Leuven: The Tiniest Big City in Belgium

Located in the Flemish region of Belgium, Leuven is a historic university town that packs a lot of fun, culture, and beer into just 57.90 square kilometers.

Known as the beer capital of the world, Leuven is home to the Stella Artois brewery, which has been churning out the finest quality lager since the town was founded in the 12th century. Locals say that drinking Stella Artois in Leuven is like drinking holy water in the Vatican - it’s an experience like no other.

Apart from being the ultimate mecca for beer lovers, Leuven is also a great place to explore Europe’s rich cultural history. The town boasts several museums dedicated to artwork, science, history, and beer (yes, beer!). And if you’re a bookworm, the 15th-century library of Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, with its jaw-dropping architecture, is the place to be.

Leuven is a student town, with over 60% of its population being students. This means that by day, the town is bustling with academics, while at night, it transforms into a hub of wild parties, pub crawls, and student life shenanigans. It’s no surprise that Leuven was ranked the most student-friendly city in the world by the British magazine, QS.

Leuven is also famous for its quirky Goth parade that takes place every November. The parade features grim reapers, witches, zombies, and other spooky creatures. The parade is so eerie that it makes the entire town feel like the set of a Tim Burton movie.

One of the biggest attractions in Leuven is the ‘Fonske.’ It is a bronze statue of a student who represents the typical Leuven student who enjoys life to the fullest. Locals believe that rubbing the statue’s head brings good luck, and makes the town’s unique charm rub off on you.

Leuven’s size has always been a source of amusement for locals, and visitors alike. It’s often joked that Leuven is so tiny that you can walk from one end of the town to the other in less than 45 minutes. But don’t let that fool you; there is much more to this city than its size.

So if you’re looking for a place to experience medieval charm, a vibrant student life, and delicious beer, look no further than Leuven.