Belgium Adventures Day 10: Leuven (planning)

Leuven is the city between Liege and Brussels. I have passed through it on the train many times, but decided it was worth a visit when I learned Leuven is the home of the oldest university in Belgium, which is celebrating its 600th anniversary this year. It is considered a major draw to ex-pats. People from at least 166 different countries live in Leuven. As it is only 16 miles away from Brussels, it is convenient to the capitol, yet not a huge city. As it is home to many different nationalities, I felt comfortable speaking English with everyone.

Google helped me draw up a list of things to do. Photos of the places I did see.

1) Town Hall/Grote Market: one of the best known Gothic town halls in the world. The Hall of Statues features 235 statues added to the façade after 1850. Currently closed for restoration.

2) St. Peter's Church across from the Town Hall: a UNESCO site since 1999. The masterpieces come to life through "hololens." It is free to enter, but you need to book the hololens (I did not see where to do that).

3) Stella Artois Brewery

4) Museum Leuven: ancient and contemporary art.

5) Park Abbey: best preserved abbey in Belgium. Free. You pay to go inside the public buildings.

6) Botanical garden: oldest in Belgium. It was created by the university to study medicine.

7) Great Beguinage (Groot Beginhof): UNESCO neighborhood of alleys, courtyards, gardens, parks, dozens of houses, and convents. It is free to visit. Also check out Small Beguinage.

8) University Library and Tower (open from 9am - 7 pm): the history of the library is laid out in the five floors leading to the top of the tower. The top provides panoramic views of Leuven. There are carillon concerts on Tuesday evenings and Wednesday afternoons, but I went on a Friday.

9) Oude Markt: cafes

10) Vaartkom: trendy, innovative neighborhood near the canal, and the brewery; former customs building.

Another site suggested the following itinerary:

10 am: start with coffee and pastries

11 am: wander the streets -- it is very walker/biker friendly. See the Town Hall and cathedral, the university library, Groot Beginhof, and the botanical garden.

1 pm: lunch

2 pm: shopping

3 pm: rent a bicycle and bike to the abbey, or Arenberg castle, or ride along the canal.

5 pm: dinner

7 pm: beer in the Oude Markt.

There is an optional 6 km street art walk.

A third site recommended starting with the information center, located in the middle of Leuvan. That's what I did.