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Leuven
Leuven (Leuven in Dutch and Louvain in French) lies on the river Dyle (Dijle in Dutch), a small distance east of Brussels. Originally built around the fortress of a German emperor, it went on to become a cloth weaving centre though the city fell into decline in 1383 when citizens massacred 17 noblemen in the town hall and the cloth making industry moved to England. Leuven is now better known for its university, KU Leuven, which has a presence throughout the city.
Key Facts
| Language | Flemish/Dutch |
|---|---|
| Population | 105k |
Breweries and Beer-based attractions
Brewery Stella Artois
Leuven is most notable in the beer world as home to the Stella Artois brewery. The Stella brewed here in Leuven (and at their other plant in Jupille, just over in Wallonia) is only sold in mainland Europe, they also have breweries in the UK, US, Australia, Canada and Hungary. So that's one reason why beer in Belgium tastes different.
Take a guided tour of one of the world's most famous breweries. Get an in-depth look into all aspects of the brewing process from ingredients to fermentation, and enjoy a tasting at the end.
| Price | Cost €14, free for children |
|---|---|
| Time | Approx 2 hrs |
| Opening times | English tours at 15.00 and 17.00 Sat, and 13.00 and 15.00 Sun) |
Brewery Hof Ten Dormaal
In enormous contrast to Stella Artois, Hof Ten Dormaal is a small farm brewery just outside Leuven in Tildonk, using hops and barley grown on site. It has an on-site café and shop, and is accessible by bus or bike from central Leuven.
(Open Sat 13.00–17.00)
Craywinckelhof
After an initial foray into brewing was in 1893, Craywinckelhof was forced to stop brewing beer in World War I when the Germans confiscated the brewing equipment. The brewery reopened in 2010 and now brews a wide range of both traditional and more unique beers. Find the full list here.
B&B
The brewery has a B&B on site. You can check availability using our Trip.com affiliate link.
Shop
| Opening times | Monday to Friday 9.00-17.00 |
|---|
Tour
| Price | Cost €12 |
|---|---|
| Time | Approx. 1hr |
| How to book | request by email brouwerij@Craywinckelhof.be |
| Opening times | 2nd Saturday of the month at 15.00 |
Local's Pick
Brouwerij De Coureur
A microbrewery and taporoom in Kessel-Lo, the eastern part of Leuven. They brew a variety of artisanal beers on site. Locals describe the owners as friendly, the prices as fair and the beer as awesome.
De Coureur offers a 'Meet the Brewer' tour every Saturday at 13.00, where you can take a tour of the brewery, learn how beer is made and how to taste beer. Also enjoy 4 (10cl) tasting glasses.
| Price | Cost €15 per person |
|---|---|
| Opening times | English tours at 13.30 every Saturday, Dutch tours at 14.00 and 17.00 on Saturday and 12.00 on Sundays |
Huisbrouwerij Domus
A smaller, well-regarded and popular brewery also based in Leuven.
Leuven Oude Markt
Leuven's historical market square is the lively social hub of the city. Head here for several nice cafés with terraces where you can enjoy a beer.
Other things to do
M Leuven
An art gallery with an array of pieces from contemporary to old masters, with a focus on art produced in Leuven and the Brabant region. Has regular exhibitions and a large permanent collection.
| Time | Approx 1–2 hrs |
|---|---|
| Price | Adult €12, under 25 €5, under 18 free. |
| Opening times | Daily 11.00–18.00, Thurs 11.00–22.00. Closed Wednesday. |
Markets
Leuven hosts markets on several days throughout the week. Note that opening hours may be affected by holidays, and some markets open 30 minutes earlier in summer.
| Day | Type | Location | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday | Flowers | Brusselsestraat | 13.00–18.00 |
| Friday | General | Ladeuzeplein & H. Hooverplein | 7.00–13.00 |
| Saturday | Artisanal, antiques & brocante, food, flowers & plants | City Centre | 9.00–18.00 |