Aalst, Belgium Travel Guide
City City in Flanders, Belgium
Aalst makes its name with a rowdy pre-Lenten carnival and a belfry above cobbled streets. Tourists come for the Aalst Carnival, weekly markets, beer cafes and textile-industry museums tracing Flanders’ manufacturing past.
Why Visit Aalst, Belgium? #
Famous for its rambunctious annual Carnival, this town is a magnet for people who enjoy lively folk traditions and classic Flemish architecture. The UNESCO-listed Belfry and the market square anchor the historic center, and the Aalst Carnival brings satirical parades, costumed processions and brass bands each year. Local cafes and beer bars provide an authentic taste of Flemish hospitality, while nearby waterways and cycling routes make day trips easy and pleasant.
Who's Aalst, Belgium For?
Aalst is best known for its Carnival - a lively, often raucous annual event with parades and street parties that draw crowds across Belgium. Outside carnival season you’ll still find active bars and local festivities around the Grote Markt.
Local cafés and brasseries around the Grote Markt serve classic Belgian fare and regional beers. Expect approachable, affordable menus and bakeries rather than haute cuisine; pleasant lunches and beer bars dominate the scene.
Couples will enjoy riverside walks along the Dender, cozy cafés in the historic centre and quiet streets off the market square. Aalst’s compact old town is easy to explore on foot and suits relaxed weekend breaks.
Aalst benefits from strong rail links to Brussels and Ghent, making it practical for regional business trips. Local meeting facilities are modest but the town’s proximity to major Belgian cities is a real advantage for commuters.
Top Things to Do in Aalst, Belgium
All Attractions ›
- Belfry and Town Hall (Belfort van Aalst) - UNESCO-listed medieval belfry beside the ornate town hall in the central Grote Markt.
- Grote Markt - Heart of Aalst with cafés, regular markets, and a lively local atmosphere.
- Sint-Martinus Church - Large neo-Gothic parish church featuring an impressive tower and notable stained glass.
- Aalst Carnival (Carnaval van Aalst) - Annual pre-Lenten street carnival known for elaborate floats, satire, and community participation.
- Dender riverside promenade - Pleasant riverside walks and small quays that trace the Dender through the city center.
- Stedelijk Museum Aalst - Small municipal museum focused on local history, art, and carnival traditions.
- Dender towpaths and cycle routes - Quiet riverside cycling and walking paths linking Aalst with its surrounding villages.
- Grote Markt cafés around the town hall - A cluster of small, longstanding cafés where locals gather for coffee and conversation.
- Aalst weekly market - Colorful local market days offering regional produce, cheeses, and everyday Flemish life.
- Ghent - Medieval center with Gravensteen castle, canals, excellent museums and lively food scene.
- Brussels - Belgium's capital offers Grand Place, Atomium, world-class museums, and diverse dining.
- Bruges - Canal-lined medieval city famed for cobbled streets, Markt square, and chocolate shops.
- Antwerp - Major port city known for the diamond district, Museum aan de Stroom, and fashion.
- Dendermonde - Neighboring riverside town with a medieval square, Tijl Uilenspiegel folklore, and local markets.
Where to Go in Aalst, Belgium #
Town Centre
Aalst’s centre is compact and traditionally Flemish: a market square, church and cafés where locals spend their mornings. It’s an easy place to join the Carnival buzz if you time your visit right, otherwise a relaxed base for exploring the region.
Top Spots
- Grote Markt (Market Square) - cafés and the town’s main gatherings.
- City Hall & Belfry - historic belfry and municipal architecture.
- Sint-Martinus Church - notable parish church facing the square.
Denderbank / Riverfront
The Dender river area is where people go for a peaceful walk and a drink beside the water. It’s an everyday leisure spot rather than a tourist magnet, with cafés and benches to watch boats and locals pass by. Good for a quiet hour away from the square.
Top Spots
- Dender promenade - riverside walks and benches.
- Local brasseries - casual meals near the water.
- Small parks - green strips along the river.
Carnival Quarter
Aalst comes alive during Carnival, and certain streets and quarters turn into party zones full of music, costumes and street food. Outside the season it’s calmer, but you’ll still see traces of the city’s parade culture in shop windows and bar chatter.
Top Spots
- Carnival venues - seasonal pubs and performance spots.
- Costume shops - local stores that pop up before Carnival.
- Event streets - where parades and parties concentrate.
Plan Your Visit to Aalst, Belgium #
Best Time to Visit Aalst, Belgium #
Visit Aalst in late spring through early autumn (May-September) when temperatures are mild, daylight is longer and outdoor cafés, markets and bike rides are most pleasant. Winters are colder and damp, but Aalst's famous Carnival in February is vivid and well worth enduring the wet weather for.
Best Time to Visit Aalst, Belgium #
Aalst, Belgium's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 1°C to 23°C. Moderate rainfall (784 mm/year), distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 6°C and lows of 1°C. Moderate rainfall (64 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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February
February is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of 1°C. Moderate rainfall (49 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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March
March is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 3°C. Moderate rainfall (63 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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April
April is cold with highs of 14°C and lows of 5°C. Moderate rainfall (50 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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May
May is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 9°C. Moderate rainfall (64 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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June
June is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 12°C. Moderate rainfall (76 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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July
July is the warmest month with highs of 23°C and lows of 14°C. Moderate rainfall (69 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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August
August is mild with highs of 23°C and lows of 13°C. Moderate rainfall (60 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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September
September is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 11°C. Moderate rainfall (66 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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October
October is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (73 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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November
November is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 4°C. The wettest month with 77 mm of rain and mostly overcast skies.
