# Things to see in Mechelen (Belgium): 76 places and when to go

> Mechelen is a town in Belgium, and this site lists 76 places in and around it, mainly History (31), Wildlife (31), Nature (29). The best known are St. Rumbold's Cathedral, Fort Breendonk and Mechelen transit camp. The best time to come is April to October and December; also possible: January to March and November. In June there are 16 h 17 of daylight, and in December, 7 h 42. Here is what there is, when to go, how to get there and what else is nearby.

- Address: https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/belgica/mechelen/
- Reviewed on: 2026-10-02
- Language: en

## In a nutshell

- **Where:** Belgium · 51.0242, 4.4786
- **Places:** 76 places on this site, in the town and around it.
- **What people come for:** [History](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/belgica/historia/) (31) · [Wildlife](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/belgica/fauna/) (31) · [Nature](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/belgica/naturaleza/) (29) · [Temples](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/belgica/espiritual/) (14) · [Museums and art](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/belgica/museos/) (8) · [Food and drink](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/belgica/gastronomia/) (8)
- **Best time:** April to October and December.
- **Also possible:** January to March and November.
- **Nearest airport:** BRU Zaventem, 14 km as the crow flies

## What to see in Mechelen

The places in and around Mechelen, best known first, each with its own page: what it is, when to go and what is next to it. Distances are from the centre, as the crow flies.

- [St. Rumbold's Cathedral](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/belgica/st-rumbold-s-cathedral/): Cathedral in Mechelen, Belgium · 521 m
- [Fort Breendonk](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/belgica/fort-breendonk/): Military fort which served as a Nazi prison camp in Willebroek, Belgium · 10 km
- [Mechelen transit camp](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/belgica/dossinkazerne/): Former Nazi transit camp and a current museum in Belgium · 1.1 km
- [Béguinage of Mechelen](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/belgica/groot-begijnhof-mechelen/): Béguinage in Mechelen, Belgium · 933 m
- [Liers Begijnhof](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/belgica/begijnhof-lier/): Béguinage in Lier, Belgium · 13 km
- [Brusselpoort](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/belgica/brusselpoort/): City gate in Mechelen, Belgium · 423 m
- [Basilica of Our Lady of Hanswijk](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/belgica/onze-lieve-vrouw-van-hanswijkbasiliek/): Church building in Mechelen, Belgium · 520 m
- [Het Anker Brewery](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/belgica/brouwerij-het-anker/): Brewery in Mechelen, Belgium · 919 m
- [Kazerne Dossin Memorial, Museum and Documentation Centre](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/belgica/joods-museum-van-deportatie-en-verzet/): Museum in Mechelen, Belgium · 1.1 km
- [Onze-Lieve-Vrouw ten Troost](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/belgica/onze-lieve-vrouw-van-troostbasiliek/): Church in Vilvoorde, Belgium · 11 km
- [Bosteels Brewery](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/belgica/brouwerij-bosteels/): Brewing structure located in Belgium · 20 km
- [Hof van Savoye](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/belgica/hof-van-savoye/): Historic building in Mechelen, Belgium · 724 m
- [Mechelen City Hall](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/belgica/stadhuis-mechelen/): Historic building complex in Mechelen, Belgium · 467 m
- [Planckendael](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/belgica/planckendael/): With kids · Wildlife · 3.8 km
- [Saint Gummarus Church](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/belgica/sint-gummaruskerk/): Church in Lier, Belgium · 14 km
- [Begijnhofkerk](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/belgica/begijnhofkerk-sint-alexius-en-catharina/): Church in Mechelen, Belgium · 900 m
- [Mechelen Toy Museum](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/belgica/museo-del-juguete/): Museum in Mechelen, Belgium · 944 m
- [Church of Our Lady across the river Dijle](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/belgica/onze-lieve-vrouw-over-de-dijlekerk/): Church in Mechelen, Belgium · 121 m
- [Church of Our Lady of Leliendaal, Mechelen](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/belgica/onze-lieve-vrouw-van-leliendaalkerk/): Church in Mechelen, Belgium · 232 m
- [Saint John's Church](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/belgica/sint-janskerk/): Church in Mechelen, Belgium · 716 m
- [Sint-Pieters-en-Pauluskerk](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/belgica/sint-pieter-en-paulkerk/): Church in Mechelen, Belgium · 742 m
- [Lier town hall](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/belgica/stadhuis-lier/): Town hall · 13 km
- [Stedelijk Museum Wuyts-Van Campen en Baron Caroly](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/belgica/stadsmuseum-lier/): Museum in Lier, Belgium · 13 km
- [Jezuïetenkerk](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/belgica/concertzaal-jezuietenkerk/): Church building in Lier, Belgium · 14 km

