Mechelen as a City Trip or Day Out

Mechelen, a City to Kiss as a City Break

A city break to Mechelen, a multicultural city centre that is always on the move. Situated in Belgium, the city of Mechelen is located in Flanders and the province of Antwerp. In 2016, Bart Somers received the title of‘Best Mayor in the World‘, named by the World Mayor Prize. There are always fun things to do in Mechelen

Mechelen City on the Dyle

The historical city is surrounded by rivers and beautiful nature. The Dijle, the Nete, the Zenne and the Mechelen-Leuven canal are important economic watercourses in and around Mechelen. Rural boroughs include Heffen, Hombeek, Leest, Walem and Muizen. Mechelen itself is historically and economically important for Flanders and Belgium, partly due to its unique location between Leuven, Brussels and Antwerp. In short, Mechelen should definitely not be missing from your agenda as a city break.

Mechelen a City to Experience

A born Mechelen resident, remains a Mechelen resident and always carries the city in his heart. There is always something to do, it is a city that lives and innovates. Every year there are numerous events for young and old. Culture, history, sports and relaxation go hand in hand in this flourishing city with more than 80,000 inhabitants.

The city has also managed to discover and appreciate its youth. It therefore has two colleges for its thousands of students, all of whose campuses are spread across the city, and various adult education options. Mechelen also makes a strong case for people looking for second-chance education and non-native speakers who want to learn our Dutch language.

The Historical Character of the City

Mechelen is a city you come back to. In the first place, Mechelen is historically on the world map. The headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church of the Archdiocese of Mechelen-Brussels and of the Church Province of Belgium is in our city. Proof of this is St Rombout’s Cathedral and the St Rombout’s Tower of the same name. As early as the year 870, history books mention the birth of Mechelen. After several name changes, Mechelen got its final name in the 15th century. Read more below the photos

When taking a city trip to our tourist city, don’t forget your camera or video camera. It is photogenic, countless spots in Mechelen can be admired all over the world and have been photographed thousands of times. You will certainly find pictures of our beautiful city in any digital or other photo album.

Mechelen has no less than four UNESCO listings for its second highest number of protected buildings. For a short time in the 16th century, the Netherlands were ruled from Mechelen.

In 1936, the first immigrants, Spaniards who fled the Franco regime, arrived in Mechelen. The same Spaniards, as guest workers, found the city of Mechelen in the 1960s. From 1968 onwards, a flood of Moroccans and Turks came to settle in the city. As a result, you will hear a mixture of languages ​​when you visit the city today. With no fewer than 138 different nationalities, the city forms an urban community.

Mechelen also means Museums and Science

If you are a lover of museums then you should not hesitate to plan a city trip. Museums such as the Kazerne Dossin, the Toy Museum, Municipal Museums Mechelen, Horlogeriemuseum and the Railway Museum”De Mijlpaal” are happy to welcome you with their extensive treasures of collections and information. All museums in Belgium and Flanders can be found on the Erfgoedkaart.be website

A Day of Shopping in Vibrant Mechelen

Mechelen is not only about culture, but also about shopping. In Mechelen, retail is important but well-known brands such as Zara, Hema and Inno also pamper visitors. The main shopping streets are the Bruul, which is currently fully renovated and modernised. The Ijzerenleen there it is pleasant to linger on the numerous terraces, surrounded by beautiful historical houses. Onze-Lieve-Vrouwestraat was honoured as a Fairtrade shopping street in 2016. All Mechelen traders are happy to welcome you to their beautiful shops.
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On Saturday mornings there is the weekly market, known far beyond Mechelen’s borders for its conviviality and vastness. The market is spread over a large part of the centre, and is pleasantly animated by the numerous stallholders.

The Bellemadam loudly shouts important messages to bystanders. Every year, merchants and market vendors spoil their visitors and customers with a festive spring and autumn fair in all streets of the city centre.

