The 22 best things to do with kids in Leuven

It was once the home of the mayor of Leuven and then the home of a rich family. Some interesting exhibits and classic paintings were displayed. It took about 1.5 hours to walk through. And there is a cafe inside the museum. You can enjoy the coffee inside the museum or outside anytime then get back to the museum. The ticket is valid for one day and re-enter as long as you keep the sticker and the ticket.

Very nice museum!! It has a mix of different styles and times. Sometimes it was kind of confusing when walking around, because of this mix. It’s not really set up chronologically or categorically. The museum is also very interactive, here and there they had little stories to listen to and you were able to give your input on a possible discussion! There’s also a rooftop where you can go, which has a cool view over the city. Overall, it’s not very big, but it’s a lot of fun! Within a few hours you’ve seen everything. Downstairs there’s a cute little cafe where you can enjoy a drink with a small bite.

While this museum may not be on everyone's "must-see" list, it does provide a pleasant art experience, especially if you have a museum pass (free entrance). Although it does not house any famous masterpieces, the museum successfully connects the past and present through meaningful thematic parallels. We especially loved the interesting temporary exhibitions featuring local artists. A tour lasts about 90 minutes, and the personnel was quite friendly and informative. Through their website or app you get access to a free audio tour. The museum also has a cafeteria, a small shop selling art-related books and souvenirs, and a stunning rooftop patio. Free lockers are available downstairs for your convenience.

Great museum in Leuven to check out if you have time. The interior is very nicely laid out and looks like it was recently renovated or updated. The collection includes a wide range of pieces and has many works from Belgian artists. The museum is much larger than I expected and you could easily spend a couple of hours here. Keep an eye out on their website for free admission days.

This is a really lovely museum with lots of great art works from late‑Gothic art to contemporary exhibits. It’s both a tour guided and self-paced tour (if you so choose) with audio assistance so you get to really enjoy the experience and take in the works with much appreciation.

A nice exhibit with some permanent and some rotating art pieces. While some collections were great, some just lacked a meaning or beauty behind them. Most pieces were worth while so I would recommend visiting.

Loved the museum space and friendly staff there, though I’m not a fan of contemporary art. A cozy place to spend one or two leisure hours. Also a nice and cool place in summer thanks to its architectural design.

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.

Beleuvenissen was so amazing, will definitely come here again. After that everyone was partying in de pubs up until 6 am. Incredible vibes, 5stars

I visited Oude Markt in Leuven and was instantly charmed by its lively vibe. With terraces filled with people and historic buildings all around, it truly feels like the heart of the city.

The Oude Markt in Leuven (Belgium) is one of the city’s most famous landmarks and gathering places. It’s often nicknamed “the longest bar in the world” because the entire square is lined with cafés, bars, and restaurants, one next to the other.

Lively spot in the center of Leuven. The Oude Markt is full of terraces, cafés, and great energy at any time of day. Perfect place to meet friends, grab a drink, and enjoy the local atmosphere. Always something happening here.

The place is phenomenal. Cafe places are crowded, but they are very lovely. You can find everything over there: cafe places, restaurants, fast food, bars.. etc. It is better to walk around.. don't rely on a car because some streets are very narrow and cars are not allowed there. If you are looking for history, entertainment, and fun time. This is the best place

This place is so beautiful, I didn't have the chance to visit during the day, only at night, but it was so full of people and visually stunning :')

A beer lovers paradise with ove 40 bars Cafe Belgium was my favourite

Amazing park for visiting, parking all day long cost 4e, lot of entertainment for a kids. You will enjoy it there. Must visit and fully recommend.

It is a great place to chill and enjoy the sounds of nature. A wide variety of birds can be seen here. This place is fairly big and is fitting for a nice and pleasant walk.

This park, and in particular the area of adventurous water play next to a sandy playground, conjures up an organised version of summer holidays spent playing next to a stream. My kids (under 10) love it. The only thing to watch out for, besides water safety and falls, is boisterous behaviour by some kids, as most will discover that one can also throw sand and mud at some point and they'll feel liberated enough to try this. It can get busy and a little crowded in some areas, but the play area is relatively well contained, so it's possible to maintain a decent level of supervision circulating the area. There is a charge for the car parking, but that seems fully justified. In the park itself they are remodelling an outdoor swimming pool, and there are accessible paths for taking a stroll, and various additional areas, including another water play tab, a nature focused area, ecological centre, sports facilities, and some sculptures.

