Looking for a complete guide to visiting the city of Leuven in Belgium? Well, look no further, as here you’ll find comprehensive tips about visiting the university city. The city has a lot to offer: from nature spots to museums & exhibitions, events & great food spots, so keep reading to discover more.
Where is Leuven located?
Leuven is a city located in the region “Flanders” in Belgium. In this region other well-known cities are located, including Antwerp, Bruges & Ghent. Leuven is famous for its university, alongside other highlights, which we will discover in this post.
How to get to Leuven by public transport:
The best way to travel to the city by public transport is by train. There are connections from every large city in Flanders to Leuven, for example from cities Antwerp and Brussels using the IC train from SNCB. Furthermore, there’s a brand new direct connection from Cologne with the ICE train from the Deutsche Bahn. It’s also possible to travel with Eurostar, with routes starting from London or Cologne to Brussels. From there, you can take a direct train, as I did, from Brussels to Leuven.
If you’re travelling within Belgium, my recommendation is to use the “SNCB Train+” service. This ensures that you are able to travel between Belgian cities at the lowest possible fare. Whilst this is advertised as a subscription, it is possible to cancel after one month, meaning this is also a great option to save money whilst on a holiday or short trip.
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Belgium’s Oldest Botanical Garden : Kruidtuin
Indeed, Leuven is home to the oldest botanical garden in the whole of the country. The “Kruidtuin” has been open in the city since 1738. Originally, it was built for medicine students by the University itself. Nowadays, the botanical gardens are open daily to the public and are completely free to explore.
The best way to visit the Botanical Garden is simply to take a stroll through the gardens and see what you discover. There are two tropical glasshouses which you can go inside, with various flower and plant species. There’s also a pond with benches around it – the perfect opportunity to relax with a book at one of Leuven’s most peaceful locations.
If you’re exploring Leuven by bike, there are bicycle storage racks located directly at the entrance gates of the botanical garden. The city is also, as a whole, very walkable, with the gardens just a short walk from the city centre.
Other highlights in Leuven – what not to miss out on
Aside from the Botanical Garden itself, Leuven has many highlights. Here’s an overview of places you absolutely shouldn’t miss out on:
University Library & Viewing Tower
The Universiteitsbibliotheek en bibliotheektoren is located directly in the lively city centre in Leuven. The library is arguably one of the most famous buildings in the city and is definitely worth a visit. The building is located at Ladeuzeplein.
Due to the destruction of the old library during the First World War, the city built a replacement between 1921 and 1928. Visitors of the library can view the iconic reading room, where students also go to study.
What many people aren’t aware of, however, is that visitors can also climb the tower for panoramic views across the whole of Leuven. The tower is 87 metres in height, which makes it one of the highest viewing platforms in the region, alongside the Skywalk in nearby city Mechelen.
Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, guided tours of the University Library and Tower are offered. More information is available here.
Park Abbey (Abdij van Park)
If you’re looking for a day-out idea in the city which combines history with nature, Park Abbey could be the exact place you are looking for. The heritage site is located on the outskirts of the city in an idyllic location, which offers the opportunity for scenic walking and biking routes. Additionally, the 12th-century abbey celebrates 15 years of completion of restoration.
The 15-year anniversary of completion of restoration of the Abbey is celebrated with the a new exhibition in the on-site Museum PARCUM. The exhibition “Threading Landscapes” commenced from the 24th October 2026. Individual visitors are able to independently explore the abbey grounds & exhibition rooms, whilst guided tours are available for larger groups. Admission to the park surrounding the Abbey is free for visitors. Please note that to visit the on-site Museum “PARCUM” you will require an entrance ticket, which can be purchased online in advance.
Due to its location on a protected nature reserve, there are plenty of green spots to discover at Park Abbey. My personal highlight was discovering the Abbey Gardens around the back of the monastery. To reach these gardens, take the path on the right-hand side of the Abbey and walk through the large green gates.
Park Abbey also has an on-site shop alongside a restaurant. At the restaurant you can enjoy a drink on the terrace with views onto a water wheel. If you wish to find out more about a visit to Park Abbey, click here for more information on the site of Visit Leuven.
Culinary highlights in the city – the best food spots
I actually visited Leuven with my family when I was young, however my most recent return visit meant that I could truly explore the city. Part of my mission in Leuven was to find the best food spots. Having already visited Antwerp and Ghent, I knew that Flanders has a great plant-based food scene. With that said, I was definitely keen to try out the best of what Leuven has to offer.
