Book din neste reise
Hotell
Fly
Charter
Restplass
Leiebil
Feriehus
The City
Mechelen is situated in the heart of Flanders, mid-way between Antwerp and Brussels and just 15 minutes’ drive from Brussels Airport. From neighbouring countries you’ll be there in no time. So whether you are travelling by plane, train or car, Mechelen enjoys the ideal location.
The people of Mechelen take pride in their more than 300 listed buildings and four mentions on the UNESCO world heritage list. The most famous of these has to be St Rumbold’s Tower. Count to 538 and you’ll have Mechelen at your feet. The Skywalk at the top of the tower affords breathtaking views. On the way up, you can stop and catch your breath in six magnificent rooms and admire from close to the tower clock and not one, but two carillons. And with a spot of luck, you’ll be able to exchange a few words with the tower keeper. What better way to start your visit to Mechelen!
The city centre boasts no fewer than eight historic churches, each with an intimate but very different interior. Stroll beneath Gothic arches, admire paintings by Rubens and Van Dyck, and in your mind’s eye reach out and caress the baroque sculptures.
Tapestry-lovers the world over flock to Mechelen, for the city is home to a world-famous manufacturer. There are also family businesses passed down from one generation to the next and artisanal workshops which will open their doors specially for you, welcoming you into an authentic world where the master artist is your guide! On the edge of the beguinage you’ll find Het Anker brewery, where Gouden Carolus and Maneblusser have been lovingly brewed for five generations. Do as Charles V did in the sixteenth century: allow the beer to roll over your tongue. Cheers!
Nature in and around the city
Botanical Garden
The Botanical Garden or 'Botanique' is steeped in history. From the Middle Ages this green oasis was the garden of the former 'commanderij van Pitzemburg', order of knights. After its abolition, in the nineteenth century the garden was turned into an English landscape garden for members of the elitist Société Royale d'Horticulture. After the First World War it opened to the public as a municipal park.
In the middle of the Botanical Garden is a statue of the celebrated scientist Rembert Dodoens. In the sixteenth century he wrote a highly acclaimed herbal called the 'Cruydenboek'. These days the Botanical Garden is a quiet and very pleasant park where you can enjoy the plant life while the children let off steam in the playground.
Adresse: Bruul 129, 2800 Mechelen
Telefon: +32 (0)15 29 76 54
E-post: [email protected]
Silent Garden Archiepiscopal Palace
A green lung right in the heart of the city. There are several already, but from April 1st you will also be able to enjoy the tranquillity of the Silent Garden at the Archiepiscopal Palace. This green space located between the Wollemarkt and Schoutetstraat will be open three days a week. Take a stroll in the garden and admire the sheds, the Lourdes grottoes, the pavilion but also the garden wall itself, all of which have just been restored.
With the emphasis on silence, this little oasis right under St Rumbold’s Tower is just the place to switch off the technology and unwind.
Adresse: Schoutetstraat, 2800 Mechelen
Telefon: +32 15 29 76 54
E-post: [email protected]
Åpningstider: From April 1st to September 30th on Saturdays and Sundays from 9 to 19.00 hrs and on Wednesday afternoons from 13 to 19.00 hrs. The rest of the year the garden will be open until 17.00 hrs.
Vrijbroek Park
The 50-hectare-plus Vrijbroek Park is situated on the outskirts of the city. It is the ideal place to walk, kick a football around or read. A visit to the magnificent rose garden is highly recommended, even if only for the seductive scent of the more than 100 different species of rose! In 2003 the World Federation of Rose Societies granted it the 'Award of Garden Excellence'.
A great effort has been made to make visits informative, so for example you will find name-plates all over the garden as well as brochures of walks.
Adresse: Ridder Dessainlaan 65, Mechelen
Telefon: +32 15 45 13 80
E-post: [email protected]
Tivoli Domain
Tivoli park was once the grounds of a castle barely two kilometres from the historic centre of Mechelen. These days you can enjoy a quiet stroll here across the large expanses of grass, past ancient trees, a highly-scented rose garden, a herb garden and other delightful nooks.
Now pure white again, in 1990 the famous Belgian artist Jan Fabre wrapped the castle in sheets of paper covered with ballpoint lines for which 150,000 blue pens were required! Since 1991 the mansion has housed a catering establishment specializing in parties, seminars and the like.
Drinks, snacks and lunches are served to the general public in the adjoining orangery. Small children will love meeting a whole variety of farm animals on the children's farm. Other attractions include the large bee colony and the educational nature trail where signs draw your attention to aspects of the park's history, fauna and flora.
Adresse: Antwerpsesteenweg 94, 2800 Mechelen
Telefon: +32 15 50 66 84
E-post: [email protected]
Eglegem Lake
Eglegem Lake, a large expanse of water, also popularly known as 'de put' or 'the pit', came into being when the E19 motorway was constructed. It is now a wonderful nature reserve where you can sail, windsurf and fish. Walking and cycling enthusiasts will be in their element too! The walk round the lake is about 3 kilometres.
Adresse: Eglegemweg 8, 2800 Mechelen
Telefon: +32 01 52 97 65
E-post: [email protected]
Carmelitan Garden
You'll find fewer places more conducive to rest and relaxation than this former convent garden, a green oasis in the centre of Mechelen!
Adresse: Karmelietenstraat Mechelen
Telefon: +32 (0)15 29 76 54
E-post: [email protected]
Boat trip on the Inner Dyle
Embark for a fascinating boat trip on the Dyle, Mechelen's lifeblood! You will learn all about the sights you pass on the riverbanks and you will be fed interesting snippets of information and anecdotes about Mechelen's history as you go.
Adresse: Haverwerf, 2800 Mechelen
Telefon: + 32 478 08 51 14
E-post: [email protected]
Top 5
St Rumbold’s Tower
After 538 steps, you’ll be on the Sky Walk which affords a panoramic view of the Grote Markt and indeed the whole city. On your way to the top, stop and catch your breath in six rooms, each of which serves a different purpose. Take the opportunity to admire from close to the working tower clock and two carillons. There’s nothing like them in Europe!
Adresse: Onder den Toren z/n, 2800 Mechelen
Telefon: +32 15 29 76 54
Museum Hof van Busleyden
Welcome to the Museum Hof van Busleyden! Step into this majestic and magnificent Renaissance palace in Mechelen, the capital of the Burgundian Netherlands. Find out more about the surprising Burgundian history as you venture deeper into the Hof van Busleyden, discovering its treasures and stories. Learn more about the Burgundians’ ideas, about the city, about power and about mastership and craftsmanship. Move from lively and bustling rooms to more private and quieter places.
