(Free) live music!
It's all about timing. Visit Leuven during Summer in Leuven, and dance until you drop on Friday evenings during Beleuvenissen, a series of free gigs with historic Leuven as their backdrop. All danced out? Plop down in the cosy courtyard at M Leuven and enjoy a drink at ZoMerbar. Alternatively, skip the heat altogether and admire historical collections and contemporary artists at the museum itself.
Tip: radio station Willy broadcasts live from ZoMerbar on weekdays, and there's a chill afterwork party on Thursday nights too!
Eight new outdoor works of art
Leuven's university is celebrating its 600th anniversary this year. To mark that achievement, the university decided to go all out for art. Eight new artworks by national and international artists have popped up in Leuven's parks, squares and streets. Head out with our walking leaflet or app and find them all.
Tip: be sure to check out Berlinde De Bruyckere's intriguing archangel at Van Dale College or Yu Ji's artful clone in the Botanical Garden: beautiful, deformed or both?
Fourteen square kilometres of green space to chill in
Picnic like a prince? Leuven offers a wealth of fine picnic spots, but those who like to be surrounded by splendour while having a bite to eat should head to the garden at Arenbergpark in Heverlee. Overlooking Arenberg Castle, you can't help but feel like a royal from days gone by, all set for a stroll through your fancy private estate after lunch.
Tip: ready to head back into town? Follow the paths along KU Leuven's university sports fields and head straight back into the city, right past the Great Beguinage.
Got a taste for more?
Smart city trippers also schedule time to chill out. Plenty of time, in fact. After all, city trips can be tiring — and in summer, they're likely to be hot! Fortunately, there's no lack of bustling pavement cafes around the city where you can grab a cold beer. Did you know that Leuven also has some phenomenal ice cream parlours? The ice cream boat is just one example. This isn't just any ice cream parlour: here, you get enjoy your ice cream on an old cargo ship on the Leuven canal!
Tip: sample speciality beers from local breweries in and around the city or in authentic beer pubs, such as Café Belge or De Blauwe Kater.
The whole city is bike-friendly
Need to get from A to B in Leuven quickly, easily and safely? Hop on a bike! The city centre is almost completely car-free and extremely bike-friendly. You'll see more cyclists and pedestrians than cars, which goes to show: walking or cycling is the smartest way to get around.
Craving some greenery? Pedal just ten minutes in any direction from the city centre, and you'll find yourself surrounded by trees and fields. Cycle along mapped-out routes to an oasis of calm at Park Abbey or the vast National Park Forests of Brabant, and back again.
Tip: from the summer of 2025 onward, you can also get around Leuven while paddleboarding on the water of the Dijle. Simply rent your own paddleboard at Dobber.
At least 24 hours in Leuven
There's too much to explore in one day! Smart travellers spend at least one night (or maybe more) in one of Leuven's charming B&Bs or stylish hotels.
