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Key Info for Visitors
- Currency: EUR
- Languages: Dutch, French, English
- Climate: Oceanic
- Timezone: Europe/Brussels
- Population: Approximately 86,000 residents
- Best Time to Visit: best time to visit is from May to September for pleasant weather and outdoor events.
- Visa Requirements Visitors from the European Union, United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and many other countries can enter Belgium visa-free for short stays up to 90 days. Visa on arrival is generally not available. Citizens from countries requiring a visa must apply in advance through Belgian consulates or embassies. An e-visa is not currently standard for Belgium. Travelers should have a valid passport, proof of accommodation, return ticket, and sufficient funds.
About Mechelen
Mechelen is a charming historic city located in the Flanders region of Belgium, known for its rich medieval heritage and vibrant cultural scene. It offers visitors a blend of stunning architecture, including Gothic cathedrals and Renaissance buildings, alongside lively squares filled with cafes and shops. Mechelen is less crowded than Belgium’s larger cities, making it ideal for travelers seeking an authentic Flemish experience. The city is famous for its impressive St. Rumbold’s Cathedral with its towering belfry, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Mechelen also boasts beautiful canals, museums, and a calendar full of festivals and events that celebrate local traditions. Its central location between Brussels and Antwerp makes it a convenient base for exploring the region. Visitors appreciate Mechelen’s warm atmosphere, historical charm, and excellent culinary offerings, making it a compelling destination for culture lovers and casual tourists alike.
Top Attractions
1. St. Rumbold’s Cathedral – A magnificent Gothic cathedral featuring a towering belfry with panoramic city views. 2. Grote Markt – The lively main square surrounded by historic guild houses, cafes, and the city hall. 3. Toy Museum – A unique museum showcasing an extensive collection of toys from different eras, popular with families. 4. Planckendael Zoo – A well-maintained zoo offering a variety of animals and naturalistic habitats, great for a day out. 5. Kazerne Dossin Memorial – A poignant museum and memorial dedicated to the Holocaust and human rights.
Popular Activities
Visitors can enjoy walking tours through Mechelen’s medieval streets, boat rides on the city’s canals, and cycling excursions in the surrounding countryside. Cultural experiences include attending local festivals, visiting art galleries, and exploring museums. Food lovers can participate in tasting sessions of Belgian beers and chocolates. For families, the zoo and toy museum provide engaging activities. Seasonal events such as Christmas markets and music festivals add to the city’s vibrant atmosphere.
Mechelen Tours & Experiences
- Top Attractions: Highlights of Flanders
- Duration Range: Visitors can enjoy walking tours through Mechelen’s medieval streets, boat rides on the city’s canals, and cycling excursions in the surrounding countryside. Cultural experiences include attending local festivals, visiting art galleries, and exploring museums. Food lovers can participate in tasting sessions of Belgian beers and chocolates. For families, the zoo and toy museum provide engaging activities. Seasonal events such as Christmas markets and music festivals add to the city’s vibrant atmosphere.
- Group Size: Intimate Groups
- Difficulty Level: Easy to Moderate
- Recommended For: The best time to visit is from May to September for pleasant weather and outdoor events. Pack comfortable walking shoes and weather-appropriate clothing, including a light rain jacket. Respect local customs, such as greeting with a handshake and polite manners in public places. Mechelen is generally safe, but standard precautions apply. Credit and debit cards are widely accepted, though carrying some cash in euros is advisable for small purchases.
Average Tour Price: $95
Lowest Price Tour: $55
Highest Price Tour: $250
18 Available Tour Excursions in Mechelen
We love Mechelen and love to share it with the world. Still a hidden gem, it is very accessible from both Antwerp, Brussels and Ghent. It is quieter than the bigger cities, but has more charm in our opinion. Also, there are a lot of chocolate secrets!! We like to surprise you both with stories and chocolate tasters! Examples are hot choc, pralines, handmade chocolate, macaroons, chocolate cookies, pain au chocolat, cakes and so on. Please note that no stops are made except for taster and that locations vary (this depend on the day and time of your visit and number of people). You can ask your guide though if you want to stop for a photo. Our tours are small groups only. For safety, but also because we like to know the people we guide. We hope that you will enjoy touring with us.
