A Guide to Mechelen, Belgium’s Perfect-Sized Burgundian City Break

Often bypassed in favour of Bruges or Brussels, yet brimming with everything that makes Belgian cities so utterly appealing, Mechelen is arguably Belgium’s most perfectly sized weekend city break.

The former capital of the Burgundian Netherlands and, later, the Low Countries, Mechelen brings plenty of history to the table – quite literally with the launch of the cesspit-inspired Mmm Mechelen menu (it’s tastier than it sounds – more on that in a minute). This is a city shaped by the hands of influential women, which today blends the expected Belgian beers, breweries, canals, and cobblestones with an international and contemporary culture while clinging to its Burgundian roots.

Ideal for a two or three-day visit on a quick Eurostar hop from London, this Mechelen guide covers the highlights, including the best things to do in Mechelen and where to eat, stay and play to get the most out of one of Europe’s most underrated cities.

When to visit Mechelen, Belgium 

Mechelen makes for a cracking city break year-round. Summer is the most obvious time to visit, both for its more reliable weather and the abundance of festivals. These include the free summer concerts of Parkpop in the Botanical Garden and Maanrock, an open-air, free festival held in mid-to-late August. 

I loved my mid-September visit as the sun was still shining, leaves were starting to tinge copper, and it coincided with the CultuurSplash Festival, with plenty of events happening over a long weekend. Come for Christmas, and the gorgeous festive market under the shadow of St Rumbold’s Tower will more than compensate for the chill. Whenever you come, make sure you allow at least two full days to experience all of Mechelen’s things to do – this shouldn’t just be a day trip from Brussels.

Where to stay in Mechelen, Belgium 

My Pick: Porta Superia B&B

Everything about Porta Superia B&B, a boutique stay, was immaculate. From Kurt’s welcome to the Burgundian-inspired breakfast served with insider tips and thoughtful conversation, the attention to detail was second to none. Set just outside the historical core, the heritage building has been renovated with great care, retaining many original features while introducing eco-conscious solutions, including solar and water-reducing (yet excellent) showers, to the forefront. An honesty bar offers a nightcap of wine or a local brew; the comfy bedding might thwart your plans to explore; and the spacious, personality-rich rooms with expansive windows provide a serene city sleep. Highly recommended.  

Something grander: Martin’s Patershof 

For a splashy stay, consider checking into Martin’s Patershof, a former monastery that’s since been converted into a hotel. However, as the conversion had to be reversible, many of the original features remain, including imposing stained glass windows, with the hotel essentially constructed inside the cathedral. The grand suite – where singer Stromae stayed when celebrating his marriage here – is particularly special.

Mechelen’s most memorable experiences 

Tour the Old Town with whispers of the Middle Ages 

Mechelen isn’t short of major landmarks. In fact, this is one of the few historical, medieval old towns where you’ll find not one but three town hall buildings grouped. It’s also rather unique in that this was a city shaped by women, from Margaret of Austria and Margaret of York to the Beguines living in their closed quarters. It’s all delightfully pretty and wonderfully compact, so a self-guided tour – though you might want to consider the “eavesdropping route” for a bit of historical audio insight – is straightforward to follow.

Start by entering the Old Town via Brusselpoort, Mechelen’s sole remaining medieval gate. Marvel at the magnificent architecture surrounding the triangular Grote Markt square where the trio of town halls – dating from the 14th, 16th and 17th centuries – are grouped together. As ornate as they are, it’s soaring St Rumbold’s Tower that steals the show. Mechelen’s main landmark is this never-quite-completed, 97-metre cathedral tower – climb 500-odd steps to survey the city from a high. Then, trace the Inner Dyle canal path to sight the old market, riverside bars, and a trio of gorgeous 16th-17th century houses near Haverwerf. Along the way, there are plenty of pretty gardens and cute corners alongside multiple statues celebrating the women who made this city so important.

Blend Belgian beers and an old Beguinage on a brewery tour 

Breweries and Belgium go hand in hand – but in Mechelen, there are two more B’s in the mix: Beguinage and Burgundian. Back in the 13th century, the first Beguinage  – a closed community with homes, churches and gardens, built for religious women who preferred not to take vows or join a formal nunnery – was built in Mechelen. After moving a couple of times, The Great Beguinage was constructed, essentially a city quarter for around 1500 women, and remained active until the last two Beguines passed in the late 20th century.

Now, the Great Beguinage is one of the prettiest, most laid-back quarters in Mechelen, and even if you aren’t interested in a beer tour, it’s well worth the brief walk from the city centre to visit and enjoy a coffee in the calm surroundings. If you do decide to join the beer tour, you won’t be disappointed. Het Anker offers guided tours around their fifth-generation brewery, though its history dates back far longer than that. The Beguines once brewed here – it’s their former hospital, and the beer was produced due to the water not being potable – though now it’s most famous for its Royalty-rated Gouden Carolus beer. Tours wrap with a tasting of a few local beers. 

Visit the Hof Van Busleyden Palace for all things Burgundian

If you’re still scratching your head to understand Burgundian history, a visit to the Hof Van Busleyden Palace is a must-do activity in Mechelen. Though even if you’re already all clued up, you’ll want to swing by. This gorgeous 16th-century Renaissance palace, rebuilt following World War I, reopened to the public in 2024 as an inspiring and interactive space, complete with a delightful herb garden café on its grounds, where the carillon bells compete with the singing of birds.

