Leuven tours

Things to do in Leuven

Leuven has a certain vivacity, largely due to its lively student scene. Imagine the low murmur of lively chats drifting out from charming cafes into the vibrant squares. With a local guide, delve deeper than just the famous University Library, and discover the city’s hidden gems. A private tour lets you bypass the usual queues, allowing you to explore the Oude Markt, often referred to as the longest bar in Europe. Whether it's a food and wine tour sampling local brews or a walk through the city’s rich architectural history, having a knowledgeable guide helps make Leuven more than a mere stop—it turns into a memorable experience. If you’re looking for more inspiration, take a look at our curated list of things to do in Leuven. Explore Leuven your way At ToursByLocals, we believe that how you explore is just as important as where you go. That’s why every Leuven tour is private, flexible, and built around you: Move at your own pace, skip the crowds, make connections and follow your curiosity. Find local guides offering private tours in Leuven for every interest, including: History tours: Step inside St. Peter’s Church to see Dieric Bouts’ Last Supper up close. Wander the UNESCO-listed Great Beguinage and climb the University Library tower as your guide explains how it was destroyed and rebuilt after the wars. City highlights tours: Take in the Town Hall’s lace-like facade on the Grote Markt, browse M‑Museum Leuven, and pause on the Oude Markt for a quick tasting. If you like, your tour can swing by the Kruidtuin botanical garden or schedule a brewery visit in the Vaartkom. Adventure tours: Cycle quiet paths through Heverlee Woods and the Meerdaalwoud to Arenberg Castle, with distance and terrain set to your comfort. Prefer urban adrenaline? Try a coached session at Klimzaal Hungaria or a gravel spin along the Dijle valley trails just outside the centre. The compact centre is easy to walk, with De Lijn buses and frequent trains covering longer hops; for forest trails or villages beyond town, you can book chauffeured tours or ask your guide to arrange tours with private transportation. This isn’t a one-size-fits-all itinerary, you can tailor your private tour to match your interests, pace and personality with a local who knows Leuven inside and out. Walking tours & neighbourhoods Consider taking a private walking tour to explore Leuven and include some popular neighborhoods in your itinerary with a local guide. There's no better way to know a neighborhood than having someone who truly knows Leuven by your side. - Great Market Square: Home to Leuven’s stunning Town Hall, this central area is perfect for families and tourists interested in architecture. The square is lively and provides a great starting point for exploring the city’s historic core. - Heverlee: Offering a mix of nature and history, Heverlee is ideal for multi-generational groups. Families can enjoy the large parklands and cultural tourists can visit the historic Arenberg Castle. - Naamsestraat: Known for its vibrant student life, this street is lined with bars and cafes. It’s a great spot for those looking to experience Leuven’s youthful energy and connect with locals over a drink. - Vismarkt: With its charming streets and local shops, Vismarkt is perfect for those interested in culinary experiences. Enjoy fresh produce and local delicacies while exploring this lively market area. Day trip ideas from Leuven From Leuven, short hops put you in canal towns and art cities that work well for day trips, and your tour can zero in on design, beer heritage, or lively squares. - Brussels: see Grand Place and the surrounding guild halls, walk Art Nouveau streets, and sample chocolate from small makers, which suits you if you like architecture, cafés, and a mix of big-city energy and quiet lanes. - Mechelen: compact and close, with riverside lanes, carillon traditions, and handsome squares, Mechelen suits a slow wander, while local stories about makers’ workshops and old brick warehouses by the water add depth. - Antwerp: explore the diamond quarter, fashion streets, and baroque churches, then unwind in old dock neighbourhoods that now host creative spaces, great for design fans and people who like layered urban history. - Ghent: medieval streets, canal quays, and bold street art sit side by side, and you can cover the core on foot, ideal if you want strong character without big-city crowds and easy photo stops along the water. - Bruges: cobblestone lanes, stepped gables, and canals set a simple plan of walking, boat views, and windmill paths just outside the centre, with your tour balancing key sights and quieter corners. A private tour with a local guide is the best way to really get to know a place. Skip the crowds, follow your interests, and see a side of Leuven most travellers miss.