This is the home of the now universally famed Stella Artiois beer and of Belgium's oldest university. Add students, put this combination together and into a grand Flemish town center and there you have it, one big party! Look for Fonske, the little statue in front of the city hall, and you'll see what Leuven is all about. The locals all like their beer, and with hundreds of varieties to choose from, you can see why. Aside from the typical pilsner Stella Artois, which is brewed in the town, particular favorites of mine are Hoegaarden (naturally cloudy white beer) and Kriek (cherry-flavored beer). In a new era of beer snobs, it’s good to know that with so many different types of beer around, you will never tire of choice. If you don't fancy visiting Interbrew, the giant brewer; then settle for something a little more personal, the Domus microbrewery. You might think that Leuven is not necessarily the most interesting place for culture vultures, but Leuven has its museums and historic parts. Details of which can be obtained from the tourist office in the city hall. There are plenty of smart shops on Bondgenotenlaan (street leading from train station to the center) and in neighboring streets. You can eat very well here, too. Muntstraat, behind the city hall, is full of excellent restaurants.
Only half an hour from central Brussels by train, this is the perfect place to stop. So take time out from your serious traveling, and enjoy yourself!
Quick Tips:
The squares (Markts) in the city center are out of this world in terms of appearance. The city hall (Stadhuis) alone is a masterpiece of the late Gothic style. It is right in the heart of the city, and its turrets can be seen from the train station. The Oude Markt is the main square for bars, there are around 40! Each August, the town plays host to a 3-day rock music festival called Marktrock ( Marktrock). Recent performers include Travis, Counting Crows, Eagle-Eye Cherry, Natalie Imbruglia, and Simple Minds. If you tire of Belgian beer, then why not visit Stapleton's bar off Naamestraat, where Susan will pour you a pint of the "best Guinness in Belgium!" You can find accommodation, restaurants, museums, etc. on the Leuven wesites ( or ).
Best Way To Get Around:
The city is compact, so you can walk around very easily. Bikes are great if you can hire one, but this doesn't seem to be possible at present. There are good bus and rail services. You can go almost anywhere by train in Belgium, it’s almost like having a tube system covering the entire country. The French spelling of Leuven is Louvain, but don't confuse with Louvain la Neuve. LLN is a 1970s purpose-built university town for French-speaking students.