Leuven: Cycling, Lakes, Picnic and Trails

Start the day early to get the most out of it, although the timetable is always later when travelling with children. It doesn't matter, it's a holiday!

The first destination of the day is the city of Leuven, less than an hour's drive away. You will find many paid car parks around the city centre. This is just one. Most of them are open 24 hours a day and have an hourly rate and a maximum daily rate.

Just behind the suggested car park there is a supermarket where you can go to buy what you need for your picnic lunch. If you think it is too early, there is another supermarket just like this one near the Botanical Park (and this park is suggested in the itinerary).

The proposal is to take a short walk in and around the main square and then rent a bicycle. The first destination you'll see is the Grote Mark or main square, where it's a good idea to stand in the centre and make a slow 360-degree turn to admire everything around you.

The building that will undoubtedly catch your eye is the City Hall (the stadhuis), one of the most beautiful buildings and a symbol of Leuven. When you get to know the town halls in Belgium you think you will not be surprised by any of them, but they always surprise you. In this case, for example, the building has 235 sculptures on the façade. Yes, all of them! You can stop for a few minutes and look at them carefully. Do you recognise any of them?
On one side of the building is the tourist office. You can stop by for up-to-date information and maps. If they give you illustrated maps, you can play with your children to find those drawings in reality, while they walk around.

Opposite the town hall there is another building that will catch your eye: St. Peter's Church, one of the two magisterial churches in the world. It was given the adjective magistral because all of its ecclesiastical staff were doctors of theology.
Open Hours If you would like to enter the church there are the following opening times. Monday - Saturday: 10:00-16:00 Sunday: 11:00 - 16:30 To enter the museum (which is not included in this itinerary) you have to pay an entrance fee, which is included in the entrance fee to the M Louven museum.

If you keep walking you will come to the charming Oude Markt, which many consider to be the largest bar in the world, because there are bars all along its perimeter.
It is a rectangular square, with the typical buildings of Belgian cities and many tables and chairs occupying a large part of the ground. Walk slowly while observing all the movement around you. Ask your children to look for the statue of a woman resting on a bench. And don't forget to take pictures!
Throughout the city there are several sculptures that you can look for and photograph.

After walking around the highlights of the old town, it's a good idea to do what everyone does in countries like Belgium: rent a bike!
This is one of the places where you can rent bicycles: Leuven Leisure.
You can rent bikes and explore the surroundings of the city on your own. For example, it includes the Botanical Garden (Kruidtuin), the University Library with its tower, the Stella Artois brewery (if only to see it from the outside) and the Great Leuven Beguinage.
Or you can take one of the routes offered by the tourist office. Here are some options for cycling. If you decide to do one of these routes, the one that is recommended for children is the one that goes through the 4 abbeys, because they will be able to see animals in the canals, beautiful buildings and green landscapes. Also, try to make up stories with your children, for example, think of one that takes place in the different abbeys. In this link you have the 4 abbeys route marked on google maps provided by the tourist office.
When cycling around the city, be sure to pay attention to the walls to discover some very original graffiti and painted murals.

The first destination on this bike tour is the city's Botanical Garden, the oldest in Belgium. Although it is not as big as other botanical gardens in the world, it has everything you need for a pleasant walk. You can observe species from all over the world and play with the children to guess their names and origins. You might also find a small animal.
Open Hours May to September: Monday to Saturday from 8:00 - 20:00 Sundays and public holidays from 9:00-20:00
October to April: Monday to Saturday from 8:00 - 18:00 Sundays and holidays from 9:00-18:00

This urban park, Dijlepark, can be a good option for a picnic lunch. Leave the bikes aside, spread out some blankets (or just the food) and enjoy the green grass, water and ducks with your kids.
They always love the idea of a picnic. If you prefer, you can do it in another park, but this one is "on the way". In this link you have the options of parks to go with children in Louven.

The next stop on the tour is Leuven's Grand Beguinage, which is like a neighbourhood made up of about 100 houses, spanning both sides of the Dijle River, with canals and bridges.
Originally, in the 13th century, there lived a community of semi-religious women, Beguines. Then it fell into disrepair until 1962, when the University of Leuven decided to buy the property and refurbish it for the use of this institution.
You will be struck by how well-kept the place is and how peaceful it is to stroll around. It is a nice place to take pictures.

Another site you can see on this tour is the university library building, which was refurbished twice after two fires. It now houses 1.5 million books. The wood-panelled reading room with its wooden furniture is a beauty, but can only be visited at weekends. What you can do if you're interested is tour the rest of the building and climb the tower for panoramic views of the city.
Open Hours Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 9:00 - 17:00 (last climb at 16:00) Tuesdays and Thursdays: (except 21/7 and 23 and 30/8): 9:00 - 20:00 (last climb at 19:00) Saturday, Sunday and holidays: 10:00-17:00 (last boarding at 16:00)

Chocolate is a must on this first day of your trip, so before leaving the city you can stop by Tarufo, a very famous traditional chocolate shop in the city which, according to its advertising, offers 56 different types of praline and 12 types of truffles. You will be spoilt for choice!
Open Hours Wednesday - Saturday: 12:00- 18:30
It is not open every day.

If Tartufo is closed or if you prefer to buy other kinds of sweets to take with you on your route, such as pancakes, you can go for a walk in Leopanqueques and, while you're at it, take a bike ride through the Mechelsestraat and the Vismarkt area, which is a very nice shopping area of the city.
If you don't want pancakes, it's still worth a stroll through this area of the city.
Open Hours Wednesday - Sunday: 9:00 - 17:00

Now it is! It's time to get back the bike and go for the car to continue the journey!

The second suggestion of the day is to drive to Lake Meer van Rotselaar where you can swim in the water and make sandcastles on the beach. For some time now, the beach has been fee-paying, but if you are a family that loves sand and water, it is worth paying the entrance fee even if you are only staying for a few hours.
Another option (you can do both!) is to take the path next to the car park and walk along the lake (or at least part of it), as it is a very nice wooded path. Along the way you will come across several small piers to look out over the water.
Also, you can ask at the cafeteria if they rent kayaks or some kind of boat to navigate the water. There is also a windsurfing club on the lake, but they do not always rent out equipment to non-members. Of course, you can always ask.

Next to the car park you have this cafe if you want to have a drink before heading to the next town for the night. Another option is to drive into town, stay in the hotel and go out for an early dinner.
Open Hours Monday - Thursday: 12:00 - 24:00 Friday: 15:00 - 24:00 Saturday: 12:00 - 24:00 Sunday: 11:00 - 24:00

The suggested city to sleep in is Mechelen, because it is a kid friendly city and has many options for an early start the next day! Look for a centrally located hotel, with parking and breakfast, so you have that taken care of. Leave your bags and go out and find a place to eat.

You can walk towards Borzestraat and IJzerenleen streets and look for a place like this pizzeria. Remember that many places close around 10pm (or earlier).
At this pizzeria you will find pizzas and pastas that the kids are sure to love.
Open Hours Wednesday - Thursday: 17:30- 21:30 Friday - Saturday: 17:30 - 22:30 Sunday: 17:30- 21:30

Have a nice rest!