A couple of months back, we wrote a piece about how to utilise 48 hours in a whirlwind tour of the lovely city of Liège. In it, we mentioned how easy and efficient it is to reach by train… WELL, with the fastest connection from Brussels clocking in at just 12 minutes, and the cheapest service costing less than 6€ (at the time of writing), Leuven is JUST as easy and efficient to reach. So really, it would be CRAZY to not plan a visit to this brilliant and eco-friendly little city, here’s how to do it…
Day 1:
First things first, it’s probably a good idea to check in at Pentahotel Leuven and get rid of your bags. Just 1km away (less than a 15-minute walk), we recommend using your feet to get there. But, if the weather isn’t so good, it’s also only about 10 minutes with public transport. Once you’re there, why not treat yourself to a drink? You’ll already be in the Pentalounge anyway and you are on holiday after all…
Ok, so bags are dropped off and you are well hydrated, it’s time to hit the streets and get exploring! First up is the city centre, particularly Grote Markt, the city’s main, and one of the busiest squares. The 15th century appearance of many of the buildings is impressive and it’s just around the corner from St Peter’s Church, an important local landmark.
Next, we’re going to pop around the corner to Oude Markt, although we prefer its nickname “the longest bar in the world”. No prizes for guessing what goes on here… this unique square is packed with eating and drinking establishments. In fact, there’s nowhere else in Europe that you’ll find so many condensed into one place. It’s the perfect spot for a delicious Belgian beer and some people-watching. You won’t struggle to find somewhere to eat here, but you’re also always welcome to head back to the hotel to eat and drink with us, or maybe even order room service if you’re feeling tired or antisocial…
Day 2:
Wake up feeling refreshed after a great night’s sleep, it’s time to hit the breakfast buffet. You’ll need to be well-fed for the day of culture ahead. Kicking things off is a trip to M Leuven, the art museum with something for everyone. There are literally thousands of pieces ranging from ancient to contemporary, so something there is likely to catch your eye.
If that hasn’t satisfied your craving for creativity, then it’s time to check out STUK Arts Centre. This super cool space deals in art, dance, sound and film and has a wide and varied program. If none of that appeals to you, you can think about soaking up some history and architecture at one of the Churches, abbeys or beguinages or alternatively if you’re a beer fan, you might want to take a Brewery Tour.
Day 3:
Not long left in Leuven! We’d say get a good breakfast inside you again and make the most of the last few hours. You can do that by enjoying some greenery at the oldest Botanical Garden in Belgium. From there it’s about a 25 minute walk back to the train station through the heart of the city. Just enough time to reflect on 48 hours well spent in this awesome city…
WHEN TO VISIT THOUGH?
Leuven is worth visiting at any time of year, but our little insider tip would be to head there in the summer during “Het Groot Verlof” – the summer festival. There’s loads of live music, pop up bars and other cool stuff.
