Want some more original ideas for things to do in Leuven? After more than a year of living in the area, here’s my favorite recommendations for things to do in Leuven, Belgium. See the end of the post for a map.
The first few times I visited Leuven I was a tourist. These days, I’m its prisoner.
Just kidding.
Sort of.
“Prisoner” might be a hyperbole, but the situation is real. Thanks to everyone’s least-favorite pandemic, my life of full-time travel came to a screeching halt. What began as a brief visit to my parents’ house in a small Belgian village stretched into more than a year in the area.
Being here for so long has been a shock in more ways than one. On a positive note, it gave me a chance to get to know far more about Leuven and its surroundings than I ever would’ve expected.
Once I (mostly) got over my initial self-pitying lockdown blues, I began channeling my traveler’s curiosity into exploring the area. The location, a village tucked between capital Brussels and the university town of Leuven, wasn’t so desolate after all. Though Leuven and Belgium as a whole are much less off the beaten track than the destinations I usually frequent (I was supposed to be co-leading a women’s tour in Pakistan when lockdown started), there are still plenty of offbeat things to do in Leuven and its surroundings besides getting drunk at the supposed longest bar in the world.
Even better, almost all of my suggestions are free! Because ya girl is perpetually broke. Who doesn’t love free things to do in Leuven? Read on, dear traveler, read on.
10 of my favorite offbeat things to do in Leuven
- See the city from above
- Hunt down a little beguinage
- Grab a beer at a Metafoorical brown cafe
- Escape to an organic abbey park
- Cycle out into the Belgian countryside
- Chill on medieval castle grounds
- Grab a gelato in the sun
- Head out to a floating castle
- Discover Belgium’s dark past
- Sip a brew inside an old abbey
1. See the city from above at Keizersberg Abbey
Not a bad view, I must say!
Most visitors to Leuven head up the library tower in search of views, but did you know you there’s another place to check out Leuven’s skyline?
Keizersberg Abbey (Abdij van Keizersberg or Park van de Abdij van Keizersberg on Google Maps) sits on top of a hill overlooking the city. The abbey can only be visited by appointment, but I go there for the views, not the building itself. The hill it’s on isn’t a mountain by any means, but it’s enough to see out over all the buildings, and the view from the abbey is better than the library view in my humblest of opinions.
Old brick fortifications surround the Benidictine monastery’s park. They’ve been fenced off during my recent visits, blocking the best views… but every visit, without fail, I find a new hole or way around the fence. But you didn’t hear that from me.
(For the record, the park maintenance people don’t get too upset when they catch people on the other side of the fence.)
2. Hunt down the Klein Begijnhof
Evening blues at the Kleine Begijnhof
Errbody knows about the UNESCO-listed Groot Begijnhof (Great beguinage) in Leuven, but did you know there’s a little beguinage in the city, too?
Head through the gatehouse and the hill from Keizersberg Abbey, and eventually you’ll end up near the Kleine Begijnhof. The easily-missed lane of historic buildings that once housed women seeking independent lives sans-marriage is now occupied primarily by students of KU Leuven (the city’s major university).
It’s not as sprawling as the Groot Begijnhof, and of course it’s not as practically perfect as the historic town of Bruges, but the scenic lane pairs nicely with a walk to the hilltop abbey.
3. Grab a metaphorical—but still literal—beer at Metafoor bar
Outdoor drinks at Metafoor these days because #covidlife
Leuven isn’t wanting for places to get a beer—it is in Belgium, after all—but the terraces lining the popular Grote Markt and Oude Markt squares get old fast. They’re good for the views on sunny days, but that’s about it; I still can’t really tell any of them apart.
If you want a side of character with your drink, Metafoor is a warm Belgian-style bar: brown wood, small but cozy, friendly staff. Its beer selection is as choice as should be in Belgium, and it hops with both students and older clientele in the evenings. These days, it’s my go-to recommendation for people who want a beer with atmosphere in Leuven.
Still thirsty? If Metafoor is looking full, I’m also fond of Fiere Magriet (more expensive, but also atmospheric with even more beer on offer) and Café De Libertad (cheaper, small with live music, but less traditional Belgian feels).
4. Escape the city at Abdij van Park
Park Abbey is an easy escape to nature if you need to get out of Leuven for a bit
Yep, another scenic abbey on the outskirts of Leuven. Technically it’s outside the city in a town called Heverlee… but everything is so close together, you’d never know.
A series of man-made ponds surround the 12th century abbey, as do a handful of wooded walking trails. You can roam through the abbey grounds for bit of historical context—if you reserve in advance you can go on a guided tour of the abbey for €5—then go for a walk around the ponds to the sounds of rustling leaves and duck calls. From Tuesday to Saturday, a small farm shop sells local organic produce, beer, and ice cream made from local milk.
If the abbey shop is closed when you visit, never fear! There’s also a small brasserie attached to the abbey with a scenic terrace overlooking the water, if you’re in the mood for a beer or a bite to eat during your wandering.
