Discover Mechelen: Culture, Waterways and Nature

Mechelen combines historic urban heritage, water experiences, commemorative culture and green routes. The city is compact, traffic-calmed and surrounded by greenery. Cycling is a great way to explore Mechelen and its surroundings. This allows you to plan your trip around culture, a boat trip, regional brewing traditions and a walk into the Mechels Broek nature reserve.

Culture and History in Mechelen

A striking testament to the city’s history is the Brusselpoort. It is the only surviving city gate in Mechelen. At Museum Hof van Busleyden, the Burgundian era is presented through significant works in a permanent exhibition. The Groot Begijnhof was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1998. There, it is considered a representative example of a beguinage in an already existing urban district because of its unique history and typology.

The churches in the historic centre also shape the city’s cultural character. There are four Gothic and three Baroque churches. They contain works associated with Rubens, Van Dyck and Faydherbe. Anyone interested in architecture, religious art and the development of a city across different eras will find several distinct focal points here for planning their trip.

Kazerne Dossin is of particular significance. The institution is a memorial, museum and research centre that preserves the memory of the Holocaust and the persecution of Jews, Sinti and Roma. Between July 1942 and September 1944, 25,490 Jews and 353 Roma were rounded up and deported to Auschwitz-Birkenau and several smaller concentration camps. A visit to this site adds an exploration of remembrance and persecution to the historical perspective on Mechelen.

Water, Views and Routes into Nature

On the Binnendijle, you can get to know Mechelen from a different perspective. The round trip takes approximately 45 minutes. Along the way, you learn more about the sights on the banks and the history of Mechelen; interesting facts and anecdotes accompany the boat trip. For a travel group with varied interests, this more tranquil experience combines well with the museums or the city’s heritage, without having to become a fixed tour.

The Sint-Romboutstoren offers another special vantage point with its skywalk on the 97-metre-high tower. If you prefer to travel on foot, you can plan an 11-kilometre walk along the peaceful Dijlepad to the Mechels Broek nature reserve. The contrast between the historic city and the green route helps you choose the rhythm of your day according to your interests.

Brewing Traditions and Finding the Right Accommodation

The local food and drink culture is also part of Mechelen’s character. Brouwerij-Stokerij Het Anker has been in existence since 1471 and is one of Belgium’s oldest breweries. Brouwerij Het Anker offers guided brewery tours including two tastings. If you would like to combine culture and culinary experiences, this visit can form a distinct focus within your trip.

When looking for a holiday apartment in Mechelen, it is therefore worthwhile to first decide what type of trip you want: would you mainly like to explore museums and historic buildings, plan a boat trip, enjoy a view from the tower or set aside time for the 11-kilometre walk? The compact, traffic-calmed city and the good cycling opportunities provide a flexible basis for this, without requiring you to devote your days to just one theme.

If you would like to compare other destinations, you can find Wuustwezel, Antwerp, Dessel, Kasterlee, Lille, Herselt, Puurs and Boechout here.

For the overview of the wider region: Antwerp Province.