We are always looking for bikeable day trips from Brussels. If the weather is nice, there is nothing better than a long (electric) bike ride with the kids to a new town or location and enjoying the scenery along the way. For this trip, our furthest yet, we went to Leuven in the Flanders region. Leuven is home to Stella Artois and Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (KU Leuven), Belgium’s biggest university and one of the oldest in Europe.
The ride to Leuven was around 26 km / 16 miles from Brussels and took about 1.5 hours each way. There were bike paths and/or bike lanes on the road the whole way which made it a safe and easy trip, even for cycling novices. However, if you want to take a day trip from Brussels to Leuven via other modes of transportation, car would only be 30 minutes, as would a variety of SNCB train options.
We visited in September 2020, while COVID-19 precautions were in place, so we spent most of our time site-seeing outdoors. That said, there was still enough in this small town to keep us busy for a few hours. During non-pandemic times, I can imagine there is plenty more to do with museum and church tours plus the endless number of cafes, bars and restaurants. Here are some ideas of things to see in Leuven.
1. Sint-Donatuspark
When we arrived in Leuven, we first went to Sint-Donatuspark to eat a picnic lunch. The park is small but beautiful, with plenty of trees, benches and open space for the kids to run. There is also a small pond and part of the original city wall and a tower.
2. Grote Markt
After the park we rode to Grote Markt (great square), which houses the Stadhuis (town hall) on the left and Sint Pieterskerk (Saint Peter’s Church) on the right. The square itself is beautiful, with numerous buildings featuring the stepped gable roofs that are popular throughout Flanders. There is also a lot of energy from people passing through the pedestrian-only square or sitting outside at one of the cafes.
It’s worth noting there is a public bathroom across the street before entering the square. You’ll also see a cute fountain, Fons Sapientiae, that depicts a student reading a book and pouring knowledge into his head.
3. Stadhuis
The Stadhuis is a stunning and ornate gothic structure from the 1400s. It took 30 years to build and features 236 statues. You can tour the building for a couple euros (which we didn’t do due to COVID-19), but you can also spend quite a bit of time just admiring the details of the building’s exterior. On the side of the town hall is located the tourist information center.
4. Sint Pieterskerk
Sint Pieterskerk, originally built in the 1400s, takes up the entire length of the northern side of the square. Visiting the completely restored church is like entering a museum. In additional the beautiful interior architecture, the church houses a collection of artwork, statues and other relics, as well as to a incredibly detailed oak pulpit. The Last Supper by Flemish painter Dieric Bouts is perhaps the most well-known art in the church. We spent more time in this church than most and our kids loved looking at all the artwork.
5. Oude Markt
From Grote Markt, we rode a very short distance to Oude Markt (old square). This square (which is actually a long rectangle) is best known for its plethora of bars and restaurants (more than 30). This has earned it the nickname “the longest bar in Europe” (though the accuracy of this designation is up for debate). The square also features more beautiful buildings with the stepped gabled roofs. It was a warm and sunny day when we were there, and I can only imagine how busy it would be during non-COVID times.
6. Klein Begijnhof
We then walked our bikes through some small cobblestone side streets and toward our final destination in Leuven: Klein Begijnhof (small beguinage). This street originally housed single women who served at a nearby abbey in the 1200s; in the 2000s, it was restored and sold as 30-some private residences. You can still visit the street, and aside from the history, it’s a very pretty street with the white washed brick, cobblestone street, flowers, and a view of the Sint-Geertruikerk spire. And for the kids, there is a playground not far away Park De Bruul.