Replete with culture, history and the free-flowing creativity of youth, university cities make excellent weekend break destinations.
It’s not hard to see why places like Oxford and Cambridge often feature on so many ‘must visit’ lists.
However, if you fancy going a little further afield, Belgium’s answer to Oxford might be the ticket.
We’re talking, of course, about Leuven, the home of one of Belgium’s most prestigious centres of higher learning, where you’re always surrounded by the university’s rich history (and that of its students).
This lesser-known destination often sees its university feature alongside (and sometimes, even beat!) Oxford in lists of the top study destinations in Europe.
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And, with over 600 years of history, it has almost as much pedigree as its UK counterpart.
For tourists, it’s a town that’s alive with culture, set against an awe-inspiring architectural backdrop. What’s not to love?
Where is Leuven?
Leuven is a centrally located city in Belgium, approximately 30 minutes drive west from the capital, Brussels. To the north, Antwerpt is about an hour’s drive.
Leuven is the largest city (and the capital) of the Flemish Brabant province.
Why visit Leuven?
A historic city with a trendy vibe, Leuven is straightforward to explore on foot or by bike.
From the Gothic Town Hall to the ‘Oude Markt’, the architecture is something to behold. The views from the bell tower of Leuven’s university library are particularly fabulous.
It’s not devoid of nature, though, with over fourteen square kilometres of green space to explore, including Arenbergpark in Heverlee, Botanical Gardens, and the Stadspark (municipal park), which has excellent picnic spots.
Things to do
Founded in 1425, KU Leuven (Leuven’s University) is one of Europe’s oldest universities and celebrates its 600th anniversary in 2025, with events all over the city to mark the occasion.
There are heritage walks that encompass Arenberg Castle, the University Library, the Museum of Zoology, and more, with eight new outdoor works of art also being commissioned in Leuven’s parks.
There’s more history on offer too, with the Groot Begijnhof, Great Market Square, and Saint Peter’s Church (Sint-Pieterskerk) also proving popular with visitors.
Once you’ve worked up a thirst exploring, make for one of Leuven’s iconic breweries, which are most famous for being the home of Stella Artois.
Beer is in this city’s DNA, and brewery tours, beer tours by foot (or bike, for the brave) and even ‘beer restaurants’ are on offer for thirsty holidaymakers.
If you’re looking to catch some live music, each summer, the city hosts Beleuvenissen, a series of free gigs with historic Leuven as their backdrop.
However, if you’re looking for something a little more upmarket, there are Michelin-star restaurants such as Zarza, and plenty of pavement cafes where you can people-watch.
Finally, if you’re looking to literally ‘chill’ out, you can always visit Coupe Matadi, Leuven’s ice cream boat, which serves tasty treats from a converted 1929 freighter.
How to get to Leuven from the UK
If you’re flying from the UK, Brussels Airport is the closest link to Leuven.
If you’re watching the pennies, then budget airlines like Ryanair offer direct flights to Brussels for just £34 from Manchester.
British Airways flights from London Heathrow will set you back around £50, if booked far enough in advance.
Once you’ve arrived in Leuven, you have the choice of a 30-minute car or taxi ride, or train connections from Brussels Airport-Zaventem that take just 15 minutes.
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