Transfer from Brussels Airport to Mechelen

transfers2airports.com provides low cost airport taxi transfers and minibus services to Mechelen from Brussels Airport and Charleroi Airport.

Mechelen is a historic city located on the river Dyle in the heart of Flanders, a region in Belgium. It lies about halfway between Antwerp and Brussels and gives home some 80,000 inhabitants.

transfers2airports.com provides low cost airport taxi transfers and minibus services to Mechelen from Brussels Airport and Charleroi Airport. You can book your transfer at least 12 hours before the arrival or departure time of your flight. The sooner you book, the better price you get! In case of an airport pick up, don't forget to check the airport meeting point in your booking voucher. The pick up time from your hotel or any accomodation in Mechelen will be sent to your mobile from your driver or via email. You can always call your driver for the proper pick up information.

Mechelen is a bustling town, commixing trendy and traditional traits. Its carillon school is renowned all over the world, training students from every corner of the globe in the art of playing carillons, sets of 24 or more bells hung in church towers. Shops downtown are often found in old-style Flemish buildings, but offer edgy fashions sure to appeal to the younger generation.

Mechelen is becoming the center of non-profit or non-governmental organizations for Flanders. Some well known examples are Natuurpunt, AFS, and the Red Cross. This is mainly because it is of very easy access (by train or by highway) but not as expensive as Brussels.

Inhabitants are called „Maneblussers” (moon-extinguishers). The story goes long time ago one night the moonlight was shining on the unfinished St.-Romboutstoren and that some people thought it had been on fire. The whole city was mobilized to extinguish the fire but there was no fire to be put out.

 

What to see

– St. Rumbold’s Cathedral (Sint-Romboutskathedraal) is the largest of the 8 churches in Mechelen. It has a high tower (though lower as originally planned – construction stopped early due to shortage of funds). Famous works of art include the carved wood pulpit from 1723, painted triptychs dating to the turn of 15th and 16th centuries, and an image of „Our Lady of Miracles” which has been in the cathedral since the early 16th century.

– The Museum of Toys (Speelgoedmuseum)

– The Market Square (Grote Markt) has the cathedral at one end and the Town Hall at the other, and the space is lined with restaurants and cafes between these two.

– The most important shopping streets are Bruul and IJzerenleen, both radiating out from the Market Square.

– Vrijbroek Park (Vrijbroekpark)

– Refuge of the Abbey of Tongerlo. Originally it was the refuge for the abbey in times of attack, today the home of De Wit, royal manufacturers of tapestry. There are guided visits on Saturday mornings at 1030.

– Hof van Busleyden is an eclectic museum with items of local origin. Paintings, sculpture, tapestries, the town mascot, and the chains from the old jail – there's a little of everything. Explanations in Dutch only. Temporarily closed.

– Sint-Janskerk is one of the 8 historic churches in the town, with a notable Rubens painting/triptych „Adoration of the Magi”. The painting of the crucifixion by Wauters is also very impressive. Open 1:30-5:30 PM except Mondays and during services.

– The Begijnhofkerk, another church, is known for the two statues above the door, one of Saint Catherine and one of God the Father.

– The Palace of Margaret of Austria is a not too impressive looking set of buildings on Keizerstraat that was effectively the seat of government when Mechelen wass the capital of the Netherlands. Today it houses government offices, but the interior courtyard is worth a brief visit to have a lookk at the marvellous, tranquil and well-organized gardens.

– Clocks and watches museum (horlogeriemuseum). Private museum. The owners, both watchmakers, give you a fascinating personal tour. Do come an hour before closing time to be able to have the full tour and explanations. Address: Lange schipstraat 13 More info: 16th Century Houses, cross the river in front of the Vismarkt and turn right. The three surviving timber houses have elaborate carvings on the front elevations. The houses are owned by private persons.

– Technopolis, Technologielaan, 2800 Mechelen, ☎ +32 (0)15 34 2000. Open every day from 9h30 till 17h00. Hands on science museum for kids of all ages. Adults or children over 12 years old: €9.50; Children (3–11 years old): €7; Children under the age of 3: Free.  free entry.

 

What to do

– Maanrock, on the Grote Markt and in the IJzerenleen. End of August. A free music festival with several stages of music and DJs, starting early in the afternoon and running till early morning. Takes 2 days.

