Take a bike ride along the Leuven Canal
Autumn temperatures in Leuven are generally mild, with rainy days but sunny ones too. So take a bike and ride along the Leuven Canal to get some fresh air. The tall trees along the canal display their most vivid colours every autumn.
After a nice bike ride, you can stop at the Vaartkom, near the Leuven Canal. Stop in at coffee bar Madmum for a hot cup of coffee and a delicious pastry. Or visit one of the many other cosy coffee bars that Leuven has to offer.
Autumn walk and brewery visit in Kessel-Lo
Leave the centre of Leuven and make your way to the Provincial Domain in Kessel-Lo. The Provincial Domain is the perfect place to spend time in nature when autumn is in the air. Young and old can walk, play, exercise, or explore the ecocentre in the beautiful park.
Kessel-Lo is also home to the friendly neighbourhood brewery De Coureur. Brewers Bart & Ine brew and tap flavourful beers, serve homemade soft drinks, and offer tasty snacks.
Visit to Arenberg Castle
Travel back in time with a visit to Arenberg Castle. This historic castle park is part of Science and Technology at KU Leuven, the Leuven university, and is overrun by students in the autumn. Autumn is the perfect time to visit the castle and the green estate around it and watch the colours change.
A guided tour of the castle as well as the other historical university heritage in Arenberg Park is also a great idea for a beautiful autumn day. In 2025, KU Leuven will celebrate its 600th anniversary and there will be almost that many opportunities to visit these heritage gems.
Discover Park Abbey
A family outing to Park Abbey is highly recommended as it is one of Leuven’s most beautiful sights in autumn. Visit PARCUM, the abbey museum that exhibits the historical rooms of the 12th-century abbey. The museum offers special quests and an audio tour for kids.
The park around the abbey is a green resting area on the outskirts of the city, which looks beautiful in autumn. The three large ponds with many birds, swans, and ducks and the beautiful surrounding trees create the perfect autumn walk full of crisp leaves and seasonal colours.
There is a very easy and child- and pram-friendly walk around the lake that takes about 30 minutes. So bring the whole family!
Street art at your own pace
You’ll find a lot of beautiful street art all over the city of Leuven, and a beautiful autumn day is the perfect time to go on a tour of the many street artworks yourself! Our tip: Download the free Street Art Cities app for a full list of all street art with information on the artist and artwork. Take a photo in front of your favourite artwork and use #visitleuven in your post on social media so we can see your photos!
Comfort food
Few things lift your spirits more than a warm plate of Belgian beef stew or vol-au-vent when it gets cold outside. Leuven has plenty of addresses where it is nice and cosy in the autumn, and where the best Belgian classics are served. From De Hoorn in the Vaartkom to De Abdijmolen, the restaurant in Park Abbey’s restored abbey mill.