Price: $81.14
Duration: 1-2 hours
Mechelen - with all of the splendour of Brussels, but much more quiet - is often forgotten by travellers as they hastily speed through Belgium. Give yourself the much-earned rest, and let our guide lead you through the magnificent palaces and squares where once the main court of the Netherlands was seated. With a lot of nice taverns, cosy restaurants and monumental medieval and renaissance buildings, Mechelen truly is a gem to behold! Learn about the struggles between the Burgundian Dukes and the people of Mechelen! Or how the people here deal with the power of Brussels and Antwerp! Hear how tall the tallest cathedral tower of Belgium was supposed to be! And most of all: show all of your friends who've been to Belgium that they were wrong to skip Mechelen.
Price: $298.32
Duration: 2 hours
Discover Mechelen, Belgium’s hidden medieval gem, on a three-hour walking tour through its historic streets, secret courtyards, and UNESCO-protected sites. Starting at Saint Rumbold’s Cathedral, see its unfinished tower, once intended as the world’s tallest. Explore Margaret of Austria’s Renaissance legacy, the tranquil Begijnhofs, and the restored Rik Wouters Garden. Visit Kazerne Dossin, a WWII memorial, and end at De Zalm, an ornate guild house. Highlights include 49-bell carillon concerts, hidden religious refuges, Gouden Carolus beer from a 14th-century brewery, and quirky sites like the Devil’s House and the Adam and Eve House. Mechelen blends rich history, vibrant design, and quiet charm—offering more protected monuments than Bruges, but far fewer tourists.
Price: $9.99
Duration: 3-3 hours
Go on an adventure in the city of your choice in Belgium with our Urban Escape Games. Walk around the city with your team (with family or friends) and let yourself be guided by the mobile application. Solve the puzzles and complete several missions. Take a good look at your surroundings to help you! Explore differently: your adventure starts now!
Price: $23.85
Duration: 2 hours
Price per group of 2-6 people. Within 2 hours, the Qula Mechelen City Trail leads you along the most beautiful places in Mechelen, while you play fun riddles and assignments on your smartphone. Try to set a high score with family or friends and explore the city. There are no fixed start times or reservations, you choose your own day and time. The Trail is available 24/7 and there is no time limit - you can start, pause and stop whenever it suits you! It is offered in multiple languages (Eng, Ger, Fr, Ned, Sp, It and more). The Qula City Trail is great fun and the most affordable outing for families and groups of friends. How does it work? When you book, you will receive an email with instructions on how to play the Trail on your smartphone. Android or iPhone compatible. Once at the starting point, start your quest through the city, it's that easy!
Price: $36.99
Duration: 3 hours
We love Mechelen and love to share it with the world. Still a hidden gem, it is very accessible from both Antwerp, Brussels and Ghent. It is quieter than the bigger cities, but has more charm in our opinion :) Our tours are small groups only. For safety, but also because we like to know the people we guide. As we visit local, independent stores and eateries that were started by young entrepreneurs, you also support them! This is our aim too - to promote Mechelen small businesses. We hope that you will enjoy touring with us :)
Price: $95.46
Duration: 2-2 hours
Go on an adventure in the city of your choice in Belgium with our Urban Escape Games. Walk around the city with your team (with family or friends) and let yourself be guided by the mobile application. Solve the puzzles and complete several missions. Take a good look at your surroundings to help you! Explore differently: your adventure starts now!
Price: $29.83
Duration: 2 hours
Go on an adventure in the city of your choice in Belgium with our Urban Escape Games. Walk around the city with your team (with family or friends) and let yourself be guided by the mobile application. Solve the puzzles and complete several missions. Take a good look at your surroundings to help you! Explore differently: your adventure starts now!
