1. Mechelen can be easily reached from nearby Brussels or Antwerp. There are regular regular rail and bus services between these cities.
2. The city is famous for the variety of non-standard hotels opened in unique historic buildings. These hotels can offer quite affordable rooms, so even budget travelers should not ignore them.
3. In the warm season, it'd be a great idea to take a boat trip along the River Dyle. Many outstanding sights can be seen in all their glory from the water.
4. Active tourists who like walking should take a pair of comfortable shoes on a trip. In Mechelen's historic district, many streets are stone-paved so wearing high heels can be uncomfortable for ladies.
6. Fans of tours need to specify the schedule of popular attractions and museums in advance. Many of them close at 4:00-5:00 pm.
7. The most popular shops and restaurants are concentrated around Grote Markt. Restaurants and shopping pavilions located away from the lively center have more affordable prices.
Mechelen residents are proud of their amazing history. Over hundreds of years, the city has gotten a lot of interesting symbols and traditions. One of the most interesting symbols is … Open
9. From Mechelen, you can easily get to nearby major cities (including Brussels) by speed train. The trip takes no more than 30 minutes, so you can easily plan excursions to neighboring cities.
10. A popular mode of transport for locals is the bike. The city has several rental offices in which two-wheelers can be rented for hours or days.
11. The city's largest tourist center is located next to the Town Hall. Here you can buy detailed city maps and booklets with descriptions of attractions, as well as specify the working hours of cultural centers.
12. Near the central city square, you will find many interesting gastronomic shops selling the best local produce. Such shops will surely appeal to independent tourists.
13. Summer is the best time to visit Mechelen for fans of event tourism. A series of music festivals and festivals dedicated to national culture takes place here in the warm season.
14. The city cannot boast of lots of nightclubs and bars. Most of them close very early. Restaurants located in the main square and in large hotels work the longest hours.
15. Popular souvenirs among Mechelen's guests are local beer and Belgian chocolate. The city has many specialty shops selling gift sets of local delicacies.