Leuven

Leuven, mecca of books and beer. No other city in Flanders captures the imagination as much as the ancient university city of Leuven. Stroll through Leuven and enjoy the many terraces, the Grand Beguinage, Museum M, the pretty town hall, and so much more. At the tourist office in Leuven you can even arrange a tour of the town hall. Great for a cultural city trip amid students!

Leuven is “the place to beer”. You discover that in its many nice cafés and restaurants. In the old town take a dose of culture or just have fun shopping. Trendy boutiques, colourful rummage shops and authentic specialty stores - all within strolling distance.

You can sleep in one of the luxurious B&Bs or beautifully decorated hotels, some in an authentic setting. During the summer, many owners offer an attractive deal with the second night at half price. Perfect for a summer weekend getaway!

Top 5 things to do:

• Marvel at the 15th century Gothic Town Hall, the pride of Leuven. Every day there is a tour at 3 o'clock. During it you'll learn more about the Leuven Hall of Fame, the 236 images added to the façade.
• Take an interactive tour of the brewery of Belgium's most famous beer, Stella Artois. Six centuries of brewing tradition and modern technology guarantee a flavourful and zesty quality beer. Experience the brewery in action, discover all the secrets of the brewing process, and enjoy a delicious Stella afterwards.
• Live the student life and have a beer in one of the 45 pubs on the Old Market Square, known as the 'longest bar' in the world.
• Visit the impressive Gothic and 19th century collection of the Museum M and enjoy a splendid view of the city from its rooftop.
• Wander through the Great Beguinage, a tranquil town-within-a-town that is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The dozen or so streets with little houses, originally inhabited in the 13th century by unmarried semi-religious women, are great to walk or cycle through.

photos ©visitflanders ©milo-profi