belgium’s oldest botanical garden, with its wisteria-covered walkways and tropical greenhouses. For something grander, cycle or stroll through the Heverlee Forest, an urban woodland laced with walking and biking trails. Tucked inside is Arenberg Castle, a 15th-century palace turned university hub, where ivy-clad walls whisper of centuries past. For another scenic outing, pedal to Park Abbey, a serene monastic site framed by ponds and meadows.

A City That Eats and Drinks Well
Leuven has no shortage of places to raise a glass or a fork. De Hoorn, once the brewery hall where Stella Artois was first poured, now serves as a buzzing space. Beer lovers should also seek out De Oude Markt, often dubbed “Europe’s longest bar”—a beautiful old square lined with ornate facades, is packed with college student cafés and bars, like one giant open-air keg party. This “Old Market” was bombed in WW1 then completely rebuilt in 1914 but looks authentic – in a movie set way!

Leuven has flavors from all over the world, Greek, Indian, African, French, even a “Manhattn Burger” joint. We also enjoyed La Filosofia Italian flavors.

Our Leuven hotel – a former convent beguinage neighborhood – Begijnhof Hotel, was lovely, close to town, with bike storage. A modern reno to the old convent made it a pleasant place to stay, with beautiful garden to enjoy drinks from their honor bar. We could hear the Church bells at night as we slept with windows open enjoying the cool September Belgium breeze. Breakfast in the morning was a big buffet in Begijnhof’s dining room, fueling us up for a next big bike ride to Mechelen.

Leuven in a Glass and a Glance
Leuven may be a city steeped in history, but it thrives on youthful energy from KU Leuven —students fill its squares, cyclists zip through its parks, and its pubs brim with laughter. Explore centuries-old architecture, sip a Stella where it all began, and pedal to a castle, Leuven is delightful, and a smaller scale than Brussels.

Biking Leuven to Mechelen is 20-miles on a pretty route taking you along peaceful canals on tow paths – now dedicated bike and pedestrians’ ways.
Heather’s Bike Bell Tip: Beware, some Belgian cyclist zip by you with no warning, and little handlebar space, as if they are training for the Tour De France, and perhaps they are!

See our review of Biking Belgium – an itinerary of some of the most majestic cities in Belgium with gorgeous countryside for cycling in between. You can also continue your Belgium bike tour into the Netherlands easily, see our bike tour into Dutch “Sea Land” and the southern border of Netherlands abutting Belgium and Germany, returning to Brussels.