The 17 best churches in Leuven

We’ve been living in this residence for a few years now. I must say, if you’re visiting Leuven, you absolutely shouldn’t miss Groot Begijnhof. Its historical architecture is truly mesmerizing. Every street reveals different houses and glimpses of past lives. Recently, some infrastructure work has been taking place in part of the area, so if you’re planning to visit during the summer of 2025, be aware that some entrances are closed and walking around the church might be a bit difficult.

Incredible walking experience there. There was some renovation done in some part of area but in general it’s a very enjoyable experience with exploring the small aisle and looking at the old buildings. I was there during weekday so it was pretty quiet.

Beautiful and peaceful place in the heart of Leuven. The Groot Begijnhof feels like stepping back in time with its quiet cobblestone streets, historic houses, and calm atmosphere. Perfect for a walk, some photos, or just to disconnect from the city noise. A must-see in Leuven.

I strolled through the Groot Begijnhof in Leuven and instantly felt its centuries-old charm. As I entered through the main gate, those traditional sandstone buildings and winding cobblestone lanes made me feel like I had stepped back in time. Each house, some with striking crow-stepped gables and tiny old windows, reveals layers of history and story. The peaceful courtyards and scenic river views added to the atmosphere. This restored “town-within-a-town” is a unique place and quiet yet full of character, offering an authentic glimpse into Leuven’s past and the life once led by its beguines.

The Groot Begijnhof in Leuven is a beautifully preserved 13th-century beguinage and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Once home to religious women called beguines, it features cobbled streets, red-brick houses, gardens, and stone bridges over the River Dijle. Restored in the 1960s, it now belongs to KU Leuven and serves as housing for students and professors. It’s a peaceful quarter perfect for a quiet walk through history.

It’s a breathtaking testament to history and architectural grandeur, buildings of Gothic and Renaissance styles. It can be called as the hidden place of Leuven. Not much crowded place. Good place to have some memories.

Beautiful place, highly reccomend to visit in autumn.

Beautiful church in a beautiful city. Although the the inside is decorated a bit frugally compared to other churches, it still awes you with its majestic architecture and size.

Leuven’s biggest cathedral and a nice place to visit while you’re in the town center. No ticket needed and while it’s cold outside this can also be a sanctuary if you’re looking for a little bit of warmth. That beside the point, the artworks and collections are quite amazing. There’s a dungeon that act as another praying room.

Nice Church to visit in Leuven. Located near Grote market and Town hall. Entry is free and bus stop is very near to the church.

The origins of Sint-Pieterskerk (Saint Peter’s church) date back to the 10th century. Construction of this Brabant Gothic church continued through the 15th century with its towers used as a municipal belfry. Its belfry is part of the collection of Belgian belfries recognized by UNESCO. The interior is bright even on cloudy days thanks to the white colored walls and many large windows. It is free to enter the church.

The Saint Peter’s Church is definitely one of the most important places to be in Leuven. You will find here the famous paintings of Dierick Bouts, medieval flamish artist from the 15th century. What impressed me most in on one side the medieval church with its uncountable numbers of arts and the long history behind the city of Leuven and on the other side the artificial intelligence driven guided tour allowing you to be part of the history. Don’t miss the tablet tour of Dierick Bouts! I hope that this cutting edge technology will be just the beginning of guided tours and will be further extended to more and more artists, painting and installing in this church. I do strongly recommend the guided tours offered by the tourism office. The guides are well educated, with a lot of historical knowledge and the educational background needed.

This imposing church is so impressive that even if wasnt at its prime locations, will be easy to find. Once entered you will be well rewarded seeing the inner beauty, you can wander into the peace and quiet admiring the ornate interior Definitely worth a visit

Fell into Leuven and this beautiful, elegant church. So impressed and a lovely fresh and light take on religion rather than some of the heavy and ornate churches. So lovely. The carved pulpit is a work of Art in itself.

If you live somewhere close to Park Abbey, you should definitely visit it. Especially in spring it is very beautiful and you can smell the odor of the flowers everywhere. By just walking around, you will find peace here. There is enough area to play games, to run and to do other fun activities.

While the current expo wasn't really my cup of tea, that's no fault of the museum or even the talented artist/curator of the items. The audio tour of the abbey itself was very cool.

Beautiful museum with a few very nice rooms. Especially some ceilings are spectacular plasterwork, which is like 3D paintings.

