{"id":47936,"date":"2026-10-14T11:09:26","date_gmt":"2026-10-14T09:09:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/travander.nl\/?p=47936"},"modified":"2026-10-14T12:09:59","modified_gmt":"2026-10-14T10:09:59","slug":"sights-mechelen","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/travander.nl\/en\/bezienswaardigheden-mechelen\/","title":{"rendered":"The Best Things to See, Shops and Restaurants in Mechelen"},"content":{"rendered":"

Mechelen is a charming and often overlooked destination for a city break in Belgium. In its compact historic centre, you\u2019ll find impressive churches, lively squares and colourful street art. It\u2019s also a great city for shopping, with independent boutiques, creative concept stores and plenty of inviting caf\u00e9s and restaurants. We explored Mechelen ourselves and are sharing our favourite things to do, the best shops and places to eat, plus tips for unique places to stay. Here\u2019s how to make the most of your visit to this welcoming Belgian city.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Mechelen Is Worth a Visit<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Mechelen might not be the first city that comes to mind for a city break in Belgium<\/a><\/strong>, but that\u2019s exactly what makes this destination so enjoyable. In Mechelen\u2019s compact historic centre, you\u2019ll find charming squares, impressive churches and colourful street art. Browse independent boutiques, discover creative shops and settle into one of the many inviting restaurants for a delicious meal. Mechelen combines the charm of a historic Belgian city with a more relaxed atmosphere than some of Belgium\u2019s busier destinations. And with most attractions within walking distance, you can discover plenty in just one day. Prefer to stay a little longer? You\u2019ll have more time to explore the shops at your own pace, enjoy a leisurely lunch and admire the city from the water on a boat trip along the Dijle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The most beautiful sights in Mechelen<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Mechelen is also known as the city of churches, with eight historic churches, each boasting its own architectural style and character. They\u2019re just some of the many sights worth discovering in this Belgian city. From impressive religious landmarks to historic squares and hidden gems, there\u2019s plenty to explore. Here are the most beautiful sights and best things to see in Mechelen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Explore The Grote Markt<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Grote Markt is the main square in the heart of Mechelen\u2019s historic city centre. Surrounded by beautiful historic buildings from different periods, it\u2019s a lovely place to start exploring the city. The architecture ranges from Renaissance to Rococo, with the impressive Gothic-style City Hall standing out as one of the square\u2019s most iconic landmarks. Many of the characterful buildings now house caf\u00e9s and restaurants, making the Grote Markt a great spot to stop for a drink or a bite to eat. On sunny days, the outdoor terraces quickly fill up with locals and visitors enjoying the lively atmosphere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every Saturday, a market takes place on the Grote Markt. One of the most enjoyable local traditions to experience is stopping for fresh oysters and a glass of bubbly while browsing the market. It\u2019s a popular way to spend a Saturday morning in Mechelen and something you\u2019ll also come across in other Belgian cities. We loved this combination of local market life and a little culinary indulgence, so it\u2019s a lovely addition to your visit. Just make sure you arrive in time, as the market on the Grote Markt wraps up by 2 pm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Climb the Saint Rumbold's Cathedral<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One of Mechelen\u2019s main attractions is St. Rumbold\u2019s Cathedral, located on the Grote Markt. From every corner of the city, you\u2019ll see its 97-meter-high tower rising above the buildings\u2014a handy landmark.\u00a0From the top\u2014also known as the skywalk\u2014you can enjoy a panoramic view of the city and its surroundings. On clear days, you can even see Brussels. To reach the top, though, you\u2019ll first have to climb 538 steps. On your way up, you can take a break on several floors to catch your breath. And trust us, the view is worth it!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Climbing St Rumbold\u2019s Tower costs \u20ac8 per adult, while children and young people aged 4 to 27 pay \u20ac3 per person. From Sunday to Friday, the tower is open for climbs between 1 pm and 6 pm. On Saturdays, you can climb between 10 am and 6 pm. The last climb starts at 5 pm, so make sure you arrive in time to enjoy the panoramic views from the top.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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3. Discover the city's murals with the Visit Mechelen App<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Beautiful murals can be found throughout Mechelen, created by both national and international artists. The best way to discover these colourful works of art is by following the Mechelen Muurt walking route. You can find the route in the Visit Mechelen app<\/a><\/strong>. The murals are located relatively close to one another, making it easy to explore them all on foot. Each artwork has its own style and character, and you\u2019ll find something different around every corner. Want to learn more about a particular mural? Simply tap its location in the app to discover more information about the artwork and its artist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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4. Take a walk along the floating Dijlepad<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One of the highlights of visiting Mechelen is taking a walk along the floating Dijlepad, a wooden walkway that runs alongside the River Dijle. The path stretches from Haverwerf to the Kruidtuin, two lovely spots that are well worth exploring in their own right. Walking along the Dijlepad offers a different perspective on the city, with views of the river and the historic buildings lining its banks. Our tip? Take a few detours into the side streets along the way. You\u2019ll discover some of Mechelen\u2019s prettiest streets and charming hidden corners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Take a boat ride on the Binnendijle River<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A great alternative to walking along the Dijlepad is taking a boat trip along the Binnendijle. From the water, you can admire Mechelen from a different perspective as you pass historic buildings and charming spots throughout the city. The boats depart from Haverwerf, opposite the Vismarkt, and the tour takes around 45 minutes. We recommend Rederij Malinska<\/a><\/strong>, whose boats are 100% electric. It\u2019s a relaxing way to discover Mechelen from the water!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Nice stores in Mechelen<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

One of the reasons we wanted to visit Mechelen was to explore its shopping scene. We\u2019d heard great things about the shops in this Belgian city, and it certainly lived up to our expectations. In the historic centre, you\u2019ll find independent boutiques, creative concept stores and trendy shops, each with its own character. It\u2019s this mix of unique places and local finds that makes shopping in Mechelen such a pleasure. We\u2019re sharing our favourite shops and addresses to help you discover the best spots during your visit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n