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.

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.