Inside, the space is surprisingly contemporary, with immersive panels and spacious rooms that guide you through Burgundian art, culture, and stories. The permanent exhibition introduces you to the former owner of the palace, van Busleyden himself, while guiding you through artworks and exhibits that cover Margaret of Austria’s rule and the early Habsburg period. The Enclosed Gardens, a form of 3D, flower-filled triptychs typical of the Middle Ages in Mechelen, are another highlight, as are the original 16th-century frescoes still visible in the lower hall.

Detour to witness the Winter Gardens’ dazzling stained glass

The Ursuline Winter Gardens was one of my absolute favourite discoveries during my time in Mechelen. A highly respected boarding school for girls in the 19th century (it’s still attached to a working school today), the space is spectacular. Closed to the public for over a century, it’s only recently reopened to visitors following extensive renovation work.

Now, the centrepiece, a magnificent art nouveau hall with sublime stained glass, shines bright once more. The other areas accessible without joining a guided tour, such as the dining halls and the church prayer building, are all gorgeous. However, even if you only come to sit by the fountain in the central glass room, you’ll be glad you made the bus journey out of the city. Be sure to book tickets well in advance for this hidden gem. 

Sample medieval flavours through a cesspit-inspired feast

Now, about that cesspit-inspired menu – something for which we can thank the food archaeologist (yes, that’s a real job) Jeroen Van Vaerenbergh. After excavating a cesspit in a former grand home’s gardens, which had essentially preserved much of the food and… other waste for around 600 years, Jeroen set about analysing it all to ascertain which ingredients and flavours the city’s residents (well, at least the more affluent) were eating back in Burgundian times.

The result? Mmm Mechelen – though I prefer the slightly more inappropriate Flemish translation: Mouth full of Mechelen. Jeroen has worked with ten different venues across the city, from chocolatiers and brew masters to vegan restaurants and hotels, to create dishes and drinks that use ingredients and flavours as similar as possible to those of the Middle Ages.

My introduction to these dishes began on my first breakfast in Porta Superia B&B when Kurt served me eggs sprinkled with the pepper used in the 16th century and locally produced cheeses blended with seeds and figs of the time. After picking up a voucher back for the others, I snacked on biscuits, chocolates, burgers and more. It wasn’t just a fantastic culinary experience but a walking tour of the city, with plenty of opportunities to strike up conversations with the makers I met along the way.

Where to eat and drink in Mechelen, Belgium

Forget frites and mussels – at least briefly – and you’ll soon discover that Mechelen is mouthwatering, with first-class restaurants, chilled-out craft beer bars, and a few surprises on the menu. These were some of my favourite spots.

De Vleeshalle

Mechelen’s former meat market has been transformed into a go-to food social hub for a chilled lunch or easy dinner. There are a handful of small stores, stands serving beer and mixing cocktails, and a decent array of food outlets offering everything from traditional Bitterballen to veggie wraps and South Asian curries. Nam Nam Vietnamese was my highlight.

De Gouden Vis

This retro canalside bar is a treat. On one side, you’ve got an old-school bar with chess-like flooring, and on the other, a glorious, tucked-away deck right on the water. Of course, it’s Belgium, so the craft beer menu is admirable. De Gouden Vis is the perfect place for a sundowner. 

Funky Jungle

A laid-back, all-vegan restaurant, Funky Jungle lives up to its name with a toucan mural interior and tables right under the shade of the tower. As one of the restaurants participating in the Mmm Mechelen project, I ordered the Burgundian burger and a citrus-seed-inspired cocktail and was mighty impressed with the flavours. It’s popular – make a reservation. 

Het Bestek

I adored this lunch spot – especially eating in the cute, sunny courtyard out back. Het Bestek’s menu is all seasonal, healthy and scrupulously prepared, but deciding what to order is a challenge. Luckily, they offer a daily set lunch option to save you the trouble of picking, and I was thrilled with the burrata and white cucumber salad, followed by veal with a mint and lime dressing and a side of roasted mushrooms, which arrived. 

Lam’eau  

Housed in a former beer factory (of course), Lam’eau’s dining room has a slightly industrial yet now splashy interior. However, do yourself a favour and book one of the canalside tables so you can enjoy a fresh seafood dinner – the skate wing was perfectly cooked –with the sunset twinkling off the waters. Warning: it’s a little pricey; come for the three-course, set-price lunch menu for a more affordable taster. 

Het Anker or Batteliek

No visit to Belgium is complete without a brewery visit, and Mechelen offers decent options. Het Anker – alongside offering the Beguinage brewery tours mentioned above – has a decent restaurant where you can drop in for a beer flight and enjoy some typical, hearty dishes and stews without the need to book. Batteliek is a more hip microbrewery housed in a former church.

How to get to and around Mechelen, Belgium

Getting there

Visiting Mechelen, Belgium, from the UK is super straightforward. I took the Eurostar from London to Brussels and then hopped on a 25-minute train to Mechelen (it was cheaper to purchase the second ticket on arrival than the combined any-Belgian station Eurostar ticket). If you’re flying into well-connected Brussels airport, the short train hop from the capital is equally easy.

Getting around

You could easily explore Mechelen on foot. The city centre is compact, pedestrianised in parts, and pretty flat. Hire a bike for a faster-paced exploration; use the riverboats for sightseeing rather than moving from A to B. There are some city centre buses, with 60-minute, €2.50 tickets payable by contactless onboard.