Leuven information

Leuven (Dutch Leuven, English Louvain, French Louvain, German Löwen) is the capital of the province of Flemish Brabant in Flanders, Belgium. It is located about 30 kilometers east of Brussels, with as other neighbouring cities Mechelen, Aarschot, Tienen, and Wavre.
It is one of the Flanders' Art Cities.
The municipality comprises the historical city of Leuven and the adjacent villages of Heverlee, Kessel-Lo, a part of Korbeek-Lo, Wilsele and Wijgmaal. (...) more....

Leuven travel guide by

Weather wise the best time is spring and summer, but in this part of Europe summer is no guarantee for nice, dry days...
Leuven has two distinct periods: the academic year when the city vibrates on the rhythm of the many students, and summer when all is more laid back and some smaller festivities lit a little spark.
So if you want to enjoy Leuven as a lively city come in Spring, when students are in town and exams are still away.
If you want to feel the 'local' touch, drop by in summer, the centre is peaceful, festivities bring music into town and draw a small crowd, and enjoy the lush parks.
Autumn may have a wet reputation but offers the spirit of the new academic year and the opportunity to discover the city as a freshmen.

Leuven travel guide last edited by Burry

Leuven is easy to get to as it is on the crossroads of railways and the E40 and E314 motorways.
By air: fly into Brussels Airport and take a direct train connection from the airport of Brussels (Zaventem) to Leuven (direction of Liege/luik, Genk or Eupen).
By train: direct train connections from Brussels (direction Liege/Luik or Genk), Antwerp, Liege (directions Brussels, Ostend or Ghent).
By car: on the ring road of Brussel (R0) take the interchange to the E40 direction Leuven/Luik, just past Bertem take the interchange to the E314 direction Leuven/Genk/Hasselt and then take the first junction (N264) to Leuven centre. You will enter Leuven by the Kapucijnenvoer or when you reach Leuven take the ring road left or right.

Within Leuven you should walk, bike or take one of the many busses, as driving is restricted (lots of one-way streets) and parking spaces are very limited. One will notice that the city is taken over by the students on their bicycles, cars have to surrender.

Leuven travel guide last edited by Burry

Within the old city centre there are not a lot of real locals, as most people that 'live' here are students from throughout Flanders and abroad, as also twentysomethings that stay in town when they have their first job(s) in Leuven, Brussels or around. So if you do not want to stick out, any 'European' behavior or attitude will do, with the notible Flemish touch: people are calm, seem shy; they do not make contact with others easily.
But there is definitely one thing that is local: Stella. One must at least once drink this lager sitting on a terrace watching the people pass by. The Stella beer is almost a synonym for Leuven.

Leuven travel guide last edited by Burry

Official Belgian public holidays: New Year's Day, Easter (Monday), Labour Day 1st of May, Ascension, Pentecost (Monday), National Holiday 21st of July, Assumption of Mary 15th of August, All Saints, Armistice 11th of November and Christmas.
Flemish holiday: National Day of Flanders 11th of July (only governmental depts. and banks close).

Leuven travel guide last edited by Burry

As for Belgium in general, you do not need any specific inoculations, tap water is safe to drink and there are no real health risks.

Gifted with belgiums largest hospital and a respected medical college, high quality care is in easy reach.
If you need a GP during the weekend or after business hours, call +32 (0)70 25 70 25. This service will tell you which GP is on duty and where to find him/her.
If you have an emergency and need immediate care, go to the emergency of the University Gasthuisberg hospital (http://www.uzleuven.be/en - Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven (Gasthuisberg hill) - Tel.: +32 (0)16 34 39 00) or the Heilig Hart Hospital (Naamsestraat 105, 3000 Leuven (centre) - Tel.: + 32 (0)16 20 92 80).
General medical emergency number: dial 100
General emergency number: dial 112
Red Cross Leuven: +32 (0)16 40 02 75
Flemish Cross Ambulance Leuven: +32(0)16 232412

Leuven travel guide last edited by Burry