In this museum we look back at the city’s glorious history and look ahead to the future, together with you. Travel back and forth, between the past and present. Experiment and engage in a dialogue with the museum and its ever-changing collection. The story is far from finished.
Adresse: Sint-Jansstraat 2a
Telefon: +32 15 29 40 30
E-post: [email protected]
Large and Small Beguinages
Beguines are women who lived together and together sustained themselves. The charming, narrow streets of the beguinages are an oasis of peace and a wonderful place for a quiet stroll. Its typical Flemish character and unusual architecture ensured the Large Beguinage of a place on UNESCO’s list of world heritage sites.
Adresse: Nonnenstraat area, 2800 Mechelen
Telefon: +32 15 29 76 54
E-post: [email protected]
Kazerne Dossin
Between 1942 and 1944 Kazerne Dossin was used by the Nazis as a SS assembly point. Here more than 25,000 Jews and gypsies were put on the train for Auschwitz-Birkenau. Now it is the site of the new Memorial, Museum and Documentation Centre on the Holocaust and Human Rights, designed by leading architect bOb Van Reeth. At Kazerne Dossin the tragic war-time events are linked to human rights in general and to the theme of hope.
Adresse: Goswin de Stassartstraat 153, 2800 Mechelen
Telefon: +32 15 29 06 60
E-post: [email protected]
Het Anker brewery
On the edge of the beguinage you’ll find Het Anker, the authentic brewery where the Gouden Carolus is brewed. Charles V’s favourite tipple back in the sixteenth century, in 2010 this specialist beer won the gold medal at the World Beer Awards.
Adresse: Guido Gezellelaan 49, 2800 Mechelen
Telefon: +32 15 28 71 41
E-post: [email protected]
Do & See
Mechelen has something for everyone and everything is within easy reach of everything else. In the historic centre you’ll find fascinating museums, scores of historic buildings and delightful squares. Below is a list of Mechelen’s top sights. Don’t miss a single one!
St Rumbold’s Tower
After 538 steps, you’ll be on the Sky Walk which affords a panoramic view of the Grote Markt and indeed the whole city. On your way to the top, stop and catch your breath in six rooms, each of which serves a different purpose. Take the opportunity to admire from close to the working tower clock and two carillons. There’s nothing like them in Europe!
Adresse: Onder den Toren z/n, 2800 Mechelen
Telefon: +32 15 29 76 54
E-post: [email protected]
Museum Hof van Busleyden
Welcome to the Museum Hof van Busleyden! Step into this majestic and magnificent Renaissance palace in Mechelen, the capital of the Burgundian Netherlands. Find out more about the surprising Burgundian history as you venture deeper into the Hof van Busleyden, discovering its treasures and stories. Learn more about the Burgundians’ ideas, about the city, about power and about mastership and craftsmanship. Move from lively and bustling rooms to more private and quieter places.
In this museum we look back at the city’s glorious history and look ahead to the future, together with you. Travel back and forth, between the past and present. Experiment and engage in a dialogue with the museum and its ever-changing collection. The story is far from finished.
Adresse: Sint-Jansstraat 2a
Telefon: +32 15 29 40 30
E-post: [email protected]
Palace of Margaret of Austria
History and architecture enthusiasts will feel at home in Mechelen straightaway, particularly when it comes to viewing the palaces of Margaret of York and Margaret of Austria! The residence of the regent Margaret of Austria, the Court of Savoy, was the first renaissance building in the Low Countries. The picturesque garden is a wonderfully peaceful place. On the other side of the street is what remains of the Palace of Margaret of York.
Adresse: Keizerstraat 20
Telefon: T+32 15 29 76 54
E-post: [email protected]
Large and Small Beguinages
Beguines are women who lived together and together sustained themselves. The charming, narrow streets of the beguinages are an oasis of peace and a wonderful place for a quiet stroll. Its typical Flemish character and unusual architecture ensured the Large Beguinage of a place on UNESCO’s list of world heritage sites.
Adresse: Nonnenstraat area, 2800 Mechelen
Telefon: +32 01 52 97 65
E-post: [email protected]
In the footsteps of Margareta
Travel five hundred years back in time to the days when Mechelen was the capital of the Netherlands. As the city was also the seat of Margareta of Austria’s court, scores of Burgundian noblemen settled here too.
This prosperous period left its mark on the city and traces of it have survived to this day, including Burgundian palaces, historic churches, wooden façades and sumptuously decorated guildhalls. This handy brochure brochure takes you back to that rich Burgundian era.
Adresse: Vleeshouwersstraat 6, 2800 Mechelen
Telefon: +32 15 29 76 54
E-post: [email protected]
Boat trip on the Inner Dyle
For a whole new take on the city centre, opt for a boat ride from Haverwerf through the marina and the sluice dock. Look out for the Vismarkt (Fish Market), the Grootbrug (Large Bridge), the Botanical Garden and the Volmolen or Fuller’s Mill. You’ll see how the people of Mechelen live in historic waterside buildings: imagine how wonderful it must be to have a house overlooking the Dyle.
Adresse: Haverwerf 10
Telefon: + 32 478 08 51 14
E-post: [email protected]
Kazerne Dossin
Between 1942 and 1944 Kazerne Dossin was used by the Nazis as a SS assembly point. Here more than 25,000 Jews and gypsies were put on the train for Auschwitz-Birkenau. Now it is the site of the new Memorial, Museum and Documentation Centre on the Holocaust and Human Rights, designed by leading architect bOb Van Reeth. At Kazerne Dossin the tragic war-time events are linked to human rights in general and to the theme of hope.
Adresse: Goswin de Stassartstraat 153, 2800 Mechelen
Telefon: +32 15 29 06 60
Het Anker brewery
On the edge of the beguinage you’ll find Het Anker, the authentic brewery where the Gouden Carolus is brewed. Charles V’s favourite tipple back in the sixteenth century, in 2012 this specialist beer won the gold medal at the World Beer Awards.