And the other 52, by what you come to do:

- **History**: [Fort van Walem](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/belgica/fort-van-walem/), [Harmonium Art museuM](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/belgica/harmonium-art-museum/), [Museum Hof van Busleyden](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/belgica/museum-hof-van-busleyden/), [Our Lady of Good Hope Church](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/belgica/onze-lieve-vrouw-van-goede-hoopkerk/), [Schepenhuis, Mechelen](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/belgica/schepenhuis/), [Sint-Margaritakerk](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/belgica/sint-margaritakerk/), [Domein Hofstade](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/belgica/sport-vlaanderen-domein-hofstade/), [Willebroek railway station](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/belgica/station-willebroek/), [Tank memorial](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/belgica/tankmonument/), [Brouwerij De Ster](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/belgica/brouwerij-de-ster/)
- **Museums and art**: [Technopolis](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/belgica/technopolis/)
- **Nature**: [Bomputten](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/belgica/bomputten/), [Bos van Aa](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/belgica/bos-van-aa/), [Kollinten](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/belgica/kollintenbos/), [Lintbos](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/belgica/lintbos/), ['s Gravenbos](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/belgica/s-gravenbos/), [Steentjesbos](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/belgica/steentjesbos/), [Dalemansbos](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/belgica/wormelaar-dalemansbos/), [Abroekbos](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/belgica/abroekbos/), [Anderstad](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/belgica/anderstad/), [Biezenweiden reservaat](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/belgica/biezenweiden-reservaat/), [Blaasveldbroek](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/belgica/blaasveldbroek/), [Broek De Naeyer](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/belgica/broek-de-naeyer/), [Cassenbroek](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/belgica/cassenbroek/), [De Warande](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/belgica/de-warande/), [Domein Neteland](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/belgica/domein-neteland/), [Gasthuisbossen (Waverwoud)](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/belgica/gasthuisbossen-waverwoud/), [Hellebos](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/belgica/hellebos/), [Hondsbossen (Waverwoud)](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/belgica/hondsbossen-waverwoud/), [Houtembos](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/belgica/houtembos/), [Mechels Broek](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/belgica/mechels-broek/), [Natuurdomein Bleukensweide](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/belgica/natuurdomein-bleukensweide/), [Rotbos](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/belgica/rotbos/), [Velaertbos](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/belgica/velaertbos/), [Vossenbergbos (Waverwoud)](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/belgica/vossenbergbos-waverwoud/), [Vriezenbroek](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/belgica/vriezenbroek/), [Walenhoek](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/belgica/walenhoek/), [Zuurbossen (Waverwoud)](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/belgica/zuurbossen-waverwoud/)
- **Temples**: [Sint-Jozefkerk](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/belgica/batteliek/)
- **Food and drink**: [Brouwerij Cloet](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/belgica/brouwerij-cloet/), [Brouwerij Sweynbeer](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/belgica/brouwerij-sweynbeer/), [Microbrouwerij Den Triest](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/belgica/microbrouwerij-den-triest/), [Stokerij De Molenberg](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/belgica/stokerij-de-molenberg/)
- **Hiking**: [GR 12](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/belgica/gr-12-amsterdam-paris-belgium-main-route-vlaanderen/), [GR 12 Vlaanderen, Bergen op Zoom - Bruxelles](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/belgica/gr-12-vlaanderen-bergen-op-zoom-bruxelles/), [Martinusroute](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/belgica/martinusroute/), [Rubens wandelpad](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/belgica/rubens-wandelpad/), [Via Brabantica, Antwerpen - Mechelen](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/belgica/via-brabantica-antwerpen-mechelen/), [Via Brabantica, Antwerpen - Mechelen (variant)](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/belgica/via-brabantica-antwerpen-mechelen-variant/), [Via Brabantica, Mechelen - Brussels](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/belgica/via-brabantica-mechelen-brussels/)
- **With kids**: ['t Struisvogelnest](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/belgica/t-struisvogelnest/)
- **Hot springs**: [Thermae Boetfort](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/belgica/thermae-boetfort/)

