Discover Mechelen: A city between history and modernity
Mechelen, a beautiful city in Belgium, is strategically located between Brussels and Antwerp. Here you will discover an interesting mix of history, culture and modern amenities. It’s actually far too good to only spend a short time in the city, there are so many great destinations to discover in and around the city.
The old town of Mechelen is known for its well-preserved buildings from the Renaissance and Gothic periods. One remarkable building is the St. Rombouts Cathedral, which is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visitors can climb the tower to enjoy a panoramic view of the city and the surrounding area. There are several churches in the city that can be discovered on a tour. If you look closely, you will see one or two masterpieces, such as works by Rubens.
The Hof van Busleyden Museum offers insights into the history of the city and its role during the Burgundian period. The Toy Museum is an attraction that might be of interest to families.
The Dijlepad is a wooden walkway along the river Dijle that offers a chance to stroll and opens up new perspectives on the city. This route allows visitors to experience the city in a tranquil setting. Or how about a trip on a tour boat on the Dijle? Wonderfully relaxing and you learn a lot about the city.
There are numerous cafés and restaurants in Mechelen, ranging from traditional Belgian cuisine to modern interpretations. And don’t forget the Belgian beer culture. If you want to learn more about it, you should take part in a brewery tour followed by a tasting.
Discover the sights
The Dijle is a river that flows through the city center of Mechelen. Here you can take a leisurely boat trip through Mechelen and discover some interesting places from the water.
In Burgundian times, Mechelen was much more than just a small town in Flanders - it was a center of power, a place of art and a scene of historical decisions that influenced the fate of Europe. Today, Mechelen invites you to discover this exciting era. The audio walk through Mechelen “If these walls could…
Mechelen is not only known for its picturesque streets and historic buildings, but also for the impressive churches scattered throughout the city. The church tour in Mechelen offers visitors the opportunity to discover history, art and spirituality on a unique route.
The Hof van Busleyden in Mechelen is a city palace from the 15th and 16th centuries. Today it houses a museum where visitors can learn about the capital of the Burgundian Netherlands and important personalities such as Hieronymus van Busleyden, Margaret of Austria, Erasmus and Thomas More.
With headphones on and his stool, we enter a small, dimly lit room. Now begins Het Kunstuur, the Art Hour, the art lesson - an artistic delight!
Not far from Mechelen is a former girls' boarding school in Onze-Lieve-Vrouw-Waver. The beautiful Art Nouveau winter garden of the Ursulines, the heart of the former institute, is one of the most impressive sights in the region.
In the heart of the Belgian city of Mechelen is what is surely the city's most striking landmark. St. Rombouts Cathedral towers over the entire cityscape and is not only worth seeing for architecture enthusiasts.
Book a tour
Culinary tips
Culinary on the road in Mechelen: Whether with the MMM… Mechelen Tour from Visit Mechelen or in one of the many restaurants in Mechelen - the city's offerings are varied and good. Eating in Mechelen is associated with enjoyment.
Staying overnight in Mechelen
The cozy Hotel Elisabeth is located in the heart of Mechelen's old town. A hotel has been created in a former hospital, where today nothing reminds you of its former use and where you can enjoy your stay.
Hotel Elisabeth
Novotel Mechelen Centrum
Hotel Brouwerij Het Anker
B&B HOTEL Mechelen
Travel information
Arrival
By plane
Mechelen is located between Brussels and Antwerp. Both cities have an airport.
Brussels-Zaventem Airport is located about 20 km south of Mechelen. There is an excellent train and bus connection between the airport and the city. The train departs from level -1 of the airport. The direct train takes just 11 minutes and costs €10. Buses depart from level 0 of the airport. Twice an hour, several lines stop at the train station in Mechelen. The cost is €3 and the journey takes around 45 minutes.
Antwerp airport is small. You can take the bus from the airport to Antwerp-Berchem station (fare around €2). There is a train connection from Antwerp-Berchem station to Mechelen about 4 times an hour. The fare is around €5 and the journey takes just under 20 minutes.
By train
Mechelen is on the railroad line from Antwerp to Brussels. The city has two train stations: Mechelen-Centraal and Mechelen-Nekkerspoel. From both stations you can easily reach the city center on foot (10-15 minutes). It is important to note that not all trains stop at Mechelen-Nekkerspoel.
By car
Mechelen is located on the Belgian highway E19 between Antwerp and Brussels. Choose between exits 9 (Mechelen-Noord) and 10 (Mechelen-Zuid). Then simply follow the signs for Mechelen-Centrum.
By boat
The Brussels-Antwerp canal runs through Mechelen.
By bike
There are many cycle paths along Mechelen, such as the Art City Route.
On the way...
On foot
The center of Mechelen is easy to explore on foot. The most important sights are very close together.
By bus
There are 8 bus routes in Mechelen, which run every 15 minutes or so. A one-way ticket costs €2.50, day tickets are also available. There is a terminal on the bus that charges the journey to your credit card.
Please note: Buses run less frequently at weekends and during school vacations.
A shuttle bus runs from the main station in the direction of Grote Markt (line 1 from stop 9)
By car
The inner city area of Mechelen is traffic-calmed. Motorized vehicles are prohibited between 11 am and 6 pm. Many access roads to the city center are equipped with bollards that go up and down on time. So watch out so that you don’t get “stuck”.
Parking
There are 8 underground paid parking garages in the center. These are located at:
- Hoogstraat (at the Ganzendries)
- Lamot (at the Vismarkt)
- Q-park Mechelen Bruul
- Kathedraal (at the Sint-Romboutskerkhof)
- Grote Markt
- Tinel
- Veemarkt
- Inno (at the Leermarkt)
Outside the ring road, you can park at Douaneplein. The Douaneplein parking lot is free of charge. The distance to the Grote Markt is about 1 km.
There are also inexpensive parking garages on the roadside. For example, the Keerdok parking garage. Parking is free here on Sundays when the market is open, for example. You can reach the city center via the pedestrian bridge. Nearby is also the landing stage for the Shopping Shuttle, the free shuttle boat that takes you right into the city center. The Grote Markt can be reached on foot in around 16 minutes.
