Every year the International House hosts an info session about what is going on during the summer and tips of places to visit in the province. After reading this article you will certainly have some new places to visit and things to do for the summer!
An extra benefit is that you will have some ideas for activities to do with visiting friends and families!
(The following information was provided by Visit Leuven and Discover Flemish Brabant at our summer activities info session 2024.)
What’s on this summer in the City of Leuven?
Summer in Leuven is full of a variety of events. From music to food & drinks and plenty of self guided activities, there is plenty of fun to be had.
To find all of the events hosted by the city you can head directly to the Groot Verlof calendar. To give you a sneak peak, you can enjoy:
- Beleuvenissen: Free open air concerts every Fridays between July 12 and August 9.
- Hapje Tapje: the culinary festival not to miss!
- Zomer films - Outdoor films in different locations all summer long
- Leuven Innovation Beer festival - try different beers from around the world
- Summer of M - summer bar, reading sessions, kid’s activities, and more
- Leuven Bells - carillon concert from the top of the university library
Find more info on the website of Visit Leuven, they have a full calendar of events in English! Don’t forget about the ILuvLeuven pass, which lets you visit a few of the Leuven monuments at an advantageous price!
Tips for day trips around Flemish Brabant
Flemish Brabant is one of the ten provinces of Belgium and is the province that surrounds Leuven and Brussels.
In this section you can find 3 suggested day trips per transportation category. Keep reading for our recommendations for activities by bike, train, bus and car from Leuven!
By Bike
1. Wezemaal
Let's start with our first cycling trip! This one will take us to Wezemaal. A small village mostly known for its beautiful landscapes and wine-growing. The “Wijngaardberg walk” takes you past the most beautiful views and through vineyards but also fruit plantations. You start at the visitor centre Hageland Wine where you learn more about the different wines from the region and their history. Afterwards, you can taste some wines in the cosy cellar. A nice place for lunch is Boeres in the centre of Wezemaal.
Be sure to make a note of 31 August 2024, when the village bursts into life during the wine festival. You can buy a cup to taste different wines. Or you can join a day trip we organize together with Discover Flemish Brabant. More info soon on the activities page of the IHL website.
2. Doode Bemde
Or cycle south to the Doode Bemde nature reserve. This beautiful area is always very wet and swampy, so make sure you have appropriate footwear on. The “Margijs walk” is one of our top walks. Pop into Brewery de Kroon to taste their delicious beer. You can take a guided tour every Saturday and Sunday. And if you want to go for a fancy dinner, you can do so at the Spanish Roof!
3. Beer Adventure
I of course will mention a route from Leuven as well, and what better than a beer adventure? It's a 28km route heading towards Tildonk. For 12.50 euros you get a few tastings and along the way, don't forget to stop at Hof ten Dormaal brewery! You can find all the practical details on the Visit Leuven website.
An extra tip for this trip is to stop by the Arboretum of Wespelaar-Tildonk. It is a beautiful landscape park that is especially known for its large collection of magnolias.
By Bus
A lot of buses leave from Leuven station. Via De Lijn's Realtime app, you can easily look up and track your bus. BUT keep in mind that there are fewer buses on weekends and holidays.
1. Tervuren
The first bus tour takes us to Tervuren. For that, take bus 317 from Leuven to Tervuren and visit the immense Africa Museum. It's more than just African art, but you'll also learn about the culture, music, languages, resources and more. In the afternoon, you can do the “Warande walk” that takes you through the park and forest of Tervuren. You start at the Warande Gate visitor center where you can learn more about the area and what there is to do. Have a cosy meal at Canapé, in a beautiful building where you can eat various tapas and sharing dishes.
2. Kasteel van Horst
Horst castle is a beautiful moated castle. Right opposite, you can have something to eat or drink at the Wagenhuis. And the “Broekem walk” starts from the castle. I must warn you though, the castle currently looks a bit different because it is being completely restored. As a result, you can now (summer 2024) visit the castle in a very special way and see the people at work. Definitely worth a visit!
3. Vlooybergtoren
The “Vlooyberg tower” is very popular on social media and is also just very unique. The floating staircase is in the middle of the fields gives a good view of the surroundings. It is also in the middle of the wine region which makes it easy to combine with a visit to a winery this summer. A lot of wineries open their doors in August to visitors and tastings.
By Train
The train in Belgium may be the easiest means of transport! A lot of trains depart from Leuven all over the country.
Do you know the different types of trains?
- IC = Inter city
- P = Peak trains, in peak hours
- L = Local, between big cities but stops everywhere
- S = Suburban, trains run around the major cities
On the carriages, a yellow line indicates where it is first class. You have to pay extra for this. On weekends between Friday evening and Sunday evening, a return ticket costs half the price, it is appropriately called the “weekend ticket”.
You can also take your bike on the train, but you have to pay extra and put your bike in the spaces provided. (Top tip: folding bikes can go on the train for free!) Another nice initiative are the train stops and green stops, which indicates which train stops are best for walking. You can walk from one train stop to the next, but these are generally longer routes. (For example: take the train from Leuven to Oud-Heverlee and walk back to Leuven!)
1. Diest
Just 26 minutes from Leuven, you are in Diest, a very cosy little town with its own beguinage and quaint shops. It also has a citadel that you can walk around and from here you can also kayak on the Demer river!. Diest's tourist office and website will give you all the information you need.
2. Beersel
Slightly further, but worthwhile is tiny Beersel. Here you will find yourself in the Pajottenland and Zenne valley known for its special Geuze beer. So be sure to visit the Beer House, where you can sample local dishes as well as their own beer, Oud Beersel. Afterwards, do that Kesterbeek walk and finish with a visit to Beersel's beautiful castle. At the end of this June (2024), there are special castle activities with performances and concerts.
3. Vilvoorde
A hip and cool city is Vilvoorde. Long known for its heavy industry, and with the canal leading to Brussels, it was a real gateway to the capital. But Vilvoorde managed to transform its image. We suggest that you visit the city centre and order a picnic from local merchants. Afterwards, you can also take the water bus to the centre of Brussels, an original way to experience the water. The boat sails every day in summer and performances take place on Wednesdays. Visit Vilvoorde has lots of info in English.
By Car
Unfortunately, there are also places in Flemish Brabant that are more difficult to reach by public transport. Therefore, here are three tips that are best done by car.
1. Zoutleeuw
Zoutleeuw is a nice town with very old buildings. The basilica is especially worth a visit. But nearby is also the beautiful provincial domain Vinne. Here you will find the largest natural inland lake in Flanders. The ”Halewijn walk” is beautiful and takes you along the most beautiful spots of the nature reserve.
Extra fun this summer is the medieval campsite in Zoutleeuw. Spots book up quickly!
2. Kasteel van Gaasbeek
Gaasbeek Castle is beautifully renovated and hosts a fun expo all summer. Around the castle is also an impressive garden and park that are fun to stroll through. Across the road is also the Groenenberg castle and garden.
3. Abdij van Averbode
Averbode Abbey is definitely worth a visit. You can take a guided tour every Sunday and taste cheeses and beers at the abbey pub het Moment. One street beside the abbey transforms into ”lekdreef” in summer with several ice cream stalls to enjoy on the hot days. The “Norbertines walk” is my absolute favourite. You walk through nature reserve heath and forest and especially at the end of August this is beautiful because that's when the heather flowers turn purple!