During my stay in Leuven, I visited three fully plant-based restaurants. If you asked me to pick a favourite, it wouldn’t be an easy decision! Each of the restaurants completely differs to the next, in terms of atmosphere & culinary offering.
Tabi Loo – Burgers & Colourful Bowls
Tabi Loo is a great spot for lunch in the heart of the city. The restaurant offers burgers & bowls and has a special lunch deal, making it great value for money.
For those who have a gluten allergy or intolerance, there are plenty of gluten-free options too. For those with a sweet tooth, there are some delicious-sounding desserts. I went for “Basil Bliss” – a gluten-free pasta option with homemade pesto, vegan cream cheese, courgette, peas and crushed roasted almonds.
Bodhi – Noodles & other Asian specialities
If you’re a big fan of Asian cuisine (like I am), Bodhi is a great food-spot in the city centre. With both indoor and outdoor seating, it’s a great spot for dinner all-year-round.
Highlights on the menu include spring and summer rolls, gyoza and creamy Udon noodles. Feeling adventurous myself, I opted for the creamy Udon with plant based “duck”. The restaurant also offers desserts including a warm double chocolate fudge cake.
Het Strand – Bar & Restaurant Combo-Concept
Het Strand is one of the liveliest bar/restaurant combos in the whole of Leuven. It’s a meeting point for larger groups of friends, families and students and many visit simply for drinks. There is, however, a changing menu of 100% plant based food on offer. The menu isn’t available online, however is instead written on a blackboard on location. So simply turn up and let yourself be surprised with what’s on offer.
My recommendations are the sourdough bread starter with homemade dips (I tried the walnut dip and red onion chutney), alongside the pasta dish. The portions are very large, so make sure to pace yourself whilst eating!
Where to stay in Leuven – hotel recommendation:
Begijnhof Hotel
My hotel recommendation for your upcoming stay in Leuven is the Begijnhof Hotel. One of the best features of the hotel is its location next to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Grand Beguinage.
The hotel itself has an idyllic garden – which offers the perfect opportunity to relax after a busy day in the city centre. There are also rooms which directly overlook the garden too. The hotel also offers an on-site sauna as well as fitness room and a bar, which operates on an honesty basis.
At breakfast, there are also plant-based alternatives available. These include soy milk & vanilla puddings from Alpro.
The hotel is approximately 30 minutes walk from the station, or is alternatively accessible via taxi. There are E-Bikes available to rent at the hotel too, if you wish to explore the city by bicycle.
FAQs for your upcoming visit
- What are the opening times of the oldest botanical garden in Belgium? The Botanical Garden is open all-year-round with the gates closing at dusk. The opening times themselves can vary. For an up-to-date list of current opening times, check the website of Visit Leuven here.
- How much does it cost to visit the botanical garden in Leuven? Good news – the admission to the botanical garden is completely free!
- Which season is best for visiting Leuven? Leuven is great to visit at all times of year, however I recommend a visit during the autumn season. The Botanical Garden is at its most beautiful and the Leuven Kermis takes place (during September).
- Should I combine my visit to Leuven with other nearby cities? Yes! This is a great idea. Other cities which are located nearby and worth visiting include Antwerp and Mechelen.
- How can I reach Leuven by train? There are options for visiting Leuven by train from cities such as London and Cologne. From London, take the train or alternatively an overnight bus to Brussels Zuid/Midi and then change to an IC train to Leuven. From Cologne, there is a direct ICE service operated by Deutsche Bahn. The journey takes approximately 2 hours.
- Are there any plant-based restaurants in Leuven? Yes! In fact Leuven has an extremely diverse culinary scene. There are many plant-based food spots including Het Strand, Bodhi & Tabi Loo.
- Is Leuven worth visiting as a day trip? Whilst you can visit Leuven as a day-trip, I would recommend to stay overnight to ensure you have sufficient time to explore the entire city.
More highlights in the Flanders region
In Flanders there is plenty to discover. The region has some of Europe’s best amusement parks, beaches and exhibitions and museums. A nearby city to Leuven which has a lot to offer is Antwerp. In Antwerp you’ll find Belgium’s largest port, alongside some of the most highly-rated museums in Belgium. The city is also well-known for its live music & events. To find out more about Antwerp, click here.
Just a short train ride from Leuven, Mechelen is also waiting to be discovered. Mechelen has plenty of green spaces, a calm and relaxed atmosphere and plays an important part in Belgium’s history. It’s an ideal city to pair with a visit to Leuven.
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