Mechelen

Understand

It lies about halfway between Antwerp and Brussels and has approximately 80,000 inhabitants. Though now in the shadow of Brussels, Mechelen is a historically important city in its own right. From 1506 to 1530 it was the capital of the Netherlands under Margaret of Austria. In 1559 it became an archbishopric, a sign of great importance. It was famous for its wood carvings, some of which can still be seen in the churches of the city, and for lace and tapestry manufacture. Mechelen is developing into the centre of non-profit or non-governmental organizations for Flanders. Some famous examples are Natuurpunt, AFS, and the Red Cross. This is mainly because it's very easily reachable (by train or by highway) but not as expensive as Brussels. Inhabitants are called "Maneblussers" (moon-extinguishers). The story goes that one day long time ago the moonlight was shining on the unfinished St.-Romboutstoren and that some people thought it was burning. The whole city was mobilized to extinguish the fire but there was no fire to extinguish. Mechelen has its own local encyclopedia, called Mechelen Mapt, written in Dutch with short translations in English.

Mechelen city government website

Getting there

By train Mechelen is easily reached by train. From Brussels and Antwerp it takes about 25 minutes.

1 Mechelen station, Koning Albertplein 2. The main train station of Mechelen with many connections in all directions, including an hourly direct link to the nearest airport, Brussels Zaventem. (updated Jun 2017) 2 Mechelen-Nekkerspoel station. Secondary station of Mechelen. This station is slightly closer to the historical centre, so this station may be convenient if you want to start your visit in this part of Mechelen. However, check if your train stops here because most fast trains don't. (updated Jun 2017)

By bus You can also reach by taking a bus from Antwerp. Just outside the main train station you'll find a bus station with connections to many places in the vicinity.

By car Mechelen lies at the E19-highway.

Getting around

The city center is about 15 minutes walk from the train station. Mechelen is a very compact city, so you can reach most places on foot. There are a few bus routes through and radiating from the city centre in case you need them.

See

1 St. Rumbold's Cathedral (Sint-Romboutskathedraal), Onder-den-Toren 12. 08:30-17:30; tower 13:00-18:00 (10:00-18:00 on Saturdays). The largest of the 8 churches in Mechelen, with a high tower (though not as high as had been planned — construction stopped early due to lack of money). Notable works of art include the carved wood pulpit from 1723, painted triptychs dating to the late 15th and early 16th centuries, and an image of "Our Lady of Miracles" which has been in the cathedral since the early 16th century. The cathedral is part of a multi-site UNESCO World Heritage Site. Tower €8/adult, church free. (updated May 2026) 2 Market Square (Grote Markt). The cathedral cutting across one end and the City Hall (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) at the opposite end, with restaurants and cafes lining the sides between the two. 3 Dossin Barracks (Dossinkazerne), Goswin de Stassartstraat 153, ☏ +32 15 29 06 60, [email protected]. M Tu Th F 09:00—17:00, Sa Su 09:30—17:00, closed W. This museum and memorial opened in 2012. It documents the history of the holocaust and human rights. The barracks (Dutch: kazerne) were a waiting place for Jews from all over Belgium and northern France. Here they literally awaited their deportation to death camps. There is a toilet available for disabled persons. €12 regular, €5 for students up to 21, free for children until the age of 9. (updated May 2026) 4 Palace of Margaret of Austria (Hof van Savoye). An unassuming set of buildings on Keizerstraat that was effectively the seat of government during Mechelen's time as capital of the Netherlands. Today it houses government offices, but the interior courtyard is worth a brief visit to admire the tranquil and well-organized gardens. 5 Palace of Busleyden (Hof van Busleyden), Frederik de Merodestraat 65. W-Su 10:00-15:00. Hieronymus of Busleyden afforded himself this eponymous Court in a rich renaissance style, making it one of the most beautiful buildings in Mechelen. Destroyed during the Se

Do

Take a boat cruise along the waterways. The 45-minute trip costs €6. Departures are every hour on the half hour, from Haverwerf. Get to the tourist information center on the main square or Grote Markt and follow one of their recommended walking tours. 1 Planckendael Animal Park, Leuvensesteenweg 582, ☏ +32 15 41 49 21. Just outside Mechelen in Muizen. Located on the road towards Leuven. During July, August and in weekends during the warmer period of the year a special bus service, called Planckendael Express, connecting the Mechelen railway station and Planckendael operates regularly. (updated Feb 2024) 2 UGC's Cinema Mechelen, Spuibeekstraat 5, ☏ +32 15 55 77 33. This is the largest cinema in the Mechelen area. Movies are usually subtitled in French and Dutch. 3 De Nekker, Nekkerspoel Borcht 19, ☏ +32 15 55 70 05. This is a sport and recreation area governed by the Antwerp province. This makes a nice spot for open air swimming in summer or outdoor sports. €4.50 regular, reduced fares for children younger than 12. Football: KV Mechelen play soccer in Pro League, Belgium's top tier. Their home ground (capacity 16,700) is "Achter de Kazerne" - "behind the barracks", sponsored as AFAS Stadion, 1.5 km northeast of town centre. Their former rivals KRC Mechelen toil away down in the minor leagues.

Events Weekly one-hour carillon concerts on the Sint-Rombouts tower carillon occur Saturdays at 11:30 and Sundays at 15:00 all year. During the summer (roughly June to September) there are additional concerts on Monday evenings; for these, carillonneurs from all over the Low Countries, as well as overseas, are invited to play. Maanrock. On the Grote Markt and in the IJzerenleen. End of August. A 2-day free festival featuring several stages of music and DJs, starting early in the afternoon and running till early morning.

Buy

The main shopping streets are Bruul and IJzerenleen, both radiating out from the Market Square. There are several chocolate shops near the Grote Markt, but try the local one, Gauthier, on the IJzerenleen; it's very good and not as pricey as Neuhaus. They also have some spice cakes and cookies. If you're around on a Saturday morning there's an open market in the Grote Markt and the Botermarkt. There are a lot of food stands (cheese, meat, seafood, produce, some prepared food) but also some others (basic clothing, shoes, linens). There's a Match supermarket on Haverwerf, if you need supplies for self-catering. The Smatch on the Blauwhondstraat (between IJzerenleen and Bruul, near the Grote Markt) is smaller but is open Sunday mornings.

Eat

1 Hete Patat, Nieuwwerk 1, ☏ +32 15 27 38 55. Has some Turkish-inspired cuisine. They specialise in stuffed potatoes of many varieties. They are just behind