Less than a half hour train ride from Brussels, Leuven is home to Belgium's oldest university. As a result, roughly half of the city's 90,000 inhabitants are students, who give the city a lively, informal air - and help sustain the many bars and cafes!
"Lovely Leuven, Belgium's No 1 beer town, is the perfect place for a weekend breakaway. Magnificent medieval architecture, an amazing number of lively bars and superb restaurants, and a young, friendly atmosphere. What's not to like?" David Williams, Travel Writer
Highlights include the Grote Markt (home to the Stadhuis and St Pieterskerk), as well as the Oude Markt and the Groot Begijnhof.
Great Beguinage
A safe haven for woman during the Crusades, now a peaceful retreat
Stuk
The Stuk art centre regarded as the pinnacle of urban planning
Oude Markt
The longest bar in the world, this square is packed with places to drink.
Kruidtuin
Belgium's oldest botanical garden is small but perfectly formed.
Marktrock
Held every August, this is one of Europe's biggest urban music festivals.
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