Leuven: Like a local
Leuven is a city of diversity. With many beautiful Gothic buildings and an important cultural heritage, it is the perfect destination for lovers of art and history. It is also a university city full of young people, with a lively atmosphere and renowned for its breweries. This month we bring you hot tips for your next visit to Pentahotel Leuven.
1. The right spot for people watching.
The Sint-Donatus Park (Stadspark) is a beautiful park in the centre of Leuven in the style of an English landscape garden. Perfect for picnics, a nice stroll or just sitting and watching the world (and the people) go by.
2. Where to go to get away from the crowds.
The historical St. Gertrude's Abbey (Sint-Geertruiabdij) located right in the heart of the city is rich in history and home to several ancient, valuable trees.
3. Any indie shops you recommend?
Barboek: A coffeeshop that sells books located in a former printing house.
4. A must for music lovers.
Stelplaats is an event venue that wears many hats (bar, restaurant, nightclub, screen-printing studio, skate park, rehearsal space, sports club, bicycle repair shop - just to name a few) and hosts cool individual events.
Depot is another great live venue for music lovers.
5. Tips for a rainy day.
Leuven's famous M Museum is perfect for a rainy (or sunny) day. With a mix of classical and contemporary art, the Museum has over 52,500 objects in it's collection as well as temporary exhibitions and contemporary visual and performance arts. Plus the rooftop terrace has great views of the city!
6. Place you would take your grandma?
What better place to take Nan than the botanical garden. It was created by the University of Leuven for medical students in 1738 and is one of the oldest botanical gardens in Belgium.
7. What’s worth checking out in the region around the city?
When in Belgium you might hear the term "beguinage" which refers to an architectural complex first founded in the 13th century to house beguines (women who dedicated their lives to God without retiring from the world). In Leuven, we are lucky enough to have two of these heritage-listed sites: Klein Begijnhof and Groot Begijnhof.
