Mechelen travel guide: best things to do
Nestled between Brussels and Antwerp, Mechelen is a charming Belgian city that is not very well-known abroad, but it’s packed with history, culture, and hidden gems waiting to be discovered. From stunning medieval architecture and cozy cafés to vibrant markets and unique local experiences, Mechelen has something for every traveler. Whether you’re strolling along the cobbled streets, exploring centuries-old churches, or sampling local delicacies, this city is perfect for a weekend getaway. In this guide, we’ll take you through the must-see highlights of Mechelen, helping you make the most of your visit.
How to go to Mechelen?
First, you will need to get to Belgium. There are two airports in Belgium: Brussels Airport and Brussels South Charleroi Airport. The latter airport is often used by low-cost airlines and is not located in Brussels.
From Brussels Airport, you can easily take the train to Mechelen. You can buy tickets at the train station at Brussels Airport, which is located on the lowest level.
From Brussels South Charleroi Airport, there are different options for getting to Mechelen. There is a Flibco bus that goes to the Brussels South train station. From there, you can take the train to Mechelen. Or you can take the bus to the train station of Charleroi and take the train from there to Mechelen.
You can find the best flight tickets through Skyscanner.
How to get around Mechelen?
When you arrive in Mechelen by train, you are a 15-minute walk away from the city center. Almost all attractions are there, so you can easily reach them on foot. If you want to explore other parts of the city or go for a walk in nature, you can always take a bus or an Uber.
Where to stay in Mechelen?
There are hotels in various price ranges available in Mechelen; some tips are:
- Stay overnight at a unique location at Hotel Brouwerij het Anker. Ideal to combine with a visit to the brewery.
- Hotel Martin’s Patershof is located in a former church in the center of Mechelen. This 800-year-old church has been transformed into a 4-star hotel.
- Prefer a bed and breakfast? Then B&B De Vrome Vos is the place for you. This small B&B with two rooms is located in Mechelen’s Grand Beguinage.
- A budget option is the 3-star B&B Hotel, located an 8-minute walk from Mechelen station.
What to do in Mechelen?
Discover Mechelen by bike with the bike guide
You will soon discover that Mechelen is also a real cycling city: the entire city center of Mechelen is one large bicycle zone. So, of course, there is no better way to discover the city than on a bike tour. With the bike guide, you can get to know Mechelen in different ways. During the Mechelen Classics tour on Sunday morning, you will spend three hours exploring all the highlights of Mechelen. And along the way, you will learn more about the city’s fascinating history.
Don’t have a bike with you during your weekend in Mechelen? No problem, you can also rent a bike for a small extra charge when booking the tour.
All information can be found on the website.
Beerwalk through Mechelen
Are you a beer lover? Then a walk through Mechelen with a beer tasting is just the thing for you. You start at the city’s only brewery (Brouwerij het Anker) and continue on a unique discovery tour through the city. You will taste unique beers at five different locations, where you will learn more about the city’s unique history. Read about our experience here.
The Market Square
On the Market Square, you can admire the town hall, which consists of three different parts in three different architectural styles from different periods. The middle part, the belfry, is the oldest and was built in the 14th century. The second part is the Palace of the Grand Council, which was built at the beginning of the 20th century according to the original plans. Finally, the Cloth Hall was built on the other side of the belfry.
The numerous cafés and restaurants invite you to enjoy this beautiful view and listen to the carillon.
On Saturdays, the weekly market also takes place here.
Want a fully personalized itinerary for your trip? I can create it for you; learn more here.
St Rumbold’s tower
From the main square, you also have a perfect view of the mighty St. Rumbold’s Tower. The tower, with its 514 steps, offers a fantastic view of the city from the skywalk. But don’t forget to take a look inside the cathedral itself.
The nickname of the people of Mechelen also originates from the tower. One night in the 17th century, people thought their beloved tower was on fire. They rushed up the stairs with buckets of water until… the moon broke through the fog and they saw that the tower was not on fire at all. From that day on, the people of Mechelen have been called ‘maneblussers’ (moon extinguishers).
More information can be found on the website.
Plan your trip to Mechelen like a pro
✈️ Book your cheap flights to Belgium on Skyscanner
🏨 Reserve a hotel, apartment, or holiday home at Booking.com
🚕 Need a transfer from the airport? Use Welcome Pickups or download the Bolt or Uber app
🛜 Use Airalo eSIM to avoid roaming fees. Use SHARON9895 to get €3
📺 Use NordVPN to keep watching your favorite programs or movies on the go
🚗 Need to rent a car? Use DiscoverCars or Local Rent
🚆 Buy train tickets from Omio or RailEurope
🎟️ Pre-book tours, entrance tickets, and activities via Viator or GetYourGuide
🏥 Get travel insurance at World Nomads or Safety Wing
Large and small Beguinage
If you were a widow or single woman during the Crusades, you would either go and live in a convent or in a beguinage. Because many convents often only accepted wealthier women, living together in a beguinage was the best solution for many women. Beguines did not take a vow of chastity and were not bound to the beguinage for life. The picturesque, small, and narrow streets are a place of relaxation, an escape from the busy city. The Small Beguinage is the oldest in Mechelen.