Adresse: Guido Gezellelaan 49, 2800 Mechelen
Telefon: +32 15 28 71 47
The eight historical churches
Mechelen has churches galore and each contains a profusion of religious treasures. There are no fewer than eight historical churches in the city centre, each well worth a visit! The coloured light which filters through the stained-glass windows and the serene atmosphere which pervades the buildings make a visit a very special experience. The churches also contain works of art, including famous paintings by Rubens and Van Dyck. The latter provided St Rumbold’s Cathedral with a veritable masterpiece: the ‘Crucifixion of Christ’.
Adresse: Onder den Toren 12
Telefon: +32 15 29 40 32
E-post: [email protected]
The Fish Market and Lamot site
If you’d like to see something of authentic Mechelen, do as the Mechelaars do and soak up the atmosphere around Lamot brewery. The old brewery was converted into an ultramodern conference and heritage centre and is a wonderful example of how our industrial heritage can be put to new use. For Mechelen’s trendiest spots, head for the convivial Vismarkt - or Fish Market - on the other side of the Dyle. When the sun’s out, it’s a great place to enjoy it.
Adresse: Vismarkt 14
Telefon: +32 15 29 76 54
E-post: [email protected]
Haverwerf
Originally oats were unloaded and traded here. Oats used to be synonymous with grain and Mechelen had the exclusive staple rights to grain. Boats carrying grain had to tie up in Mechelen and offer the whole cargo for sale for three whole days.
You can't fail to notice the three houses near the bridge. They date from the 16th and 17th centuries. The corner house is called Het Paradijske, Little Paradise. The reliefs above the windows depict the scenes 'Earthly paradise' and 'The tree of knowledge of good and evil'. In the middle is De Duiveltjes, The Little Devils, one of the most beautiful wooden façades in the country. We know that it used to be called De Verloren Zoon, The Prodigal Son, because the story is depicted above the front door. Enjoy the waterside!
Adresse: Haverwerf 20 2800 Mechelen
Telefon: +32 01 52 97 65
E-post: [email protected]
Zoutwerf
When the city acquired the staple for salt in 1301, the historic quay on the Grootbrug or Large Bridge was renamed the 'Zoutwerf' or Salt Wharf.
You will immediately notice the two authentic façades of 'De Waag' and 'De Steur'. De Steur served as a warehouse, while the goods were weighed in De Waag ('Weighhouse').Another striking building is the former guildhall of the fishmongers, 'In den Grooten Zalm' – In the Large Salmon. The 'Innehuysken' to the right of 'De Waag' is where the 'innegeld' – 'monies received' – was paid, an early form of taxation. The building was destroyed by fire in the 17th century, but the fishmongers pulled together, rebuilt it and renamed it 'De Kleine Zalm', 'The Small Salmon'.
Adresse: Zoutwerf 2800 Mechelen
Telefon: +32 15 29 76 54
E-post: [email protected]
Sense-Sations
Do you want to make your visit even more of an experience? Then consider purchasing a surprising voucher booklet full of Sense-sations.
An amazing array of typical Mechelen flavours awaits you. The Sense-sations package is the perfect introduction to a handful of local specialities, from beer-based cheese to artisan sweet treats. Don't forget to take a breather while sampling all these goodies. The package also entitles you to discounts to various must-see attractions and monuments.
Adresse: Vleeshouwersstraat 6, 2800 Mechelen
Telefon: +32 15 29 76 54
E-post: [email protected]
Foodmarket: De Vleeshalle
The concept "Shop-Taste-Meet" brings people together in the unique historical framework of “De Vleeshalle”, an old market hall build in 1881. All your senses kick in here: sight, sound, smell and of course taste! You’ll be amazed at the wide range of authentic and irresistible foods available in the former ‘Meat Hall’. Doing your regular shop here is a far cry from the supermarket routine. It’s an experience to relish!
Adresse: Huidevettersstraat 7 2800 Mechelen
E-post: [email protected]
Royal Manufacturers De Wit
The world-famous De Wit Royal Manufacturers of Tapestry is an absolute ‘must’. For four generations antique tapestries have been cleaned and conserved here using state-of-the-art technology. On Saturday mornings visitors can take a look inside the workshop and watch a weaving demonstration.
The House of Refuge of Tongerlo Abbey dates from the 15th century. These days the building houses the Royal Manufacturers De Wit, a world-famous tapestry- weaving and restoration workshop. If the gate is open, step into the beautiful garden. You will see a number of plants growing which are depicted on historical tapestries.
Telefon: +32 15 20 29 05
E-post: [email protected]
Aldermen’s building
As the first stone town hall to be built in Flanders, Mechelen’s Schepenhuis is steeped in history. In the 13th century it served as the town hall and meeting place of the municipal court of justice and in the 15th century as the seat of the Great Council and the Parliament of Mechelen.
Municipal academy, museum, city archive and city library, the building went on to perform numerous other roles. In September 2018 the building saw its latest incarnation as the brand-new home of Visit Mechelen, the tourist information office. It is manned by experts on the local area who help visitors get the most out of their visit to Mechelen, so it is the ideal first port of call. It is also conveniently located between the four central points of the city: the Grote Markt, IJzerenleen, St Rumbold’s Tower and the Bruul.
Adresse: Vleeshouwersstraat 6, 2800 Mechelen
Telefon: +32 15 29 76 54
E-post: [email protected]
Mechelen Toy Museum
The Toy Museum houses one of the largest collections of toys in Europe. You’ll find toys from all over the world, old and new. Children are amazed at the toys their grandparents used to play with and for adults they bring nostalgic memories of childhood flooding back.
Adresse: Nekkerspoelstraat 21
Telefon: +32 15 55 70 75
E-post: [email protected]
Town Hall
The modern-day town hall is actually two buildings: Cloth Hall with its unfinished belfry (recognized by UNESCO) and the Palace of the Great Council. But in fact Mechelen has three town halls: the old Schepenhuis or Aldermen’s House, Huis Den Beyaert and the modern-day town hall. Then there is the Huis van de Mechelaar, the brand-new administrative centre.
Adresse: Grote Markt 21
Telefon: +32 15 29 76 54
E-post: [email protected]
ZOO Planckendael
If you want to get out of the city for a while, head for ZOO Planckendael, where you can admire exotic animals, follow a trail that leads across suspension bridges and through the treetops. In the 40-hectare park there is more than enough space for animals to frolic, children to play and adults to stroll.
