Our most recommended things to do in Leuven

From Brussels: Bruges and Ghent in a Day Guided Tour

1. From Brussels: Bruges and Ghent in a Day Guided Tour

Meet your guide in the center of Brussels and relax on the 100-kilometer journey to Bruges. Upon arrival, discover the charms of “the Venice of the North” and see why the entire historic center was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  Marvel at highlights such as the Lake of Love (Minnewater Lake) and the 13th-century Begijnhof complex, founded in 1245 to house lay religious women. Go to Walplein Square, where the shady trees and cafes provide a perfect place to relax. Visit Stoofstraat on the site of the city's former Red Light District, and see medieval monuments such as the 11th-century Old St. John’s Hospital. Look at the world's second tallest brickwork tower at the Church of Our Lady, and see other historic monuments such as Gruuthuse Palace, the Dijver Canal and the tiny piazza of Tanners Square (Huidenvettersplein). Go to one of the city's most photographed spots at Rozenhoedkaai, and admire the Belfry on Castle Square. Admire the facades of the Gothic-style Town Hall and the 12th-century Basilica of the Holy Blood. Visit Market Square (Grote Markt) to see the Bell Tower (Belfort) and Sint-Salvator’s Cathedral. Then enjoy 1-hour's free time for lunch (at your own expense) and the chance to sample some of the city's delicious chocolates.  Next, drive to Ghent, where the inhabitants have been popularly known as "noose-bearers“ since the days of Charles V. Take a guided tour of the city's historic buildings, such as the Castle of Gerald the Devil and Saint Bavo Cathedral, where you can look at the painting “The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb” by the Van Eyck brothers. Admire the Belfort (Bell Tower) and peculiar Gothic and Renaissance-style Town Hall. See one of the city's oldest monuments at St. Nicholas’ Church opposite the unusual facade of the Masons’ Guild House. Journey along the embankments of the medieval port of Graslei, and discover other highlights such as the majestic Castle of the Counts of Flanders, the charming Patershol neighborhood, the Great Butchers’ Hall, the Old Fish Market, and Friday Market Square.

Leuven: Escape Tour - Self-Guided Citygame

2. Leuven: Escape Tour - Self-Guided Citygame

Escape from 20th-century Leuven during this exciting Escape Tour. Get to know Arthur Peeters, Leuven's most notorious landlord. Arthuer owns every student residence in Leuven, which gives him a lot of power. As soon as a student could not pay his or her rent, they were thrown out on the street. The chairman of the student association, Jan van Gelder, did not agree and decided to confront Arthur. This did not exactly go according to plan and before he knew he was on the run. The only chance to escape was through the secret exit Leuven. But where is it? Choose your starting time with your teammates, beginning at anytime day or night. Make your way across the city, checking off tasks to find all the clues you need to reach the secret passage. As you search for clues, marvel at the beautiful sights of the town. Walk along the University, marvel at the historic city hall, and keep an eye out for the many historic buildings in the city center. Work quickly, and you and your team could set the record for the fastest tour. Good luck!

Leuven: Self-Guided Walking Tour with Offline Access

3. Leuven: Self-Guided Walking Tour with Offline Access

Find out what Leuven would have been like in the 1500s when it was one of the most important cities in medieval Europe during a self-guided audio walking tour. Begin in Grote Markt, where you’ll see some of the most gorgeous and impressive buildings in Belgium. Among them is Saint Peter’s Church, which was very nearly the world’s tallest building, and the historical Leuven Town Hall with its 236 statuettes. Discover parts of the largest, oldest, and most prominent university in Belgium, KU Leuven University Hall. While you walk through the city center, see Saint Anthony’s Chapel where Father Damien (one of the ten best-known Belgians of all time) is buried, and the impressive Saint Michael’s Church. Stroll down the “longest bar in Europe,” Leuven Oude Markt. Pass by Domus Brewery, where authentic Belgian beer is traditionally brewed. Find a giant bug impaled by a 25-meter pole and Learn about the university library that was burnt down and rebuilt twice.  Admire (from the outside) M Leuven, an art museum that houses a collection of Gothic sculptures and 15th and 19th-century paintings by various artists. You'll also get recommendations on plenty of places to pull up a seat on a terrace and enjoy a relaxing drink or lunch (not included). 

