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Tours/Brussels/Day Trip to Mechelen & Leuven: Two Cities, One Great Experience

Day Trip to Mechelen & Leuven: Two Cities, One Great Experience

5.0(3)Brussels9 hours
VIATOR5.0(3)
Day Trip to Mechelen & Leuven: Two Cities, One Great Experience
Day Trip to Mechelen & Leuven: Two Cities, One Great Experience
Day Trip to Mechelen & Leuven: Two Cities, One Great Experience
Day Trip to Mechelen & Leuven: Two Cities, One Great Experience
Day Trip to Mechelen & Leuven: Two Cities, One Great Experience
+6 photos
Day Trip to Mechelen & Leuven: Two Cities, One Great Experience
Day Trip to Mechelen & Leuven: Two Cities, One Great Experience
Day Trip to Mechelen & Leuven: Two Cities, One Great Experience
Day Trip to Mechelen & Leuven: Two Cities, One Great Experience
Day Trip to Mechelen & Leuven: Two Cities, One Great Experience
Day Trip to Mechelen & Leuven: Two Cities, One Great Experience
Day Trip to Mechelen & Leuven: Two Cities, One Great Experience
Day Trip to Mechelen & Leuven: Two Cities, One Great Experience
Day Trip to Mechelen & Leuven: Two Cities, One Great Experience
Day Trip to Mechelen & Leuven: Two Cities, One Great Experience

At a glance

Duration
9 hours
Price from
$137 / person
Location
Brussels, Belgium
Rating
5.0 / 5 · 3 reviews
Languages
EN, ES
Group
Small group, up to 20
Cancellation
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
Confirmation
Instant
Ticket
Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Operator
Viva Brussels
Meeting point
The guide will be waiting for you with an orange flag or umbrella.

Description

Join our fascinating day trip from Brussels and explore the charm of Mechelen and Leuven. In Mechelen, marvel at the stunning Gothic and Renaissance City Hall and explore the historic St. Rumbold's Cathedral. Then, in Leuven, enjoy the grand architecture of the University Library and the vibrant atmosphere of the old town, filled with cafés and shops. With an expert guide sharing captivating stories and free time to explore at your own pace, this is a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in Belgian history and culture. Book now for an unforgettable experience!

Schedule & prices

Runs
Every day
Start times
9:00 AM
Next available
Sat, Oct 10
Adult (ages 7+)
$137
Child (ages 1–6)
Free

Prices are per person when two book together; a solo traveller pays $240.

Larger groups pay less per person.

In demand: 28 of the next 30 departures are already sold out.

From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 7.

Tour Options

Day Trip to Mechelen & Leuven: Two Cities, One Great Experience

Itinerary

Grote Markt
60 min

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.

30 min

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.

20 min

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!

30 min

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.

Brouwerij Het Anker
30 min

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.

30 min

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.

70 min

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.

20 min

Saint Peter's Church is one of the main places of worship in Leuven, a historic city located in the Flanders region of Belgium.

20 min

The City Hall of Leuven is a magnificent example of Brabantine Gothic architecture.

Oude Markt Leuven
10 min

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.

30 min

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).

Groot Begijnhof Leuven
20 min

The Groot Begijnhof was founded in the 13th century as a religious community of women known as Beguines.

150 min

It is famous for hosting social and cultural events, including student parties, concerts, comedy shows, and other activities related to university life.

What's included

Included
Free time to explore.
Passionate and entertaining guide.
Local recommendations.
Guided tour with exciting stories.
Not included
Lunch

Traveller Ratings

Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor

5.0
3 reviews
5
3
4
0
3
0
2
0
1
0

How it compares in Brussels

  • Starting price $137 is 78% below the typical $612 for tours of similar length in Brussels

Excurgo comparison of 676 Viator tours, recalculated daily.

Important Information

  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

1+ days before100% refund
0–1 days before0% refund

Frequently asked questions

How long does this tour take?

Day Trip to Mechelen & Leuven: Two Cities, One Great Experience lasts about 9 hours. The itinerary has 13 stops.

How much does this tour cost?

Prices start at $137 per person for this Brussels experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. That is the per-person price when two book together; a solo traveller pays $240. There is 1 booking option, so the final price depends on the option you choose.

What days does this tour run?

According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs every day, starting at 9:00 AM.

How much does this tour cost for children?

Children aged 1–6 pay nothing, adults from $137.

Does this tour sell out?

It can: 28 of the next 30 departures are already sold out, so booking ahead is a good idea.

Can I cancel this tour for free?

Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.

Where does the tour start?

The meeting point is The guide will be waiting for you with an orange flag or umbrella. Hotel pickup is not part of this experience.

What languages is this tour offered in?

The experience is available in EN, ES.

Is this a private or a group tour?

It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 20 participants.

Is the tour suitable for children?

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap

Will my booking be confirmed immediately?

Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.

Reviews(3)

Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor

M
MarkE_W
July 19, 2026 · via Viator
Two quaint towns with lots of beauty

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.

R
Robert_P
June 26, 2026 · via Viator
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | An Absolute Must-Do in Belgium!

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.

H
HOLLY_F
April 7, 2026 · via Viator
Highly recommend if you love history!

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.

$137/ person
5.0(3)
Duration9 hours
LanguagesEN, ES
ConfirmationInstant
Check availability on Viator →
Booked and paid on Viator.com
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

No booking fees from Excurgo
Payment and confirmation are handled by Viator
Excurgo support

Excurgo earns a commission from Viator when you book through this link, at no extra cost to you.

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