Adresse: Leuvensesteenweg 582
Telefon: +32 3 24 89 10
E-post: [email protected]
Technopolis
Have you always wanted to try your hand at landing an aeroplane? Would you dare to take a nap on a bed of nails or ride a bicycle along a high wire 5 metres above the ground? At Technopolis®, the Flemish hands-on centre for science and technology, (almost) anything is possible.
Adresse: Technologielaan z/n
Telefon: +32 15 34 20 00
Winter Garden of the Ursuline nuns
We have no idea what prompted the Ursuline nuns in Onze-Lieve-Vrouw-Waver to make the rather bold decision to build this truly magnificent Art Nouveau building. After all, this style was considered hyper-modern in 1900. And yet, this enchanting Winter Garden with its colourful stained glass cupola was considered the most stunning feature of their boarding school. What’s even more intriguing is that nobody knows who designed the Winter Garden. And yet the architect’s design skills are unparalleled.
Don’t believe us? Well, come take a look for yourself because this is Art Nouveau at its most resplendent.
Adresse: Bosstraat 9, 2861
Telefon: +32 15 75 77 28
E-post: [email protected]
House of Refuge of St Trond’s Abbey
Very early on the abbots of abbeys and monasteries had refuges built in the walled towns where they could stay during a visit to that town or on their way to their often extensive landed estates. In times of war, these refuges also offered protection. The House of Refuge of St Trond's Abbey was established by the Benedictine Abbey in the 16th century to improve contact between the abbey and the archbishop. These days this beautiful building is part of the archbishop's palace to which it is linked by means of a covered bridge.
Adresse: Schoutetstraat 3 2800 Mechelen
Telefon: +32 01 52 97 65
E-post: [email protected]
The Cells
In the shadow of St Rumbold's Tower is a unique historical monument. 'De Cellekens' was originally a charitable institution which took in needy women without a family to care for them. The three wings form a U-shape around the magnificent enclosed garden. Originally each door provided access to two small rooms with bed, cupboard, chair and table. The institution derives its name from these little 'cells'.
'De Cellekens' was empty for a long time but then the new owners, artist Mariette Teugels and her photographer husband Herman Smet, restored the building. You can see some of Mariette Teugels' work in the new garden.
Adresse: Minderbroedersgang 12 2800 Mechelen
Telefon: +32 15 21 16 41
E-post: [email protected]
Grootbrug
The Grootbrug or Large Bridge, also known as the Hoogbrug - High Bridge, connects the IJzerenleen on the other side with the Korenmarkt. This sandstone structure dating from the thirteenth century is the oldest stone bridge in Flanders. The Grootbrug used to be a toll bridge; payment was exacted both on the water and on the street. The bases of two small defence towers are still visible. The Guldenstraat, Korenmarkt and Hoogstraat lead in a direct line from the Grootbrug to the Brusselpoort, the only surviving city gate.
Adresse: Grootbrug 2800 Mechelen
Telefon: +32 15 29 76 54
E-post: [email protected]
Groen Waterke
There are many idyllic spots in Mechelen and Groen Waterke is one of them. The brook owes its name to the duckweed which covers the surface of the water. It is in fact the remains of the Melaan brook which was not covered over or filled in here. Enjoy the peace and quiet of this idyllic spot, close to the houses of refuge of St Trond and Tongerlo abbeys.
Adresse: Goswin de Stassartstraat 7 2800 Mechelen
Telefon: +32 15 29 76 54
E-post: [email protected]
Watchmaker's Museum
The Watchmakers' Museum is a museum with a difference. The Op de Beeck family restores antique clocks and watches and over the centuries has amassed a large collection of timepieces dating from 1600 to the present day. The collection contains extraordinary tower clocks, mystery clocks, sundials and much much more. To find out just how much more, you'll have to pay a visit to this atmospheric museum! You can even have a guided tour. But keep an eye on the time!
Adresse: Lange Schipstraat 13, 2800 Mechelen
Telefon: +32 15 21 18 94
E-post: [email protected]
The Mad Art Collection
This historical building houses a museum with a permanent collection of sixteenth-century paintings. What makes the collection unique is that each painting contains a satirical and moralizing reference to 'madness'. There are paintings in the style of Hieronymus Bosch, Bruegel and Brouwer illustrating reprehensible behaviour and the appropriate punishment. You'll have fun trying to work out the meaning of all the symbols.
Adresse: Sint-Katelijnestraat 22, 2800 Mechelen
Telefon: +32 15 29 01 55
E-post: [email protected]
Dining
Mechelaars love their food and you only really get to know the people when you eat what they eat! In the heart of the vegetable-growing region there is always something to make you lick your lips! But if the Mechelaar might give you a tip, try the city’s most famous speciality: an absolutely delicious ‘Mechelse koekoek’, the native chicken, washed down with the local beer, the Gouden Carolus. Mechelen at its best.
Brasserie Het Anker
Brasserie Het Anker has provided a unique taste experience for generations. In this brasserie several beers are permanently on tap and of course you can also choose from numerous seasonal beers. The kitchen prepares a variety of beer-based dishes. The menu suggests the perfect beer for each dish. Terrace & WIFI.
Adresse: Guido Gezellelaan 49, Mechelen
Telefon: +32 15 287 141
E-post: [email protected]
Sava
Housed in the historic ‘De Kat’ building on the Grote Markt, which dates from the 15th century, Sava is a bar that offers a good selection of Cavas, wines and Mechelen beers on tap plus delicious, home-made tapas. The emphasis is on local products from family producers, fair trade and sustainable sources. Sava is open every day from 9 in the morning through to midnight or later. Tables can be booked on the first floor.
Adresse: Grote Markt 13, Mechelen
Telefon: +32 15 64 70 90
E-post: [email protected]
Via Via Joker Reiscafé Mechelen
Dine out and at the same time broaden your horizons – that’s the ViaVia Mechelen promise! Sample dishes from the four corners of the globe or our superb tapas. And why not treat yourself to a house cocktail! We also cater for parties, meetings and events. Choose between the waterside terrace, the sixteenth-century vaulted room or the atmospheric, multipurpose attic space for groups of up to 49 people.
Adresse: Zandpoortvest 50, Mechelen
Telefon: +32 15 21 60 56
E-post: [email protected]
Puro
Puro is a stylish restaurant whose interior hints at its earlier history as the offices of the Lamot brewery. We take Mechelen’s diversity as our inspiration: our interior and the food and drink we serve reflect global influences, without overlooking the Belgian cuisine. We are open continuously every day for a quick snack or a meal and we are also pleased to welcome large groups. Terrace, Wifi and Aircp.
