Things to do in Leuven

Meet your guide in the center of Brussels and relax on the 100-kilometer journey to Bruges by bus. 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 or the Dijver Canal. Go to one of the city's most photographed spots at Rozenhoedkaai, and admire the Belfry on Castle Square. Visit Market Square (Grote Markt) to see the Bell Tower (Belfort). 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 learn about the painting of “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 Great Butchers’ Hall, the Old Fish Market, and Friday Market Square. Enjoy some free time in this magical city before returning back to Brussels. Our adventure is over! Don't wait and enjoy this day with us!

Save time and money on individual entrance to museums and attractions with a Brussels Card, valid for 24, 48 or 72 hours after first activation. Explore at your own pace with access to the hop-on hop-off bus for the duration of your card. Museums: • Africa Museum • Art & History Museum • Art and Marges Museum • Autoworld • Autrique House • Belgian Beer World • Belgian Chocolate Village • Belgian Comic Strip Center • Belgian Museum of Freemasonry • BELvue Museum • BOZAR Centre for Fine Arts • Brussels City Museum • Brussels Comics Figurines Museum by MOOF • Brussels Planetarium • Bruxelles 1238 • Centrale for contemporary art • Charlier Museum • Children's Museum • Choco-Story Brussels • City Hall of Brussels • CIVA • Coudenberg – Former Palace of Brussels • Design Museum Brussels • Erasmushouse & Beguinage Brussels • Fashion & Lace Museum • Fondation Jacques Brel • GardeRobe Mannekenpis • Halle Gate • Institute of Natural Sciences • La Fonderie - Brussels Museums of Industry and Labour • Le Botanique • Magritte Museum (city center) • Maison Hannon • Meise Botanic Garden • Migratie Museum Migration • Museum of Abstract Art • Museum of Fantastic Art • Museum of Medicine • Museum of the Belgian Brewers • Musical Instruments Museum (MIM) • Old Masters Museum • René Magritte Museum (Jette) • Royal Military Museum • Sewer Museum • The Guild of the Crossbowmen • Train World • Van Buuren Museum & Gardens • WIELS Attractions (discounts): Koekelberg Basilica: -2€ off the individual entrance fee for the panoramic view (8€) Mini-Europe : -20% off the individual entrance fee (23 € ticket) Belgian Beer Experience & Beer and Chocolate Pairing : -15% Belgian Chocolate Workshop & Waffle workshop : -15% Jules Verne Center : -3€ Girls Club : -5€ off the activity prices starting at 25€ Museum of Illusions : -2€ Museum of Infinite Realities : -20% City Game Coddy : -40% WOM : -3€ Shops (discounts): De Biertempel - beers store : -25% Bshirts - Belgian clothing shop : -10% Manneke - Brussels creators shop : -5% Hard Rock Cafe Brussels Rock Shop : -10% Sucré - Belgian delights shop : -5% Restaurants and Bars (discounts) Les Filles (organic and local food) : free coffee with lunch La Brouette, Restaurant Vincent & T'Kelderke (belgian restaurants) : Free apéritif with meal Brussels Beer Project (local beers) : free beer taster Hard Rock Cafe Brussels : free drink with a main course The Judge Vegan : free cold drink with a main dish The Unusual : 1+1 free coffee Alternative Transportation Electric Scooter and Bike Dott: free ride Flixbus : -10% Guided tours ARAU - Art Nouveau & Art Deco tours : -5€ Hungy Mary's Beer and Chocolate Tour : -10€ Boat trip in Brussels with 'Brussels by Water' : -2€ L-Tour - historical LGBTQI+ tours : -30% City Runs : -25% Pro Velo bike tours : -30% Brussels Pub Crawl & Tipsy Tour "The Cultural Drinking Tour" : -5€

Start your full-day tour with a drive from Brussels to Leuven. Along the way, your guide will tell you about the landmarks you pass on the way out of Brussels. In Leuven, see the Grote Markt and walk along Saint Peter's Church. The university library square will introduce us to the lively atmosphere of its students, who fill the streets of this town with life. After the tour you’ll have some free time for lunch or to keep unveiling the history of Leuven. Continue to Mechelen, a hidden gem of Belgium, where you will have the opportunity to learn about its history, art and architecture while you walk along the Grote Markt, the Palace of Margaret of Austria or St. Rumbold's Cathedral. Visit Leuven and Mechelen in this day trip where you will discover these two magical cities of Belgium. Book now!

