The city of Leuven is a university town located about 25 kilometres east of the capital city of Brussels. It is the capital of the Flemish Brabant province in Flanders and is in the vicinity of a number of major cities in Belgium. The city covers an area...more
The city of Leuven is a university town located about 25 kilometres east of the capital city of Brussels. It is the capital of the Flemish Brabant province in Flanders and is in the vicinity of a number of major cities in Belgium. The city covers an area of over 55 square kilometres and is home to a population of over 100,000 inhabitants, with a considerably large student population making up a significant percentage of the population.
The history of Leuven dates back to 891 during the time of the Vikings. It also played an important role during the First World War when it sustained heavy damage from warfare. It also suffered great loss during the Second World War but almost all the buildings in the town have since been restored and remain preserved as monumental historic buildings that are well-worth a visit.
Leuven offers a number of attractions and places-of-interest for sight-seeing travellers. Prominent landmarks in the city include the historic Town Hall which was established during the 9th century and is a popular attraction of the city. Other key landmarks include the Fonske, Beguinage, Park abbey, Collegium Trilingue, Old Market, War Monument, British Military Cemetery De Jacht, St.Peter's Church, Castle of Arenberg, the City Museum and the Botanical Garden.
The closest airport to Leuven is the Brussels Airport, which is located about 25 kilometres away from Leuven. The Brussels Airport is the busiest airport in the country and also offers a number of low-cost carriers to travellers who would prefer to spend less on airfare. Several other low-cost carriers are available at Brussels South Charleroi Airport which is located slightly further away - about a 2 hour drive - from Leuven.
Though there are no known Halal restaurants in Leuven city itself, finding Halal food around Leuven will not be that difficult due to its convenient location. The nearest Halal restaurant to Leuven is the LasPizza Zaventem - an Italian pizza restaurant which is located at Spoorwegstraat 11, Zaventem, Vlaams Gewest. Travellers could also try the Tek Kebab-Snack Turkish restaurant which is located further away at 36 Wiekevorst-Dorp, Heist-op-den-Berg. However, speaking with locals and enquiring around could reveal more Halal food options in the vicinity of Leuven city.
The nearest mosque to Leuven city is the Masjid Othman which is located at Hoogstraat 148, Zaventem. The mosque offers ample parking space as well as separate prayer facilities for women. However, finding prayer facilities in Leuven itself will be somewhat difficult due to the lack of mosques within city limits.
Boulevard du Jardin Botanique 7, Brussels, Brussel Hoofdstedelijk Gewest 1000
Boulevard Maurice Lemonnier 165, Brussels, Brussel Hoofdstedelijk Gewest 1000
Prayer times for Leuven,Belgium