Crocuses in the Kruidtuin
Belgium's oldest botanical garden turns purple in February, when thousands of crocuses turn the Kruidtuin's grass into a sea of flowers. Missed it? Not at all, because it's the starting signal for much more color. The university created this green oasis back in 1738 for its medical students. Today it is a lovely haven of peace with greenhouses full of tropical plants and herbaceous curiosities.
Free to visit, so ideal for a spring outing in the heart of the city.
www.visitleuven.be/kruidtuin
Cycle out of the city and into spring
Escape the city and bike into the woods. The Meerdaalroute takes you from Leuven straight into the Brabantse Wouden National Park. After barely a few kilometers, you swap bricks for trees, birds and silence. Along the way you cycle past the impressive Park Abbey, inviting terraces and a play area with the craziest climbing and clambering equipment.
Parks as picnic paradise
Leuven has more than fifteen parks, all ideal places to enjoy lunch in the spring sunshine. Find peace and quiet in the hidden Dijlepark, plop down among the students in Sint-Donatuspark, stroll through Sluispark on the Vaartkom or climb to Keizersberg for a picnic with a view of the city.
Tip: Pick up fresh delicacies at the weekly market and put together your own picnic basket.
The city as canvas
From tunnels to sports fields, fire stations and old factories, Leuven is one big open-air museum. More than 275 murals color the city, from subtle wall drawings to monumental facade art. Discover them with Visit Leuven's street art brochure or via the free Street Art Cities app, which even shows you which works are new or have disappeared.
Buy the brochure for 1 euro at Visit Leuven, Jozef Vounckplein 2 or download via visitleuven.be/street-art-walks
Main image ©City of Leuven