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December
December is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (73 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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How to Get to Aalst, Belgium
Aalst is best reached by rail - the town's Station Aalst has regular SNCB/NMBS connections to Brussels and Ghent. For air travellers the nearest major airports are Brussels Airport (BRU) and Brussels South Charleroi (CRL), both of which connect to Aalst by train or shuttle plus train.
Brussels Airport (BRU): The airport at Zaventem has a rail station underneath the terminal with frequent SNCB/NMBS services. You can reach Aalst with one change (typically at Brussels-North or Brussels-Midi) in about 30-45 minutes; expect to pay roughly €7-€11 for a single train ticket depending on route and discounts.
Brussels South Charleroi Airport (CRL): Charleroi is served by shuttle buses (Flibco) to Brussels-South (Midi), where you can connect to trains for Aalst. The Flibco shuttle takes about 55-75 minutes to Brussels (fare €6-€15 depending on advance booking), then add a 20-30 minute train to Aalst (train fare roughly €4-€7). Total travel time is typically 1h20-1h50 including transfer time.
Train: Aalst is served by Station Aalst (Aalst / Gare d’Aalst) on the Belgian SNCB/NMBS network with frequent InterCity and local services toward Brussels (Bruxelles-Midi / Brussel-Zuid), Denderleeuw and Ghent. Trip times are quick - around 20-30 minutes to Brussels and 25-35 minutes to Ghent - with typical single fares in the region of €4-€8 depending on service and discounts.
Bus: Local and regional buses are operated by De Lijn. Routes link the station with neighbourhoods and nearby towns; most single fares are in the range of about €2.50-€4.00 (buy on board with contactless card on some services or use the De Lijn app). Bus journey times inside town are usually 10-30 minutes depending on route.
How to Get Around Aalst, Belgium
Aalst is easiest to navigate by train for regional travel and on foot or by bicycle for local trips. Use SNCB/NMBS trains for quick connections to Brussels and Ghent, De Lijn buses for neighbourhood access, and taxis or car hire when you have luggage or are travelling late.
- Train (SNCB/NMBS) (€4-€8) - Frequent regional and InterCity trains call at Station Aalst, making rail the fastest and most reliable way to reach Brussels, Ghent and other Flemish towns. Trains to Brussels take roughly 20-30 minutes; journey times to Ghent are about 25-35 minutes. Buy tickets from station machines, the SNCB app or online; consider a Rail Pass or weekend discount if you travel often.
- De Lijn buses (€2.50-€4.00) - De Lijn operates local and regional bus services across Aalst and the surrounding Denderstreek. Buses are useful for short hops from the station to outlying neighbourhoods or industrial areas where trains don't reach. Single fares are usually paid on board or via the De Lijn app - keep change or use contactless if available.
- Taxi & ride apps (€10-€25 (short city rides)) - Taxis are available from ranks near the station and market square; fares start with a modest flag-drop plus per-kilometre charge. Ride-hailing apps are less common than in larger Belgian cities, so taxis and local dispatch services are the reliable option for late-night or luggage-heavy trips. Pre-book for punctual airport pickups.
- Car & car hire (€30-€70/day (rental)) - Driving gives flexibility for day trips into the Flemish countryside; Aalst sits close to the E40 and E17 motorways. City centre parking can be limited and paid (street meters and parking garages), so factor parking costs and occasional traffic into plans. Car hire is available from Brussels airports and major operators in the region.
- Bike & bike-sharing (€6+/day (Blue-bike / short-term)) - Cycling is a convenient way to get around Aalst - the town is relatively flat and cycle lanes are common. Blue-bike (the national station-based bike-sharing scheme) has bikes at or near Station Aalst for short rentals, useful for last-mile trips; daily/short-use fares are inexpensive. Many hotels also offer long-term bike hire.
- Walking - Aalst's compact centre is very walkable: the market square, shopping streets and main sights are within easy walking distance of the station. Walking is often faster than driving for short trips inside the historic core and a pleasant way to explore the town on foot.
Where to Stay in Aalst, Belgium #
Where to Eat in Aalst, Belgium #
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Aalst, Belgium's restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Nightlife in Aalst, Belgium #
Aalst’s nightlife centers on the Grote Markt and the riverside bars along the Dender; the city is famous for its Carnival, when nights become hectic and festive. On regular nights, expect cozy cafés, brown bars and lively student-leaning pubs. Practical tip: dress casually, watch for packed streets during Carnival season, and use local taxis late at night.
Best Bets
- Grote Markt - Central square with cafés and evening terraces.
- Dender riverside - Riverside bars and relaxed evening walks along the water.
- Aalst Carnival (seasonal) - World-famous festival that fills streets with nighttime revelry.
- Oude Vismarkt area - Secondary hub of bars and small pubs near the market.
- Student bars and pubs - Affordable, lively spots popular with younger locals.
- Local live-music venues - Clubs and cafés often host regional bands and DJs.
Shopping in Aalst, Belgium #
Aalst’s shopping heart sits around the Grote Markt and adjoining pedestrian streets. The town is known for local boutiques, regular market days and a modest mix of national chains and family-run shops. Visit market day for fresh produce and local crafts; many independent stores close midday on Sundays, so plan weekday or Saturday visits for the fullest selection.
Best Bets
- Grote Markt (Aalst) - Central square with shops, cafes and a busy market day.
- Zwijgersstraat and pedestrian shopping streets - Cluster of boutiques, shoe shops and local fashion stores.
- Aalst weekly market - Fresh produce, flowers and inexpensive household items on market day.
- Oude Vismarkt area - Small specialist shops, bakeries and regional food sellers.
- Local shopping centres and supermarkets - Practical retail options for groceries and everyday purchases.
- Antique and secondhand shops - Scattered vintage stores worth visiting for unique finds.
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