Really nice Abbey,wonderful garden and in the Abbey a really warm welcome from the guide.it was very nice he took the time to explain the current situation of the Abbey.to bad there where lots of works everywhere.the restaurant is a little overpriced but hè the parking is free. Absolute worth a visit

A hidden gem! Beautiful Abbey, graveyard, and surroundings. A quieter, more contemplative experience for the discerning explorer.

Park Abbey in Leuven is an absolute gem! 🌿 We often come here for walks, and every visit feels special. The combination of beautiful fauna and flora with the stunning, historic abbey creates a truly picturesque setting. What makes it even more impressive is that the abbey is still actively used for ceremonies, which adds a sense of authenticity and life to the place. The surroundings are full of treasures too — there’s a fantastic restaurant nearby where you can enjoy a delicious meal after your walk, and the farmers’ market with fresh local products is a real highlight. 🥖🍎 Don’t miss the museum either: it’s beautifully curated and gives you a deep appreciation for the history and culture of the abbey. Whether you come for peace and nature, history and architecture, or great local food, Park Abbey has it all. Highly recommended — one of Leuven’s most magical spots! ✨

PARCUM in Leuven is a fascinating museum dedicated to religion, art, and culture, offering a unique perspective on the spiritual heritage of Flanders. Located in the peaceful Park Abbey, the museum beautifully combines history with thought-provoking exhibits. Its rotating themes encourage reflection on contemporary and timeless issues. The serene surroundings enhance the experience, making it ideal for those seeking inspiration or tranquility. A hidden gem for art and history lovers in Belgium!

Just average food and a menu with simple recipes. This spot is clearly popular, as it filled up quickly, and we were lucky to get a table since we entered for lunch around 2PM. My pulled pork waffle was just okay – the flavors of both the waffle and the pork were completely overwhelmed by an excessive amount of sauce. It's a shame, because the components themselves seemed promising. My friend's tomato soup and soft-boiled egg were also just average - not that they are difficult to cook. The staff were friendly, and the atmosphere was pleasant enough. There were families with kids as well, but it didn't get noisy. I was hoping for more, and left a little disappointed. Perhaps their sweet offerings are a better bet than the savory ones?

So delicious. Food comes quite fast and is always really yummy. Lots of options for brunch and can pick between hot or cold sandwiches/waffles, healthy bowls, pancakes and more. Always come with friends and have never been disappointed! 😍

Visites Leuven for the day and happened to have lunch here. Great staff and flavors. We had a BLT waffle and another one with ham. Really tasty and nice.

Bar Leuv is a good place to try savory waffles. The waffles themselves are fluffy and slightly sweet, and there are a variety of cold and warm toppings. From what we tried, the Italian ham was good and the BBQ chicken was fantastic. What I didn't like about the bruschetta was that the bread slices were too thick, but the tomato topping was great. The atmosphere and service was good enough to enjoy the meal. I would agree with the rating 4.5-4.7.

Came here for lunch with colleages. The restaurant was packed. I really enjoy the BLT (bacon lettuce tomatoes chips avocadom cream). The combination of flavors on warm crispy toast works wonderfully. The iced latte macchiato was nice and creamy. Great place to have breakfast and lunch.

The most simple menu with a delicious lunch/brunch/whatever you want to eat I had the option of Bread, but there is an option for waffle for savory dishes in the menu Overall, a cozy and cute vibe

Nice little bistro with an interesting brunch menu. We tried the salmon waffle and the pulled pork waffle. The salmon and goat's cheese was a great combination, but the pulled pork was extremely sweet - a flavour we weren't quite expecting from the description, which promised a slight spiciness. Still, we enjoyed the brunch. The service was quick and very friendly.

PARCUM in Leuven is a fascinating museum dedicated to religion, art, and culture, offering a unique perspective on the spiritual heritage of Flanders. Located in the peaceful Park Abbey, the museum beautifully combines history with thought-provoking exhibits. Its rotating themes encourage reflection on contemporary and timeless issues. The serene surroundings enhance the experience, making it ideal for those seeking inspiration or tranquility. A hidden gem for art and history lovers in Belgium!

Honestly such a beautiful park with lots of scenery. We didn’t go in the abbey but we enjoyed the views from the outside and enjoyed a nice walk around the lakes and garden.

While the current expo wasn't really my cup of tea, that's no fault of the museum or even the talented artist/curator of the items. The audio tour of the abbey itself was very cool.

Beautiful museum with a few very nice rooms. Especially some ceilings are spectacular plasterwork, which is like 3D paintings.