Adresse: Guldenstraat 20, Mechelen
Telefon: +32 15 33 68 22
E-post: [email protected]
l'Artista
An authentic Italian restaurant in the heart of Mechelen, that’s L’Artista! Born and bred Italians with a passion for food make a dynamic and talented team. Nothing but the best ingredients go into the pizzas, pastas and other dishes. The wines are carefully selected to compliment the food. But you can also feast your eyes on the idiosyncratic, vintage-inspired interior which doubles as an art gallery. The open kitchen with wood oven is key to L’Artista’s claim to authenticity. Terrace & WIFI.
Adresse: Begijnenstraat 5, Mechelen
Telefon: +32 472 81 86 35
Vrijbroekhof
It’s always a pleasure to pop into the light, bright and airy Vrijbroekhof brasserie for a cup of coffee, a refreshing beer and/or great food. Every week brings new suggestions. In the summer choose sun or shade on the terrace and in winter admire the park from the warmth of the cosy interior. We’d be delighted to cater for your business meeting. Parking? You can park free of charge nearby. Garden, Terrace and WIFI.
Adresse: Vrijbroekhof, Mechelen
Telefon: +32 15 67 73 05
E-post: [email protected]
Brasserie-Restaurant Carlton
The old interior of the restaurant was recently replaced and given a trendy but warm and attractive look. The dining-room has 80 covers. When the weather is fine you can eat on the terrace overlooking the Grote Markt and the Cathedral. We specialize in light and sophisticated Belgian dishes with French touches and a modern twist. Our menu changes six times a year according to the seasons and we have an extensive wine list to tantalize the taste buds. WIFI & Terrace. Serves special "Mechelen Cuckoo"!
Adresse: Grote Markt 34, Mechelen
Telefon: +32 15 20 18 80
E-post: [email protected]
Zahia's Cuisine
Zahia's cuisine is a genuine Moroccan restaurant, near St. Rumbold’s Tower. Be swept away by the fragrant tajine, the delectable couscous and countless other Moroccan treats. The restaurant also serves a lovely selection of tapas and vegetarian dishes. Want to sit inside or outdoors on the nice terrace? Our Marrakech lounge exudes an atmosphere of mystique and refinement.
Adresse: Steenweg 12, Mechelen
Telefon: +32 15 63 34 11
E-post: [email protected]
Tivoli Castle
The idyllic Tivoli Castle is tucked away in a 6-ha park on the fringes of Mechelen. At the back of the castle is the stylish Orangerie renowned for its French cuisine. Whether you’re planning a quick business lunch or a leisurely four-course dinner, you can be sure of the best fresh products prepared with creativity and talent.
Adresse: Antwerpsesteenweg 92, Mechelen
Telefon: +32 15 70 91 60
E-post: [email protected]
Unwined
Unwined is a tiny and very cosy wine bar in the centre of Mechelen, just a stone’s throw from Saint Rumbold’s Tower. Koen and Miriam love to share their passion for wine with you and give you some custom wine advice. And of course, you can also sit down and enjoy a tapas board with a delicious glass of sparkling wine. Unwined, a great place to unwind!
Adresse: Steenweg 22, Mechelen
Telefon: +32 15 41 81 85
E-post: [email protected]
Il Cardinale
Il Cardinale is a quality burger restaurant in a modern themed interior. We don’t believe that fast food is by definition unhealthy. As a vibrant catering business in Mechelen we want to help customers make healthier choices a pleasant and relaxing experience. Young and old are always welcome here for a quick snack or a full-scale meal. Because who doesn’t long for the occasional honest burger? Terrace & WIFI.
Adresse: Sint-Romboutskerkhof 1, Mechelen
E-post: [email protected]
Cosma (Foodhouse)
Cosma Foodhouse is an innovative concept, a brasserie with an intimate indoor terrace in the back of the house, which is open all day. The menu has a Mediterranean twist and has been devised in such a way that you can combine and share the various dishes. The main ingredients are supplemented with sides which are easy to mix and match. Whether you prefer a vegetarian, low-carb, healthy, large or small dish, it all tastes equally delicious at Cosma Foodhouse.
Adresse: Befferstraat 24, Mechelen
Telefon: +32 15 67 00 70
E-post: [email protected]
Theatro Pasta & Bar
Fun and good food in the centre of Mechelen. Theatro Pasta & Bar, near the Utopolis cinemas is the place to go. Enjoy a pre-dinner drink in our trendy lounge corner with a wide range of gins and tapas. Our extensive brasserie menu is sure to contain a dish that will tickle your fancy. We believe in serving good food at affordable prices. Delicious pasta dishes, crunchy salads, various fish and meat specialities and simply irresistible desserts. Looking for a cosy and trendy restaurant and bar with fast service? Then look no further!
Adresse: Spuibeekstraat 5, Mechelen
Telefon: +32 15 63 85 10
E-post: [email protected]
Foodmarket: De Vleeshalle
The concept "Shop-Taste-Meet" brings people together in the unique historical framework of “De Vleeshalle”, an old market hall build in 1881. All your senses kick in here: sight, sound, smell and of course taste! You’ll be amazed at the wide range of authentic and irresistible foods available in the former ‘Meat Hall’. Doing your regular shop here is a far cry from the supermarket routine. It’s an experience to relish!
Adresse: Huidevettersstraat 7, Mechelen
E-post: [email protected]
Cafe Belge
Cafe Belge is a bustling brasserie in Grote Markt in the historic city centre of Mechelen. The brasserie has enough space for 30 persons. You can enjoy our south-facing terrace or lovely courtyards.
Adresse: Grote Markt 9, Mechelen
Telefon: +32 15 22 99 81
E-post: [email protected]
M-eatery
It may only be a stone’s throw from the railway station, but M-eatery stands for discovery… a M-eatery discovery! It is not a traditional restaurant or brasserie and certainly not a steakhouse. M-Eatery prides itself on using top-quality, authentic cuts of meat farmed sustainably and ethically. The beautiful, streamlined interior inspired by Scandinavia and New York has a metropolitan feel. Terrace and WiFi to boot.
