Mechelen

Mechelen is a cathedral city in the province of Antwerp, about 25 km north of Brussels, and sits midway between the capital and Antwerp. Direct trains from Brussels-Central or Nord reach Mechelen in 20 to 30 minutes for about €5.50 one way, with frequent services throughout the day. The station is about a 10-minute walk from the Grote Markt, so the town is easy to reach without further transport. Mechelen was once the capital of the Habsburg Netherlands under Margaret of Austria, and the legacy shows in its Gothic and Renaissance architecture. The main landmark is St Rumbold's Cathedral, whose unfinished 97-metre tower is a UNESCO-listed part of the Belfries of Belgium and France. The tower holds a carillon, and climbing its 538 steps rewards visitors with views toward Brussels and Antwerp. Nearby sights include the Palace of Margaret of Austria, the Hof van Busleyden museum, the Dijle river with its quays and the Groot Begijnhof. Kazerne Dossin, a memorial, museum and documentation centre on the Holocaust and human rights, stands on the edge of the centre in a former assembly camp. It is a substantial visit of about two hours. A good day starts with the cathedral tower in the morning, since views are clearest early, then a walk to the Grote Markt and the Hof van Busleyden. Lunch is available around the Grote Markt and on the Vismarkt along the Dijle. In the afternoon, visitors can stroll the river quays and the begijnhof, or visit Kazerne Dossin before returning to Brussels. Mechelen works at any time of year, with the best weather for the tower from April to October. Carillon concerts are held on Monday evenings and on certain weekends. A day costs about €35 to €60 including train and lunch, making it one of the cheapest excursions from Brussels.