Price: $23.85
Duration: 2 hours
We love Mechelen and love to share it with the world. Still a hidden gem, it is very accessible from both Antwerp, Brussels and Ghent. It is quieter than the bigger cities, but has more charm in our opinion. Our tours are small groups only. For safety, but also because we like to know the people we guide. We hope that you will enjoy touring with us.
Price: $69.21
Duration: 1-1 hours
Explore the city at your own pace while playing the Sherlock Holmes City Game, a self-guided tour that offers a lot of freedom and flexibility. You can play when, where and with who you want. Whether you want to play alone for personal excitement or with a group of people this is the game for you! Playing with more groups will turn into a competitive experience, perfect as a teambuilding activity. This game is a fun activity you can do while visiting a city with your family and friends or as a couple. Our City Game offers the maximum independence, you can play pause & continue whenever you want. HOW TO PLAY: Book the City Game, check the email we send you with the simple instructions, download the Loquiz App, access the City Game and you are ready to begin your gaming experience!
Price: $23.81
Duration: 2 hours
Mechelen is a city between Brussels and Antwerp in northern Belgium. Inside the 13th-century St. Rumbold’s Cathedral is an imposing altar and a work by Flemish artist Anthony van Dyck. The attached St. Rumbold’s Tower offers 360-degree views of the city. Deportees to WWII concentration camps were held at Kazerne Dossin military barracks, where a museum and memorial commemorate the Jews and Gypsies who passed through.
Price: $676.60
Duration: 6 hours
Looking for a fun and memorable activity in Mechelen? Pub Trail mixes a scavenger hunt with a pub crawl. Perfect for friends, colleagues, or anyone up for a good time! This activity is not an old-school pub crawl—it’s an adventure! Challenge your crew in a friendly competition! In pubs, tackle hilarious tasks. Outside, visit the most iconic spots of Mechelen while doing a scavenger hunt. Discover the city in a fun, new way. Pub Trail Mechelen promises laughs and unforgettable moments. Ready for the fun? Let’s go!
Price: $13.13
Duration: 2-3 hours
Leuven is a city east of Brussels, Belgium, known for its breweries. On a central square is the 15th-century town hall, with its tall spires. The building is decorated with hundreds of statues of local figures, biblical characters and saints. Opposite, the late Gothic St. Peter’s Church houses a “Last Supper” by the Flemish Primitive painter Dieric Bouts. Nearby, Oude Markt is a long square lined with bars and cafes. Mechelen is a city between Brussels and Antwerp in northern Belgium. Inside the 13th-century St. Rumbold’s Cathedral is an imposing altar and a work by Flemish artist Anthony van Dyck. The attached St. Rumbold’s Tower offers 360-degree views of the city. Deportees to WWII concentration camps were held at Kazerne Dossin military barracks, where a museum and memorial commemorate the Jews and Gypsies who passed through.
Price: $954.63
Duration: 8 hours
We love Mechelen and love to share it with the world. Still a hidden gem, it is very accessible from both Antwerp, Brussels and Ghent. It is quieter than the bigger cities, but has more charm in our opinion. Our tours are small groups only. For safety, but also because we like to know the people we guide. As there are so many eateries and restaurants, we combine sightseeing with a nice meal, so you get to feel like a local. We hope that you will enjoy touring with us.
Price: $89.50
Duration: 1-2 hours
Stop looking for "what to do in Mechelen"! This unique and specially tailored day trip is exactly what you are looking for, because it is based solely on YOUR interests. Based on a survey (which we send you by email), our large database automatically selects those activities, restaurants and fun facts that you will love. All this also within your financial requirements. Even the route to be traveled is completely optimized. Depending on your interests, we will offer museums, churches, palaces or parks and forests or tennis, squash, kayak and paddle or the shopping district. The restaurants and bars are also selected: vegetarian? a quick bite? Italian, Spanish or Moroccan? You ask, we will find it in the database. FYI: This tool was set up by a volunteer who does this out of love for his city. The small amount you pay goes entirely to marketing to let even more people enjoy Mechelen through this tool.
