Why go
- Capital of Flemish Brabant province, Belgium.
- Served by Schaffen Airfield.
History
Leuven, also called Louvain, is the capital and largest city of the province of Flemish Brabant in the Flemish Region of Belgium. A Dutch-speaking municipality, it is located about 25 kilometres east of Brussels. The municipality itself comprises the sub-municipalities of Heverlee, Kessel-Lo, Leuven proper, Wilsele, and Wijgmaal and parts of Haasrode and Korbeek-Lo. It is the eighth largest city in Belgium, with more than 100,244 inhabitants.
Where to stay
Holsbeeksesteenweg 117, 3010 Leuven, Belgium · bedandbert.be
Oude Diestsesteenweg 1, 3010 Leuven, Belgium · daya.be
Nijvelsebaan 258, 3060 Bertem, Belgium · vallisdyliae.be
Biezenstraat 81, 3040 Huldenberg, Belgium · cowcooning.com
Sint-Michielsstraat 5, 3000 Leuven, Belgium · depastorij.com
Muntstraat 32, 3000 Leuven, Belgium · m-street.be
Lindensestraat 55, 3010 Leuven, Belgium · wannessuite.traveleto.com
Kapelweg 6, 3040 Huldenberg, Belgium · baronshouse.be
Celestijnenlaan 60, 3001 Leuven, Belgium · lavan.be
Alfons Smetsplein 7, 3000 Leuven, Belgium · pentahotels.com
Tervuursevest 70, 3000 Leuven, Belgium · bchotel.be
Schapenstraat 1, 3000 Leuven, Belgium · lodge-hotels.be
Sint-Jansbergsesteenweg 405, 3001 Leuven, Belgium · all.accor.com
Onze-Lieve-Vrouwplein 58, 3020 Herent, Belgium · carpinus.eu
Bogaardenstraat 27, 3000 Leuven, Belgium · hotelladeuze.com
Martelarenplein 6, 3000 Leuven, Belgium · laroyale.be
Kantineplein 3, 3001 Leuven, Belgium · lodge-hotels.be
Oude Baan 19, 3060 Bertem, Belgium · bertemnatuur.be
Martelarenplein 15, 3000 Leuven, Belgium · hotelmalon.be
Bondgenotenlaan 20, 3000 Leuven, Belgium · theaterhotel.be
11 B, Dalemstraat, 3370 Boutersem, Belgium · dalemhoeve.be
Diestsevest 89, 3000 Leuven, Belgium · ooostel2.be
Biezenstraat 81, 3040 Huldenberg, Belgium · bergendal.green
Naamsestraat 20, 3000 Leuven, Belgium · hotelprofessor.be
Vital Decosterstraat 23, 3000 Leuven, Belgium · getaway.be
Martelarenlaan 36, 3010 Leuven, Belgium · radissonhotels.com
Bierbeekstraat 75, 3001 Leuven, Belgium · be-housing.be
Schapenstraat 103, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
Oude Markt 33, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
Biezenstraat 46, 3040 Huldenberg, Belgium
Grote Markt 5, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
Vital Decosterstraat 74, 3000 Leuven, Belgium · guest-house-feliz.com.es
Restaurants & places to go
Chicken, Fast Food · Features: takeaway · 14 Grote Markt, Leuven, 3000 · thecapital.be
Italian, Restaurant · Italian streetfood Opening hours: Mo-Fr 11:30-20:00 Features: takeaway · 15A Rector De Somerplein, Leuven, 3000 · boccone.be
Thai, Restaurant · Thai Restaurant Opening hours: Tu 18:00-22:00; We-Su 12:00-14:30, 18:00-22:00 · Dirk Boutslaan 7 · mythai.be
Coffee Shop, Cafe · Geniet van verse koffie, huisgemaakt gebak en neem een kijkje bij de dieren op onze boerderij. Opening hours: Tu-Fr 09:00-17:00; Sa… · instagram.com
Regional, Restaurant · Restaurant, meeting and event venue aboard a converted cargo ship · 7 Kolonel Begaultlaan, Leuven, 3012 · rebootkombuis.be
Burger, Fast Food · Opening hours: Su-Th 10:30-22:00; Fr-Sa 10:30-23:00 Features: takeaway, step-free access · 1 Rector De Somerplein, Leuven, 3000 · stores.burgerking.be
Pizza, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Su 11:00-22:30 Features: takeaway, vegan options · 56 Oude Markt, Leuven, 3000 · dominos.be
Salad, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 10:00-23:00; Sa-Su 09:00-18:00 Features: outdoor seating, vegan options · Heverlee, 3001 · shops.foodmaker.be
