How To Spend One Day In Leuven, Belgium? BEST Itinerary!

When I first moved to study in Leuven, I didn’t know much about the city aside from its reputation as a renowned university town.

I spent 6 months living and studying in Leuven, exploring every corner of this picturesque city and it quickly became my favorite place in Belgium.

I came back to Leuven many times even after my study abroad program ended, as this charming town makes for a perfect day trip from Brussels. 

Here’s how to spend one day in Leuven!

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Is One Day In Leuven Enough Time?

Leuven is a small university town, so one day is enough time to see the main tourist attractions at a relaxed pace.

My favorite thing about Leuven is how walkable it is, allowing you to enjoy the city’s unique architecture as you explore each attraction on this itinerary.

Even if you arrive in the city around noon, you’ll have enough time to visit everything on this itinerary.

One optional activity I suggest is the brewery tour.

It’s optional because it might be tricky to fit in this 1 day in Leuven itinerary, unless you start the day early, since it’s located a bit outside the city center.

What To See In Leuven In 1 Day?

natali wearing a pink coat standing in front of the university library in leuven and beetle totem

Start With The Ladeuzeplein

Start your day in Leuven with a visit to the city’s largest square. 

Ladeuzeplein is a square in front of the majestic University Library, also known for the unique beetle on a 23-meter-tall needle. 

The beetle Totem was erected in 2004 to commemorate the 575 years of Leuven University and as a tribute to science and knowledge.

Climb the Library Tower

If you love a good viewpoint, don’t miss the chance to climb the Library Tower.

After 289 steps, you’ll reach the viewing platform, where you’ll be rewarded with the best panoramic view of the city.

Also, when I visited the Tower you could visit the carillon chamber and see a live carillon concert! It was quite an experience.

natali standing next to the fonske statue of a person standing on one leg and holding a book and a glass of beer with  leuven town hall and saint peter church in the background

See The Iconic Fonske Statue

Before studying in Leuven I didn’t know about the Belgian student tradition of Cantus.

It’s basically an event where students gather and sing random songs while drinking beer. 

But it’s not just drinking and singing; it’s also kind of a game where you’re occasionally challenged to drink an entire glass.

Fonske Statue stands on one leg, holding a cantus book in one hand and a glass of beer in the other to commemorate that event. 

leuven town hall with over 230 statues on its walls decorated for christmas

Admire The Majestic Leuven Town Hall

Belgian Town Halls are majestic and the one in Leuven is among the best ones.

Leuven’s Town Hall dates back to the 15th century. It is built in the Gothic style and features ionic speers and more than 230 different sculptures on the walls.

It’s usually possible to visit the interior, but the building is undergoing renovations until 2029.

winter day in leuven grote markt with town hall in the background

Take A Photo On Grote Markt

Grote Markt is the main square in each Belgian city. Leuven’s Grote Markt stands in front of the Town Hall and pubs and cafes surround it.

It is a great spot to grab a drink on a warm summer day and enjoy the surroundings. 

If you visit Leuven in winter, that’s where you’ll find the big Christmas tree.

Visit Saint Peter’s Church

As you’re already in the area, take a moment to visit Saint Peter’s Church.

It’s free to enter and I found it really interesting. It is quite bright with large windows letting in plenty of light.

Grab A Drink or Lunch On Oude Markt

Oude Markt is a square famously nicknamed “the longest bar in the world.”

While it’s not literally one continuous bar, it’s a collection of many bars lined up side by side, with their terraces blending together to create the illusion of a single, massive bar.

Oude Markt is the place to be on a sunny afternoon or at night, and I’ve spent countless hours there after classes.

It’s also a good place to grab a lunch. Donki was one of my favorite lunch places while I was a student in Leuven.

Also, Pepas Vegan Frituur on the way to our next stop is a fantastic vegan take on Belgian fast food.

sint donatus park in leuven on a sunny spring day with many groups of people sitting on the grass

See The Ruins In Sint-Donatus Park

If you have a takeaway lunch in Pepas Vegan Frituur, Sint Donatus Park is a perfect place to enjoy it!

