13 Must do’s in Leuven | Belgium

Leuven is a student city as one of the biggest universities of Belgium is located in this city: KU Leuven. This student city also has some hidden gems that tourists like to visit. Here are my must do’s when in Leuven.

1) Grote Markt

The Grote Markt is the square where you can see the city hall of Leuven and the Sint Pieterskerk.

2) City hall

City Hall of Brussels and City Hall of Leuven were built around the same time (15th century). The city halls from Leuven and Brussels were based on the city hall of Bruges. The City hall of Leuven survived WW1 with minor damages but endured bigger damages in WW2. All of that is of course been repaired.

3) Fonske

Leuven is more of a student city. The statue of Fonske was made for the 550th birthday of the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (Catholic University of Leuven) in 1975. There are many explanations of what the statue is doing: a student reading a book and getting knowledge (represented by the water), a student pouring a glass of beer on its head and studying his behavior, or just a student drinking beer. 

4) Sint-Pieterskerk

The Sint-Pieterskerk (Saint Peter’s Church) is just in front of the city hall and was built at the same time. 

5) Groot Begijnhof

A Begijnhof is a place where women live in a community but not in a religious way (so no nuns). It was very popular in the 13th century but is not practiced anymore. This Beguinage is one of the biggest in Belgium. 

6) Oude Markt

The Oude Markt (old square) is not the Grote Markt; The Oude Markt is a place where the students go out at night. The bars are also open during the day, but I must say it’s been a rare occasion that I’ve seen the Oude Markt in daylight when I was a student. 

Fun Fact: The Oude Markt also has a famous statue amongst dutch viewers. We have a tv show ‘Kotmadam’ (a house mother for a bunch of students) and in the intro of the show, the actress sits on a bench next to this statue. 

7) Vaartkom

The Vaartkom is the old industrial zone around the Vaart in Leuven. It used to be the location of the old Stella Artois Brewery. Today, the old buildings are modern lofts and restaurants.  Go eat at De Hoorn or at OPEK.

8) KU Leuven

KU Leuven (KUL) is the catholic university of Leuven. This university is so big that it is has conquered Belgium (you can go to that university even in other cities). I followed classes from KUL in Brussels for instance. Walk around the city and you’ll see many students and buildings from the KUL.

9) Universiteitsbibliotheek en bibliotheektoren

This building is the University library where the students flock together during exams to study. As I followed my classes in Brussels, I never went to this library which is actually a shame. Climb up the tower to enjoy a fabulous view of Leuven. 

Fun Fact: In front of the building is a pike with an impaled bug on it. 

10) Kruidtuin

Just like Brussels, Meise, Antwerpen, and Mechelen, Leuven has a botanical garden that you can visit. Just enjoy and relax!

11) Abdij van Park

Abdij van Park (Park Abbey) is a park from the 12th century containing 42 ha of ponds, grass, and trees.

12) St. Anthony’s Chapel

St. Anthony’s Chapel contains the crypt of Father Damien. Father Damien was a renowned missionary that worked with lepra people. 

13) Stella Artois Brouwerij

My aunt works for ABInbev so we decided to do a family trip to the Stella Artois Brewery in Leuven together. We visited the new Brewery but you can also check out the old buildings of the Stella Artois Brewery (not at the same place). 

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