During the walk, you will explore the Market Square with the Town Hall and the beautiful Golden Age Guild Houses, the Cathedral of Our Lady with The Elevation of the Cross and The Descent from the Cross by Rubens, Saint-Paul's Church, the harbor and the Jewish district. You can visit Rubens' former house during the lunch break. In the former home and studio of the master, you will embark on a fascinating journey back in time and into the world of this great baroque artist. There is a lot of modern architecture in Antwerp, for example, the new Palace of Justice by Richard Rogers, the Museum aan de Stroom by Neutelings & Riedijk and the new Port House by Zaha Hadid. Downtown you can reflect on all you have seen and learnt with a nice Belgian beer.

We will start our guided visit of Leuven at Martelarenplein square, located in front of the train station. Leuven, located in the province of Flemish Brabant, is one of Belgium's leading university cities. We will discover the history of its prestigious teaching institution at the University Library Square, whose bell tower is one of the symbols of the town. We will also pass by other iconic monumental buildings, such as the Rectorate of the Pedagogical Faculty. We will continue our tour in front of the famous Fountain of Wisdom, located next to the Grote Markt. In this central square we will contemplate the façade of the Leuven City Hall, a true masterpiece of the Gothic style of Leuven. Just in front of the town hall we will also see the exterior details of St. Peter's Cathedral. The next stop will take place at the Oude Markt square, considered "the biggest bar in the world" due to its large number of bars and restaurants. Then we will pass by the church of St. Michael and the chapel of St. Anthony, which houses the tomb of Father Damien. Do you know why this character is so popular? We will find out!

Embark on an unforgettable journey through the heart of Leuven, where history, culture, and vibrant student life blend seamlessly. This guided tour will take you to some of the city's most iconic landmarks and hidden gems, providing a comprehensive and enriching experience of this charming Belgian city. Throughout the tour, your knowledgeable guide will provide engaging commentary, sharing captivating anecdotes and historical facts. Whether you're a history buff, architecture enthusiast, or simply looking to experience the vibrant culture of Leuven, this tour offers something for everyone. Join us on this comprehensive 1.5 hour tour of Leuven and immerse yourself in the rich heritage and lively atmosphere of this remarkable city. Perfect for solo travellers, couples, and groups, this tour is an ideal way to explore Leuven's top attractions in a single, memorable outing. This tour starts at Station Leuven and ends in the city centre.

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)

We will meet at Brussels Central Station, where we will take a train to Mechelen - the journey takes only 25 minutes! Once there, we will take a walking tour through the historic center of Mechelen. We will start our walk in the heart of the city: the Grote Markt. In this beautiful square is the monumental Town Hall of Mechelen, on whose facade we will see the sculpture of the most powerful man in Spain (and all of Europe) in the first half of the 16th century. Do you know who it is? We are referring to the great Charles of Habsburg, I of Spain and V of Germany, who was born in Ghent in February 1500. From the Grote Markt we can also see the gigantic bell tower (98 meters high) of the cathedral of St. Rudolph. As we will see, the tower is unfinished - do you know why? We will find out! We will continue our tour of Mechelen along with other emblematic buildings of the city such as the Palace of Margaret of Austria: one of the most cultured women of her time and favorite aunt of Charles V. During the tour, we will also learn about the history of the legendary Van Busleyden Palace and the Dyle, the Mechelen Canal. Very close to these places we will also see the exteriors of the Het Anker brewery: the city's beer brand. Before leaving Mechelen, we will leave you 45 minutes for lunch on your own. After refueling in Mechelen, we will take a train to Leuven. On our tour of this picturesque Belgian city in Flanders, we will walk through its beautiful historic center to admire its most majestic buildings, such as the famous University of Leuven (one of the oldest in Europe) and the facade of the City Hall. Would you be able to recognize the characters that appear on its facade? In Leuven we will take the train back to Brussels.

We will start the day with a panoramic tour of Brussels, where you will admire its most emblematic monuments such as the Atomium, an iconic symbol of the city. You will be amazed by the mix of modern and classical architecture that defines the city. Afterwards, we will travel to Leuven, one of Belgium's oldest cities, famous for its historic university and charming medieval center. During our visit, you will explore its cobblestone streets, picturesque squares and enjoy its unique student atmosphere. And finally, we will finish in Brussels with a guided visit.