When the sun finally starts to shine again, the city’s atmosphere changes completely. Outdoor cafes fill up, parks come alive, and the area surrounding the city invites you to explore.
In the summer, Leuven is actually one of the nicest cities in Belgium: compact, with green spaces nearby, and full of outdoor cafes and activities. And the best part is that you can be out in nature or in small villages within 10–20 minutes. Here are some fun things to do in Leuven and the surrounding area during the summer.
Outdoor cafes or coffee bars in the city center
Of course, you can’t visit Leuven without stopping by the Oude Markt. It’s known worldwide as “Europe’s longest bar,” and that’s no exaggeration. In the summer, the square transforms into one big, continuous terrace.
You’ll also find cozy coffee shops all over Leuven. Our favorites? Madmum, Onan, Koffie en Staal, MOK, and Pulse Hub.
The green spaces around Leuven
What’s great about Leuven? You don’t have to travel for hours. Just a few minutes’ drive from downtown, you can swap the historic facades for a sea of greenery. The majestic Heverlee Forest, the picturesque Meerdaal Forest, and Park Abbey are all highly recommended!
Summer events & festivals
During the summer, the city of Leuven organizes a wide variety of events. Under the banners “Het Groot Verlof” and “beleuvenissen,” the city center transforms into one big open-air festival from July through August. The best part? Most of these events are completely free!
Discover Leuven's complete event calendar at https://leuven.be/agenda.