This Belgian city has a Gothic Town Hall, Saint Rumbold's Cathedral, and its own dark beer. Art lovers can visit the Museum of Fine Arts and Rubenshuis.
Mechelen, a small city between Brussels and Antwerp, was once the capital of the Low Countries. Climb the 97-meter St. Rumbold's Cathedral tower for panoramic views, stroll through 13th-century beguinages with their narrow cobblestone streets, and admire Renaissance palaces from the city's Golden Age. Walk from the Grote Markt's colorful guild houses to the paths along the River Dijle, passing Baroque and Gothic buildings in the compact city center.
St. Rumbold's Tower
St. Rumbold's Cathedral's 97-meter tower dominates Mechelen's skyline. Climb 538 steps to reach the skywalk at the top, where on clear days you'll see Brussels and Antwerp. Listen to the carillon of 49 bells that chimes every quarter hour. Entry costs €8. The tower opens daily from 1 PM to 6 PM, and on Saturdays from 10 AM to 6 PM.
Grote Markt
Colorful guild houses and cafes line the main square, Grote Markt. At one end stands the Gothic Town Hall, built originally as a cloth hall in the 14th century. St. Rumbold's Cathedral entrance sits opposite. On Saturday mornings, the square transforms into a market with stalls selling fresh produce, flowers, and local crafts. Watch locals negotiate prices and try regional cheeses and breads.
Beguinages
Mechelen has two beguinages - walled communities where religious women lived in the Middle Ages. Walk the cobblestone lanes of the Large Beguinage, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and see small brick houses dating back to the 16th century. The Small Beguinage, though more modest, shows the daily life in these unique communities.
Tasting Local Flavors
Visit chocolate shops near the Grote Markt to watch praline-making and taste different varieties. Try Gouden Carolus beer, brewed at the Het Anker brewery since 1471. Take a brewery tour and sample their strong dark ales. In the Vismarkt area, restaurants serve regional dishes like waterzooi (creamy chicken stew) and paling in 't groen (eel in herb sauce).
Mechelen's Golden Age
In the early 16th century, Mechelen served as the capital of the Low Countries under Margaret of Austria. Visit her former palace, now the city's courthouse, to see its early Renaissance facade. The Museum Hof van Busleyden, housed in another Renaissance palace, displays art and objects from this prosperous period.
World War II History
Visit Kazerne Dossin, a museum and memorial in the former transit camp. This site commemorates over 25,000 Jews and Roma who were deported during World War II, providing insight into this dark period of history.
Getting Around Mechelen
Trains run frequently to Mechelen from Brussels (20 minutes) and Antwerp (15 minutes). Walk about 15 minutes from the main train station to reach the historic center. Rent a bike to explore the city and ride along the River Dijle path, passing old breweries and 16th-century houses along the water.