Sandwich, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Su 09:00-23:00 Features: takeaway, step-free access · 6 Rector De Somerplein, Leuven, 3000 · restaurants.subway.com
Coffee, Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Su 10:00-22:00 Features: outdoor seating, takeaway · Leuven, 3000 · thecoffeeclub.eu
International, Restaurant · Opening hours: Tu-Sa 18:00-23:00 Features: step-free access · 48 Jan-Pieter Minckelersstraat, Leuven, 3000 · alfalfabar.be
Vietnamese, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Sa,PH 12:00-14:30, Mo-Sa,PH 17:30-21:30, Su 12:00-21:30 Features: outdoor seating, vegetarian options, air… · asian-bowl.be
Indian, Japanese, Sushi, Pasta, Italian, Curry, Asian, Chicken, Seafood, Nepal, Restaurant · Opening hours: Tu-Su 17:00-21:00 Features: delivery, vegetarian… · desmaakrotselaar.be
Belgian, Friture, Fries, Snack, Meat, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo,We,Th,Fr 11:30-13:30,16:00-22:00; Tu 11:30-13:30,17:00-22:00; Sa,Su off Features: outdoor… · frituur-station-heverlee.be
Chinese, Fish, Asian, Indonesian, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Tu,Th-Sa 17:00-21:00; Su 12:00-21:00; We off; PH 17:00-21:00 Features: vegetarian options ·… · goldenlotus.be
Sushi, Restaurant · Opening hours: We-Su 16:00-21:30 Features: takeaway · sushimanzoku.be
Korean, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 17:00-23:00; Tu off · 6D Busleidengang, Leuven, 3000 · ohmykimchi.be
Poke, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Sa 11:45-20:30 Features: takeaway, delivery, vegetarian options · 12 Parijsstraat, Leuven, 3000 · pokehouse.be
Fine Dining, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Th 19:00-23:00; Fr 12:00-15:15 · 1 Hellichtstraat, 3110 · restowald.be
Japanese, Thai, Chinese, Restaurant · Opening hours: Tu-Su 16:00-21:00 · 54 Kapellelaan · sushimasago.be
Asian, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo,We-Th,Su 12:00-14:30,17:30-22:30; Fr-Sa 12:00-14:30,17:30-23:00 · 11 Lodewijk Engelbertus Van Arenbergplein · wokdynasty.be
French Tacos, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Th 11:00-22:00; Fr-Sa 11:00-23:00; Su 11:00-22:00 Features: takeaway · 7, Leuven, 3000
Friture, Fast Food · Opening hours: We-Th 17:00-22:00; Fr 17:00-22:30; Sa 17:00-22:00; Su 17:00-21:30 · 142 Holsbeeksesteenweg, Kessel-Lo, 3010 · defrithoek.be
Chocolate, Coffee Shop, Tea, Cafe · Opening hours: Mo,We-Fr 08:00-18:00; Sa 09:00-18:00; Su 10:30-17:30 Features: outdoor seating, vegan options · 10… · chocolatte.be
Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 11:30-20:00; Sa 11:30-19:30 Features: takeaway, delivery, vegan options · 159 Diestsestraat,… · falafel-top.be
Syrian, Restaurant · Opening hours: Tu-Su 10:00-21:00 · 12 Bondgenotenlaan, Leuven, 3000 · fatayer.be
Frieten, Broodjes, Burger, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 11:00-22:00; Sa,Su 17:00-21:00 · 153 Diestsesteenweg · pickandgo.be
Kebab, Syrian, Italian Pizza, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Su 11:00-22:30 · 5 Louis Melsensstraat, Leuven, 3000 · sahtain.be
Fries, Fast Food, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo,Tu,Th 11:30-14:00,16:00-23:00; We 11:30-14:00,16:30-23:00; Fr 11:30-14:00,16:00-22:00; Su 17:00-23:00; PH… · kaputop.be
Ethiopian, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 17:30-22:30 Features: outdoor seating · 22 Parijsstraat, Leuven, 3000 · lalibela.be
