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Leuven University Library on the Ladeuze squareTrougnouf (Benoit Brummer) · CC BY 4.0

What to do · Leuven

The University Library and its tower

Tower and exhibition · 1 h · €10 · €5 students · free under 12 · carillon

InformationFrom €10 adult
From
€10 adult
Duration
1 h
Season
All year
Who it's for
All ages

Leuven University Library, on the Ladeuze square, was built after the First World War, with American help, to replace the one the German army burned in 1914; it was set on fire again in 1940. Its tower has a carillon and an exhibition on that history, and at the top, a view over the whole city.

Tickets

The tower and its exhibition cost €10, €8 reduced and €5 for students; under-12s do not pay. The library with an audio guide, €5. If you are also going to see M Leuven, the ILUVLeuven Ticket combines the library, tower, a city walk and M Leuven or Park Abbey for €19. There are carillon concerts on Tuesday evenings and Wednesday afternoons.

With children

At weekends and during holidays there is a family visit to the library, for €5 or €10 with the tower.

Tips

  • The carillon If you coincide with a concert, go up and listen to it from the tower.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to climb the Leuven library tower?

€10, and free for under-12s.

What does the ILUVLeuven Ticket include?

The library, the tower, a city walk and M Leuven or Park Abbey, for €19.

As a familyWith teenagers

Opening hours and prices can change: check them before you go.

Round off the plan

Where to eat, where to stay and what else to do

To eat nearby

The dining room of Domus, with wooden tables and leaded windows© DomusBrasserie with its own brewery since 1985

Domus

Restaurant · Leuven · Tiensestraat · €€€€

What to order: a Flemish house dish with one of its beers, which arrive through a copper pipe from the brewery opposite

Tuesday to Sunday · closed Monday · no midday break on Friday, Saturday and Sunday
The dining room of Lukemieke, with checked-tablecloth tables© LukemiekeVegetarian cooking on weekdays, beside the park

Lukemieke

Restaurant · Leuven · Vlamingenstraat · €€€€

What to order: the vegetarian dish of the day, with soup

Monday to Friday, 12:00–14:00 and 18:00–20:00 · closed weekends and 18 July to 16 August

To stay nearby

A double room at the hostel© Leuven City HostelHostel

Leuven City Hostel

Central hostel · Doubles and family rooms · Enclosed bike shed

Why we like it: Hostel a minute from the Ladeuze square, with beds from €22, doubles from €67 and family rooms for four from €93.

From €22 / bed View details
Hotel

Martin's Klooster

Four stars · Former 500-year-old convent · 135 rooms beside the Dijle

Why we like it: Four-star hotel in a historic building about 500 years old beside the river Dijle, with 135 rooms, a bar, an orangery and a restaurant.

Itineraries

Features in these plans