Antwerp & Mechelen Day Trip

Once we will arrive to Antwerpen, the first place we will visit will be the imposing Antwerp Central Station and the famous Diamond neighborhood. In the same area we will be able to discover its famous zoopark. Then we will move to the modern and commercial part of the city and the best place to start is Stadsfeestzaal, a municipal space, that rise from the ashes. Then we will move to one of the most important places of the city, Rubens’ House and after explaining why Rubens and its works are so important for Antwerp, we will have the chance to visit one of the oldest palaces of the city, Meir Palace. Today it is used as a chocolate shop, but not just any one, but one of the best in the country, Chocolate Line.

Leaving behind this famous commercial street, we will gradually enter the old city center. We will cross the Green Square, that already allows us to dazzle one of the best views of the Antwerp Cathedral, one of the most famous monuments in the city and the largest Gothic construction in Belgium. In a return to the 16th century we will pass through the Vlaeykensgang alley, then we will visit the impressive St. Charles Borromeo church, which is par excellence the church of Rubens. The master was commissioned the sculptural decoration, but we will explain the tragedy that hit this church in the 18th century. Then we will move to the heart of the old town. The Grote Markt square will welcome us, surrounded by its restored guild houses. The City Hall occupies an entire wing and in the center of the square is located the fountain with the sculpture of Silvio Bravo, throwing the hand of the giant Antigoon, symbolism that gives the city its name. We will discover this beautiful square and we will go to the old guild house of the butchers.

On the last part of our tour, we will move to the river path of the Scheldt. We will be able to see

the castle Steen, originally from the 13th century, which means stone whose name was given by Carlos V. For the brave or rather for those who are not class phobic, we will tell you a secret.

We expect you would be already booking our tour to discover Antwerp.

The guide will give one hour free-time to eat, drink a beer or just take a walk around. At the time and meeting point designed by the guide, we will travel to our next city of the tour: Mechelen. 

Mechelen: capital of the Spanish Netherlands 500 years ago. In this small but powerful city, the Court was established during the Burgundian period, leaving their mark on the city two important women: Margaret of Austria and Margaret of York. The seat of the Great Council was established in the city and many nobles moved their residence to Mechelen. Due to this historical event, Mechelen is a living proof of the power of the Court thanks to its imposing medieval buildings.

Our tour will start at the train station and we will go to the modern river path of the Dyle. We could discover imposing buildings of the medieval times: palaces, like the two Margaritas ones, market halls, exquisite guild houses, historical churches or the oldest stone-made bridge of all the city. We will finish our tour at the Cathedral, with its imposing bell tower. The tower could be visited if you want to hill its more than 300 steps.

Once our tour in Mechelen is finished, you will have one hour free-time to walk around, enter into the Cathedral or discover the two beguinage. Then we will rejoin at the meeting point designed by the guide, and we will come back together to Brussels, hoping you have enjoyed a wonderful journey in two of the most impressive Flemish cities.