Could this be the most underrated destination for a city trip in Belgium? Perhaps you’ve heard of Bruges & Ghent before, but have you heard of the city of Mechelen? Similar to the aforementioned destinations, Mechelen is located in the region Flanders. The city has played a significant role in Belgium’s history. In fact, Mechelen used to be the capital city of the Netherlands.
Mechelen offers many highlights, which you can find out more information about in this post. Alongside seasonal events, you won’t want to miss out on the exhibitions, museums & green spaces in the city centre. I’ll also share some of my favourite cafes with a heart-warming atmosphere and a day-trip idea out of the city.
So, if you want to find out more about everything Mechelen has on offer, keep on reading…
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Where is Mechelen located?
Looking at Mechelen on a map, you’ll find the city situated directly between Belgium’s capital, Brussels and the largest port city in Belgium, Antwerp. With Mechelen having such a prominent location in the Flanders region, regional and international transport links are understandably good.
Arrival with public transport
- Arrival from London with public transport: Take the train or overnight bus from London to Brussels Zuid / Midi. Mechelen is located just 15 minutes away with the IC train from Brussels, so you’ll be in the city faster than you could have imagined.
- Arrival from Cologne with public transport: Mechelen is connected to Germany with a changeover in either Brussels or Leuven. The ICE train runs directly from Cologne to both Brussels and Leuven. From these two cities, you can change to an IC train from SNCB and you’ll quickly arrive in the city.
Once you arrive in the city, everything is pretty much walkable. If your accommodation is in the city centre, it will be accessible by foot. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Once you’re exploring the city, the best ways to get around are either by foot or by bike.
Places you can’t miss – The city’s highlights
Looking for activity ideas in and around Mechelen? Here are some of my suggestions for your upcoming visit:
Exhibitions & historical sites
St Rumbold’s Cathedral + Skywalk
Something you might not have known about Mechelen is that the city is home to one of the highest viewing platforms in Belgium. St Rumbold’s Cathedral is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and boasts one of the highest climbable church towers in Belgium & Europe.
The current height of the Skywalk on top of the cathedral is 97 metres, meaning that you’ll be greeted with fascinating views once you reach the top. This experience is, however, not for the faint-hearted or those afraid of heights. To reach the top platform you’ll have to climb a total of 538 steps, The way back down is perhaps even more daunting, as you traverse the narrow steps of the bell tower.
The experience is, in my opinion, definitely worth it. Perhaps it’s a good starting point for your visit to Mechelen, as it’s the best way to get an overview of the entire city. Another great way to start your visit is with a guided tour, which gives an insight into the city’s most prominent locations & history.
Another interesting fact about St Rumbold’s cathedral is that the tower was never actually finished. The original intention was to construct a tall spire on top of the current tower. Perhaps, had this come to the fruition, the Skywalk would be located at an even higher elevation than it currently is. The elevation of the Skywalk is also the approximately the same height as the viewing platform in one of Cologne Cathedral’s spires.
Museum Hof van Busleyden
After taking to new heights, perhaps a calmer experience is to explore one of the city’s most famous museums. Museum Hof van Busleyden is not only a great destination for museum lovers, but also for those who like to spend time in nature.
The museum has two public gardens within its grounds, which can be visited free of charge. There’s also an on-site cafe. In the autumn & winter months, enjoy a cosy moment indoors. In the spring & summer, relax with a drink surrounded by flower blossom.
The museum itself is housed in the city palace of Hieronymus van Busleyden, who lived during the late 15th and early 16th centuries. The museum allows visitors to gain an insight into Mechelen’s history and the city’s role as the capitol of the duchy, during these two time periods.
Inside the museum, you can discover a collection of Northern Renaissance artworks. There’s also a portrait and statue depicting Margaret of Austria. In the city, you’ll also find the Palace of Margaret of Austria. This is an early 16th century building (one of the first Renaissance buildings in Northern Europe). The Palace also has an accompanying gardens, which are free to visit, alongside Throne Room, which can be visited with a guide on weekdays.
How long to spend at Museum Hof van Busleyden: My recommendation : 60-90 minutes, including a stop in the on-site cafe.
Kazerne Dossin – Holocaust Memorial & Documentation Centre
Kazerne Dossin is a very important location in Mechelen which cannot be missed whilst you’re visiting. The Kazerne Dossin memorial remembers those who lost their lives during the period of 1942 and 1944. During this period of time, more than 25,000 were taken to the Dossin Barracks and deported.
The most significantly affected groups were Jews, alongside others who were viewed as “non-conforming” in the Nazi Regime.
In 2012, the new Documentation Centre & Museum opened, which marks the significance of these historical events. It highlights themes of discrimination and racism throughout the Holocaust period and warns against future repetition.
A visit is perhaps not the most comfortable experiencing, as the themes are very serious. However, I think it is extremely important to reflect on these occurrences during the Second World War. Alongside the Kazerne Dossin, I would recommend a visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau in Poland – the largest concentration camp during the Holocaust period.