The city spoils its shoppers on Saturdays and shopping Sundays with a free shuttle service, the Shopping Shuttle. It takes shopping enthusiasts to and from Mechelen’s free peripheral car park. You can leave heavy shopping bags for safekeeping, or have them delivered to an agreed place in Mechelen for €5. To the Eco-Couriers stand on the Butter Market.

Mechelen Residents Love Culture and Parties

Mechelen is not only multicultural but also has a diversity of ages. Older people and young people like to fraternise at the various cultural events, parties and festivals.

Every year, the city government organises several free festivals, parties and fairs, of which the Summer Fair lasts two weeks, and the Autumn Fair lasts one week. These festivals take place in the city centre, as well as in the boroughs. The best-known festival in the city is the three-day Maanrock. A counterpart to Maanrock is Parkpop.

This also free event is organised every Thursday evening during the months of July and August. Live performances by groups and well-known singers create an excellent atmosphere in the Kruidtuin. More information on“De Zomer is van Mechelen” can be found on the specially designed website.

Not only the city organises events, there are also several private initiatives such as the carnival parade that passes through the streets in March. So you can see that a city break or weekend break to Mechelen always has something in store.

Sports and Recreation in a Vibrant City

Our city is also strong in the field of sports and relaxation. Since September 2016, skating enthusiasts can indulge in their sport in the new Ice Skating Center Mechelen (?). The new ice rink is the ideal place for ice and winter fun for Mechelen and the surrounding area. Almost 7 days a week there is skating fun for young and old, for schools or associations, for (sports) clubs or federations, but of course also for families or the individual skater.

For recreationalists, the town offers its residents and visitors De Nekker (?), the perfect place to spend a day relaxing, on the sunbathing lawn, at the beach by the swimming pond or play pond. On the site, small and big children can have a great time on the playgrounds, the Skateramp and a ropes course. If the weather gods are not kind to a day outdoors, you can still take the kids to the indoor playground Nekki; where a true Nekki party can be organised upon request.

Working on your fitness, that’s where Provincial Sports and Recreation Domain De Nekker has strong assets. Whether it is badminton, Kubb, Running, Football, Skating, Surfing, Tennis or any other popular sport, it is all there for you (?)

For the real water rats, there are two swimming pools. Since 2013, everyone can take a dip in the Nekkerpool (?) consisting of a recreational pool, a target group pool and a competition pool. The Geerdegemvaart (? ) swimming pool also offers its visitors quite a few options for several hours of swimming fun.

Every year, public sports events are organised in the city of Mechelen and thanks to many sponsors. Public attractions par excellence are Dwars door Mechelen, Beachvolley, Urban Trail and the Maneblusser Criterium. The Mechelen walking club Opsinjoorke brings hundreds of walkers to their feet four times a year

Water and Greenery Give the City Color

A city walk will take you past canals and parks, showing you the way to unique spots in the city centre. Mechelen is a city committed to being green, and you will find plenty of small and large parks.

In the shopping centre, you will be able to stroll along the Botanique (Botanique), the Sinte-Mettetuin but also in the small-scale but peaceful Rik Wouterstuin and the Carmelite Garden.

The larger public parks like the Provincial Domain Vrijbroekpark and Tivoli Park, are located on the outskirts of the city. Another park on the outskirts of Mechelen, is animal park Planckendael.

Bruges and Ghent are known for their watercourses within the city, but Mechelen also offers residents and tourists, cosy waterfront terraces. The Dijle at the Vismarkt is by far the most well-known stream in the city centre. But you will also find plenty of walkers along the Koolvliet at Botermarkt, and the Nieuwe Melaan. The Heergracht is partly on Zelestraat and Lange Heergracht.

Share your Experiences and Suggestions about Mechelen!

Have you been to Mechelen recently? We would love to hear about your adventures and recommendations! Your insights help us keep our tourism page up-to-date and improve it. Whether you have discovered a hidden gem, found a fantastic restaurant or have tips for other travellers, your feedback is invaluable. Share your experiences and suggestions with verschueren.eddy@gmail.com and help others get the most out of their visit to this beautiful island. Together we will create the ultimate guide to Mechelen!