Groot Begijnhof Leuven

Beautiful ancient buildings, as if returning to the past years, worth visiting

The begijnhof neighborhood in Leuven is recognized by UNESCO as a world heritage site (along with other begijnhofs in Flanders). It feels as though you’re stepping back in time while walking through the immaculately well-maintained streets admiring the old stone roads and the red brick buildings. A professor at the local university informed us that the residents are a mix of established locals as well as university students. Irrespective of the profiles of the neighborhood’s inhabitants, it is extremely serene, quiet and feels safe even walking alone late at night. While it is a good hike from the train station and a bit away from the center of town, make the trip to the begijnhof for a step back in time.

Gives you a very old colonial vibe as soon as you step into the streets. Its a well preserved beguinage containing numerous houses and apartments and is owned by the University for its housing needs. With beautiful brick houses, stone walkways, canals and a garden…this is a must visit spot in Leuven

Really calm and nice place, worth a visit if you are in the area

I love this place because I can feel the lives of people in the past and now. Small windows with non-flat glasses and their live through the windows attract me and make me go back to past. Bumpy stone-paved road help me to imagine the world without cars.

UNESCO WH site. Gorgeous and well restored housing which is now used for student accommodation in Leuven.

Free to access and wonder around, quietness is encouraged as the place is quiet and peaceful so visitors are encouraged to keep noise to a minimum.

Walking distance from Leuven city centre.

One thing I did notice was the lack of bins and seating areas to take a break during the walk.

Very nice old district, we had luck to be there at Sunday evening. It was almost empty, very calm, with romantic flair and seldom pedestrians passing the streets. Definitely one "must-see" during the visit to Loeven!

It feels exceptional to stay at a world heritage site, the magnificent “Groot Begijnhof”, where I had the opportunity to stay during my visiting professorship at KU Leuven.

When you are looking for authentic little Bruge vibe and calm location, i recommend this historic area of Leuven, Groot Begijnhof. It's small but ideal place to escape from the busy center (even it's pretty) and take your time to enjoy. There are little part just nearby it for those people who are interested to check out the park (with a cute little bridge if you take a look at the map).

Nice, nice and again - very nice place you absolutely must visit, it moves you to the ancient age, I was very amazed how it could last so many years, the atmosphere is gorgeous, houses, backyards, paths, streams, everything was woderful, you can make extraordinary pictures there, great great! I must say thank you for everybody who saved this place for us and our children

Beautiful relaxing place totally worth a visit when in Leuven. Its a well deserved Unesco site. The history of the Beguines is worth exploring as a movement challenging traditions and cultures, and alternative points of view.

A beautiful tiny town built inside another beautiful town, Leuven.
It is an official UNESCO world heritage site, built in 1232, it's a place of silence and rest, where students, professors and visitors from abroad live to be near of the University

I’ve been to Begijnhoven all over Belgium. Probably because it is a mostly-Dutch/Belgian concept, but still. All of them have the same characteristics (green grass courtyards for washing clothes, little houses right next to each other and cosy streets, a church on the grounds, etc..) but what makes this one special is not-hidden in the name. It is pretty big. The one in Antwerp and Tongeren are small in comparison (not less cute though).
You’d be amiss not to stroll through this serene and walled-in area of Leuven, stubbing your toes against the cobblestones and wondering if people still live here (spoiler: a lot of students still do).

This is truly a beautiful place. It's also a good place for children and there are lots of grass and even a place to play frisbee and football! Some of the houses need a bit of repairing but it is normal since the houses are hundreds of years old! What a magnificent experience for anyone.

A beautiful place with a great history behind it. It's definitely worth visiting! 🤍

Spectacular place in Leuven. I have never seen a so peaceful place. It's just like a small town inside Leuven. It seems to stay in Hogwarts or something like that. The best place I have seen in Belgium!! There are many silent houses, no one comes in the streets and there is a small river that gives to this place something magic! I think that every places in the world should have a corner of peace like Groot!

Beautiful place full of peace and calm

Went on a weekend visit to Leuven and this place was breathtaking. So calm and peaceful yet holding a huge history. It used to be a residence of Nuns and now a UNESCO heritage site perfect for promenade 🤗

Very beautifully and well preserved beguinage. Several buildings, bridges and even a church.
It is a great place for a walk and it does have some places where you can stop and relax a bit.
Unfortunately, it is not very suitable for wheelchair access due to its uneven stone streets.

This place takes you back in time. Amazing old brick structures and iron gates. The church was closed when we went. It is a very cool place to wander around and explore.