{"id":23722,"date":"2025-01-29T13:08:47","date_gmt":"2025-01-29T12:08:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cityseacountry.com\/?p=23722"},"modified":"2025-04-10T07:42:57","modified_gmt":"2025-04-10T06:42:57","slug":"one-day-in-leuven","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cityseacountry.com\/en\/one-day-in-leuven\/","title":{"rendered":"One Day In Leuven: Itinerary, Hidden Gems, And Things To Do"},"content":{"rendered":"You want to visit the university city of Leuven in Belgium?<\/span>
\n<\/span>We’ll show you the best attractions, hidden gems, and tips for one day in Leuven.<\/span><\/p>\n

* contains affiliate links<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

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Contents<\/p>\n

  • Best Of Leuven At A Glance:<\/a><\/li>
  • Is Leuven Worth Visiting?<\/a><\/li>
  • Best Things To Do In Leuven In One Day<\/a><\/li>
  • 1. City Hall Of Leuven At Grote Markt<\/a><\/li>
  • 2. St. Peter’s Church At Grote Markt<\/a><\/li>
  • 3. Great Beguinage (Groot Begijnhof)<\/a><\/li>
  • 4. KU Leuven University With University Library<\/a><\/li>
  • 5. Oude Markt<\/a><\/li>
  • 6. Hidden Gem: Botanical Garden<\/a><\/li>
  • 7. Hidden Gem: Small Beguinage<\/a><\/li>
  • 8. Hidden Gem: Pope College<\/a><\/li>
  • 9. Sint-Donatuspark<\/a><\/li>
  • 10. Street Art in Leuven<\/a><\/li>
  • 11. Stella Artois Brewery<\/a><\/li>
  • Restaurants, Cafes, and Bars in Leuven<\/a><\/li>
  • Map Self-Guided Walking Tour in Leuven<\/a><\/li>
  • Where To Stay In Leuven?<\/a><\/li>
  • Tips For Getting To Leuven<\/a><\/li>
  • Final Thoughts About Our One Day In Leuven Itinerary<\/a><\/li>
  • About the Author<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n

    <\/span>Best Of Leuven At A Glance:<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n

    What to see:<\/b> City Hall, Beguinage, University library<\/span>
    \n<\/span>What to do:<\/b> Street Art tour,<\/span>     guided city tour<\/span>
    \n<\/span><\/a>What to try:<\/b> Geuze Boon Beer<\/span>
    \n<\/span>Where to stay:<\/b>     Pentahotel<\/span><\/a> (stylish, central, and sustainability certified)
    \n<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

    <\/span>Is Leuven Worth Visiting?<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

    Yes! Leuven is a real hidden gem. The small city is easily accessible from Brussels Airport by train in just 15 minutes. All the attractions are within walking distance from the train station.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Thus, you can explore Leuven very well in one day.<\/span><\/p>\n

    When planning a city trip to Belgium, most people visit the capital Brussels or <\/span>Bruges<\/span><\/a> and Ghent.<\/span>
    \n<\/span>For us, Bruges and<\/span>     Ghent<\/span><\/a> are the most beautiful cities in the Flanders region and in Belgium. However, we were surprised and impressed by the city of Leuven.<\/span><\/p>\n

    We arrived by train from Ghent<\/a> in the afternoon and stayed at the Penta Hotel in the center of Leuven.<\/span>
    \n<\/span>We spent 24 hours in the city and want to introduce you to the best attractions, tips, restaurants, and cafes:<\/span><\/p>\n

    <\/span>Best Things To Do In Leuven In One Day<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

    You can easily explore the inner city center of Leuven on foot.<\/span>
    \n<\/span>Below you’ll find the most important attractions and activities.<\/span><\/p>\n

    We’ve also included a map for your self-guided tour so you can follow the route.<\/span><\/p>\n

    During our day trip to Leuven, we took a 2 1\/2-hour guided tour with beer sommelier Laura through <\/span>Bierolade<\/span><\/a>.<\/span>
    \n<\/span>The combined tour took us to the attractions and we also tasted various beers and chocolate in authentic locations.<\/span><\/p>\n

    <\/span>1. City Hall Of Leuven At Grote Markt<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n
    \"In
    View of the City Hall in the background and the St. Peter’s Church to its right.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    The City Hall, the Stadhuis van Leuven, is one of the most fascinating buildings in Belgium.<\/span>
    \n<\/span>It’s also one of the most famous city halls in the world.<\/span><\/p>\n

    The facade with its towers and light gray color reminds me a bit of <\/span>Neuschwanstein Castle<\/span><\/a> near F\u00fcssen in Germany.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Construction of the Gothic building began in the 15th century. It took thirty years to build the structure.<\/span><\/p>\n

    The 235 figures placed on the facade, however, have only been there since the end of the 19th century.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Currently, the City Hall is closed. After the restoration is completed, it should be open to the public from 2029.<\/span><\/p>\n

    We were in Leuven in early December. The Christmas market was set up in front of the City Hall, and the facade is particularly beautifully lit in the evening.<\/span><\/p>\n

    \u2b50\ufe0f Download our <\/span>travel planning checklist<\/span><\/a> and become a VIP insider. We share exclusive travel deals, travel guides, and travel inspiration.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n