Steak House, Restaurant · Opening hours: Tu-Th 18:00-21:30; Fr-Sa 12:00-14:00,18:00-21:30 · 12 Oude Markt, Leuven, 3000 · meatingroom.be
Italian Pizza, Restaurant · Opening hours: We-Sa 12:00-14:00, 18:00-22:00; Su 18:00-22:00 · 3000 · piano-ab.be
Georgian, Restaurant · Opening hours: Tu-Th 17:30-23:00; Fr-Sa 12:00-15:00,17:30-23:00; Mo,Su,PH off · 47 Naamsestraat, Leuven, 3000 · tfls-leuven.be
World, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 11:30-00:30; Sa,Su 15:00-00:30 Features: outdoor seating · heverlee.viavia.world
Ice Cream, Ice Cream · Opening hours: 13:00-19:00 Features: outdoor seating, takeaway · 1 Maurits Noëstraat, Oud-Heverlee, 3050 · n-ice.be
Bistro, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-We 08:00-17:00; Th-Fr 08:00-22:00; PH off · 3 Stationsstraat, Leuven, 3018 · achterland.be
Student, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 11:00-14:30,17:00-20:00; Sa 12:00-14:00 Features: takeaway · 115 Tiensestraat · alma.be
Middle Eastern, Pita, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Su 11:30-22:00 Features: outdoor seating · 11 Tiensestraat, Leuven, 3000 · barouche.eu
Pasta, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 11:30-22:00 Features: outdoor seating · 9 Tiensestraat, Leuven, 3000 · bavet.eu
Seafood, Restaurant · Opening hours: Tu-Su 11:30-14:00,18:00-21:30 Features: outdoor seating · 10 Tiensestraat, Leuven, 3000 · devalck.be
Mexican, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Sa 18:00-22:30; Su 18:00-22:00 Features: outdoor seating · 12 Muntstraat, Leuven, 3000 · lacantina.be
Breakfast, Lunch, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo, We-Fr 10:00-16:00; Sa-Su 09:00-17:00 Features: outdoor seating, takeaway, vegan options · 48 Parijsstraat,… · lifebar.be
Persian, Pakistani, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 17:30-22:00; Tu off · 45 Naamsestraat, Leuven, 3000 · raffat.be
Cafe · Opening hours: Tu-Su 10:00-23:00 Features: outdoor seating · 3 Grote Markt, Leuven, 3000 · agora-leuven.be
Restaurant · Opening hours: Tu-Fr 11:00-19:00; Sa 10:00-15:00 Features: takeaway, vegetarian options · katrienkookt.be
355 more places in the Ultimate edition. See the Ultimate edition →
Airports
Brussels Airport (BRU) 15 km to the centre
Zaventem, VBR, BE — You board from the indoor waiting area — no need to plan for the weather. ✈ 63 airlines (Brussels Airlines, Harmony Airways, Lufthansa Cargo, United Airlines…) · direct flights to 146 destinations incl. Lisbon, New York, Rome, Barcelona, Dakar… (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 63 airlines, 146 direct destinations
- Brussels Airlines SN (A319, AR1, A320, A330-300, A330-200, Dash 8-400…) · 84 routes: Abidjan, Abu Dhabi*, Agadir, Alicante, Athens, Bangkok*, Barcelona, Bastia, Beijing*, Berlin, Bilbao, Birmingham, Bologna, Bristol*, Bucharest*, Budapest, Bujumbura, Cairo*, Casablanca*, Catania, Chicago*, Copenhagen, Cotonou, Dakar, Delhi*, Douala, Edinburgh, Faro, Florence, Frankfurt*, Freetown, Geneva, Gothenborg, Hamburg, Hannover*, Heraklion*, Kiev*, Kigali, Kinshasa, Lisbon … +44 more
- Harmony Airways HQ (A320, A319) · 26 routes: Agadir, Almeria, Antalya, Arrecife, Bourgas, Chania, Dubrovnik, Enfidha, Funchal, Gran Canaria, Heraklion, Ibiza, Kerkyra/corfu, Kos, Marrakech, Menorca, Mykonos, Palma de Mallorca, Paphos, Reus, Rhodos, Tarbes, Tenerife, Tivat, Varna, Zakynthos
- Lufthansa Cargo LH (A330-300, A319, A330-200, AR1, A320, 777…) · 22 routes: Abidjan*, Berlin*, Bujumbura*, Cotonou*, Dakar*, Douala*, Frankfurt, Freetown*, Hamburg*, Hannover*, Kigali*, Luanda*, Milan*, Milano*, Montreal*, Munich, New York*, Newark*, Ouagadougou*, Vilnius*, Washington*, Yaounde*
