Aalst

Aalst is in East Flanders, Belgium. A medium-sized town by Belgian standards, with a population of around 77,000 people. Aalst is between the larger city of Ghent (Gent) and the capital, Brussels.

By train
The is in the centre of the city.
 * Direct connections from Brussels and Ghent. Aalst is 33 minutes away from Brussels, and 30 minutes from Ghent.

By bus
The Flemish national bus company, De Lijn, has lines to Aalst from Dendermonde, Berlare, Geraardsbergen and other neighbouring towns. For more information regarding different timetables (unfortunately only available in Dutch): https://www.delijn.be.

By car
The expressway E40 passes through the city.

Do




Buy
Five shopping streets, all leading to the central market square (Grote Markt), constitute the economic heart of our town. Next to the big chains you’ll also come across many small and trendy boutiques. Most shops are open from Monday to Saturday, from 10:00-18:00. On Sundays and holidays, doors remain closed except on Open Sundays during special shopping weekends.

Some shopping highlights are the “Top Sales day" (first Saturday of May), the Summer Fairs (last weekend before Summer sales), Autumn Shopping (first weekend of October) and the Year-end Shopping Sundays with lively Christmas village and ice-skating rink on the central market square.



Eat
The brown gold of Aalst. There is nothing better with a cup of coffee than a piece of Aalsterse vlaai. They are made of "mastellen" (rock-hard bread with cinnamon, comparable to a bagel). In June 2010, these bakers received an official logo as recognised manufacturers of Aalsterse vlaaien.



Go next

 * The national capital Brussels is only a short drive or train ride away.