Fish Market
An important hotspot for the people of Mechelen is the Fish Market (Vismarkt). Take a seat on one of the terraces and enjoy the atmosphere. Especially in summer, this is the place to be for a delicious ice cream and a cocktail or a (Gouden Carolus) beer.
Oat Yard
As the name suggests, oats used to be unloaded and traded here (Haverwerf). At that time, Mechelen had exclusive storage rights for this. The three beautiful houses from the 16th and 17th centuries near the bridge are particularly eye-catching.
Walking along the Dijle or boat trip on the Dijle
From the Haverwerf, you can walk along the floating Dijlepad to see Mechelen from a different angle. Or take a boat trip on the Binnendijle (every Saturday, Sunday, and public holiday) or explore the city center of Mechelen by canoe or SUP.
Streetart
On the initiative of artist Gijs Vanhee, various facades in Mechelen’s city center were decorated with beautiful street art: Mechelen Muurt. New street art is added from time to time, but the most important works can be found on the website.
Het Anker Brewery
The Anker Brewery was founded by a community of Beguines and is located at the end of the Grand Beguinage. This is where Gouden Carolus beer is brewed, which was once the favorite triple beer of Emperor Charles V, who grew up in Mechelen. The most popular beer is Gouden Carolus Classic, a dark beer with an alcohol content of 7.5% that won a gold medal at the World Beer Awards in 2012.
Since 2010, they have also been producing Gouden Carolus Single Malt Whisky from the mash of Gouden Carolus Tripel. This whisky was, in turn, used as an infusion for the production of my favorite beer: Gouden Carolus Whisky Infused. I highly recommend trying it.
There are tours during the week and on the weekend. A visit to the brewery and distillery is only possible at the weekend and includes a visit to both, together with a tasting of 1 beer and 1 whisky. Would you like to visit just the brewery? Then book the enjoyment tour (available both during the week and at weekends; 2 beers) or the tasting tour (only at weekends; 3 beers). Reservations can be made via the website.
Dossin Kazerne
Dossin Kazerne is a very important part of Belgian history and a special place of remembrance. It was used by the Nazis as a deportation center: trains departed from here to German concentration camps. The barracks are now a memorial, and across the street is a new museum: Dossin Barracks: Memorial, Museum, and Documentation Center on the Holocaust and Human Rights.
Museum Hof van Busleyden
The former city palace in Mechelen is now the beautiful Hof van Busleyden museum. Discover the grand history of the city of Mechelen through the constantly changing exhibitions.
Technopolis
Technopolis is located outside the center of Mechelen and is not your typical museum. Here, visitors can experiment with interactive exhibits themselves, but you can also follow one of the demonstrations. Children can really enjoy themselves here. Be sure to check out the daily program to find out what you can do and when.
Toy museum
The toy museum opened its doors in 1982 and is now located next to the parking lot of Mechelen station. Here you will find one of the most extensive toy collections in the world. Toys from all over the world, toys from the past and present.
Planckendael
Planckendael Zoo is located in Muizen, a borough of Mechelen. The zoo has a continental layout with a natural character. There are also many open spaces in the park and a large playground.
Bonus tip: Zellaer Castle
In the center of Bonheiden, a stone’s throw from Mechelen, you can admire the beautiful Zellaer Castle. The neo-Gothic moated castle is located in an oasis of greenery, perfect for a short walk. Every first Sunday of the month at 2 p.m., you can visit the castle with a guide.
Want a fully personalized itinerary for your trip? I can create it for you; learn more here.
Where to eat in Mechelen
Mechelen has many nice restaurants and cafés where you can enjoy both classic Belgian dishes and international cuisine. Here are some of our favorites.
My travel essentials
✈️ Book your cheap flights to Belgium on Skyscanner
🏨 Reserve a hotel, apartment, or holiday home at Booking.com
🚕 Need a transfer from the airport? Use Welcome Pickups or download the Bolt or Uber app
🛜 Use Airalo eSIM to avoid roaming fees. Use SHARON9895 to get €3
📺 Use NordVPN to keep watching your favorite programs or movies on the go
🚗 Need to rent a car? Use DiscoverCars or Local Rent
🚆 Buy train tickets from Omio or RailEurope
💳 Use Wise to pay in Belgium at the real exchange rate and avoid expensive foreign card fees
🎟️ Pre-book tours, entrance tickets, and activities via Viator or GetYourGuide
🏥 Get travel insurance at World Nomads or Safety Wing
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