Just a 1.5-hour drive from Utrecht, Mechelen is nestled between Antwerp and Brussels. This city might not be very well-known to you yet, but 500 years ago, it was the capital of the Netherlands. That’s why the city boasts a beautiful historic center with no less than 8 churches! Mechelen is a surprising city, featuring lovely ponds filled with large goldfish right in the middle of the shopping street. To help you get started, we’ve listed the top 4 Mechelen attractions for you.
The top 4 Mechelen attractions you must not miss
- St. Rumbold’s Cathedral;
- Shopping street;
- Herb garden;
- Historic churches.
St. Rumbold’s Cathedral
St. Rumbold’s Cathedral is the symbol of the city and a must-see when exploring Mechelen attractions. This gigantic cathedral features a tower 97 meters high, making it one of the tallest towers in the Benelux. It’s quite a climb, but after 538 steps, you’ll enjoy a stunning view over the city reaching as far as Brussels and Antwerp. The tower contains several rooms dating back to the thirteenth century. The tower was never fully completed because the city couldn’t afford it financially.
Shopping street
No city visit is complete without browsing through all the shops. Fortunately, Mechelen is a true shopping city where all the major chains have their stores! In the shopping street de Bruul, you’ll find all the big brands, but naturally, in this old city, there are also many trendy boutiques in Onze-Lieve-Vrouwestraat. Don’t forget to admire all the beautiful façades, as Mechelen even has more historic houses than Bruges. In between shopping, you can enjoy a Belgian beer in one of the many pubs Mechelen has to offer! Want to bring your kids along? No problem! Mechelen is a true children’s city with many playgrounds located in the shopping streets.
Tip: park your car at the Douaneplein and take the free shopping shuttle to the center.
Herb garden
The herb garden is a green oasis located centrally between the station and the main square. In the herb garden, you can completely unwind. The herb garden has a rich history and features many ponds, bridges, and ancient giant trees. In the herb garden stands a statue of the scientist Rembert Dodoens, the author of the first book on medicinal herbs and plants. Are you out with children? Then the herb garden is one of the most enjoyable Mechelen attractions, as the garden contains many playgrounds for endless fun.
Historic churches
Mechelen has a rich history during which many churches were built, so these historic churches must be included in our Mechelen attractions list. There’s the Basilica of Our Lady of Hanswijk, a beautiful basilica located just outside the center in the Arsenaal district, yet still easily accessible. A gigantic church located in the center is the Church of Our Lady Across the Dyle. This church has a tower containing no less than 49 bells! This church dates back to the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries and has exceptional art treasures for you to discover. The last church we want to highlight is St. John’s Church. This church contains many church treasures and murals, but these murals can only be visited with a guide. St. John’s Church is located in the center of Mechelen and is therefore easily accessible.
Mechelen attractions: Highlights bike tour
Want to see as many Mechelen attractions as possible? Then book the Mechelen bike tour with Baja Bikes! Our enthusiastic Flemish guide will show you the best attractions of the city in 3 hours and share all the ins and outs of the city. This bike tour is also a treat for children. Along the way, the guide throws a real Opsinjoorkepop, the city’s mascot, into the air, and whoever catches it wins a fun prize!