5. Grab a bike and venture out into the Belgian countryside
Rolling hills in the countryside west of Leuven.
Though Leuven itself isn’t particularly pastoral, it’s surrounded by stunning countryside that begs to be explored on a sunny day. There are literally hundreds of cycling and walking paths in and around Leuven to make planning your outing easy as can be—I love and use the Wandelknooppunt and Vlaanderen Fietsland apps for running and cycling, respectively.
Personally, I think the area west and south of Leuven is the prettiest… but I’m a bit biased as I’ve been based in Leefdaal for more than a year! Leefdaal aside, the Doode Beemde forest area is a great cycling day trip from Leuven, as is the area around the Hof ten Dormaal Brewery to the north. After all, who doesn’t like cycling to great beer?
Read more: Learning to love Leefdaal’s quiet charms
6. Chill out on medieval castle grounds
Moody mornings at Arenberg Castle
The grand Arenberg Castle to the west of the city is a popular spot for students to hang out in the evenings. A small collection of wooded walking paths lead from the city center to the castle grounds, where you can sprawl in the grass in the presence of one of Leuven’s grander structures.
Unfortunately, the castle is only open to students or groups on special occasions. Trust me, though: it’s pretty enough to be worth the walk.
7. Grab a gelato in the sun at Carambola Gelato
An ice cream in the sun is good literally any day of the week… and homemade gelato from a food truck is even better. In my opinion, anyway.
During warmer months, the Carambola Gelato truck is parked in the grassy square outside of the Hal 5 factory. They serve variations on crowd favorites like vanilla and chocolate, but also offer more unusual flavors like passionfruit, sesame, and then some. Choose your flavor of the day, pick a spot on the steps or in the grass, and enjoy the simple things in life.
8. Strike out to see a floating castle in Horst
A surreal sunrise at Kasteel van Horst
If you have a bicycle, car, or don’t mind the idea of a 25-kilometer round trip, Horst Castle in Holsbeek is one of my favorite castles in the area.
“Connected” to land by a stone bridge, the castle appears to float atop the water surrounding it. You can visit the interior of the castle between 10:00 and 17:00, though many people come just to walk on the trails in the area or fish for carp in the castle ponds.
For the most surreal views, try to coordinate your visit to see sunrise or sunset. Golden light illuminates the castle, and on calm days the floating castle reflects perfectly in its still waters.
9. See a dark side of Belgium’s history (… or enjoy nature) in Tervuren
The palace of Tervuren, now home to the Africa Museum
If you’re willing to head out further afield on a day trip, grab your bike (or bus ticket) and head to Tervuren Park to the west of Leuven.
The clumsily-named Africa Museum (older official name: Royal Museum for Central Africa) sits in an old palace at the center of the park. Though pretty, the estate has hosted some ugly racist acts, including but not limited to a human zoo of Congolese people coordinated by the genocidal King Leopold II at the 1897 World Fair.
The popularity of the human zoo led to the palace’s conversion into a museum about the Congo, but in recent years, Belgium has attempted to acknowledge its horrifying colonial past. In 2019 the museum reopened after years of remodeling, and though there are still some concerning displays throughout, it’s a clear attempt to acknowledge the atrocities Belgium committed in Central Africa.
Welcome to my lockdown happy place
I highly recommend it to anyone interested in learning more about the history of Belgium… but also understand if you’re not in the mood for a dark dive into colonialism. If you’d rather enjoy the pleasant nature than unpleasant reminders of human nature, Tervuren Park is still worth your while. Walking and cycling paths stretch through lush forests for kilometers; you can easily get lost in its extensive path network. It’s been my go-to for long-distance runs during lockdown, and I’m 97% sure I owe what remains of my sanity to its wooded ways.
10. Sip a brew inside the walls of Vlierbeek Abbey
Who wouldn’t want to sip a beer while savoring this view?
Just a short hop east of the city in Kessel-Lo is the quiet Vlierbeek Abbey (Abdij van Vlierbeek), a long-rural Benedictine Abbey that’s now been converted into a school and public grounds. A Catholic youth group named Chiro Vlierbeek helps to maintain and make use of the abbey these days, and the area is surrounded by farm fields intersected by walking paths.
Not that you need any more reason to visit a historic, bucolic abbey… but there’s also a small restaurant in the abbey complex as well: In Den Rozenkrans. What’s more Belgium than cycling out to an abbey, grabbing a table in the sun, and sipping local beer in an abbey complex that’s almost 1,000 years old?
Map of unique things to do in Leuven
Click for an interactive Google Map of things to do in Leuven
Have more recommendations for things to do in Leuven? Feel free to share in the comments—I’m always happy to learn about new things to do in Leuven.
Nice article and informative. Good work.
Glad to read you enjoy our gelato, Alex!
Beautiful pictures and places
Great review of Leuven!