Leuven: Sherlock Holmes Self-guided Smartphone City Game

4. Leuven: Sherlock Holmes Self-guided Smartphone City Game

Experience the excitement of being a detective and join the thrilling Sherlock Holmes game with your team. While celebrating freedom at the Liberty Festival, a man named Balthazar, the head of Homeland Security, is found dead with a knife in his back. The police have apprehended four suspects and it's up to you to solve the case and uncover the truth. By moving around the city you will unlock assignments. Here you will find characters who are willing to help. But the information comes at a price! Solve their puzzles, chase down culprits and play along to get closer to solving the murder. During this murder mystery you can check your progress on the suspect board. Can you solve the murder? Play Sherlock Holmes! IMPORTANT INFORMATION - Date: to book this game you have to choose a date, BUT you can play, pause & continue whenever you like. - Persons: 1 player stands for 1 team. - Note: this City Game uses the city as an interactive playing field, but does not provide any information about the city!

"The Alchemist" Leuven : outdoor escape game

5. "The Alchemist" Leuven : outdoor escape game

🧙‍♀️ THE ALCHEMIST 🧪 We are in the year of grace 1555 and strange phenomena are taking place in the city. Josyne, a villager accused of witchcraft, is arrested before your eyes by the city guards. Investigate to determine the truth and identify the reasons for this accusation. Go and meet various witnesses and examine the clues discovered along your way. As an alchemist, will you be able to use your skills in this investigation, based on real facts, in time? Will you choose to defend Josyne, or will you choose to support the accusation of witchcraft? YOUR AVENTURE STARTS NOW! 🎭 A fun city tour with an offbeat scenario 🧠 Solve riddles along the way to crack the case 👀 Find the clues that are hidden on the monuments around you 💎 Explore the must-see places & discover some hidden gems 🔐 Unlock fun facts about the places you visit ⌚ Play at your own rhythm: start and pause whenever you want 💬 The Coddy team is available for you 7/7 via live chat (9AM-8PM)

"The Walter Case" Leuven : outdoor escape game

6. "The Walter Case" Leuven : outdoor escape game

🕵️‍♀️ THE WALTER CASE 💣 While investigating a banal blackmail story against a billionaire CEO, you learn that a bomb is hidden in the city, ready to explode in two hours! You are the only one with enough skills to crack the case. Play as a private detective and experience an immersive investigation in the heart of the city. Interrogate the witnesses and collect the clues along your way to be able to defuse the bomb in time! YOUR AVENTURE STARTS NOW! 🎭 A fun city tour with an offbeat scenario 🧠 Solve riddles along the way to crack the case 👀 Find the clues that are hidden on the monuments around you 💎 Explore the must-see places & discover some hidden gems 🔐 Unlock fun facts about the places you visit ⌚ Play at your own rhythm: start and pause whenever you want 💬 The Coddy team is available for you 7/7 via live chat (9AM-8PM)

From Brussels: Leuven Day Trip by Train

7. From Brussels: Leuven Day Trip by Train

The university town of Leuven is known for its youthful atmosphere. Although it's smaller and not as well known as cities like Bruges and Ghent, it's definitely worth exploring this beautiful Flemish city and seeing what it has to offer.  At 10 AM leave Brussels and head towards Leuven, a 30-minute journey away by train. Visit Leuven's Grote Markt and Plaza where you'll find the imposing Church of San Pedro and the famous Town Hall, a masterpiece of Gothic Brabantino. Be amazed by what is perhaps the longest bar in the world in the Oude Markt. See a major school and impressive library, rebuilt after World War II. At the end of the visit, enjoy some free time to eat and see the city at your leisure. Make some purchases or try a Stella Artois, the headquarters being located in Leuven. Your guide will provide you a return train ticket back to Brussels and you can return when you wish.