This small park is a popular picnic spot during warmer days, and you can also see ruins of the former city walls.

Explore Groot Begijnhof 

It’s time for Leuven’s biggest tourist attraction the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Groot Begijnhof.

The Beguinage dates back to the 13th century, and it had about 360 inhabitants during its peak in the 17th century. 

Today, it belongs to KU Leuven and serves as housing for students, professors, and other staff.

The Begijnhof is permanently open and you can explore the area for free. As it is a residential area be quiet

Visit The Botanical Garden

Leuven also has a small but charming botanical garden. It dates back to 1738, which makes it one of the oldest botanical gardens in Belgium!

The Botanical Garden is free to visit, and it is one of my favorite places to stroll around in spring and summer when all the flowers bloom. 

row of white brick houses with blue doors and windows in klein begijnhof in leuven belgium

See Klein Begijnhof 

The final stop on this 1 day Leuven itinerary is another beguinage, but this one is completely different than the first one!

Klein Begijnhof is a much smaller beguinage, with charming white houses lining cobbled streets. The white houses are similar to the ones you can see if you visit Bruges beguinage!

Like the Groot Begijnhof, this area once housed religious women during medieval times.

Today, it has been transformed into modern housing with about 30 traditional Belgian houses.

Optional: Visit Stella Artois Brewery

If you still have time, you can also add a visit to Stella Artois Brewery to your Leuven itinerary.

Brewing beer is one of Belgium’s best-known traditions, and visiting a brewery is a great opportunity to learn more about the beer-making process.

The brewery is slightly outside the city center, about a 15-minute walk from the train station.

It’s an optional activity as they don’t offer tours every day, and you’ll have to book your tour online in advance.

natali sitting on a doorstep of a red brick house in leuven Groot Begijnhof

Should You Spend A Night In Leuven?

If you’re short on time, you don’t need to spend a night in Leuven as you can see everything on this itinerary on a day trip.

However, Leuven is a great place to stay, with a much calmer atmosphere than Brussels, virtually no dangerous areas, and good-quality accommodation options.

Best Places To Stay In Leuven

Leuven is a small and walkable town, so you’ll be good as long as you stay inside the Leuven circle.

How To Get To Leuven?

The best way to get to Leuven is by train.

Most people will visit Leuven on a day trip from Brussels since it’s only a quick 20-minute ride from the Belgian capital.

You can also get to Leuven by train from other popular places in Belgium like Ghent or Antwerp. You might have to change trains in Brussels, depending on the line you take. 

If you’re visiting Belgium on a budget, you can also take a Flixbus from Ghent to Leuven. 

The bus prices are significantly lower than train tickets in Belgium, but they are not nearly as frequent as trains.

Leuven doesn’t have an international airport, so you’ll have to fly into one of Brussels airports and take a train from there.

natali standing in front of a university building in leuven on a warm early autumn day

When Is The Best Time To Visit Leuven?

Leuven is a year-round destination, but the best time to visit would be during the warmer months

I lived in Leuven and rainy winter days were not my favorite. Sure, you can still get around, but I loved the city so much more as the weather was better. 

Spring and autumn are generally the best time to visit as the weather is pleasant, you can enjoy the terraces, and the flower pots are lovely. 

Summers in Belgium are rarely too hot, so even peak summer months are a great time to explore the city. 

If you’re visiting Belgium for the Christmas Markets, Leuven is worth a quick trip as it gets beautifully decorated for the holiday season. 

Summary: Leuven 1 Day Itinerary

A day trip to Leuven is a fantastic idea to escape the crowds in more popular Belgian towns like Ghent or Bruges.

This small university town is dotted with unique tourist attractions, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and a great atmosphere– I’m not saying it just because I lived here!

One day in Leuven is enough time to see everything on this itinerary at a relaxed pace, especially if you rent a bike and explore like a local!

Now that you know what to do in Leuven, which other places are on your Belgium itinerary?

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