This Belgian city in East Flanders draws visitors to its 112-meter Gothic cathedral and famous carnival. Its historic center includes a 15th-century town hall and local chocolate factory.
Aalst, a town in East Flanders, centers around its 15th-century belfry, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Walk through the medieval Grote Markt, explore the Gothic St. Martin's Church, or time your visit for the annual carnival when locals parade through streets in satirical costumes and throw onions from the town hall - a tradition unique to Aalst.
Getting to Aalst
You can reach Aalst by train from Brussels in 33 minutes or from Ghent in 30 minutes. The railway station sits in the city center, making it convenient for exploring on foot. If you're driving, take the E40 expressway that connects Brussels to Ghent.
Main Square and Medieval Buildings
The Grote Markt forms the heart of Aalst, where you'll find the 15th-century belfry with Belgium's oldest 52-bell carillon. Next to it stands the 12th-century town hall, which houses medieval manuscripts in its archives. The Gothic St. Martin's Church, begun in 1480, remains incomplete but contains significant artworks, including a painting of Saint Roch by Rubens and a 1605 tabernacle with sculptures by Hiëronymus Duquesnoy the Elder.
Aalst Carnival Experience
Before Lent each year, Aalst celebrates its carnival with three days of festivities. A Prince Carnival takes symbolic control of the city while 70 groups march through the streets in costume parades. Watch as participants throw onions from the former town hall belfry - a tradition unique to Aalst carnival.
Parks and Cultural Spaces
The Town Park, established in 1915, includes walking paths, a pond, and flower gardens within the city boundaries. At Cultural Centre De Werf on Molenstraat, you can attend performing arts shows, classical music concerts, theatre productions, and comedy performances throughout the year. The Town Museum 't Gasthuys occupies a former hospital building, displaying artifacts and documents that tell Aalst's story from medieval times to present day.
Local Markets and Food
Visit the Saturday market between 8:00 and 13:00, which spreads across Grote Markt and Hopmarkt. Local breweries continue the centuries-old tradition of growing their own hops and brewing beer. Try the Aalsterse vlaaien, a local pastry you can buy from certified bakers throughout town.