Such a privilege to have a park like this! Small lakes, different paths, playgrounds, a small farm, tennis and mini-golf, and much more!

Still one of the most beautiful community parks around. The only downside is the frequent contaminated waters and the lack of adequate lightning along the paths in winter, which makes it dangerous for visitors and runners alike after sundown.

Stunning park for a lovely stroll, with a restaurant and cafe for refreshments, boating in the summer as well, play area for the kids and seating to just sit and enjoy the birds and views of the lake and surrounding areas. Have to pay for parking now but nice car park and it's only a few euros for the day. They also have a skate park, football and tennis courts and an area with donkeys and goats. Beautiful place, you won't be disappointed.

It's a nice place to go with kids with different playgrounds, a little farm, bees, lakes, special bikes terrain for kids to play in a safe zone, pedalo for kids starting 6yo, etc. There is one natural playground, and then there are different playgrounds with sand (the typical ones). There are two playgrounds with watee, one little Ploeterbad for babies or smaler kids anz one big one for sunny days. This is an outdoor artificial lake whit a playground where kids can have lot of fun. You have to pay attention because there are deeper spots with no indication. There is also an outdoor swimming pool for which you need to do a reservation, you need to be quick ;) There are two time slots in the morning and one in the afternoon. The water temrpature is most of the time 26°C and the highest spots are 1m30. Enough little bars/ restaurants to buy ice cream, burgers etc. (We didn't find healthy alternatives though, no fruits or so for kids, but hey you can take it with you too ;) ) recently saw there are also sandwiches ! Also take good shoes for the kids so they can have fun without bothering there is sand or mud in their shoes :p And also never a bad idea to take spare clothes for them :) We also went to Hal 5, 5 min with the car to have some good food (at Falafel habibi)

This building is certainly one that has impressed me the most while visiting Leuven. It is centre of Leuven. Leuven's Town Hall is the historic city's pièce de résistance. Moreover, it's one of the best-known Gothic town halls worldwide. It took three architects and thirty years to build it. Leuven's 'Hall of Fame' features 235 statues, which were only added to the facade after 1850.

A beautiful building in the center of Leuven with 235 statues to admire. It’s a must see if you are visiting Leuven. There are daily one hour tours in Dutch and English and on the weekend in French. In these tours you visit the interior of the building while learning about the history. The cost is 4 euros and you can buy tickets in the tourist office around the corner. Starting in September 2024, this building will be closed for renovation until 2029. So if you want to take a tour, I would recommend doing it now!

Magnificent and Magical - this is the most iconic spots in Leuven. Don’t forget to book a guided tour if you want to visit the interiors. The inside of the town hall is well preserved with wooden ceilings and chandeliers transporting us to that era. Very beautiful!!!

Such a beautiful city hall, happening square. Especially great in winter with Christmas lights. Preferable to go at-least once and to keep in your bucket list.

This city town hall is one of most beautiful hall, it's just stunning with the little detail of arts. Especially, with the sunset light reflex toward the Hall, just gorgeous.

This is the best-known Gothic town hall. Leuven's 'Hall of Fame' features 235 statues Which took three architects and thirty years to build it.

Spectacular building with a Flemish Gothic façade, although the remains of Leuven's first town hall, built in 1439 and located on the main square, are no longer preserved. It has been destroyed and rebuilt three times in the last hundred years, the last time after the Second World War. On the outside we can see 236 statues, all of them of important figures in the history of the city, arranged by floors: on the ground floor we find academics and artists, on the ground floor religious figures, on the first floor members of the nobility and finally, at the top of the towers, scenes from the Bible are represented.

A beautiful and serene escape from the city. The garden is well-maintained, with a wide variety of plants, flowers, and peaceful walking paths. I especially enjoyed the calm atmosphere and the chance to take some lovely photos surrounded by nature. A perfect place to relax, breathe, and reconnect with the natural world. Definitely worth a visit!

I was here during autumn so lots of the plants were not blooming but it’s still such a nice place to just sit and enjoy the views. No ticket needed as it’s free and you can also see people just jogging around it. Perfect place to contemplate.

