Discover Mechelen: Belgium's Historic Hidden Gem Beyond Brussels and Bruges

Let's address the elephant in the room: Belgium has some heavy-hitting tourist destinations. Brussels has its Grand Place, Bruges has its canals, and Ghent has its medieval skyline. So why should you divert precious vacation time to Mechelen? Because it delivers everything you love about Belgium in a walkable, intimate package without the tourist markup or crowds.

The city's compact historic center can be crossed on foot in about 20 minutes, meaning you'll never waste time in transit. The 13th-century St. Rumbold's Tower dominates the skyline, offering panoramic views for those willing to climb its 538 steps. And unlike in Bruges, where you might wait an hour for that perfect photo spot, here you'll often have breathtaking vistas all to yourself.

What really sets Mechelen apart is how it balances preservation with authentic daily life. The locals actually live, work, and socialize in the historic center—it's not a museum piece frozen in time. You'll see children playing in centuries-old squares while their parents chat over Belgian beers at nearby cafés. This lived-in authenticity creates an atmosphere that's increasingly rare in Europe's more popular destinations.

My logistics background makes me appreciate how Mechelen's central location makes it the perfect base for exploring Belgium. Brussels is just 20 minutes by train, Antwerp 15 minutes, and even Bruges is only an hour away. But trust me—after your first evening strolling Mechelen's illuminated squares and canals, you might just cancel those side trips.

If you've followed my travels, you know I don't mess around when it comes to beer. Belgium is hallowed ground for beer enthusiasts, and Mechelen houses one of the country's most historic breweries: Het Anker. Founded in 1471 (yes, that's over 550 years ago), it's one of the oldest continuously operating breweries in Belgium and produces the acclaimed Gouden Carolus range.

What makes Het Anker special isn't just its longevity but its commitment to tradition while embracing innovation. The brewery tour here is intimate and technical enough to satisfy beer geeks like me while remaining accessible to casual enthusiasts. Unlike the massive commercial tours in Brussels, here you might find yourself getting extra insights directly from the brewmaster if you ask the right questions.

The brewery's on-site taproom offers the full range of Gouden Carolus beers, including limited editions you won't find exported. My personal recommendation is their Classic—a dark, rich beer with notes of caramel, fruit, and spice that has won World's Best Dark Beer multiple times. If you're staying overnight (and you should), the brewery even operates a charming hotel where you can literally sleep above the fermentation tanks.

Beyond Het Anker, Mechelen boasts an impressive craft beer scene for its size. De Vleeshalle, a renovated meat market turned food hall, features a rotating selection of regional craft beers alongside food stalls. For the ultimate beer experience, I never visit without stopping at Unwined, a specialty beer café with over 100 Belgian beers and knowledgeable staff who can guide your tasting journey.

Before my first visit, I picked up a beer journal to document my Belgian beer discoveries. Three visits later, those pages chronicling Mechelen's offerings remain some of my most referenced when recommending Belgian beers to fellow enthusiasts back home.

One of the great joys of visiting Mechelen is experiencing stunning medieval and Renaissance architecture without having to navigate through tour groups or wait in long lines. The city's skyline is dominated by St. Rumbold's Tower, part of the magnificent Gothic cathedral that was meant to be the tallest church tower in the Low Countries. Though never completed to its intended height (a blessing for those climbing it today), the 97-meter tower offers a breathtaking 360-degree view that encompasses Brussels, Antwerp, and on clear days, even as far as the Netherlands.

What makes the climb special is the series of chambers you discover on your way up, including the former guardroom, the impressive clock chamber, and the carillon room housing 49 bells that still ring out across the city. I recommend timing your visit to coincide with one of the regular carillon concerts—feeling those massive bells vibrate through the ancient stonework while overlooking the medieval city is an experience that stays with you.

Beyond the tower, Mechelen boasts over 300 listed historic buildings, including eight Gothic and Baroque churches, each with its own artistic treasures. The Palace of Margaret of Austria offers a glimpse into Renaissance courtly life, while the Hof van Busleyden Museum showcases Burgundian history in a beautifully restored 16th-century palace.

My favorite architectural experience in Mechelen isn't any single building but rather the joy of discovery while wandering the beguinages—medieval communities once housing religious women. These UNESCO-protected enclaves feature clusters of historic homes around tranquil courtyards and gardens. The Large Beguinage, with its quiet streets and preserved houses dating from the 16th to 18th centuries, feels like stepping into another era entirely—one where you can actually hear birds singing and your own footsteps on the cobblestones.