Park Abbey in Leuven is an absolute gem! 🌿 We often come here for walks, and every visit feels special. The combination of beautiful fauna and flora with the stunning, historic abbey creates a truly picturesque setting. What makes it even more impressive is that the abbey is still actively used for ceremonies, which adds a sense of authenticity and life to the place. The surroundings are full of treasures too — there’s a fantastic restaurant nearby where you can enjoy a delicious meal after your walk, and the farmers’ market with fresh local products is a real highlight. 🥖🍎 Don’t miss the museum either: it’s beautifully curated and gives you a deep appreciation for the history and culture of the abbey. Whether you come for peace and nature, history and architecture, or great local food, Park Abbey has it all. Highly recommended — one of Leuven’s most magical spots! ✨

Really nice Abbey,wonderful garden and in the Abbey a really warm welcome from the guide.it was very nice he took the time to explain the current situation of the Abbey.to bad there where lots of works everywhere.the restaurant is a little overpriced but hè the parking is free. Absolute worth a visit

If you live somewhere close to Park Abbey, you should definitely visit it. Especially in spring it is very beautiful and you can smell the odor of the flowers everywhere. By just walking around, you will find peace here. There is enough area to play games, to run and to do other fun activities.

This is the church of the English speaking Catholic community in Leuven. Very pretty with a welcoming atmosphere. Regular parish events are organised which are perfect for English-speaking visiting Catholics at the University.

Lovely church, located at an old béguinage (nunnery) protected patrimony by UNESCO. Quit peaceful to walk and visit in Leuven, Belgium.

Brilliantly mesmerizing church and very unknown, also for the locals.

All churches are open only from 1:30pm to 4:30pm!! Didn't get to see the interiors! :(

Amazing historic building in the middle of the "Begijnhof".

Amazing church in an amazing old town.

Experienced the spirit of Beguines

(Translated by Google) Sober church, very. We understand its origin, I attended a funeral but given our origins we hoped for more. But agrees to have loaned for the ceremony. I accept this sharing. Sensitive . (Original) Eglise sobre, très. On comprend son origine, ai assisté à un enterrement mais vu nos origines on espérait plus. Mais accepte d'avoir prêté pour la cérémonie. J'accepte ce partage. Sensible .

(Translated by Google) Mussels with bad taste, not fresh. (Original) Mosselen met vieze smaak, niet vers.

(Translated by Google) can follow the funeral pico bello, no tralala (Original) begrafenis pico bello kunnen volgen, geen tralala

(Translated by Google) A small church built in historic debt with neo-Gothic elements. It is not possible to view the interior. (Original) Malý kostelík postavený v historizujícím dluhu s neogotický mi prvky. Není možné prohlédnout si interiér.

(Translated by Google) One of the last lively parishes where you can still feel the warmth and commitment among each other. The parish runs on a motivated team of volunteers. In addition to Sunday Mass, numerous activities are organized here every year (for example, creative and card afternoons, parish weekend, ...). The food festivals are always worth it! Every year you have a theme Sunday (Flemish, French, Greek, Italian, etc.) a real BBQ and the much-lauded mussel festival. Furthermore, the Sint-Antonius parish has very good healthcare support with a passionate team of volunteers. (Original) Een van de laatste levendige parochies waar je de warmte en betrokkenheid onder elkaar nog kan voelen. De parochie draait op een gemotiveerd team van vrijwilligers. Naast de zondagsmis worden hier jaarlijks tal van activiteiten georganiseerd (bijvoorbeeld crea-& kaartnamiddagen, parochieweekend, ...). De eetfestijnen zijn telkens de moeite! Zo heb je elk jaar een thema zondag (vlaams, frans, grieks, italiaan,..) een heuse bbq en het fel bejubelde mosselfeest. Verder heeft de Sint-Antonius parochie een zeer goede ziekenzorg ondersteuning met ook hier een gedreven team van vrijwilligers.

(Translated by Google) Very good priest. (Original) Geweldig goede priester.

(Translated by Google) Pleasant church and beautiful church services (Original) Aangename kerk en mooie kerkdiensten

This church opened after a long period of renovation. This church was partly destroyed by a stray bomb during second world war. Lots of it has been rebuilt. But the beautiful wooden confession chambers survived that is visible today.

Baroque-style church located on Naamsestraat. It is situated amidst the bustling city streets, offering a serene and imposing presence. The church leads to Hogeschool Plein. It is one of the numerous churches in Leuven.

