City tripping on a budget
Take a city trip of your visit to Leuven and have wonderful dreams in one of our accommodation possibilities. The city offers overnight stays for every atmosphere and budget; from hostels and budget hotels to a beautiful old monastery or staying overnight in the Great Beguinage. The accommodation in Leuven often has very attractive prices in the summer. Book your overnight stay here!
The Last Supper
Many of Leuven’s most unique attractions, such as Saint Peter’s Church don’t require a ticket or admission. Everyone can admire the famous turrets of the Town Hall on the other side of the Grote Markt. A visit costs just 4 euros. Children under 12 are admitted for free. The same goes for the tower of the University Library.
Wondrous botanic world
Walk to the magnificent Botanical Garden, Belgium’s oldest botanic garden. Oftentimes, you can visit an interesting exhibition in the orangery, the lovely gatehouse building, or simply in open air. From here it’s just a 15-minute walk to the Great Beguinage with its picturesque cobbled streets. Did you know that half of the top ten must-sees in Leuven can actually be visited for free?
Colourful wall art
Take a surprising city tour. Our tip: the street art walks. Download the free Street Art Cities app and choose the ‘Street art and religious art’ walk which will take you to Leuven’s churches, unique street art and some beautiful green spots in the city. Or select the walk in Kessel-Lo to explore the colourful neighbourhood behind the station. Also fun by bike!
Fun times in Kessel-Lo
Children find all these colourful murals extremely fascinating. But they will have the best time at Provincial Domain of Kessel-Lo. The renovated landscape playing area has swings and slides, a water village and a clay hill, a brook to play in and a long suspension bridge. In the city centre, you’ll always find a playground or park nearby where you can chill while your kids have the time of their lives.
Cycling past abbeys
You already know about Saint Peter’s Church but you should definitely also set aside some time to admire the superb baroque façade of Saint Michael’s Church. Greet Father Damian in his crypt, in Saint Anthony’s Chapel. And don’t forget to pop into St Gertrude’s Church at St Gertrude’s Abbey. The church spire is one of the “seven wonders of Leuven” because it was built without using any nails whatsoever. The city has four abbeys, each with their own specific character. Download the cycling brochure to discover them all. What’s more, you can visit all these churches and most of the abbeys in Leuven for free.
Drinking water and exercise
Some more useful tips! No need to pay exorbitant gym fees in Leuven. Just head to the outdoor gym, under Wilsele viaduct, which is made from reusable and recyclable materials and which is accessible to all. With a boxing platform, climbing walls and much more. Sustainable, free, well-thought-through... So Leuven! Exercise makes you thirsty. Did you know that Leuven’s sports centres offer free chilled water so you can top up your own water bottle?
Free shuttle
Leuven’s station is within walking distance of the Grote Markt, and we all know that walking costs nothing. Did you come by car? Park your car in a cheap car park on the city’s fringe. A De Lijn bus will take you into the city for free.
Everything is just a 1.5-km walk in the city centre. Freeing up the budget that you would set aside elsewhere for transportation so that you can spend it instead in one of the cosy pubs or restaurants. Good to know: on Fridays and Saturdays, and when there’s Sunday shopping, you can hop on one of the free electric shuttles that connect the city centre with the Vaartkom (every 15 minutes). Making it even easier to explore this trendy city neighbourhood.
