Day Trip to Mechelen from Brussels
Day Trip to Mechelen Self-Guided Itinerary
Mechelen does not get the same instant name recognition as Bruges or Ghent so our day trip to Mechelen was not even on our radar. Sandwiched between Brussels and Antwerp, travelers often drive past it. But, a single day here still offers plenty of medieval gables, Baroque ceilings, and unplanned detours.
We arrived by train and planned the day with Gemini AI.
Getting there via the Metro and Train
This was easy after taking the train to a day trip to Leuven the day before. Once again, I started at the Hilton Garden Inn Brussels City Centre and walked 170 meters to the Hôtel des Monnaies / Munthof metro.
I just tapped my credit card at the gate, no ticket needed. Then I took Metro 2 toward Simonis two stops to Gare du Midi, followed by a quick 2-minute walk up into Brussels-Zuid.
After buying my ticket to Mechelen on the SNCB app for €4.20 second-class, I boarded and enjoyed the 30-minute ride.
Arriving for our Day Trip to Mechelen
Outside Mechelen train station, bikes are a familiar part of everyday life—and the City of Mechelen continues to make cycling an accessible, attractive, and convenient choice for residents and visitors alike.
Stepping off at Mechelen station, the first thing you see are bikes. Lots of them. The only other place we saw more was in Rotterdam.
The 1.3 km walk to Grote Mkt takes about 15 minutes. The bus saves very little time once you factor in waiting.
The walk served as a pleasant warm up past shopfronts, side streets, and constant bicycle traffic. Mechelen prioritizes bicycles. You notice the cycling culture within five minutes.
Bicyclists and pedestrians sharing the open paved boulevard leading toward the center.
Pedestrians, shoppers, and a pet dog strolling down the bustling Bruul shopping street.
Visiting the Basilica of Our Lady of Hanswijk
A view of the Baroque-style Basilica of Our Lady of Hanswijk rising behind a classic brick building under an overcast sky in Mechelen, Belgium. The striking architecture highlights the church's grand central cupola and detailed facade.
We decided to head towards the Basilica first. No particular reason. It just seemed to make sense when looking at the map.
The dramatic interior of the Basilica of Our Lady of Hanswijk, featuring white barrel vaults, marble floors, and the black-and-gold high altar.
Inside, we found a soaring white barrel-vaulted nave and a black and gold altarpiece. An octagonal plaque set into the marble floor commemorates a visit from Pope John Paul II on May 18, 1985. He specifically came to pray at the site due to its deep historical status as a major destination for Marian devotion.
Close-up of the black and gold high altar and choir area.
Looking back down the nave toward the massive wooden pipe organ and entrance doors.
The octagonal marble floor plaque commemorating Pope John Paul II's visit on May 18, 1985.
Just an FYI. There are two well known churches in Mechelen. We started at the Basilica of Our Lady of Hanswijk. The other church is Church of Our Lady of Leliendaal. Both churches share the same 17th-century architect, Lucas Faydherbe, which explains the identical Italian-Baroque elements: barrel vaults, marble floors, gilt.
We also spotted an ornate carved-wood pulpit by Theodoor Verhaegen.
The intricately carved wooden pulpit by Theodoor Verhaegen dominating the church transept.
The artwork depicts Adam and Eve at the base, leading up to the Assumption of Mary surrounded by angels.
Walking the Dijlepad River Walkway
A walker with a dog strolling along the wooden Dijlepad boardwalk running alongside the river and brick buildings.
The Dijle river sits a short walk from Hanswijk and meters from a stop we made for brunch. More down below. Townhouses line the water as tour boats pass. This floating wooden boardwalk runs at water level through the city center.
The path offers a clear view of waterfront gardens and building backs away from street traffic.
Exploring the Grote Markt and St. Rumbold's Tower
A wide perspective of the open Grote Markt square with St. Rumbold's Tower rising over the gables.
We continued on Hanswijk until we ran into Bruul, which eventually opens into the Grote Markt. St. Rumbold's Tower rises 97 meters overhead. Its massive Gothic stonework dominates the city skyline.
Visitors can climb 538 steps to a glass skywalk at the top. On clear days, the view reaches Antwerp and Brussels. We skipped the climb on this trip.
The statue of Margaret of Austria framed by pink petunia baskets in the Grote Markt, with St. Rumbold's Tower rising behind.
Historic guild houses line the square with white scrollwork and red brick gables.
A row of ornate stepped gables along the Grote Markt. A closer look at the central brick facade reveals a small round medallion of a "peeing boy" silhouette — a playful decorative detail rather than a standalone statue.
The wider row of historic gables lining the Grote Markt in Mechelen.
Wide view of the Palace of the Great Council complex in Mechelen's Grote Markt.
Opposite the gables sits the Palace of the Great Council. Starting in 1473, this building housed the highest court in the Burgundian Netherlands.
Nearby, a statue of Margaret of Austria stands among flower baskets. She governed the Netherlands from Mechelen between 1507 and 1530.
Further down, a carved wooden signpost points toward city landmarks. Its figures — a woman holding out a stretched cloth, a man caught mid-fall — likely depict Opsinjoorke, Mechelen's traditional rag-doll mascot, tossed in a blanket as mock punishment during city parades.
A carved wooden directional signpost in Mechelen decorated with folk-art figures.
Discovering Mechelen Street Art and Medieval City Gates
Large purple and blue mural of a creature holding out hands painted on the side of Café Antverpia.
City artist Gijs Vanhee launched the Mechelen Muurt project in 2015. The initiative brought artists to cover bare building walls across town.
A large blue creature mural decorates the side of Café Antverpia on Adegemstraat.
Along Hoogstraat, historic structures remain well preserved. The brick facade of Slagerij Dockx still displays its original 1738 construction date.
The 1738 brick stepped-gable facade of Slagerij Dockx with closed white security shutters.
At the end of the street stands the Brusselpoort. This double-spired gatehouse is the only remaining structure from the original twelve medieval city gates.
The historic Brusselpoort gatehouse with its twin spired towers and central stone archway.
Stopping for Lunch at Pastis Foodcafé
We stopped for lunch at Pastis Foodcafé. It is at the corner of Vijfhoek and Hanswijkstraat. Vijfhoek turns into Bruul as you cross over the river a few meters away. The specials menu was written in Dutch, so we used the AI assistant to translate the items.
We ordered two ciders, a cheeseboard and breads. The cost came out to roughly €24. The quick service let us resume walking without much delay.
Reviewing Skipped Sightseeing Locations in Mechelen
We missed several notable stops during this day trip:
- Haverwerf features three famous 16th-century wooden houses named Saint Joseph, De Duiveltjes, and Het Paradijs.
- Museum Hof van Busleyden displays Renaissance art and historic retables.
- Brewery Het Anker brews Gouden Carolus beer and offers tours.
- St. Rumbold's Tower climb, which provides panoramic views from its upper skywalk.
Comparing Day Trips to Mechelen vs. Leuven
Mechelen requires more walking than Leuven. Leuven concentrates its main sights, such as the University Hall and Grote Markt, into a tight central loop.
Mechelen, by contrast, spreads its sights across different quarters. Hanswijk sits near the train station, while the Grote Markt and river paths head in separate directions.
My advice is to use AI to help narrow down walking routes efficiently. And you should still verify real-world details on the ground.
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The Travel Tipster
I'm Ed Vasquez — The Travel Tipster. I've explored 35 countries and 100+ cities, almost always in a business class seat earned entirely through points. Firsthand destination guides, honest reviews, and practical points advice — from someone who has actually been there.