Such a a beautiful place with so much in and around to see! Worth a visit as it’s so close to the centre

very nice chruch

It's great to be part of this loving community! The priests Juan Carlos is the best! It's also a nice meeting point for Spanish speakers.

Unfortunately couldn't go inside at Christmas. Looks like it's closed part of the year.

The 17th C confession boxes are a visual treat! Such a sculptural marvel!

Beautiful church with mass at 6:00 pm on Weekdays and mass at 9.00 am on Sunday.

A great and loving community! Where everyone is welcome. The Mass is always beautiful and a true celebration! There is also a strong community sense and a lot of activities/events that you can join.

It's a small church yet always make me feels home. This is one of the most living church in Belgium. They have daily mass at 6pm and Sunday mass at 9am with a beautiful liturgy.

The Saint Quentin's Church or Sint-Kwintenskerk (in Dutch) is a Roman Catholic church located at the Naamsestraat in Leuven, Belgium. Its exterior is mainly Gothic with a Baroque entrance portal. The interior contains Baroque choir stalls and altars. The church is named after the Saint Quentin, who is regarded in the Catholic faith as a protector against a wide range of contagious diseases.

Like the name says, it's an English speaking community. Lot of international Catholics come here to fulfill their Sabbath obligation. There's a communal meal after the mass.

I lived in Leuven in 1987 - 1988 and used to join Misa at Sint Kwinten Kerk at 10:00 Sunday morning, I was 23 years old, KUL student at the time... from Indonesia. I wonder if this lovely Church is still open today. I plan to visit Leuven to join the Misa at this Church. It was Vader Reinhard van de Berg in my time there but to bad that I could not meet him when I visited Leuven with my wife... long years ago. I am now almost 60 years old and waiting a chance to visit Leuven again.

How to close the house of God so we want to pray open the door

Like all the churches of Leuven, this too is open only from 1:30pm to 4:30pm. Didn't get to see the interiors of the church. Would be nice if atleast if weekends its open for longer hours!

One of the churches in Leuven near Klein Begijnhof

Mood lighting at night gives a nice though slight spooky vibe.

Beautiful church with medieval architecture

Romantic place. Was there at night.

Top

(Translated by Google) This historic church is located a short walk from the center of Leuven, and has a charming and calm atmosphere. The exterior is made of solid stone and has a strong presence, and once you step inside, the high ceilings and tranquility will make you feel calm. There aren't that many tourists, so it's nice to be able to explore the area at your own pace. There are canals and buildings related to the Beguinage nearby, so it's a great place to stop by while walking around town. (Original) ルーヴェン中心から少し歩いた場所にある歴史ある教会で、落ち着いた雰囲気が魅力的なんだ。外観は重厚な石造りで存在感があるし、中に入ると高い天井と静けさに心がスッと落ち着くよ。観光客もそこまで多くないから、自分のペースでじっくり見てまわれるのも嬉しいポイント。近くには運河やベギン会関連の建物もあって、街歩きの途中に立ち寄るのにちょうどいい場所だよ。

(Translated by Google) Beautiful, warm light bulb church (Original) Mooie, warme lichtbollen kerk

(Translated by Google) Beautiful church 💒 I walked past it just... 😅 (Original) Belle église 💒 je suis passé devant juste... 😅

(Translated by Google) mussels with friends top (Original) mosselen met vrienden top

(Translated by Google) I miss the beautiful writing on the walls when I was last there. (Original) Ik mis de mooi geschreven tekst op de muren toen ik er de laatste keer was.

(Translated by Google) Beautiful, sacred church. (Original) Mooie, sacrale kerk.

(Translated by Google) Nice place for an animal dedication (Original) Mooie plaats voor een dierenwijding

(Translated by Google) Beautiful church with beautiful stained glass windows. Difficult to access for wheelchair users. Parking with disabled parking nearby. (Original) Mooie kerk met prachtige glasramen. Moeilijk toegankelijk voor rolstoelgebruikers. Parkeergelegenheid met gehandicaptenparkeerplaats in de nabijheid.

(Translated by Google) Beautiful church in neo-Gothic style, ditto interior and stained glass windows (Original) Mooi kerkje in neogotische stijl, dito interieur en brandglasramen

(Translated by Google) A place of peace where you can reflect (Original) Een plaats van rust waar je tot bezinning kan komen

(Translated by Google) Beautiful stained glass windows (Original) Schitterende glasramen

(Translated by Google) Cozy church with good acoustics. (Original) Knusse kerk met goede akoestiek.