Cosy cafes & food courts in Mechelen
Something I love about Mechelen is the relaxed atmosphere of the city. Compared to other major cities in Belgium, such as Brussels and Bruges, the city feels more calm. The city lends itself to exploration at a slower pace, by foot, bicycle or even on a boat tour along the inner Dyle.
Of course Mechelen has a collection of highly-related restaurants, but what I loved the most was discovering the city’s cosy cafes.
Kato Gateaux – Patisserie
Kato Gateaux is a patisserie offering plant-based breakfast & brunch in the heart of the city. The coffee shop offers a variety of savoury and sweet breakfast & lunch options – ranging from pancakes and yoghurt bowls to soups and sandwiches. There’s always a fully stocked cabinet of freshly baked cakes too.
My recommendation: the chai latte here is absolutely delicious and is served with a Lotus biscuit! Divine. I also tried out the yoghurt bowl with speculoos granola. Perhaps it’s safe to say that I love all things speculoos.
Boek en Tas – Book & Bag
This coffee shop was perhaps my favourite discovery in the entire city. From the outside, the cafe looks quaint and cosy, and it’s exactly that. The owner of the store is incredibly friendly and the atmosphere of the entire place is truly heartwarming.
After finding great reviews about the cafe online, I decided to give it a go for a light brunch. Boek en Tas offers a little breakfast option, which is composed out of a coffee of choice, bowl of yoghurt & granola and pastry of choice.
During my visit there was a pear & cardamom cake in the cabinet. Of course, I couldn’t resist going for this one – and it didn’t disappoint!
There is plenty of reading material inside the space, including various different cookbooks. You are able to read during your visit or purchase the books to take home with you.
De Vleeshalle
De Vleeshalle (formerly a meat market) is home to a food court with international cuisine. This is a great spot for groups of friends or alternatively family groups to meet up. There is ample seating inside the space on various different floors.
Enjoy a drink from the on-site bar, or explore cuisine options, ranging from Asian to Italian to Mexican. On the top floor of the space there are also various independent businesses , including a tattoo shop.
Day-trip idea from Mechelen – Winter Garden
If you’re staying in Mechelen for more than one day, I recommend the Winter Garden (Wintertuin Ursulinen) as a day trip out of the city. The winter gardens are located inside a former international girls boarding school. Nowadays, the Winter Garden is available for visitors to view. Part of the space is still used today as a secondary school.
The absolute highlight is the garden room itself, which, although named as a Winter Garden , is always warm. Step inside the dome-like structure and be surrounded by incredible multicoloured stain glass windows. In fact, the Winter Garden is the largest publicly accessible art nouveau site in the whole of Belgium. Alongside the stained glass windows, keep an eye out for mosaic patterns and stone statues.
The Winter Garden has been a protected monument in Belgium since 1987 due to its historical significance. Since the year 1994, the non-profit organisation “Wintertuin” has been caring for the space.
If you wish to explore the Winter Garden & also the school itself (including highlights such as the piano corridor, which still remains in-tact), you can take part in a guided tour. Individual visits are also possible, but you will only be able to access part of the space.
How to get to Wintertuin Ursulinen: The Winter Gardens are located approximately 30 minutes from Mechelen city centre. Either travel by car or take the Bus 80 from Mechelen Nekkerspoel Station to “Onze-Lieve-Vrouw-Waver-De-Wissel”.
FAQs for your upcoming visit
- What is one landmark which I absolutely need to see whilst visiting Mechelen? The stone bridge! The Grootbrug (Hoogbrug) is the oldest stone bridge in the whole of Belgium. Walk along the Dyle towpath to admire the bridge from below, or alternatively embark on a round-trip on a boat. The guided boat tours pass underneath the bridge.
- Was Mechelen always located in Belgium? No! Mechelen was formerly the capital of the Netherlands. The Hof van Busleyden Museum is the best place to go to learn more about the capital of the Burgundian Netherlands.
- I’m afraid of heights, should I climb up to the Skywalk? I highly recommend climbing the church tower, even if you’re afraid of heights. The Skywalk is truly a one-of-a-kind experience.
- Is the Skywalk at St Rumbold’s Cathedral wheelchair friendly? Unfortunately there is no access to the Skywalk for wheelchair users, as the Skywalk is only accessible by foot and does not have a connecting lift.
- Should I combine my visit to Mechelen with other nearby cities? Absolutely ! It’s worth combining a visit with nearby cities in the Flanders region. My recommendations would be Antwerp & Leuven. Both of these cities are located around 30 minutes from Mechelen.
- Is Mechelen worth visiting as a day trip? Whilst you can plan a day trip to Mechelen, you might wish to extend your stay. Looking for a unique hotel stay? The Martin’s Patershof Hotel is located in a restored church. The hotel is located around 15 minutes walk from the train station and close to the city centre.
More inspiration needed in Flanders?
I’ve got suggestions for you! Check out my extensive guides to the cities of Antwerp and Leuven. Both of these are located nearby to Mechelen:
Guide to visiting Leuven.
Interested in more? Don’t forget that you can join me on my other social media channels to discover more travel tips, inspiration and advice.