The Botanical Garden of Leuven (Kruidtuin), founded in 1738, is the oldest in Belgium. It features a wide variety of plants, greenhouses with exotic species, medicinal herbs, and peaceful walking paths, making it a relaxing spot to explore nature in the heart of the city.

Nice garden to visit a must if you like plants and gardening they also research into the health benefits of plants it is free to come and wander around have a look at the tropical pants in the green house.

Extremely beautiful, lots of plants, trees, flowers, and it’s so well taken care of. It looks magical. One of the most beautiful places I’ve been.

Superb botanical garden and very jealous of the space. We saw alot of exotic plants and trees and super well kept. Highlights were the Musa, oranges, kumquat and the turtles. If you’re closeby, its worth visiting. There are toilets available (clean), wheelchair accessible and a small information center with some booklets. There is bicycle parking in front of the entrance.

Beautiful botanic garden with amazing interior and exterior. Whenever I pass by I stroll through just to enjoy the atmosphere.

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!

It offers a variety of sports activities, and the gym equipment is quite good. However, it can get very crowded during peak hours, which makes it hard to enjoy the workout or find available machines. The pool is nice but often too busy, and finding a quiet time to swim can be difficult. Some of the fitness classes fill up quickly, and booking in advance is a must. The cleanliness is generally okay, but I’ve noticed it could be better, especially in the locker rooms. Overall, it’s an average experience – not bad, but there’s definitely room for improvement.

Big swimming pool with some water games. Liked it. The price is reasonable.

I like the atmosphere of the gym. For swimming it's a bit more complicated since many lanes are taken for lessons and the free ones might be quite full. Sometimes I come with friends just to relax and enjoy the slides tho. There's also free frisbees at the counter for disc-golf.

The food was great, the game could be better, but the win is a win. Update. Another great visit 06/2025 for Belgian Cats game vs Germany. Great game, great win, place was sold out! Nice and friendly as usual. Thanks to the staff.

The pregnancy and baby swimming lessons are good and teachers are great but the staff at the reception are so slow and take ages for them to give you a ticket. Always long lines to access the swimming area, so their system is not good at all. Only for some classes you can check in yourself, but for any other service you are forced to pass to this inefficient point of service. It is supposed to be a good sports center but they don’t invest in enough technology to make the access more efficient. In addition, they offer so many options for babies and toddlers yet they don’t have any decent place to change them. Doing that in a bench is definitely NOT ok. If you target this audience, at least provide decent facilities for families. There are really limited family lockers for the demand they have (plus they are super dirty), so they should have another solution for this.

Eh, I don't mind this place, but 3 things upset me hence the 3 stars: 1. I've cut myself in a broken tile (as depicted). When I showed it to a lifeguard he was jokey and indifferent. This happened in the baby pool so any baby might've eaten a sharp broken tile… 2. The lockers are always dirty. 3. It's pricey for what it is. If you use all of it maybe it's a better deal. If you just want to go to the pool with a baby for an hour, the public option in Kessel-lo is 4 times cheaper.

Initially I left positive review but their company policies has disappointed me. I needed to go to my home country for important documents for couple of months and I also provided them with ticket evidence. They refused to freeze my card, every single gym in belgium in past have allowed me to freeze my membership when I needed to leave for extremly important matters. It's an extremely greedy practice which will lead to them losing more clients long term....

Overall cinema experience is too expensive, considering alternative available these days. For a father and 2 kids, watching a movie with some snacks costs more than 60€! Other than that Kinepolis cinemas are very nice.

Paid extra to watch a movie (F1) in the ‘Laser ULTRA’ theatre and there was not one special effect or extra light for the entire duration of the film. Overpriced and under delivers. Rather stay home and save your money. 👎

This Kinepolis is not the biggest but it still had quite some rooms for movies. The only thing that was really annoying is that there is one queue to get tickets and in the same queue for snacks and drinks. Even if you have bought your tickets before, you still need to go in this line, which made the process slow. For the rest it was a great experience, as always!

Watched the new F1 movie here, but the experience was underwhelming. Picture quality was just average — surprisingly not up to the standards. There was noticeable stuttering during action scenes, making it uncomfortable to watch, especially for a fast-paced movie like this. Overall, not a smooth or immersive viewing experience. Expected better.

