Just 25 minutes by train from Brussels, Leuven is Belgium’s most underrated day trip. This compact university city packs two UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Belgium’s oldest botanical garden and one of the country’s finest Gothic town halls into an easily walkable centre that sees a fraction of the crowds descending on Bruges.
I spent a day exploring Leuven from Brussels and was bowled over by it. Despite being flattened in both world wars, some of Belgium’s most remarkable medieval buildings survived.
Better still, the city has a distinct local vibe. Students spill out of century-old colleges, locals linger over coffee in the Grote Markt, and you can visit a UNESCO-listed beguinage without fighting through tour groups.
Here’s how to make the most of one day in Leuven, including what to see, practical tips and how to get there.
Quick Facts:
- Travel time from Brussels: 25-30 minutes by train
- Time needed: One full day (6-8 hours)
- Best for: Architecture, history, beer culture
- UNESCO sites: 2 (Great Beguinage, University Library tower)
Getting to Leuven from Brussels
Trains run frequently between Brussels and Leuven throughout the day. The journey takes 25-30 minutes, depending on your Brussels departure station. There are also direct trains from Brussels Airport (15 minutes).
Leuven’s train station sits on the southeastern edge of the centre. It’s a pleasant 10-15 minute walk to the Grote Markt along Martelarenlaan and Bondgenotenlaan.
DID YOU KNOW? Leuven and Louvain are the same city. French speakers call it Louvain.
One Day in Leuven: What to Do
Most attractions cluster in the historic centre, with the botanical garden and Great Beguinage a 10-minute walk from the main square. Everything is walkable, though cobbles are everywhere, so leave the heels at home.
1. Start Your Morning at Grote Markt
The Grote Markt is Leuven’s beating heart and has been since the 14th century. Grab a coffee at one of the cafes lining the square and take in the Gothic architecture before the day heats up.
The square is dominated by two showstoppers: the Stadhuis and St Peter’s Church, both of which deserve closer inspection.
2. MARVEL AT LEUVEN’S STADHUIS
Leuven’s 15th-century town hall is Gothic architecture at its most flamboyant. The lacy stone facade, crowned by fairy-tale pinnacles, houses 235 statues honouring notable locals. (Originally 236, but Leopold II got the boot due to his less-than-stellar record Congo record.)
Don’t miss the graphic biblical sculptures on the lower levels at the side facing Hotel the Fourth. These stone carvings were designed to educate illiterate medieval citizens.
The interior is currently closed for restoration until 2029, but honestly, the building is more impressive from the outside anyway.
3. SEE THE LAST SUPPER IN ST. PETER’S CHURCH
Facing the Stadhuis across Grote Markt is Sint-Pieterskerk. The asymmetric late Gothic exterior won’t win any beauty contest, but step inside for free and you’ll find treasures that rival any museum.
The church took nearly 200 years to complete (1420s – 17th century), with multiple changes in architectural style and a complete collapse of the tower-building budget. The planned three monumental towers were never finished, though the stubby results still made it onto the UNESCO World Heritage list as part of the Belfries of Belgium and France.
What you’re really here for:
The Last Supper by Dirk Bouts (1464-1468) shows Christ and disciples in a distinctly Flemish dining room. It’s one of the finest works of the period.
The Baroque oak pulpit depicting St Norbert being thrown from his horse by lightning.
The intricately carved rood screen in white stone
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 10 am – 4:30 pm, Sun from 11 am. Closed Wed (Oct-Apr). Free entry.
4. VISIT THE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY AND TOWER
Leuven’s University Library has been spectacularly unlucky.
The original collection was looted by France after the French Revolution. German soldiers burned it to the ground in WWI, along with rare books and manuscripts. Americans funded a magnificent rebuild, complete with a 74-metre bell tower. Then WWII happened, and it was destroyed again, with only 15,000 volumes surviving.
The current building, rebuilt brick by brick after 1944, now has its archives listed in UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register.
The 44-metre-long wood-panelled reading room alone justifies the admission fee. But the real draw is climbing the tower.
The Tower Climb
The summit offers panoramic views across Leuven and houses 63 bells that chime on the hour (try not to be at the top when they start).
Fair warning: this isn’t a gentle stroll. You’ll tackle narrow, winding staircases to reach the top balcony. Small exhibitions chronicling WWII destruction and rebuilding along the way give you an excuse to catch your breath.
PRACTICAL INFO: Check current opening hours here.
