Parking in Mechelen
The restricted traffic zone in the centre of Mechelen is expanded. Between 11 and 18.00 hrs, motorized traffic is not permitted there.
This plan of the city shows the situation: the restricted traffic zone, the various places where parking is permitted and the parking directions.
All approach roads to Mechelen join the R12 city ring-road, where you will see signs leading you straight to the various car parks.
Themed walks lead from the car parks past historical monuments to the city centre where traffic is restricted. The walks are indicated by means of information boards and pillars.
The main parking places in and around Mechelen are listed below.
Free parking
Douaneplein (just outside the ring-road)
- Ca. 1.5 km or 15 minutes' walk to the Grote Markt.
- From the ring-road follow the Monuments Route on foot. It leads past the palaces of the two Margarets and the Church of St Peter and Paul to the Grote Markt.
Inexpensive parking on the outskirts
There are three car parks on the ring-road (R12) around the historic city centre. Reduced tariff; free at weekends.
From BRUSSELS, LEUVEN or LIER: Zandpoortvest 1 or 2
Zandpoortvest 1:
- Ca. 800 m or 10 minutes' walk to the Grote Markt
- Follow the Art Route and walk into the city centre via the Botanical Garden and the Bruul. You will pass a number of sculptures on the way.
Zandpoortvest 2:
- Ca. 800 m or 10 minutes' walk to the Grote Markt
- Follow the Margaret Route. Among other things, you pass the palaces of Margaret of Austria and Margaret of York. Head for the Veemarkt and from there to the Grote Markt.
From Antwerp: Rode Kruisplein (Keerdok)
- Ca. 1 km or 12 minutes' walk to the Grote Markt
- Follow the Children's Route and you'll find various fun activities for children and a playground.
Pay car parks in the centre
In and around the central zone where traffic is restricted, there are three car parks for which a charge is made.
From Brussels: Lamot (on the Vismarkt)
- Ca. 350 m or 5 minutes' walk to the Grote Markt
- Drive into the city past the station. Just past the roundabout at the station you'll see a sign for the Lamot car park ("parking Lamot"). Follow the arrows via the Hoogstraat to the centre.
From Antwerp or Lier: Grote Markt
- Follow the signs from the city ring-road via Sint-Katelijnestraat to the city centre.
From Leuven: Veemarkt
- Ca. 450 m or 6 minutes' walk to the Grote Markt
- Follow the signs from the city ring-road via Keizerstraat to the city centre.
Of course you can also cross the city by public transport or by bicycle. Learn more about it in Mobile in Mechelen.
All the hotels and guest rooms are accessible by car, including accommodation located in parts of the city where traffic is restricted. Your hosts will be able to give you instructions.
Themed walks
If you are coming to Mechelen by car, you can choose between a more expensive car park in the centre and a cheaper car park on the outskirts. The car parks on the outskirts are just 5 to 12 minutes' walk from the centre and no charge is made for them at weekends.
To help you find your way to the city centre, we suggest you follow one of the marked walking routes from the car parks on the outskirts and the two railway stations. Comprehensive information boards and stepping stones are there to guide you.
There are 5 routes to choose from:
- Yellow Route | Children's Route: Rode Kruisplein – Vismarkt
- Green Route | Monuments Route: Douaneplein – Grote Markt
- Pink Route | Art Route: Zandpoortvest (P1) – Bruul
- Blue Route | Margaret Route: Zandpoortvest (P2) – Befferstraat
- Orange Route | Travellers Route: Koning Albertplein – Bruul