Do something about security Kids,maybe 14-15y old were drinking and vaping cigarettes in the movie room. Cool no? A girl was drunk, she was talking and singing all the movie. Don't understand how this is possible in a cinema. Or is it a nightclub?

Pretty large theatre. I really liked the set up and location. I love going to Leuven. The way the snacks and food were set up was nice as well, quite different than the US. Overall I enjoyed the experience but the seating was extremely uncomfortable. I also did not like the whole ten minute break thing. Never experienced this in my entire life of going to the theatre and I go a lot. The sound and picture quality were amazing though. I also like how the theatre was not freezing. In the states, I swear, you could hang meat in there. I usually have to bring blankets or wear a hoodie.

In recent weeks, I went to see Jurassic World at Kinepolis Leuven and specifically chose the "Laser Ultra" option. Jurassic World is a very action-packed and colorful movie. In fact, throughout most of the film, there were plenty of moments where the ultra LEDs and those ultra lights could have easily been used. Unfortunately, despite paying extra, they were not used at all. Now I want to go to another movie, which is also labeled as "Laser Ultra." But if it’s not going to be used again, I don’t want to pay extra. I would really appreciate it if you could resolve this issue. (Btw Jurassic World was really bad. Like the basic dinosaur movie.)

Unfortunately promoting PDF files! PDF flag next entrance. Leuven is a student city, so not appropriate

Great place, Nice venue !

Great arts center, interesting offering. Better than average (for Leuven) offering of non alcoholic options.

Very nice in center of Leuven. The menu is large with a wide variety of beers. You can also have breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner. Some nights, there are also some live music. The ambiance is quiet, except the night live. It is cool place inside Leuven

I saw an awesome dance show!

Difficult to write a review about this location, since there are so many aspects to it and there for so many reasons to visit this place and as a result so many perspectives from which one can write a review. I like the possibilities of the place: you can visit the bar, go to events from all sort of cultural types, rent space for your own cultural activities, ... Sundays Jazz evenings are a long time favorite for me at this bar!

Very nice setting Selection of beers is average 20 cents to pay by card

Not so big, but really cool exhibitions about animals. Sadly everything was in dutch.

The museum of zoology at KU Leuven is a bit dated. There are collections of shells, stuffed birds & mammals, preserved frogs & pigs amongst others. There’s even a large skeleton hanging from the ceiling. The overall exhibit is rather small. The cases are old and explanations are only in Flemish. While it is nice that the entrance is free, an update to the museum could be beneficial.

A lovely and tiny museum, the visit lasted about 15 minutes

A small section of the university building is full off displays. There isn't a lot of information about what is shown but it's an interesting quick visit.

An interesting place with a good diversity of specimens. Small and easy to see in about 15 minutes or less in detail.

If you have a free moment, check out the museum, but don't go out of your way to get here. It's small, but it IS free! Also, please be mindful of the students that have their lessons here (September-June). Sometimes, it is unpleasantly warm here.

Although many students and tourists alike will never find this place, it's surprisingly interesting. Don't expect anything big, just a single room, but it's filled with skeletons, taxidermy and the like. Definitely worth a visit if you're in the area, maybe if you're planning to go to the park.

Samira was really helpful in making my dream hair come true and was so accommodative and attentive as well! I really enjoyed my session with her and happy with the result that I got - thank you so much!

Samira is a highly skilled hairdresser with attention to detail. She takes the time to discuss what you want in advance , listens, and gives advice if requested. She is also very sweet and offers tea, which I really appreciate. My baby daughter was with me, and was crying while she was giving the haircut, and she was patient and kind. I will definitely return, also for the baby haircuts. 5 stars!!