For capturing these architectural wonders, I rely on my compact travel camera. Its excellent low-light performance handles dimly lit church interiors beautifully, while remaining discreet enough not to disturb the peaceful atmosphere of these historic spaces.

If there's one thing I've learned from years of global food exploration, it's that great beer deserves great food—and Mechelen delivers both with Belgian flair. The city offers everything from Michelin-recommended restaurants to authentic street food that pairs perfectly with local brews.

Let's start with the classics. Belgian frites are an art form here, not just a side dish. My go-to spot is Frituur De Merode, where third-generation frite makers double-fry potatoes to golden perfection in beef tallow the traditional way. The key is to try them with different sauces—my personal favorite combination is half andalouse (mayonnaise with tomato paste and peppers) and half stoofvleessaus (beef stew sauce). Pair these with a Gouden Carolus Classic for a simple but transcendent flavor combination.

Mechelen's location in Flanders means you'll find excellent waterzooi (creamy fish or chicken stew) and stoofvlees (Flemish beef stew cooked with beer) at traditional brasseries around the Grote Markt. For something special, book ahead at De Vleeshalle, the converted 19th-century meat market now housing food stalls showcasing everything from traditional Belgian cuisine to international street food. The communal seating makes it perfect for couples who want variety without the formality of fine dining.

For those with a sweet tooth, Mechelen offers exceptional chocolate shops where you can watch artisans at work. Chocolaterie Van Hoorebeke creates pralines using traditional methods that pair remarkably well with the darker Belgian ales. Ask for their beer-infused chocolates for a meta Belgian experience.

One of my favorite food experiences in Mechelen happens every Saturday morning at the market on the Grote Markt. Local farmers and producers offer everything from artisanal cheeses to fresh produce. I always pick up some aged Gouda from the cheese stall in the northwest corner of the square—the vendor can vacuum-seal it for travel, making it the perfect edible souvenir.

To capture my culinary discoveries, I use my smartphone gimbal for smooth food videos that don't scream 'tourist.' The compact design fits easily in my day bag, and the stabilization ensures I get social media-worthy shots even after sampling a few Belgian beers.

While Bruges gets all the credit for romantic canals, Mechelen offers its own intimate waterway experiences without the tourist crowds. The Dijle River winds through the city center, with sections recently uncovered after being vaulted over for decades. The city has embraced these waterways, creating peaceful walking paths alongside them that reveal perspectives of historic buildings you simply can't appreciate from the streets.

For couples, I recommend the evening walking route along the Haverwerf, where three extraordinarily preserved 16th and 17th-century facades—known as the Three Devils, Paradise, and the Wooden Head—reflect in the calm waters of the Dijle. This spot is particularly magical at dusk when subtle lighting illuminates these architectural treasures. Unlike Bruges, where you might share this moment with dozens of other couples, here you'll often have these romantic vistas to yourselves.

Beyond the main waterways, Mechelen hides countless intimate courtyards and gardens behind unassuming facades. The Hof van Busleyden Museum not only houses impressive art collections but also features a meticulously restored Renaissance garden that's perfect for a quiet moment together. The inner courtyard of the Former Palace of Margaret of Austria offers another tranquil retreat from the world, with its elegant arcaded gallery providing shelter for a contemplative stroll even on rainy days.

My favorite romantic discovery came on my second visit while exploring the beguinages. Behind a simple wooden door, we found a community herb garden where local residents still tend to plants that have grown there for centuries. An elderly gentleman noticing our interest invited us in and explained how these gardens once provided medicinal herbs for the entire community. These unscripted moments of connection happen regularly in Mechelen in a way that's increasingly rare in Belgium's more visited cities.

For evening ambiance, follow the locals to the string of cafés along the IJzerenleen, a broad pedestrian street where outdoor seating fills with couples enjoying aperitifs before dinner. The subtle lighting, historic surroundings, and gentle hum of conversation create the perfect atmosphere for connection without distraction.

To capture these romantic moments without fumbling with camera settings, I've found the pocket tripod invaluable for low-light evening shots and couple's photos using my camera's timer. It's small enough to carry everywhere yet sturdy enough for those perfect twilight canal shots.