Aalst
Everything you need to know before you go.
Aalst sits comfortably between Brussels and Ghent in East Flanders, making it a practical stop for travelers who want to avoid the capital's crowds while still experiencing authentic Belgian life. The town feels grounded and unhurried, with a population of roughly 77,000 keeping things manageable. What sets it apart is the preserved medieval and early modern architecture rather than flashy modern attractions. You will find the Béguinage tucked between Anna Snelstraat and Pontstraat, where the original 1261 square layout and its modest houses remain intact. Right next to the belfry, the Borse van Amsterdam stands as a 1630 Renaissance structure with an open gallery that once served travelers along the Lille to Amsterdam route. You can still eat and drink there today, and the Country House, now the town hall, offers rococo details around its inner courtyard that are worth a quick walk.
The vibe here suits history readers, slow travelers, and anyone who prefers a quiet base with easy train access. The central station puts you 33 minutes from Brussels and 30 minutes from Ghent, so you can hop on the 1 train without hassle. For food, stick to classic Flemish staples like carbonade flamande or stoofvlees, which run about $16 to $25 per main at local spots near Hopmarkt. If you need direction, visit the Tourist Office at Hopmarkt 51, where they run a 360° movie that actually helps you orient yourself before wandering the Begijnhof or checking out the Orthodox community using Ste Catherine’s church from 1787. Bring comfortable shoes, check the De Lijn bus schedule in Dutch if you plan to reach Berlare or Geraardsbergen, and treat this town as a calm, well-connected resting point rather than a fast-paced destination.
Sightseeing
Oud Schepenhuis - This 1225 aldermen house and its 1407 belfry anchor the Grote Markt with late Gothic architecture and a historic carillon that chimes every quarter hour. $12, 2h.
Grote Markt - The central square serves as the administrative and social core of the city, featuring imposing monuments and the UNESCO protected belfry. Free, Open 24/7.
Keizersplein - Walk past the white 19th century mansions built by factory bosses and conservative headmen, framed by statues of Queen Astrid and King Baudouin at either end of the tree row. Free, 1h.
Béguinage - Located between Anna Snelstraat and Pontstraat, this 1261 complex of small Beguine houses and a classic 1787 church offers a quiet look at medieval religious life. Free, 1h.
Food & Drink
Borse van Amsterdam - Dine in this 1630 Renaissance hostelry with an open gallery, originally built along the old commercial route between Lille and Amsterdam. $25, 1.5h.
Grote Markt taverns - Grab a local ale and a plate of waterzooi at any of the historic pubs clustered around the central square. $18, 2h.
Outdoor Nature
Faluintjes nature reserve - Drive through the green valley spanning Baardegem, Herdersem, Meldert, and Moorsel to explore marshes and rural trails that locals call the city lungs. Free, 3h.
Cultural
Ste Catherine’s church - Step into the 1787 classic style building within the Béguinage to attend services with the local Orthodox community. Free, 1h.
Country House courtyard - Tour the rococo buildings surrounding the inner courtyard of the former government seat and spot the Ondineke bronze statue near the pedestrian passageway. Free, 1h.
Nightlife
Grote Markt beer halls - Stick to the pubs on the central square after dark for steady crowds and reliable local brews without the tourist trap markup. $15, 3h.
Budget Ibis - Villalaan. $85-$125/night. Reliable chain standard right off the ring road, ideal if you just need a clean bed and quick train access to Brussels. B&B ‘t Slaapmutske - Hofstade-Aalst. $70-$110/night. Quiet residential setting with a homemade breakfast and plenty of street parking for drivers.
Mid-range Keizershof Hotel Aalst Centre - Korte Nieuwstraat. $140-$190/night. Walkable to the Grote Markt and town hall, with comfortable rooms and a solid breakfast spread. New Hotel de la Gare - Stationsplein. $130-$175/night. Steps from the train station makes train connections effortless, plus the lobby bar works for late arrivals.
Luxury Hotel Royal Astrid - Keizersplein. $210-$310/night. Classic European elegance with polished wood, high ceilings, and a central location near the carnival archives. Hof Selmussen - Hofstade-Aalst. $220-$300/night. A restored country house with mature gardens, offering a slow pace and spacious suites away from the main roads.
Restaurants De Zwarte Maan - Dirk Martensstraat, Moorsel. Belgian pub fare. $$$. Try the local beer selection and hearty seasonal stews. La Vie en Roses - Tinnenhoekstraat, Moorsel. French bistro. $$. Reliable steak frites and mussels paired with house wines. Bakery De Ridder Wim - Korte Zoutstraat, Aalst Centre. Traditional pastry. $. Grab a fresh slice of Aalsterse vlaai with a strong black coffee. Nelson BVBA - Rampelberg, Baardegem. Local bakery. $$. Saturday market stall selling warm vlaai straight from the oven. Restaurant 't Hof - Kerkstraat, Hofstade. Modern Belgian. $$$. Seasonal game and root vegetables prepared with regional techniques. Le Chat Noir - Veststraat, Aalst Centre. Classic French. $$. Straightforward prix fixe menus that change with the harvest.
