City break Bruges: the best tips, sights and hotspots
February 20, 2022
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Discovering the most beautiful sights in Mechelen goes hand in hand with exploring the city. Mechelen is not a big Belgian city, but it still offers a very cozy and pleasant center. Because the historic heart of the city is so compact, you can easily do everything on foot. You can therefore take in many of the highlights in one day. Do you live near the Belgian border? Then you can travel from the Netherlands to Mechelen by train, ideal for a fun day out. Curious about what you can do in Mechelen? These are our tips!
A day in Mechelen
The city of Mechelen will not immediately come to mind when you think of visiting a Belgian city, but it is high time that this changed. Mechelen is a very beautiful city where you can store very well, but of course also enjoy the famous Belgian gastronomy. Another advantage of visiting Mechelen is that this city is in Belgium is not as crowded as the well-known cities Ghent and Bruges, while here you will find just such beautiful sights.
The most beautiful sights in Mechelen
Mechelen is also called the city of churches because there are as many as 8 different churches, each with their own style. So these are already some of the sights in Mechelen you can discover, but of course there is much more to see and recommend. These are the most beautiful sights in Mechelen:
1. The Grand Place
The Grand Place is the central square in downtown Mechelen. The market is surrounded by the most beautiful buildings from different times. Consequently, they all have a very different style, from renaissance to rococo. Not to mention the iconic town hall in its Gothic style. Many of the characteristic buildings on the Grote Markt are home to catering establishments. On nice sunny days, the terraces here are therefore quickly filled.
Every Saturday the market takes place here. And something we Dutch people are totally unfamiliar with is eating oysters and drinking bubbles at the market. But here in Mechelen, even in several Belgian cities, it is very normal and very cozy. So this is a very nice tip to do in Mechelen. Just keep in mind that the market is on the Grote Markt until 14:00 at the latest. So be on time if you want to experience this yourself!
2. Climb the St. Rombouts Tower
One of the eye-catchers of Mechelen is the St. Rombouts Cathedral, which you will find on the Grote Markt. From any corner of the city, you will see the 97-meter-high tower towering above the buildings. A handy landmark for day visitors. From the top, also called the skywalk, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the city and its surroundings. On clear days, you can even see Brussels. To get to the top, however, you must first brave 538 steps. On the way up, you can take a break on several floors to catch your breath.
The cost to climb St. Rombouts Tower is €8 per person for an adult. The fee for children and young people from 4 to 27 years old is €3 per person. From Sunday to Friday you can climb up from 1:00 to 6:00 p.m.. On Saturdays from 10:00 to 18:00. The last climb up is at 17:00.
3. Walk through the city with Mechelen Wall
Scattered throughout the city you will find several beautiful murals. The way to see these works of art by national and international artists is to follow the walking route Mechelen Muurt. You can view the route in the Visit Mechelen app. The various murals are fairly close together and are all accessible on foot. Each mural is more beautiful than the next. Want to learn more about a specific mural? Then you can click on the location in the app after which all kinds of information will appear on your screen.
4. Walk along the Dijle trail
One of the city's highlights is taking a walk along the floating Dyle path. The path runs from the Haverwerf to the Kruidtuin, two more beautiful sights of the city. A walk along the Dijlepad is fun because you can admire the city from a different perspective. A good tip is to occasionally turn off the Dijlepad into a side street, that way you will end up in the most beautiful alleys.
5. Take a boat ride on the Binnendijle River
A nice alternative to walking along the Dijlepad is to take a boat trip on the Binnendijle. The boats leave from the Haverwerf, opposite the Vismarkt. A boat trip costs €9 for adults and €7 for children between the ages of 4 and 12. The cruise takes about 45 minutes. A shipping company we can definitely recommend is Shipping company Malinska since their fleet is 100% electric.
Nice stores in Mechelen
One of the reasons we traveled to Mechelen from the Netherlands was because of the shopping. We were told earlier that you can shop very well here, and that is definitely true. You can find many original boutiques, creative hotspots and trendy stores in Mechelen. Some of our favorite stores are:
Sneak For purchasing cool sneakers;
My Ex Boyfriend, the ideal store for buying gifts;
Butik Moose For trendy women's clothing.
Not only in the famous shopping streets of Mechelen can you find nice shops, also in the Vleeshalle you will find a topper of an interior design store: Anne Crauwels. This is the perfect spot in Mechelen to shop for gorgeous and carefully chosen decorations for your home. By the way, you can only visit the store by scheduling an appointment in advance.
Shopping routes in Mechelen
Mechelen is a real shopping city. To make this even better known, some very nice routes have been mapped out, taking you along the most special shops. The routes can be found in the Visit Mechelen app or on the website. You can choose between routes like 'pamper yourself', 'girls day out', 'experience Mechelen exclusively' and so much more. Which shopping route appeals to you the most? Have a quick look all shopping routes from Visit Mechelen.
The stores in Mechelen are closed on Sundays, with the exception of the first Sunday of the month.
Delicious restaurants in Mechelen
A day of shopping in Mechelen naturally makes you thirsty and hungry. So it's high time to share our favorite hot spots in Mechelen with you. Apart from the three spots we share below, it is always a good idea to sit down on one of the sunny terraces on the Grote Markt for a refreshing drink.
1. Kaffee-ine
As true coffee lovers, it is only natural that we look for the ultimate espresso bar in any city. So too in Mechelen. And we are sure to have found a great coffee bar. Kaffee-Ine is a somewhat alternative bar, but you can order very good coffee. Just keep in mind that you can only pay with cash here.
2. Dear
For a healthy and tasty lunch, you are at the hot spot Dear to the right place. At this cozy hot spot, they serve delicious breakfast and lunch dishes made from pure ingredients. There are also vegan options on the menu. Lief is the ideal place in Mechelen for a responsible lunch!
3. The Meat Hall
The Meat Hall is an old market hall in Mechelen that dates back to the year 1881. Today it is a hip Taste Market where you can enjoy worldly dishes. From Vietnam to Mexico, they have it all. It is a culinary spot on the edge of the center where Belgians also like to come. When the sun is shining, it's great to sit at one of the picnic tables, but otherwise you're more than fine inside.
Where to stay in Mechelen?
A day trip up and down to Mechelen is great fun, but why not stay overnight in Mechelen? Although you can see many of the sights in one day, it is also very nice to take your time. That way you can linger just a little longer on the terrace or visit that one highlight after all.
In and around the city center you will find many nice hotels. However, there is a unique place to stay in Mechelen that we would like to tip you on: Martin's Paterhof. The hotel is located in a former minor brother convent and church with stained glass windows and has many authentic details. The rooms and the dining room are therefore very special!
Travel to and from Mechelen
Mechelen is located between the cities of Antwerp and Brussels, about an hour and a half away from Rotterdam. Even though you might quickly take the car to get away for the day, it is worth considering traveling to Mechelen by train. An Intercity Direct train runs from Rotterdam Central Station to Mechelen, with stops at Breda and Antwerp, of course. From the station in Mechelen, it takes a 10-minute walk to get to the city center.
Please note that you cannot travel to Mechelen with your public transport card since you are crossing a border. You must therefore be in possession of A ticket from NS International.
Other fun Belgian trips
That we love to be found across the border for a fun day or weekend getaway is no secret. We are therefore pleased that our neighboring country Belgium has beautiful cities like Bruges and Ghent has. Because whether you visit these cities in the summer months or in the winter months, it is always nice to be there!
Travander
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