- United Airlines UA (A330-300, A330-200, Dash 8-400, 777, 767-400) · 20 routes: Abidjan*, Birmingham*, Bujumbura*, Chicago, Cotonou*, Dakar*, Douala*, Freetown*, Gothenborg*, Hannover*, Kigali*, Luanda*, Manchester*, New York*, Newark, Ouagadougou*, Prague*, Strasbourg*, Washington, Yaounde*
- Iberia Airlines IB (A320, A321) · 12 routes: Alicante*, Barcelona*, Ibiza, Lisbon, Madrid, Malaga*, Palma de Mallorca, Porto, Rome, Santiago, Valencia*, Venice
- Vueling Airlines VY (A320) · 11 routes: Alicante, Barcelona, Ibiza, Lisbon, Malaga, Palma de Mallorca, Porto, Rome, Santiago, Valencia, Venice
- easyJet U2 (A319, A320) · 10 routes: Berlin, Bordeaux, Geneva, London, Lyon, Milano, Mulhouse, Naples, Nice, Toulouse
- Air Canada AC (A330-300, A330-200) · 9 routes: Bujumbura*, Cotonou*, Dakar*, Douala*, Kigali*, Luanda*, Montreal, Ouagadougou*, Toronto*
- Hainan Airlines HU (A319, A320, 330, AR1) · 9 routes: Barcelona, Beijing, Berlin, Bilbao, Copenhagen*, Geneva*, Madrid, Milano, Rome*
- Ryanair FR (737-800) · 9 routes: Alicante, Barcelona, Lisbon, Malaga, Palma de Mallorca, Porto, Rome, Treviso, Valencia
- Royal Air Maroc AT (737-800, 737-700, A319) · 6 routes: Agadir, Casablanca, El Aroui, Marrakech, Oujda, Tanger
- Swiss International Air Lines LX (AR1, A319, A320, A330-200) · 6 routes: Douala*, Geneva*, Milan, Mulhouse*, Yaounde*, Zurich
- Air France AF (76W, ERJ-145) · 4 routes: Atlanta*, Lyon*, Nantes*, New York*
- Jet Airways 9W (A330-300, A330-200) · 4 routes: Delhi, Mumbai, Newark, Toronto
- Air Arabia Maroc 3O (A320) · 3 routes: Casablanca, El Aroui, Tanger
- Air Baltic BT (A319, A330-200, 735, Dash 8-400, AR1) · 3 routes: Abu Dhabi, Riga, Vilnius*
- Etihad Airways EY (330, A330-200) · 3 routes: Abu Dhabi, Newark, Toronto
- KLM Royal Dutch Airlines KL (76W, F70, EMJ) · 3 routes: Amsterdam*, Atlanta*, New York*
- Malmö Aviation TF (AR1) · 3 routes: Copenhagen*, Gothenborg*, Stockholm*
- Pegasus Airlines PC (737-800) · 3 routes: Antalya, Bodrum, Izmir
- Scandinavian Airlines System SK (736, 737-700, A319, A320, A321, 717…) · 3 routes: Copenhagen, Oslo, Stockholm
- TAP Portugal TP (A319, Fokker 100, A320, A321, ERJ-145) · 3 routes: Faro*, Lisbon, Porto*
- Tunisair TU (A320, A320) · 3 routes: Djerba, Monastir, Tunis
- Turkish Airlines TK (737-800, A320, A321, 330, A340-300) · 3 routes: Eskissehir, Istanbul, Istanbul
- US Airways US (A320, A319, A321, 762) · 3 routes: Athens*, Lisbon*, Philadelphia
- Aegean Airlines A3 (A320, A321) · 2 routes: Athens, Heraklion
- Aer Lingus EI (A320) · 2 routes: Cork, Dublin
- Air Malta KM (A319, A320) · 2 routes: Catania*, Malta
- Air Sicilia BM (ER3, ERJ-145) · 2 routes: East Midlands, Newcastle
- Airlinair A5 (ERJ-145) · 2 routes: Lyon, Nantes
- Alitalia AZ (A319, A320, Embraer 175, Embraer 190, 32S) · 2 routes: Milan*, Rome
- American Airlines AA (A319, A320, A321, 767) · 2 routes: London*, Philadelphia
- British Airways BA (A319, A320, A321, FRJ, J31) · 2 routes: Billund*, London
- Delta Air Lines DL (76W) · 2 routes: Atlanta, New York
- Ethiopian Airlines ET (A319, A320, 737-300, 767-300, A320) · 2 routes: Frankfurt*, Paris
- Eurolot K2 (Dash 8-400) · 2 routes: Gdansk, Wroclaw
- Finnair AY (A319, A320, Fokker 100, A321, A340-300) · 2 routes: Helsinki, Lisbon*
- Thai Airways International TG (A320, A321, 777-300) · 2 routes: Bangkok, Lisbon
- Adria Airways JP (A319, CRJ-900) · 1 route: Ljubljana
- Aeroflot Russian Airlines SU (A319, A320) · 1 route: Moscow
- AeroMéxico AM (Embraer 190) · 1 route: Madrid
