Things to do
Mechelen, a short walk from your bed.
Everything that makes Mechelen worth the trip sits minutes from the door. These are the places we recommend ourselves, from the tower to the table.
Start at the beginning: the beguinage.
You are staying in the middle of the Great Beguinage, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1998. Centuries ago hundreds of beguines lived here; today it is a hushed quarter of narrow lanes, hidden gardens and the baroque beguinage church around the corner.
The best city walk literally starts at our front door: lose yourself in the lanes around the house first, then drift down towards the river Dijle and the Grote Markt.
City & culture
- St. Rumbold's tower. Climb the 538 steps to the skywalk platform; on clear days you can see Brussels and Antwerp.
- Hof van Busleyden. A Burgundian city palace telling the story of Mechelen under Margaret of Austria.
- Kazerne Dossin. A moving memorial and museum on the Holocaust and human rights.
- Het Predikheren. The city library in a former Dominican monastery; come for the books, stay for the architecture.
- Het Kunstuur. Flemish masters in an old chapel, one hour long, with music and narration. Book ahead.
- Shopping. From the IJzerenleen to the Bruul, and the Onze-Lieve-Vrouwestraat full of boutiques, pop-ups and specialist shops.
Nature & quiet
- Mechels Broek. A wide nature reserve with boardwalks and birdwatching hides, fifteen minutes by bike.
- The Zennegat. Where the Dijle, Zenne and canal meet; the finest terrace for a local beer after the ride.
- Vrijbroekpark. A large city park with rose garden and playground, ideal for an easy afternoon.
- Walking along the Dijle. Follow the water straight through town, over boardwalks and past old quays.
With children
- Technopolis. A hands-on science centre; easily half a day gone.
- Planckendael. A zoo within cycling distance, along a green and pleasant route.
- The Toy Museum. Nostalgia for the parents, play for the children.
- De Nekker. Swimming and play at the sports and recreation domain just outside the centre.
Food & drink
- Het Anker brewery. Taste the Gouden Carolus where it is brewed, walking distance from the house.
- Coffee & lunch. Créma, Coffice or de Vleeshalle, for mornings when you are somehow still hungry.
- Cafés. De Gouden Vis on the fish market for local life, Sava for tapas on a summer evening.
- Restaurants. Ronda and Faran for Mediterranean, La Vigna for Italian, Graspoort for new world cuisine, Lesco for fine dining.
Everything on foot, or on our bikes.
In Mechelen you need no car: the centre is five minutes on foot and our two free bikes take you as far as the Mechels Broek or Planckendael. For Brussels, Antwerp and the airport there is the train, fifteen minutes away.
The key is waiting.
Check availability for the two rooms and book directly, no middleman. Questions? Marijke is happy to answer them herself.