– Boat cruises along the waters of the town. The 45 minute trip costs 6 EUR. Departures are in every hour on the half hour, from Haverwerf.

– Weekly one-hour carillon concerts on the Sint-Rombouts tower carillon: Saturdays at 11:30 am and Sundays at 3 pm all year. In summer (June to September) there are additional concerts on Monday evenings; for these, carillonneurs from all over the Low Countries, as well as overseas, are invited to play.

– Get to the tourist information center on the main square or Grote Markt and ask about their recommended walking tours.

 

Where to buy

There are several chocolate shops near the Grote Markt, but we recommend to try the local one, Gauthier, on the IJzerenleen; it's excellent and a bit cheaper than Neuhaus. They also have some spice cakes and cookies.

On every Saturday morning you can take a stroll on the open market in the Grote Markt and the Botermarkt. There are a lot of food stands (cheese, meat, seafood, produce, some prepared food) but some others as well (basic clothing, shoes, linens).

 

 

Where to eat

– In need of self-catering: a Match supermarket on Haverwerf. The Smatch on the Blauwhondstraat (between IJzerenleen and Bruul, near the Grote Markt) is smaller but open Sunday mornings.

– Dumon (with the Kaizer Karel signs) on Veemarkt has affordable pub food.

– Soep Sjop on the Bruul, that is close to the river, has home-made soups and sandwiches.

– Stuffed, Grote Markt 15, 015 42 07 70. Trendy and cozy diner, specializes in stuffed potatoes and dishes that involve potatoes. No need of reservations. Kitchen closes at 09:30. Vegetarian meals also. Located at the center of Mechelen "Grote Markt" with nice view on the cathedral.

– De Maneblusser, Onder Den Toren 7 (just opposite the cathedral tower): sandwiches at 2-4 EUR each.

– Hete Patat: Turkish inspired cuisine. They specialize in stuffed potatoes of many sorts. They are conveniently located just behind the Cathedrale off of the Grote Markt.

De Cirque on the Vismarkt: pasta, steaks and salads. No English menus are available,(applies to Mechelen generally) but staff are helpful and translate.

– Intermezzo on the IJzerenleen has Brussels waffles and other desserts.

 

Where to drink

– Brewery Het Anker. Locally brewed Mechelse Bruynen and Gouden Carolus. Take advantage of the opportunity to try some of their own jenever called Ouwe Klare or the beer chocolates. They also have a small shop selling their products.

– Guido Gezellelaan 49 (on the ringway around the city center). They have tours some weekends. The restaurant/brasserie is generally closed in July due to the owners’ vacation. It is wise to ask specifically what will be available during your trip.

– De Stille Genieter Café with 350 different kinds of beer, has the feel of a brown café close to the Vismarkt.

– Various cafes on the Vismarkt

 

Where to sleep

Budget

– Zandpoort Youth Hostel, Zandpoortvest, 015/27 85 39 (fax: 015/27.85.40). More info and online booking on [10]. 20 min. from the main train station, 15 min. from the city centre. 17–31€.

Medium

– Hotel Vé, Vismarkt 14, +32 (0) 15-200.755 (fax: +32 (0)15-200.760). A stylish hotel located on the fish market, that is one of the oldest markets in Mechelen. The hotel is constructed in a former fish-smoking factory, but has quite a modern feel. On weekends there's a discount of 30–40 EUR off the normal room rates.

– Hotel Den Wolsack, Wollemarkt 16, +32 (0)15 569 520 (fax: +32 (0)15 560 505). A comfortable hotel in the towncentre, behind St Rumbold's Cathedral. Staff are most helpful and very friendly.

– Bed and Breakfast Luna Luna, Jef Denynplein 4-6, +32 486 296 798. A very spacious place, situated along a city canal, in the historical heart of the city of Mechelen.

– NH Mechelen, Korenmarkt, 22-24. 2800 Malinas. Mechelen, +32.15.420303. This hotel is in the historical part of the city, with a fantastic location and many amenities which guarantee a delightful stay. Rooms from 65€.

 

 

Book your low cost airport taxi transfer or minibus transfer services to Mechelen from Brussels Airport and Charleroi Airport.