Is Leuven safe for solo female travelers?

Leuven is generally safe for solo female travelers. There's a low crime rate, and local people are friendly and tolerant, often speaking English. The city is well-lit and public transport is reliable. However, like any city, it is advised to take usual precautions, avoid deserted areas at night and keep an eye on your belongings.

Safety rating

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How safe is Leuven for female travelers?

Emmie

Emmie

United States

Solo travel

Leuven is extremely safe, even at night. Lots of drunk students during the week but actually quieter during the weekend. Belgian food isn’t fantastic (with the exception of Liege waffles; it’s a crime not to get one—go to Josephine, it’s better than Pinocchio), but there are other good restaurants around (I recommend Nirvana for incredible Indian) and lots of good vegetarian options. You can do most of Leuven in a day, so it’s a good day trip from Brussels. It’s a beautiful, beautiful city.

Posted: June 10, 2024
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How safe is Leuven for women?

Local safety index

4.2 /5

Based on 13 local experiences

Local crime index

1.2 /5

Based on 13 local experiences

For me living in Leuven feels safe. I grew up there and I have never feit really unsafe. Only when you go out at night you need to be aware that there are men and women out there with the wrong intentions. Always be carefull

Posted: July 24, 2025
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Madeleine

Madeleine

Leuven is a student city with a very low crime rate, very very safe overall! I haven’t lived there for too long, but there is a large population of international students, so it feels diverse and inclusive as well!

Posted: July 11, 2025
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aster

aster

Leuven is a university city, so there are a lot of students and night life is pretty big. Leuven is pretty small. I generally feel very safe in my city, and if anything happens, I know most strangers would be happy to help. I do feel a little unsafe when I am alone outside at night, but I think that’s also because I am very scared of being sexually harassed in general, not because Leuven is unsafe. I get catcalled once in a while, but i never experienced anything worse than that in my city.

Posted: May 4, 2025
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I grew up here, so for me it does not feel dangerous at all. I never walk where there is nobody at night. I never been robbed. Felt uncomfortable just once or twice in my 22years of excistence, but nothing really happend

Posted: March 9, 2025
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Leuven is a student city so apart from some dumb young people who do dumb shit I haven’t encountered anything dangerous. Be aware of spiking during parties tho. That can always happen! I walk home fairly often in the dark. Little sketchy feeling places. Usually busy no matter at what hour you’re walking around

Posted: February 27, 2025
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Safety in Belgium