"Zombie Invasion" Leuven : outdoor escape game

8. "Zombie Invasion" Leuven : outdoor escape game

🧟‍♂️ ZOMBIE INVASION 🧟‍♀️ A virus known as Z-1 has gone out of control in the laboratories of Kalio Tech Corporation. It spread rapidly and is proving to be extremely dangerous. Infected people turn into real flesh-eating zombies. Dozens of cities have already been contaminated and invaded by hordes of zombies. Escape the city before it's too late! Will you escape from the undead in time? Will you choose to save only yourself, or also other survivors along the way? YOUR AVENTURE STARTS NOW! 🎭 A fun city tour with an offbeat scenario 🧠 Solve riddles along the way to crack the case 👀 Find the clues that are hidden on the monuments around you 💎 Explore the must-see places & discover some hidden gems 🔐 Unlock fun facts about the places you visit ⌚ Play at your own rhythm: start and pause whenever you want 💬 The Coddy team is available for you 7/7 via live chat (9AM-8PM)

Leuven: highlights of hidden gem 20 min drive from Brussels

9. Leuven: highlights of hidden gem 20 min drive from Brussels

Experience this magnificent university city full of stories and breathtaking heritage sites Explore local specialties and enjoy a coffee or a beer on one of the many lively squares and terraces Enjoy a great tour in company of a local guide We will visit: - Grand Market place with Town Hall and Saint Peters Church - Old Market place - University Library - Grand Beguinage (Unesco site)

Leuven: Murder Mystery Interactive City Tour via Whatsapp

10. Leuven: Murder Mystery Interactive City Tour via Whatsapp

Solve a murder and at the same time see all the highlights of the city center of Leuven. Play this unique game with a group of friends or your family. You will receive instructions, a photo frame and an answer form in advance via email. You'll also receive a map of the city where the murder took place. The center is divided into sections where you have to look for a location where you can take a group selfie. Once you've located the spot, send a selfie via WhatsApp to your game instructor. If the location's correct, they'll send you the next clue about the murder. As you walk along the nicest places in the centre of the city, you will collect more and more clues about the murder. During the game you will have enough time to enter a cafe or shop that you pass and to admire some of the highlights of Leuven.

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What people are saying about Leuven

Overall rating

4.0 / 5

based on 8 reviews

Mark was great!! He transported us (literally) back in time on an enthusiastic journey to find his true love, Dori. Mark perfectly intertwined the history of the city of both Brugge and Gent with impressive knowledge and light hearted humour. We would definitely recommend this tour. There was a great balance between guided and free time. Considering we fit in two beautiful city’s in one day we definitely left feeling like we got the best of both. The transportation was easy (one bus the whole time), we could leave our belongings on the bus and the meeting spots were very clear. We even left with some recommendations for great restaurants and places to visit. Thank you Mark for your time and expertise!

This is an excellent tour if you have only a day and want to see two beautiful cities. Our guide Marc was wonderful very knowledgeable and made the tour fun! Wish we had a bit more time to explore Bruges on our own as it is simply a breathtaking city to visit. Maybe the guided tour can get about 15-30 minutes before it did so we get a bit more time to ourselves to explore. I travelled with a teenager and a 8 year old and the walking part was not hard at all and we thoroughly enjoyed it. Highly recommend this tour if you want to visit and see two cities in one day and let someone else figure out all the logistics!

Excelente experiencia educativa, visual y divertida en un tour completo y con suficiente tiempo para sacar el mayor provecho. Resalto la vasta educación y conocimientos de los guías y la comodidad del bus.

Buen tour, el guía (Carlos) siempre fué informativo durante la visita, los lugares no decepcionaron, se logró apreciar en su mayoría lo que son las ciudades de Brujas y Gante.

We left at 8:30 from the meeting point and went to Bruges and then Ghent. The guide explained the essentials to us and then we had time to wander around the beautiful towns