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.
The City Hall of Mechelen is one of the most prominent buildings in the city and an excellent example of Gothic and Renaissance civil architecture in Belgium.
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.
Kazerne Dossin is a historic site with a dark past, located in the city of Mechelen, Belgium. Originally built in the 18th century as a military barracks, its history is deeply intertwined with the events of World War II and the Holocaust.
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.
Saint Peter's Church is one of the main places of worship in Leuven, a historic city located in the Flanders region of Belgium.
The City Hall of Leuven is a magnificent example of Brabantine Gothic architecture.
It is known as "the longest bar square in the world" due to the large number of bars and cafés lining its sides. This lively atmosphere makes it a popular meeting spot for both locals and visitors.
On our tour of this picturesque Belgian city in Flanders, we will stroll through its beautiful historic center to admire its most majestic buildings, including the famous University of Leuven (one of the oldest in Europe).
The Groot Begijnhof was founded in the 13th century as a religious community of women known as Beguines.
It is famous for hosting social and cultural events, including student parties, concerts, comedy shows, and other activities related to university life.
This experience, months in advance. The day before we were supposed to do the tour, the provider has canceled with no reason given. At that point, all other tours we wanted to take or booked, and we were not able to book another tour.
My guide was Mathias. He contacted me the day before the trip to confirm some details and scheduled a meeting point. He arrived on time and greeted me with a friendly smile and handshake. He took me through the day and we set off on our journey. He shared a lot of history on the towns, sights and country. He also shared a bit about himself and made me feel very comfortable. It’s a lot of walking but the towns are well worth the visit. I would highly recommend this tour and the same guide.
If you want to escape the usual tourist tracks and dive straight into the authentic heart of Belgium, look no further. This day trip from Brussels was an absolute dream from start to finish! 🏰 Morning Magic in Mechelen Our first stop was the gorgeous city of Mechelen, and it completely stole my heart. Walking into the main square felt like stepping into a postcard. We were able to marvel at the stunning Gothic and Renaissance City Hall, which boasts intricate architectural details that you could stare at for hours. Equally breathtaking was the historic St. Rumbold's Cathedral—its grand presence and rich history are genuinely awe-inspiring. 🎓 Vibrant Vibes in Leuven Next, we headed to Leuven, a lively university town that perfectly blends old-world grandeur with modern energy. The absolute highlight here was the grand architecture of the University Library, a monumental building with a deeply moving history. Afterward, we got to wander through the vibrant atmosphere of the old town, which is positively bursting with charming cafes, local boutiques, and irresistible chocolate shops. 💎 The Perfect Balance What truly made this tour unforgettable was the structure. We had an expert guide sharing captivating stories that brought the centuries-old streets to life, making the history feel real and exciting rather than dry. But the best part? We were also given plenty of free time to explore at our own pace, allowing us to grab a Belgian waffle, sit at an outdoor cafe, and just soak it all in. This tour is a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in Belgian history and culture without feeling rushed. Seamlessly organized, incredibly enriching, and beautifully paced.
Worth the day trip!! Seeing 2 other UNESCO cities and learning about them from Matthais! Mechelen also had a amazing museum on Holocaust “Kazerne Dossin” so well done. Due to the train systems-this was a Transport Camp to the concentration camps throughout Europe.
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