Prices are approximate USD averages and shift with season. Book ahead for the market bakery and the country house. The vlaai bakers received an official logo in 2010, so look for that mark to guarantee authenticity.
Fly into Brussels Airport (BRU). It is the closest major hub to Aalst. Brussels South Charleroi Airport (CRL) works if you find a cheap budget flight, but it sits farther south. From New York JFK or Newark, expect to pay $600 to $850 roundtrip in economy. Flights from Chicago or Los Angeles usually run $650 to $900. Budget carriers sometimes drop CRL fares to $400 to $600, but factor in the longer ground trip and extra baggage fees.
Getting from the airport to Aalst takes about an hour and fifteen minutes if you use public transit. From BRU, take the train to Brussels-Midi/Zuid, then catch a direct train to Aalst Railway Station. The full journey costs roughly $28 to $32. A taxi or rideshare from BRU to downtown Aalst runs $75 to $95 and takes just over an hour depending on traffic. If you land at CRL, take the Flibco bus or a train to Brussels, then switch to the Aalst train. Total time is closer to two hours, and the train leg costs about $25. A cab from CRL runs $100 to $130.
Trains and drives from nearby cities are straightforward. Aalst Railway Station is in the centre of the city. Direct rail connections run from Brussels and Ghent. The ride from Brussels takes thirty-three minutes. Ghent to Aalst takes thirty minutes. Train tickets from those cities typically cost $11 to $13. If you prefer driving, the expressway E40 passes through the city. De Lijn operates regional buses to Aalst from Dendermonde, Berlare, and Geraardsbergen. Check their schedule site at delijn.be for exact times, though the site is only in Dutch.
Once in Aalst, walk from the station to the Grote Markt. It is the administrative, economic, and social heart of town. The square is free to enter and holds a UNESCO World Heritage belfry. Walk past the Borse van Amsterdam, located to the left of the belfry at the former meat house. That building dates to 1630 and still operates as a restaurant where you can eat lunch. Head to Keizersplein to see the white facades of 19th-century mansions and the statue of Queen Astrid. If you want quiet, take a bus or drive north to the Faluintjes nature reserve. It covers the rural villages of Baardegem, Herdersem, Meldert, and Moorsel. The Béguinage sits in the Begijnhof neighborhood between Anna Snelstraat and Pontstraat. The square and its original houses date to 1261, and Ste Catherine church nearby now serves the Orthodox community.
Book your train from Brussels or Ghent in advance to lock in the lower fare. Traffic on the E40 slows during morning and evening rush hours. Carry a physical map or offline GPS for the Faluintjes area, since cell service drops near the Molenbeek brook. Cards work everywhere in town, but keep a few euros for the De Lijn bus or a quick coffee at the Grote Markt.
If you are planning a trip to Aalst, timing your visit makes a real difference. Here is how the year breaks down so you can pick the right window.
Peak months are February, March, July, and August. February and March host the Aalst Carnival. Streets in the Centrum and Kerkhove neighborhoods shut down for parades and street parties. Hotels fill up fast and prices jump to the $140 to $180 range. July and August bring European summer travelers. The days are long and the weather is warm, but you will share attractions with larger crowds and pay higher rates for lodging.
Your sweet spot runs from late April through early June and again from September through early October. Temperatures sit between 12 and 20 degrees Celsius. You get mild weather, thinner crowds, and better hotel rates around $85 to $110 per night. This is when the city feels comfortable for walking and exploring.
Months to avoid are January, November, and the first two weeks of December. January and November bring cold, damp air and frequent rain. December starts off gray until the Christmas market opens in mid-month, which suddenly spikes foot traffic and accommodation costs.
Spring (March to May) runs 8 to 15 degrees Celsius. The Grote Markt and Vrijdagmarkt look clean and quiet. Head to Kasteel van Aalst for a straightforward tour. Grab a plate of stoofvlees or waterzooi at a bistro near Hopmarkt for $14 to $18. Coffee and a slice of aalsterse vlaai cost about $5 to $7. Grab a portion of frites from a stand for $3 to $5.
Summer (June to August) hits 18 to 22 degrees Celsius. Walk the Scheldt riverbank and visit the museums. Hotel prices climb to $120 to $150. Book early if you stay during this stretch.
Autumn (September to November) cools to 8 to 14 degrees Celsius. The light turns crisp. St. Martin's Cathedral and the town hall are best visited on a clear morning. Neighborhoods like St. Pietersberg and Welle feel relaxed. Dinner at a local spot runs $12 to $20. A room near the center drops back to $90 to $110.
Winter (December to February) stays between 0 and 5 degrees Celsius. Pack layers and a waterproof jacket. The city slows down except during Carnival week. Indoor attractions and cafes become your main focus.
Before you go, stop by the Tourist Office at Hopmarkt 51. They operate M-F 09:00-17:00, Sa 10:00-17:00, and Su and holidays 13:00-17:00. They feature a 360° movie that gives you a quick layout of the city and helps you map out your route. Call +32 53 72 38 80 or email info@visit-aalst.be if you need real-time event updates.