Food for history geeks
Walking through Leuven, you cannot miss it. The city is brimming with iconic heritage gems that brings history to life. The gothic town hall and the Saint Peter's Church tell stories of the past, as do KU Leuven’s many historic buildings, from a magnificent hall to an impressive library with a tower, and a host of colleges. Many of these buildings are protected heritage sites. And rightly so, since some are already 600 years old.
Good news! In the anniversary year 2025, you can peek behind the façades of these gems with a guide or a walking app. Don’t miss the Arenberg Castle or the Dutch College — both timeless showstoppers.
Tip: Is your inner nerd up for even more? Check out the wonderfully weird cabinet of curiosities at the Museum of Zoology!
Centuries old, forever young
Leuven may be centuries old, but the energy is forever young. Why? More than 50,000 students ride their bikes through the city, hang out on terraces, and chat in every language imaginable. Which isn’t surprising since KU Leuven has been attracting bright minds from all walks of life for 600 years. The result? An eternally young city buzzing with creativity and curiosity.
Also: Leuven basically went full Silicon Valley avant la lettre. The university and its spin-offs were pioneering innovation back in 1425 – long before Silicon Valley was even an idea. Students, professors, scientists and inventors have always worked together on cutting-edge research in a variety of fields. The Big Bang theory? A Leuven local developed it!
Tip: at Saint Peter's Church, old masterpieces literally jump to life with an innovative hololens. That’s history going high-tech!
Too much for one day?
To experience the city's ancient character and youthful spirit, smart travellers take their time. Really smart travellers know that 48 hours in Leuven is the sweet spot. That way you’ll see not only the highlights but also the secret corners, where the city shows its hidden gems.
At M Leuven, past meets present: works by Old Masters sit side by side with those of contemporary artists. Art also meets architecture at M: just seeing the building by the top Belgian architect Stéphane Beel is well worth your time. While you're there, make sure to take in the amazing view from the rooftop terrace!
But don’t forget that in Leuven, culture should always be balanced with taste. Raffat mixes up mouthwatering cocktails and Barboek serves delicious coffee while you browse among the books. If you think vinyl records are a great souvenir, check out Keineig. There’s so much more to experience, all year round.
At least 24 hours in Leuven
There’s no way to see it all in a day. So do yourself a favour: book a night in one of Leuven’s charming B&Bs or stylish hotels.
