Day 1 – History and city experience
Ready for your first 24 hours in Mechelen? From hidden stories to the most beautiful spots on the water: you will discover why the people of Mechelen are so proud of their city.
9 am – Breakfast in the heart of Mechelen
Start your city trip on IJzerenleen, one of the nicest places in Mechelen to slowly wake up. Around this lively street you will find numerous coffee bars and breakfast spots, each with their own style. Whether you fancy a quick coffee with something sweet or an extensive brunch, there’s something for everyone.
While you eat peacefully, you can take in the surroundings and see the details: which historical façade do you find the most striking?
10.30 am – Museum Hof van Busleyden
Visit the Museum Hof van Busleyden, a beautiful Renaissance city palace that takes you to Burgundian Mechelen. Here you will discover stories about the humanist Hieronymus van Busleyden, Margaret of Austria and the unique Enclosed Gardens that can’t be seen anywhere else in the world. The rooms breathe the grandeur of the 15th and 16th centuries and give you an insight into Mechelen as a centre of art, culture and power back then. A visit to the museum is the ideal start, with a mix of architecture, art and history within the Burgundian theme. (approx. 1.5 to 2 hours)
12.30 pm – Extensive lunch
After your visit to the Hof van Busleyden museum, you have various options for an extensive lunch. Would you like to soak up the atmosphere of the museum a little longer? Then you can go to the museum café for a quiet lunch in a unique setting.
Or would you prefer more of a buzz? A few minutes’ walk away is the Grote Markt, the warm heart of the city. Here you will find numerous restaurants and brasseries where you can enjoy an extensive lunch. From classic Belgian cuisine to lighter options such as tapas or a sandwich.
2 pm – Climb St Rumbold’s Tower
Time to discover Mechelen from above. Time to climb St Rumbold’s Tower, one of the city’s absolute eye-catchers. There are 538 steps, but the view (in clear weather even as far as Antwerp or Brussels) more than makes up for the effort. Along the way, you’ll pass impressive spaces like the old carillon room, the clock room, and the Crane Chamber. A unique experience that literally gives you a different perspective on the city. (approx. 1 hour)
3 pm – Shop till you drop
Explore the shopping heart of Mechelen with a leisurely stroll through the city centre. In streets such as the Bruul, IJzerenleen and Onze-Lieve-Vrouwestraat you will find a nice mix of well-known shops and charming boutiques. Ideal for anyone who likes to look around or make a small purchase in between.
5.30 pm – Boat trip on the Inner Dyle
By the end of the afternoon, you’ll look at Mechelen in a whole new way. Hop on board for a boat trip on the Inner Dyle and sail quietly through the city centre. Along the way, you will sail past historic facades, charming bridges and places that are easy to miss on foot. As you relax on the water, you’ll listen to fascinating stories and fun facts about the city. The ideal quiet break after shopping. (approx. 45 min)
6.30 pm – Dining in the Burgundian capital
After the boat trip, you’ll stay in the same neighbourhood. Around the Vismarkt, near the Dyle, you will find numerous cafés and restaurants with water-side terraces. In the Burgundian era, dinner was an extended moment in which to get together and enjoy good food and drink. Now too, you can experience that feeling perfectly here.
Find a spot along the water, order something tasty and enjoy the view of the historic façades as the evening draws in. End your day in one of the cosy cafés in the neighbourhood, ideal for a chat and a drink.
... – Time to dream
After the first 24 hours of discoveries in Mechelen, it’s time to rest. Sleep in a stylish hotel, cosy B&B or a modern holiday home. What better way to end your day, relaxed and ready for a new day in the city of the Dyle.
Day 2 – Discovery and relaxation
After a good night’s rest, you can start the day quietly in the heart of Mechelen. Today you can combine the lively city feeling with a trip outside the city centre. From a relaxed breakfast and a bike ride in the green surroundings to a unique lunch spot and fascinating city walk: this day is all about enjoying yourself.
9 am – Good morning Mechelen
Start your day quietly with breakfast in the heart of Mechelen. Around Vismarkt and Korenmarkt you will find cosy places for a coffee, fresh pastry or a more extensive breakfast. What a relaxed way to start the day and enjoy the atmosphere in the city!
10.30 am – Listening walk: If walls could talk
Imagine walking through the Mechelen of 1473 and secretly listening in to conversations from city notables, traders, Beguines, and even prisoners. With a listening horn in hand, you can head into the city and discover stories about power, trade and Burgundian life. The famous architect Antoon I Keldermans guides you past monuments that he designed himself and shows how Mechelen grew into a centre of art and politics under the Burgundian and Habsburg monarchs. (approx. 1.5 to 2 hours)
1 pm – Lunch in the Vleeshalle
Take a seat in the Vleeshalle, a special piece of Mechelen history. This impressive 19th-century building used to serve as an indoor meat market, where butchers sold their wares. Today it has been restored, but the authentic structure and atmosphere have been preserved.
Under the high roof and among the historical elements, you will now find a mix of food stands, so you can choose what you fancy. This combination of heritage and contemporary food concepts makes the Vleeshalle a unique place to have lunch in the city.
2.30 pm – Mechelen–Boom bike tour with a visit to Het Anker Brewery
Want to get away from it all? Hop on a bike and discover the surroundings of Mechelen via the route towards Boom. This bike tour takes you through the Burgundian city with centuries-old monuments and the soothing river landscape around it. Along the way, you can enjoy some nature reserves and river landscapes.
Back in Mechelen you can visit Het Anker Brewery-Distillery, one of the most famous breweries in the city. Find out more about the brewing process, how whisky is made from beer, and then taste a local beer.
6 pm – Mechelen-style dining
End your day with a fabulous dinner in Mechelen. You can choose to linger at Het Anker Brewery, where you can enjoy a dinner with matching beers in a unique, historic setting. Prefer to go into the city? On the Grote Markt you will find numerous restaurants and terraces where you can dine in the lively heart of Mechelen.
Extra tip: Would you like to discover more about Mechelen?
Then don’t miss the Winter Garden of the Ursulines. This hidden gem is world famous for its beautiful Art Nouveau architecture and impressive stained-glass dome that filters daylight in a unique way. The Winter Garden is located in Onze-Lieve-Vrouw-Waver and is easily accessible from Mechelen by bike. You can follow the cycling circuit Mechelen–Winter Garden, a beautiful route that leads you along the greenery and quiet roads outside the city. The Winter Garden is open from March to November.
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