5. GET YOUR CULTURE FIX AT MUSEUM LEUVEN
M Leuven punches well above its weight for a city this size. The modern building houses over 52,000 artworks focusing on pieces from Leuven and Brabant, spanning the Middle Ages to the 19th century. Look out for works by Constantin Meunier, Jef Lambeaux and Georges Minne.
There’s a pleasant roof terrace if you need a breather.
PRACTICAL INFO: Check opening hours here before visiting.
6. Relax in Belgium’s Oldest Botanical Garden
After marching between museums and churches, De Kruidtuin Leuven is the perfect antidote. Founded in 1738 by the university as a medicinal plant garden, this peaceful two-hectare space is now Belgium’s oldest botanical garden.
In April, you’ll walk through nodding tulips, fragrant camellias and delicate cherry blossoms. The sunken garden is lovely, and the greenhouse complex shelters tropical, subtropical and aquatic plants year-round. There’s even a small orchard with pear and apple trees.
Best of all: it’s completely free and rarely crowded. Just add birdsong.
7. WANDER THE GREAT BEGUINAGE
The Great Beguinage (Groot Begijnhof) was one of the unexpected highlights of my day in Leuven.
Beguinages were architectural complexes built to house beguines – lay sisterhoods of women in the Roman Catholic Church, founded in the 13th century. Think of them as self-governing religious communities where women could live independently without taking full monastic vows.
Leuven’s Groot Begijnhof is one of the largest surviving beguinages in the Low Countries. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a maze of cobbled streets straddling two canals, lined with beautifully restored 17th-century red-brick houses.
The university now owns the buildings, using them for student and staff accommodation, but you’re free to wander the tranquil lanes.
BONUS: If you have time, pop by the Small Beguinage (Saint-Catherine Beguinage), established in the 13th century. It’s essentially one narrow street that once housed no more than 100 beguines.
8. DRINK AT THE LONGEST BAR IN THE WORLD
The rectangular Oude Markt claims to be the longest bar in the world, and whether that’s true or marketing genius, it’s a lovely spot. Around 40 bars and cafes line this square of gabled houses. Pull up a chair, order a Belgian beer and watch Leuven go by.
9. (OPTIONAL) Tour the Stella Artois Brewery
Like it or loathe it – it’s known in the UK as “wife beater” – Stella Artois is one of the world’s most famous beers. Its origins trace back to Leuven’s Den Hoorn brewery, founded in 1366.
Although now brewed globally, production remains rooted here. You can book brewery tours here.
Planning Your Visit
- How long do you need? One full day gives you time to see the main sights at a relaxed pace. You could squeeze it into half a day if you skip the museum and brewery, but why rush?
- When to visit: Leuven works year-round, but April-September is best for the botanical garden. Expect rain any time – this is Belgium – so pack layers and an umbrella.
- Where to start your day: Make Visit Leuven tourist office (Naamsestraat 3, behind the Stadhuis) your first stop. The staff are excellent, and you can grab a free city map.
- Language: Locals speak Flemish (essentially Dutch with different pronunciations). Most people also speak English and French, but learning a few Dutch phrases never hurts.
- Getting around: Leuven is compact and walkable. The main attractions are within 10-15 minutes of each other on foot. Just watch out for those cobbles
Is Leuven Safe for Solo Travellers?
Leuven is very safe, with a friendly, laid-back atmosphere. The usual city precautions apply: watch for pickpockets in tourist areas and transport hubs, keep belongings close and use hotel safes for valuables.
Overall, Belgium is brilliant for solo travel, with excellent infrastructure, affordable accommodation and a rich cultural scene.
Where to Next? More Belgium Day Trips
Leuven is a worthy addition to your Belgium itinerary. If you have found this guide helpful and are planning further travel in Belgium, take a peek at my other articles.
There are guides to spending one day in Brussels or exploring Ghent on a self-guided walking tour. Do you have a sweet tooth? Then check out my favourite chocolate shops in Bruges.
Consider some of Belgium’s more under-the-radar destinations (I had a wonderful day trip to Mechelen). I also loved my day in Hasselt, which is home to the excellent Jenever Museum and De Kruidtuin Leuven, Belgium’s oldest botanical garden.
For a slice of French-speaking Wallonia, explore Tournai, home to a UNESCO-listed cathedral, Dinant or Namur. Finally, if you crave a day by the sea, Ostend is Belgium’s best coastal town.
Happy travels!
About Bridget
Bridget Coleman has been a passionate traveller for more than 30 years. She has visited 70+ countries, most as a solo traveller.
Articles on this site reflect her first-hand experiences.
To get in touch, email her at hello@theflashpacker.net or follow her on social media.