I have one day free within my time in Belgium. I have been to several cities and towns already and am looking to visit a new (for me) place. Has anyone visited Mechelen or Leuven and if so any preference? Other place?
Thank you!!! (Early April)
Posted by
Colorado Mountains, USA
8126 posts
I haven’t been to either, but farther west, if you haven’t been to these, I highly recommend: Diksmuide, Roeselare, Kortrijk (aka Courtrai), or Ypres (aka Ieper - with a capital “i”).
Posted by
Wyckoff, NJ, USA
8190 posts
Day of the week (closings) may matter, and weather. Antwerp is good for several days. Leuven and Mechelen are not alike, but it's hard to say one is better. Leuven does have a very pretty, small Beguinage, and an excellent town art museum.
Posted by
Chicago
8325 posts
Mechelen was not much aside from the Belfry you can see from the train. I would go to Dinant it is unique.
Posted by
OP
21 posts
Hello and thank you! I will be staying in Kortrijk this year. I will be in Oudenaarde for the race and will visit Bastogne on a tour. I have visited Antwerpen, Brugge, Ieper, Gent, Brussels, Dinant. On Facebook I had seen pictures of Leuven and Mechelen and they seem lovely. There were two towns mentioned in your replies that I have not seen and will look into those. I have one free day so I was looking to go somewhere not far from Kortrijk. Traveling by train.
Thank you again!!!!
Posted by
IJzendijke, The Netherlands
2175 posts
Both Mechelen and Leuven are worth at least a short visit. I have visited the first several weeks ago, it depends on further interests how much time you can spend there. The recently renewed Hof van Buysleyden is of interest for medieval and renaissance art. Brewery Het Anker offers tours. And Kazerne Dossin is a moving memorial and museum about the Holocaust.
The belfry that is mentioned in an earlier post must be the steeple of the Rombouts cathedral and clearly visible from outside town. You can climb it for a magnificant panoramic view of the surrounding area. The beguinage of Leuven is much more beautiful and it’s richly decorated gothic style town hall is to my opinion a mustsee.
Best is to visit both, there are direct trains between the two places, just needing a half hour. If having time left a visit to charming Liere is easy to do, takes just around 15 minutes from Mechelen by train.
Roeselaere and Diksmuide are nice for a stop to experience Belgium outside it's touristic hotspots. Unless you have a specific interest there is to my opinion not much to do there.
Posted by
OP
21 posts
Thanks to all for your suggestions. I also read the info in the links to prior inquiries. I read that in Ostende there are remnants of both WW1 and WW2 so that interests me. Also I might revisit Antwerp. I only spent one day there and I probably missed a lot. Much to consider! Thank you again!
Posted by
IJzendijke, The Netherlands
2175 posts
The remnants in Ostende are better known as Atlantikwall Raversyde. Easy to get to with the coastal tram from the railway station. There is a stop near the beach, however the entrance is at the backside of the dunes. There is also an Enigma machine on display.
Posted by
Wyckoff, NJ, USA
8190 posts
Beach (and summer beer night life) aside, I don't rate Ostend as highly as the other two small cities. The tram can also take you to the close-by, charming small church used by the [James] Ensor (famous Belgian artist, home visitable in Ostend) family, with his large tomb outside. There is a life-size bronze of Marvin Gaye, who lived in town for a while, in the Casino. But it may be open only in the evening?