## When to go to Mechelen

The best time to visit Mechelen is **April to October and December**; also possible: January to March and November. This comes from its own places: a month counts as the town's best time when it is the best time for half of what there is to see.

| Mes | Época | Hours of daylight |
| --- | --- | --- |
| January | Possible | 8 h 10 |
| February | Possible | 9 h 44 |
| March | Possible | 11 h 32 |
| April | Best time | 13 h 35 |
| May | Best time | 15 h 19 |
| June | Best time | 16 h 17 |
| July | Best time | 15 h 53 |
| August | Best time | 14 h 21 |
| September | Best time | 12 h 22 |
| October | Best time | 10 h 24 |
| November | Possible | 8 h 37 |
| December | Best time | 7 h 42 |

In June there are 16 h 17 of daylight, and in December, 7 h 42. In April, 76 of the 76 places are at their best.

When to go to Belgium in general, with its festivals and peak seasons, is in [its country guide](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/belgica/#cuando-ir).

## Getting to Mechelen

The nearest main airport is Brussels Airport (BRU, Zaventem), 14 km as the crow flies. How to get around Belgium (train, car, bus) is in [its country guide](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/belgica/#moverse), and what to sort out before you leave is in [its checklist](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/belgica/#antes-de-salir).

- [Where it is](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=51.0242%2C4.4786)
- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=51.0242%2C4.4786)

## Other towns nearby

- [Mandekensstraat](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/belgica/mandekensstraat/): 51 places · 22 km
- [Leuven](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/belgica/leuven/): 80 places · 23 km
- [Antwerp](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/belgica/amberes/): 119 places · 23 km
- [City of Brussels](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/belgica/bruselas/): 278 places · 23 km
- [Westerlo](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/belgica/westerlo/): 40 places · 31 km
- [Malle](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/belgica/malle/): 26 places · 33 km

And all of Belgium, in [its country guide](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/belgica/).

## Frequently asked questions

### What is there to see in Mechelen?

The best known: [St. Rumbold's Cathedral](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/belgica/st-rumbold-s-cathedral/), [Fort Breendonk](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/belgica/fort-breendonk/), [Mechelen transit camp](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/belgica/dossinkazerne/), [Béguinage of Mechelen](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/belgica/groot-begijnhof-mechelen/), [Liers Begijnhof](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/belgica/begijnhof-lier/). In all, 76 places in the town and around it, all on your trip map from day one.

### When is the best time to visit Mechelen?

April to October and December; also possible: January to March and November. In June there are 16 h 17 of daylight, and in December, 7 h 42.

### How do you get to Mechelen?

The nearest main airport is Brussels Airport (BRU), 14 km away. From there, [directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=51.0242%2C4.4786) opens the route on the map.

### How do I add it to my trip?

Create a trip with Mechelen as the destination and these 76 places are on your map, each with its category. The ones you like go into a day's plan with one tap, and Kokai reminds you when you pass nearby.

Data from [OpenStreetMap](https://www.openstreetmap.org/copyright), licensed under the ODbL, from [Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/), CC0, cities from [Natural Earth](https://www.naturalearthdata.com/) and airports from [OurAirports](https://ourairports.com/data/). Daylight hours are calculated from the latitude. More in [credits](https://kokai.app/en/aviso/#creditos).