St Donatus Park

Laid out in English landscape style, this pretty park is also home to the remains of the 12th century city walls including one of Leuven’s several extant fortified towers.

Hortus Botanical Garden

Also known as the Herb Garden, this is one of the few botanical gardens in Belgium, and is also the oldest, dating from 1738. Now home to an extensive collection of trees, shrubs and plants, there is also a greenhouse complex containing tropical and subtropical plants, and a pretty orangery.

The Artois Brewery

Tours are available of this world famous brewery, which dates back to the 14th century when it was known as Den Horen (the Horn). The famous Stella Artois barley beer was introduced in 1926.

Kessel-Lo Provincial Recreation Park

A family park, which is ideal for recreation, sports and education. Children will love the playgrounds, electric boats, mini cars, mini-golf, bike rides, go-karts, row boating, pedal boating and heated splashing pool. For sports enthusiasts there are tennis courts, football pitches, volleyball and basketball courts, a roller-skating rink and two skate ramps.

Visitors can also enjoy the bee-house, the petting zoo, and the eco-house with its permanent water exhibition. For those who want to take it easy, there is a tree orchard, pretty flower gardens and a herb garden. A footpath leads to the former abbey of Vlierbeek.

The Domus Brewery Pub

This small brewery produces 800 litres of beer a year and two of its three beers, Nostra Domus and Con Domus, are pumped directly to the Domus Pub next to the brewery by a small pipeline. In winter the brewery also produces its best selling, dark Christmas beer, Nen Engel. Group tours of the brewery are available by appointment. www.domusleuven.be

Arenberg Castle

Once the home of the de Croy family and dating back to the 14th century, this magnificent castle is now home to the Applied Sciences faculty of the University. Set amongst a beautiful park it has still retained its original grandeur.