Adresse: Koning Albertplein 8, Mechelen
Telefon: +32 15 33 90 90
E-post: [email protected]
Komisfeu
Komisfeu is a cosy bistro, grill and fondue restaurant on the fringe of the city centre. You will immediately feel at home here. We serve a wide range of fondue dishes, each with their own meats and adapted garnish. Our well-stocked dessert menu has a fantastic selection of sweet treats in store for you. And our amazing drinks list features a wonderful selection of regional beers, which are paired with cheese. Pure enjoyment!
Adresse: Ontvoeringsplein 2, Mechelen
Telefon: +32 15 67 61 10
E-post: [email protected]
Maroon
Right opposite Mechelen central station is the strikingly contemporary façade of brasserie Maroon, an excellent address for a full-scale meal or simply a chat over a drink with friends or family. Our talented young chef Sonja Elskens prides herself on her Franco-Belgian brasserie food. You will certainly find something to your taste on our extensive menu, from beautifully presented snacks to seasonal suggestions. Terrace & WIFI.
Adresse: Koning Albertplein 12, Mechelen
Telefon: +32 15 63 44 74
E-post: [email protected]
Theatro Pasta & Bar
Fun and good food in the centre of Mechelen. Theatro Pasta & Bar, near the Utopolis cinemas is the place to go. Enjoy a pre-dinner drink in our trendy lounge corner with a wide range of gins and tapas. Our extensive brasserie menu is sure to contain a dish that will tickle your fancy. We believe in serving good food at affordable prices. Delicious pasta dishes, crunchy salads, various fish and meat specialities and simply irresistible desserts.
Adresse: Spuibeekstraat 5, Mechelen
Telefon: +32 15 63 85 10
E-post: [email protected]
Grand Café Lamot
Several years ago the Lamot brewery was converted into the Grand Café Lamot, part of the LAMOT conference and heritage centre complex. Grand Café Lamot’s large terrace overlooks a convivial square with a view of the Dyle. Quality products provide the basis for the mix of classics and daring combinations, all beautifully presented.
Adresse: Van Beethovenstraat 8/10, Mechelen
Telefon: +32 15 20 95 30
Lunch cafes
Coffee is in! Like other cities, Mechelen is awash with espresso bars, slow coffees and baristas. Whether your preference is for an attractive bar, coffee shop, tea house or a brasserie for a lunchtime or afternoon snack, you’re sure to find what you are looking for in Mechelen.
Beans
Beans is a convivial espresso bar on the Ijzerenleen. Sarah, a real barista, will prepare the perfect cup of coffee for you using freshly-ground beans. She loves what she does and you can taste that in every cup! You’ll discover some surprising blends too. Be sure to try the Brazilian Bomb, an award-winning latte macchiato with hazelnut syrup and Brazil nuts.
Adresse: Ijzerenleen 37, Mechelen
Telefon: +32 15 63 91 57
Brasserie Het Anker
Het Anker comprises not only a brewery and a hotel, but also a large brasserie serving a typical Belgian beer-based cuisine. Each dish is prepared with one of Het Anker’s beers. The brasserie was recently renovated, but still exudes the authentic atmosphere of a ‘brown café’. The speciality of the house is the ‘Mechels stoofpotje’, a stew prepared using Carolus beer. But Mechelen’s most typical dish - ‘Mechelse koekoek’ - is also on the menu and well worth trying.
Adresse: Guido Gezellelaan 49, Mechelen
Telefon: +32 15 28 71 45
De Zondvloed
De Zondvloed is a unique concept in Flanders. The shop is stacked floor to ceiling with new and second-hand books and remainders and on the top floor is a coffee salon, serving healthy juices, but also novelties like Iranian tea. So here you can enjoy a quiet drink, while leafing through the newspaper or just chilling out.
Adresse: Onze-Lieve-Vrouwestraat 70, Mechelen
Telefon: +32 15 64 03 79
E-post: [email protected]
Kaffee-ine
Kaffee-ine is sometimes referred to as the Mechelen (but cheaper) alternative to Starbucks. However, it is best known for its organic slow coffee. Above the coffee bar is a pleasant lounge area. Be sure to try the Hollywood: a coffee with cream and Malteser flakes. And non-coffee-drinkers will love Kaffee-ine’s delicious hot chocolate.
Adresse: Onze-Lieve-Vrouwestraat 6, Mechelen
Telefon: +32 475 48 58 14
Le Pain Quotidien
The founder of the Le Pain Quotidien chain, Alain Coumont, so longed for the sort of rustic bread made from natural ingredients he had loved as a child that he opened a bakery that bakes bread in an artisanal and labour-intensive manner. Take a seat at the communal table and try the brownies-with-a-difference, made without flour, or an irresistible chocolate bomb.
Adresse: Ijzerenleen 35, Mechelen
Telefon: +32 15 41 54 24
Puro
This large, stylish cafe and restaurant housed in the old offices of the Lamot brewery pursues a concept of serving ‘pure cuisine’, starting with wholesome, quality ingredients. It prides itself on being a place where you can go for a deliciously healthy breakfast, a drink and a snack throughout the day or a full-scale meal.
Adresse: Guldenstraat 20, Mechelen
Telefon: +32 15 33 68 22
Sister Bean
Two sisters, Marijke and Sara, brought the conviviality of Limburg with them to Mechelen and gave their coffee bar a warm, homely feel. The interior is vintage and has a couple of cosy corners where you can sit over a cup of coffee, guzzle cakes and put the world to rights. The coffee cocktails, served in real cocktail glasses, have proved a particular hit.
Adresse: Vismarkt 26, Mechelen
Telefon: +32 15 65 86 65
ViaVia Mechelen
After Antwerp, Brussels and Leuven, Mechelen now has its own ViaVia Reiscafé. ViaVia Mechelen enjoys a unique location: the Mill House is a remainder of the largest watermill complex in the Low Countries dating from the fifteenth century. It is the meeting place for everyone who appreciates three of the most important things in life: culture, nature and good food.
Adresse: Zandpoortvest 50, Mechelen
Telefon: +32 15 21 60 56
Bars & Nightlife
Part of what makes Mechelen so convivial is its human scale. Rather than packing into large dance halls and nightclubs, in the evenings people tend to gather in the many atmospheric cafés and bars. Many of these provide live music, particularly in the summer months. The area best known for its nightlife is the Vismarkt or old fish market, which abounds in relaxed cafés for all age groups. The dynamism of the Vismarkt spills over into the surrounding Korenmarkt, Onze-Lieve-Vrouwestraat, Begijnenstraat and Melaan. Students tend to converge on the area around the station.