Price: $3.57
Duration: 9-12 hours
We love Mechelen and love to share it with the world. Still a hidden gem, it is very accessible from both Antwerp, Brussels and Ghent. It is quieter than the bigger cities, but has more charm in our opinion. Our tours are small groups only. For safety, but also because we like to know the people we guide. We hope that you will enjoy touring with us and ready to work up some sweat!
Price: $69.21
Duration: 0-1 hours
Discover Mechelen like never before on our exclusive guided tour, perfect for adventure seekers and history enthusiasts. Explore the impressive City Hall with its blend of Gothic and Renaissance styles, and delve into the history of the Beguines as you stroll through their charming neighborhood and admire the stunning Baroque facade of the Beguinage church. Enjoy the vibrant city atmosphere with time to explore at your own pace and capture the local essence. With insights from passionate experts, you'll gain a unique cultural experience and deep knowledge of Mechelen. Book now for an unforgettable journey! Enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of the city with time to explore and capture the essence of Mechelen. Led by passionate experts, this tour offers a fascinating insight into the city. Book now and experience an unforgettable journey!
Price: $31.03
Duration: 2 hours
Are you planning a day out or weekend trip to Mechelen, then you can have a lot of fun with this city walk. An Escape game and city walk at the same time. 3 kilometres long and over 1,5 - 2 hours of fun for the family or a group of friends. Meanwhile, during this game there is plenty of time to sit on one of the terraces. A city walk has never been so much fun. An app will help you with your quest during the city walk. The Mighty Mechelaar is a scourge on Mechelen. His style is to rob, steal and run away hard. Sometimes he steals a bicycle in the process to get away quickly. The police have no leads and the people of Mechelen are afraid of him so they say nothing. Time for that to change.
Price: $35.74
Duration: 1-2 hours
1. Choose Your Tour
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2. Check Details
Review tour inclusions, duration, and meeting points carefully.
3. Book Online
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4. Enjoy Your Experience
Join the tour and create unforgettable memories in Mechelen.
Important Tour Information
- Bring comfortable walking shoes and appropriate clothing
- Check tour cancellation and refund policies
- Arrive at the meeting point at least 15 minutes early
- Carry valid identification and tour booking confirmation
Frequently Asked Questions
Local Food & Cuisine
Mechelen’s cuisine reflects traditional Flemish flavors with specialties like waterzooi (a creamy chicken or fish stew), Flemish beef stew, and local waffles. Belgian chocolates and a wide variety of beers are highlights. Dining customs emphasize relaxed meals often accompanied by beer. Noteworthy restaurants include those serving classic Belgian fare with a modern twist, as well as cozy cafes offering local pastries and coffee.
Getting Around
Mechelen is accessible by train from Brussels, Antwerp, and other major Belgian cities, with frequent and efficient service. The city center is compact and best explored on foot or by bicycle. Local buses provide additional connectivity. Taxi services and car rentals are available but generally not necessary for exploring the city itself. Public transport tickets are affordable, and many attractions are within walking distance.
Travel Tips
The best time to visit is from May to September for pleasant weather and outdoor events. Pack comfortable walking shoes and weather-appropriate clothing, including a light rain jacket. Respect local customs, such as greeting with a handshake and polite manners in public places. Mechelen is generally safe, but standard precautions apply. Credit and debit cards are widely accepted, though carrying some cash in euros is advisable for small purchases.
Culture & Customs
Mechelen’s culture is deeply rooted in Flemish traditions with a strong emphasis on community and festivals. Social customs include formal greetings and punctuality. Major events include the St. Rumbold’s Day celebrations and the annual Carnival. Visitors should be mindful of quiet hours in residential areas and show respect when visiting religious sites. Sharing meals and enjoying local beers are important social activities.