The best hairdresser in Leuven!! I’ve been searching for the right hairdresser for myself for a very long time in Leuven and I finally found her. 😊 I had a wonderful experience at House of Hair. Samira was very friendly and attentive to the details. I could tell that she’s very passionate with her work. I definitely recommend!! Thank you so much for a wonderful haircut! ❤️

I had a great experience and will definitely come back! Place is very nice and the hairdresser is very friendly, gives great advices and is a pro in hair styling (and with my hair it's not easy to work :)). You simply feel welcomed and relaxed there! :)

Great overall experience and amazing haircut! Highly recommended 🌟

(Translated by Google) Super SUPER satisfied with Samira's service! There is clear consultation about what you want, even during the cutting process. She takes your expectations, preferences, etc. into account. And she's a great person to be around ;-) I'll definitely be back! She made me a new mommy <3 (Original) Super SUPER tevreden van de service van Samira! Er is duidelijk overleg van wat je wil, ook tijdens het knippen. Ze houdt rekening met je verwachtingen, voorkeuren,.. En 't is een toffe om mee te babbelen ;-) Ik kom sowieso terug! She made me a new mommy <3

(Translated by Google) SUUUUPER nice hairdresser!! Really saved my hair for a very good price too! I'm super happy, definitely recommended!! (Original) SUUUUPER gezellig kapster!! Heeft mijn haartjes echt gered voor een heel goed prijs ook! Ben super blij, Zeker een aanrader!!

Awesome atmosphere of the building and probably the nicest place in Leuven for a night out (especially the events by Nacht). But the sound quality at their club nights isn’t good. The crowds at the events I went to weren’t too amazing, it sometimes feels like one big competition to look the coolest. Something I have never felt in places like Chinastraat in Ghent where the crowds feel more freeing!

Awesome place, awesome workshops

I'm always crying in this club :'(

(Translated by Google) Unique (top!) location, always fresh and new concepts including Stelplat. Definitely recommended to do it once! I still find the Existenz vibe of yesteryear every time I visit. Repurposing as it can and should happen! Sometimes it can get a bit cold, but I'm happy to accept that. (Original) Unieke (top!) locatie, steeds frisse en nieuwe concepten waaronder Stelplat. Zeker een aanrader om eens gedaan te hebben! De Existenz vibe van weleer vind ik nog elke keer terug als ik nog eens langskom. Herbestemming zoals het kan en hoort te gebeuren! Soms kan het wel een beetje koud worden, maar dat neem ik er graag bij.

(Translated by Google) A creative and original hub where they have properly incorporated the elements of the old De Lijn depot. Various organizations are housed under this roof, making it a hotbed of ideas and collaborations. It's a shame that this is only a temporary location, but until then it's definitely worth coming here for a visit. In addition to the many performances and exhibitions, there is also a focus on gastronomic activities and much more. It's nice that there is a location where all this can take place. This summer I haven't stopped by for a drink during Stelplage yet, but fortunately the season is not over yet 🌞 (Original) Een creatieve en originele hub waarbij ze de elementen van de oude stelplaats van De Lijn goed ingevuld hebben. Verschillende organisaties huizen onder dit dak waardoor dit een broeihaard aan ideeën en samenwerkingen is geworden. Heel jammer dat dit maar een tijdelijke locatie is maar tot die tijd loont het zeker de moeite om hier eens te komen piepen. Naast de vele optredens en exposities, wordt er ook ingezet op gastronomische activiteiten en zovele meer. Fijn dat er een locatie is waar dit allemaal kan plaatsvinden. Deze zomer ben ik nog niet langsgeweest voor een drankje tijdens Stelplage maar gelukkig is het seizoen nog niet om 🌞

(Translated by Google) Hip and beautiful place. Always great people and a nice atmosphere with fun projects. (Original) Hippe en mooie plek. Altijd weer toffe mensen en leuke sfeer met leuke projecten.

(Translated by Google) Good club (Original) Goeie club

(Translated by Google) Sports hall Wilsele (Original) Sporthal Wilsele

Wonderful park! Cute ponds and beautiful trees, a lot of place to sit and relax or walk around. Pretty crowded at this time of year but not too crowded.

Perfectly nice park except for all the trash. Young people can keep sticking to the idea that they're saving the world, but they can barely manage to take their crap with them when they leave.

Nice tidy small park to walk through. Dogs or not.a small pond with ducks on.plents of grass to sit on or picnic.

It could be an excellent place to have a picnic during the day. Nothing much to see, though; just enjoying the vibe and the sunshine.

It's just a demo of some 3D motorized models. But it was not very pleasant to pack tens of noise-making silicon monsters in such a crowded space. Can be more attractive if there is a live show .

A cozy park to enjoy with your family and have a picnic on a Sunday afternoon.

Nice little park to walk around or just chill