Self-guided activities
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Prefer to explore at your own pace? Leuven has a wide range of self-guided activities to suit you and your exploration style.
🚶 Self-guided city tours
Explore Leuven at your own pace and in complete autonomy. Whether you're a heritage lover, an urban art enthusiast or a Belgian beer fan, the city invites you to explore it at your own pace. On foot or by bike, follow your own itinerary, equipped with a paper map or guided by a mobile app.
Leuven’s must-sees
Discover the historical, cultural and architectural treasures that shape Leuven's identity. Gothic churches, iconic university buildings, medieval streets... every corner tells a story.
- City centre walk (5 km or 3.9 km)
Immerse yourself in the historic heart of Leuven: the Town Hall, lively streets and many remarkable buildings await you. - To Parc Abbey (4.5 km – additional loop)
Looking for peace and quiet? This route takes you out of the centre, through a peaceful urban cemetery to Parc Abbey, a true haven of peace. - To the Arenberg Campus (4.6 km – additional loop)
Explore the university district and admire Arenberg Castle, surrounded by greenery and buildings dedicated to scientific research.
đź”— Dowload the brochure
Leuven, the beer capital
Immerse yourself in Belgian brewing culture. Numerous bars and breweries welcome you to sample the country's liquid gold in a friendly atmosphere. Whether in a craft brewery or a traditional café, every glass is an experience.
đź”— 3 different routes
Street art au coeur de la ville
Leuven is also an open-air gallery!
Follow the 6km signposted route to discover 16 works of street art around the city centre.
đź”— Discover the route
Want to see more? Download the Street Art Cities app to access:
- more than 80 listed works;
- an interactive map;
- information on artists and the messages in their work.
Dowload the free app on :
Beguinage
Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this peaceful district forms a labyrinth of narrow streets, squares, gardens and traditional sandstone houses. Today, the Great Beguinage is home to international students, researchers and professors of Europe's oldest Catholic university.
đź”— More information
Want to use the app?
Explore the city in an original and interactive way with a free app that guides you along your walk. Choose your itinerary according to your interests: cultural discovery, nature, abbeys or iconic sites.
- Leuven's must-sees – short | 5.5 km
- Leuven's must-sees – long | 11.5 km
- The abbey circuit | 13.1 km
- Fit-o-city Leuven | 6.2 km
- Around the provincial domain of Kessel-Lo | 5 km
Dowlaod the free app on :
🔍 Want to find out more about a particular place?
Some places are worth more than a glance: extend the experience with an in-depth tour, which can be accompanied by an audio guide or an exhibition.
University library
A symbol of resilience and knowledge, the university library is one of Leuven's most emblematic buildings. Enter this place steeped in history for a fascinating tour, accompanied by an audio guide. Admire the impressive architecture, browse a photographic exhibition on the library’s history, then finish your exploration on the fifth floor, where a balcony offers you a unique, panoramic view of the city.
🎟️ Ticket : 8 €
Saint Peter’s Church
Overlooking the Grote Markt, Saint Peter’s Church, built in the 15th century, is a masterpiece of Brabant Gothic architecture. Its belfry was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999. The church interior impresses with its elegant sobriety and the opulence of its religious furnishings. A must-see for history and religious art enthusiasts..
Free entry
đź”— More information
M Leuven
The M Leuven museum is a unique space combining ancient and contemporary art, with a particular focus on artistic production in Leuven and Brabant. Temporary exhibitions interact with the permanent collection in a building with striking contemporary architecture. M Leuven is lively, inspiring and resolutely forward-looking.
🎟️ Ticket : 12 €
Abbaye du parc
Located on Leuven’s outskirts, Park Abbey is considered one of Belgium’s best-preserved abbey sites. This peaceful, green setting is a haven of serenity. Here you can discover the fascinating history of the Premonstratensian Order, visit the heart of the abbey or explore the PARCUM museum, which is dedicated to art and religion.
🎟️ Ticket : 12 €