Things To Do
Welcome to Leuven!
We're excited for you to experience the city we call home! Leuven has a lot to offer to make your stay memorable: check out some of our favorite spots listed on this page. We could go on and on so...we have! Check out the link for a map with many more of our recommendations for food, drinks, sights and of course where to find the best Belgian Chocolates and Frites. We've also marked the venues and recommended hotels to help you plan your stay. If you need any additional recommendations in Leuven or in nearby cities you plan to explore, please reach out to us and we would be happy to share more of the places we love!
Sightseeing
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Historic Leuven Town Hall - Grote Markt
The town hall is Leuven's pride and joy and a great place to start your tour of Leuven. It's one of the best-known Gothic town halls worldwide. It took three architects and thirty years to build it and features 235 statues, which were only added to the façade after 1850. The Saint Peter's Church is located directly opposite the Town Hall.
University Library
KU Leuven is the oldest university in Belgium and the oldest university in the Low Countries. Visit this impressive historical building and learn all about the KU Leuven library's history. Enjoy a beautiful panoramic view of the city from the balcony of the library tower. Be sure to turn around and look up to spot the beetle-on-the-needle, an art installation by Jan Fabre, a well known Belgian artist.
Botanical Garden
Our civil ceremony will take place Friday afternoon in the beautiful Leuven Botanical Garden, you may wish to arrive early to explore it fully.
Sint-Donatus Park
This quiet park in the city center is a lovely spot to enjoy some greenery. It also features remnants of the city walls dating back to the 12th century.
Groot Begijnhof Leuven
The Grote Begijnhof is a well preserved beguinage and a completely restored historical quarter within the city limits. A beguinage is an architectural complex which was created to house religious women who lived in community. However, unlike nuns, they did not take vows nor did they retire from society. There is a also a Klein Begijnhof closely located to De Hoorn where the Sangeet will take place on Friday, so be sure to keep an eye out as you make your way over.
Food and Drinks
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Cafe Optimist
Cafe Optimist is one of our favorite date night spots as it offers a rotating menu of shared plates of varying cuisines. Be sure to check out their desserts prepared by local pastry chef Sarah Renson - the citron meringue is Thomas' favorite!
Florida Food Bar
When we can't make it back to Nina's home state, we pop in for a drink and bite in the sun along the canal in Leuven.
Cafe Metropole
The Old Market Square ( Oude Markt) in the center of Leuven consists largely of cafes, bars, and restaurants, earning its nickname of "the longest bar in Europe!" There are numerous sunny terrraces to enjoy, and you can try the best Spaghetti Bolognese in town as voted by the official Spaghetti Club of Leuven at Cafe Metropole. This is a Belgian take on an Italian classic.
Leuven Central
Located across the old postal office in the center of Leuven, this little bar is big on traditional Leuven (beer) culture. Don't worry if you can't read any of the signs on the walls, they're in the Leuven dialect which even Thomas hasn't mastered. The bar gets its name as it is close to the middle point of Leuven which can be identified by an old milestone marker.
Café Sport
Located across from the Leuven Station, Cafe Sport has a wide variety of food options (we recommend the nachos, burgers, and wraps) and even wider variety of Belgian beers.
Surlie
Our favorite spot for a wine date, Surlie serves natural Italian wines. There is always something new and unique to try!