Things to do in Mechelen

Discover the wonders of Planckendael ZOO, nestled in the serene village of Muizen, where the beauty of nature meets the thrill of the wild. As you step into this animal haven, you'll be greeted by the diverse inhabitants of the zoo, each with their unique charm and story. Wander through the grounds of the historic Planckendael castle and immerse yourself in the habitats of creatures from around the globe. Your journey will take you across continents, from the African savannah to the penguin's icy waters, all within the zoo's expansive grounds. Witness the majestic birds of prey, the playful seals, and the penguins during their feeding times, a schedule available to all visitors. Remember, while the animals are a sight to behold, their well-being is paramount, so feeding or petting is not permitted. As your day winds down, take a moment to visit the Jungle Shop for a cuddly souvenir, or simply reflect on your experience as you relax in one of the zoo's restaurants. With facilities to warm a baby bottle and accessible paths for all, Planckendael ZOO ensures a comfortable visit for everyone, concluding a perfect day out with nature.

Start your full-day tour with a drive from Brussels to Leuven. Along the way, your guide will tell you about the landmarks you pass on the way out of Brussels. In Leuven, see the Grote Markt and walk along Saint Peter's Church. The university library square will introduce us to the lively atmosphere of its students, who fill the streets of this town with life. After the tour you’ll have some free time for lunch or to keep unveiling the history of Leuven. Continue to Mechelen, a hidden gem of Belgium, where you will have the opportunity to learn about its history, art and architecture while you walk along the Grote Markt, the Palace of Margaret of Austria or St. Rumbold's Cathedral. Visit Leuven and Mechelen in this day trip where you will discover these two magical cities of Belgium. Book now!

We will meet at Brussels Central Station, where we will take a train to Mechelen - the journey takes only 25 minutes! Once there, we will take a walking tour through the historic center of Mechelen. We will start our walk in the heart of the city: the Grote Markt. In this beautiful square is the monumental Town Hall of Mechelen, on whose facade we will see the sculpture of the most powerful man in Spain (and all of Europe) in the first half of the 16th century. Do you know who it is? We are referring to the great Charles of Habsburg, I of Spain and V of Germany, who was born in Ghent in February 1500. From the Grote Markt we can also see the gigantic bell tower (98 meters high) of the cathedral of St. Rudolph. As we will see, the tower is unfinished - do you know why? We will find out! We will continue our tour of Mechelen along with other emblematic buildings of the city such as the Palace of Margaret of Austria: one of the most cultured women of her time and favorite aunt of Charles V. During the tour, we will also learn about the history of the legendary Van Busleyden Palace and the Dyle, the Mechelen Canal. Very close to these places we will also see the exteriors of the Het Anker brewery: the city's beer brand. Before leaving Mechelen, we will leave you 45 minutes for lunch on your own. After refueling in Mechelen, we will take a train to Leuven. On our tour of this picturesque Belgian city in Flanders, we will walk through its beautiful historic center to admire its most majestic buildings, such as the famous University of Leuven (one of the oldest in Europe) and the facade of the City Hall. Would you be able to recognize the characters that appear on its facade? In Leuven we will take the train back to Brussels.

At the appointed time we will start our guided visit of Mechelen at the central Grote Markt square, at the statue of Margaret of Austria. After contemplating the buildings on this esplanade, one of the most beautiful squares in Belgium, we will go to the cathedral of St. Rudolph. Inside we will contemplate various sacred paintings, among which are the canvases of artistic geniuses such as Van Dyck and Coxcie. We will continue contemplating majestic works in the church of St. John, where the Adoration of the Magi by Rubens is kept. The next stop will take place in front of the Busleyden Museum, where we will contemplate this beautiful Flemish Renaissance building from the outside. After admiring its architecture, we will go to the palace of Margaret of Austria. In front of this building we will learn the story of the aunt of Emperor Charles V, who was actively involved in the education of her nephew. We will then return to the Grote Markt to visit the courtyard of the Mechelen Town Hall. Afterwards, we will learn about the history of the Beguines. Do you know who these women were? We will find out as we walk through the neighborhood where they lived. There we will also see the Beguine church, which has a spectacular baroque facade. Finally, after a two-hour tour, we will conclude our visit to Mechelen at the Het Anker brewery. In this place the Gouden Carolus is brewed, a beer very similar to the one Charles V used to drink in the 16th century.