- Air Algerie AH (736) · 1 route: Algier
- Air Europa UX (Embraer 190) · 1 route: Madrid
- Air Lituanica LT (CRJ-200, Embraer 175) · 1 route: Vilnius
- Air Serbia JU (A319) · 1 route: Belgrade
- Air Transat TS (310) · 1 route: Montreal
- Austrian Airlines OS (A319, A320, F70) · 1 route: Vienna*
- Bulgaria Air FB (A319, Embraer 190) · 1 route: Sofia
- Croatia Airlines OU (Dash 8-400) · 1 route: Zagreb
- Czech Airlines OK (A319) · 1 route: Prague
- Egyptair MS (A320) · 1 route: Cairo
- El Al Israel Airlines LY (737-800, 737-700) · 1 route: Tel-aviv
- Estonian Air OV (CRJ-900) · 1 route: Tallinn-ulemiste International
- Germanwings 4U (A319, CRJ) · 1 route: Stuttgart
- Icelandair FI (75W) · 1 route: Keflavik
- LOT Polish Airlines LO (734, Embraer 195, Embraer 175) · 1 route: Warsaw
- Middle East Airlines ME (A320) · 1 route: Beirut
- Qatar Airways QR (787-8) · 1 route: Doha
- Rwandair Express WB (A330-200) · 1 route: Kigali
- Senegal Airlines DN (A330-300) · 1 route: Dakar
- Tarom RO (318, 737-300) · 1 route: Bucharest
- Travel Service QS (A319) · 1 route: Prague
- Ukraine International Airlines PS (Embraer 190) · 1 route: Kiev
Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.
Antwerp International Airport (ANR) 38 km to the centre
Antwerp, VAN, BE — Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron — plan for the weather on the day. ✈ 2 airlines (Air France, CityJet) · direct flights to 1 destination incl. London (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 2 airlines, 1 direct destination
Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.
Schaffen Airfield 29 km to the centre
Diest, VBR, BE
Where things are
Local search powered by Geoverts and geo-intelligence by Better Mapping
base map © OSM
Photographs
credit: Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons · See source page
When to go
Tourist season
May – September
The warmer, longer-day half of the year is the safest bet for a first visit.
Shoulder season
April, October
Cooler and quieter, with fewer visitors and better value.
Worth avoiding
Deep winter
Short days and the coldest weather — check local conditions before travelling.
Getting there & around
Getting there. The nearest airport on record is Schaffen Airfield. Check rail and road links from the tourism sources below.
Getting around. Use the map above to orient yourself; nearby hotels, attractions and places to eat are listed from the live Ultimate data for Leuven/Louvain. Local transit details will be added as the guide is expanded.
Local transit
Bus · Vlaams Gewest · Schedules & GTFS data
Bus · Bruxelles, Bruxelles-Capitale, Région de · Schedules & GTFS data
Bus · Schedules & GTFS data (official feed)
Trains & rail
National rail
Private aviation
On-demand charter, jet cards and the semi-private scheduled carriers that serve this city.
Broker · Any aircraft via operators worldwide · Global charter broker with 30+ offices; private jets, group charters and cargo.
FBO, charter, management · Managed fleet · FBO network and management across Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific.
Fractional, jet card · Embraer Praetor, Bombardier Challenger & Global, Gulfstream · Fractional ownership and jet cards in North America and Europe.
Charter, management · Large-cabin & VIP airliners · Geneva-based operator known for large-cabin and VIP airliner charters.
Charter, management, FBO, MRO · Managed fleet worldwide · General Dynamics company: charter, completions and FBOs in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the US.