Leuven from Brussels

Leuven is a university city in Flemish Brabant, about 30 km east of Brussels in Belgium's Flemish Region, and is among the quickest day trips from the capital. Frequent SNCB trains from Brussels-Central and Brussels-Nord reach Leuven railway station on Martelarenplein in 20 to 25 minutes, so the train is the obvious mode; driving adds little and parking in the centre is limited. The Grote Markt is a walk of about 10 minutes from the station through Bondgenotenlaan, the main shopping street. The Gothic town hall on the Grote Markt is one of the most ornate in Belgium, with hundreds of statues on its facade, and St Peter's Church stands directly beside it. The Oude Markt, a short walk away, is lined with bars and terraces and is often described as one of the longest bars in Europe. The Groot Begijnhof, restored by the university and used as student housing, offers brick lanes and the river Dijle. KU Leuven, founded in 1425, shapes the town's character, and the university library on Ladeuzeplein is a landmark. A day can begin with the town hall and St Peter's in the morning, followed by a walk through the Groot Begijnhof. Lunch suits the cafés around the Grote Markt. The afternoon allows a visit to the M Museum or a stroll through the botanical garden, ending with a drink on the Oude Markt. Leuven is also home to the Stella Artois brewery heritage, and local beer is a natural food-and-drink stop. The town works year-round, but term time, roughly late September to June, gives the strongest student atmosphere, while summer is calmer. Return tickets cost about €5 to €8 each way, and trains run late into the evening, so an evening on the Oude Markt is easy to combine with a return to Brussels.