’t Ankertje aan de Dijle
’t Ankertje aan de Dijle is a convivial, brown ‘discussion café’ in an eighteenth-century, late-baroque building. The café serves all the Het Anker brewery’s beers, which it also sells in a beer shop. Curiosities relating to beer and Mechelen’s breweries adorn the walls. There is always a jazz, groove or blues band on the first Monday in the month.
Adresse: Vismarkt 20, Mechelen
Telefon: +32 15 34 60 34
E-post: [email protected]
Bar Popular
Bar Popular, on the hip Vismarkt, is a ‘brown café’ with a southern flavour. This is reflected in the cocktails and wide range of tapas they serve and in the monthly DJ evening. Bar Popular also has an inner courtyard and a very pleasant lounge on the first floor.
Adresse: Vismarkt 1-3, Mechelen
Telefon: +32 472 79 89 06
E-post: [email protected]
Barramundo Lounge
Barramundo is a household name in Mechelen. It could rightly claim to be the hippest lounge, cocktail and champagne bar in Mechelen and beyond. You can also choose from 25 whiskies and five sorts of cognac. On weekdays the atmosphere is ‘loungy’, but things hot up at weekends when you can expect house and dance music. Another draw on summer days is the wonderful inner terrace with separate bar.
Adresse: Steenweg 2, Mechelen
Telefon: +32 494 30 09 91
E-post: [email protected]
Boesjkammeree
An alternative rock cafe on the doorstep of Mechelen railway station, Boesjkammeree is open into the small hours. You’ll find a DJ here on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. The cafe also boasts a large and pleasant summer terrace.
Adresse: Koning Albertplein 10-11, Mechelen
Telefon: +32 15 43 22 88
D’Hanekeef
D’Hanekeef is the city’s oldest and most authentic ‘brown café’. The building was once used for storing the cockerel cages for cockfighting. Now you can choose from some 35 different types of beer and 13 different sorts of whisky.
Adresse: Keizerstraat 8, Mechelen
Telefon: +32 15 20 78 46
De Gouden Vis
The convivial ‘brown café’ known as De Gouden Vis has to be Mechelen’s most famous café. The art-deco interior, the conservatory overlooking the water and the cafe library are all part of its unique charm. It has been run by the same owner for 25 years!
Adresse: Nauwstraat 5-7, Mechelen
Telefon: +32 15 20 72 06
E-post: [email protected]
De Pekton
De Pekton is actually the name of the sixteenth-century building on the Lamot site housing the Brouwerij Palm’s ‘beer café’. The original materials and interior features were used in the reconstruction so the building has lost none of its historic character. The cafe is open seven days a week and also serves regional snacks.
Adresse: Van Beethovenstraat 4, Mechelen
Telefon: +32 485 60 83 25
De Wei
The large ‘brown café’ De Wei ('formerly Den Akker') has been part of Mechelen’s streetscape for more than thirty years. As it is open late in the evenings, those working in the catering industry often congregate here after work. The large terrace on the Dyle is a wonderful place to unwind during the summer months.
Adresse: Nauwstraat 6, Mechelen
O'Fiach's Irish Pub
In the O'Fiach's Irish Pub you’ll find everything you would expect of an Irish pub: you can of course enjoy a typical Irish Guinness or whiskey, but there are also live performances of Irish music which will have you tapping your foot. Quote from the owner: “Pulling pints of Guinness doesn’t mean you have an Irish pub. No, it must be in your blood.”
Adresse: Grote Markt 24, Mechelen
Telefon: +32 15 65 01 21
Unwined
Unwined is a tiny and very cosy wine bar in the centre of Mechelen, just a stone’s throw from Saint Rumbold’s Tower. Koen and Miriam love to share their passion for wine with you and give you some custom wine advice. And of course, you can also sit down and enjoy a tapas board with a delicious glass of sparkling wine. Unwined, a great place to unwind!
Adresse: Steenweg 22, 2800 Mechelen
Telefon: +32 15 41 81 85
E-post: [email protected]
Shopping
There are any number of reasons for choosing Mechelen as your shopping destination! For one thing, here you escape the hustle and bustle and shop against a backdrop of historic architecture rather than traffic! What is more, the shops are all within easy walking distance of each other. Most are concentrated in the Bruul – Ijzerenleen – Onze-Lieve-Vrouwestraat triangle and side streets where traffic is restricted. High-street chains and chic boutiques stand shoulder to shoulder with traditional specialist shops. So Mechelen has something for everyone: from trendy to classic, from vintage to cutting-edge.
Matthys the Baker’s
A household name in Mechelen for twenty years, traditional baker's Matthys is synonymous with delicious products prepared with tender loving care, like the typical Flemish 'vloerbrood' - bread baked on the stone floor of the oven - and traditional 'pistolet' rolls. Moreover, all the ingredients, such as custard and leaven, are homemade. Baker Willem Matthys is the fourth generation of bakers, which makes Bakkerij Matthys a truly traditional establishment!
The speciality is the pointed shortbread called 'Mechels Torentje'. The stone pride of Mechelen, St Rumbold's Tower has been transformed into a delicious crunchy biscuit.
Adresse: Sint-Katelijnestraat 59, 2800 Mechelen
Telefon: +32 15 20 29 34
Huis Inge Goderis
It was Maria Petit, the great grandmother of the current owner Inge Goderis, who established the original shop in Lange Nieuwstraat in Mechelen in the early 1900s. In those days it sold not just knitting wool and sewing cotton but also groceries, etc. The business has always been passed down from mother to daughter and gradually began to specialize in needlecrafts in the broadest possible sense.
Adresse: Onze-Lieve-Vrouwestraat 131-133, 2800 Mechelen
Telefon: +32 15 41 40 54
E-post: [email protected]
Milis-shoes
Master shoemaker Franciscus Milis set up in business in 1953. Geert Milis took over in 1983. In 2002 the shoemaker's was extended and modernized. Milis-shoes also carries a wide range of Van Bommel quality shoes for men.
Adresse: Hoogstraat 29, 2800 Mechelen
Telefon: +32 15 41 31 45
E-post: [email protected]
Lenaerts leather goods
In 1870, five generations ago, craftsman Willem Lenaerts set up a saddlery and leather business in Mechelen's beguinage. It was handed down from father to son and survived two world wars. In 1904 the shop moved to No. 17 Bruul where, thanks partly to an excellent after-sales service, subsequent generations managed to survive amidst the growing number of chain stores. Lenaerts specializes in handbags, rucksacks, suitcases, computer bags, umbrellas and small leather items and is a household name in the wider region around Mechelen.
Adresse: Bruul 77, 2800 Mechelen
Telefon: +32 15 20 59 97
E-post: [email protected]
Simon Lévelt
At Simon Lévelt you can choose from 30 different sorts of coffee and more than 150 different sorts of tea and most of them are organic and fair trade. That may sound rather a lot to choose from, but Simon Lévelt will advise you and you can always settle for a few smaller ‘tester packets’.
Simon Lévelt also sells a special Mechelen blend of coffee, the ‘Taste of Mechelen’, and a Mechelen tea, the ‘Wonder of Mechelen’ with dreamy hints of bergamot, orange blossom and lavender.
Adresse: Guldenstraat 1
Telefon: +32 15 42 43 20
E-post: [email protected]
Tourist Information
Airport
Mechelen’s central location makes it very easy to reach from the various airports.
Brussels Airport
www.brusselsairport.be
Phone: +32 2 753 77 53
25 km
You can get to Mechelen by train, bus or hire car from Belgium’s main airport, Brussels Airport. The simplest and fastest way is by train.
1. By train:
Brussels Airport railway station is on level -1. The Brussels Airport Express leaves for Brussels Central Station four times an hour. From there there are regular departures by train to Mechelen. The journey takes approximately half an hour. But there is more: from June 2012 a new, direct express train link will have you in Mechelen Central Station in just eight minutes! A ticket costs approx. €7.
Web: www.nmbs.be
2. By bus:
You’ll find the airport bus station on level 0. De Lijn provides a direct bus service to Mechelen station twice an hour, including lines 282, 681, 682, 683 and 686. Bus line 686 only runs on weekdays. The bus journey takes between 45 and 50 minutes. A ticket costs approx. €3.
Web: www.delijn.be
3. By (hire) car:
At Brussels Airport you will find various car hire companies, including Hertz, Avis and Europcar. On leaving the airport car park, you immediately come to the motorway. Travel towards Antwerp (E19) and take exit 10 (Mechelen-Zuid) or exit 9 (Mechelen-Noord). The journey takes approximately 25 minutes.
Charleroi Airport (Brussels South) | www.charleroi-airport.com
Phone: +32 78 15 27 22
95 km
From the low-cost Charleroi Airport you can take the bus and the train to Mechelen.
1. By bus and train:
At Charleroi Airport you can buy a ticket which combines the bus to Charleroi-South with the train to Mechelen Central Station. The two ticket- vending machines are located outside the airport, adjacent to Door 2. Your journey will take approximately one and a half hours. A bus and train combination ticket costs approximately €15. The train to Mechelen leaves twice an hour, as does the bus between Charleroi airport and Charleroi-South station.
Web: www.infotec.be, www.nmbs.be
2. By (hire)car:
Several car hire companies have desks at Charleroi Airport, including Avis, Europcar and Hertz. On leaving the airport car park, take the E42 direction Brussels and then the N5 direction Waterloo or the A54 direction Brussels. When you get to Brussels, take the ring road and then the E19 direction Antwerp. You then take exit 10 (Mechelen-Zuid) or exit 9 (Mechelen-Noord). The journey takes approximately one hour.
Antwerp Airport
Web: www.antwerp-airport.be
Phone: +32 3 285 65 00
25 km
You can save a lot of time both on arrival and departure by using Antwerp’s small airport. Distances between the departure lounge and the planes are short which means you can check in up to twenty minutes before your flight leaves. On arrival at Antwerp Airport you can expect to leave the airport building some ten minutes after landing. From there you can easily get to Mechelen by bus and train.
1. By bus and train:
Bus 14 will take you from Antwerp airport to Antwerpen-Berchem railway station in ten minutes. A ticket costs approx. €2. From Antwerpen-Berchem station there is a frequent train service to Mechelen, with approximately four trains an hour destined for Central Station. The journey takes between 15 and 20 minutes. A ticket costs approx. €4.
2. By (hire)car:
Both Avis and Hertz have desks at Antwerp Airport. On leaving the airport, drive straight on into Vosstraat. At the first roundabout turn left into Deurnestraat. At the end turn right into Antwerpsestraat. After approximately 500m turn left into Jozef Hermanslei, and then right into Frans Van Dunlaan. Then get onto the Antwerp ring-road. Take the E19 direction Brussels. Once in Mechelen take exit 10 (Mechelen-Zuid) or exit 9 (Mechelen-Noord). The journey time by car is approximately 25 minutes.
Taxi
Taxis are expensive. For a short distance of 5 km you will easily pay €10. But if you are planning to have a drink while you’re out, a taxi is the perfect solution. A TOV ticket enables you to combine the bus and the taxi. You get €2 discount on the taxi journey on presentation of your bus ticket. But note that not all the taxi companies accept the TOV ticket.
Web: www.delijn.be
At Mechelen station you will find one or more taxis at the taxi ranks near the station exit on Koning Albertplein. There are also parking places for taxis in other parts of the city, but you will not necessarily find a taxi there. You might do best to book a taxi with one of Mechelen’s taxi companies.
A.A.A. Ecotaxi
Phone: +32 15 33 03 30
Web: https://www.taxiz.be/a.a.a.-ecotaxi.html
N-Taxi
Phone: +32 15 26 16 10
Web: www.ntaxi.be
Snel-taxi
Phone: +32 487 35 53 55
Web: www.snel-taxi.be
M(etropool) – Taxi
Phone: +32 472 20 20 50
Web: http://www.metropooltaxi.be
Bens Taxi
Phone: +32 15 27 28 08
M3 Taxi
Phone: +32 474 25 04 53
KM Taxi
Phone: +32 484 03 03 73
San-Taxi
Phone: +32 485 34 94 94
Gerrit’s Taxi
Phone: +32 15 20 07 22
Taxi United
Phone: +32 485 04 10 10
Taxi Mobilis
Phone: +32 488 15 00 12
Taxi Flexi
Phone: +32 489 57 26 11
@ Reiser.no AS 2024