Aalst

Aalst is a proud and lively Flemish city where history feels alive around every corner. Sitting beside the gentle Dender river, it was once a powerhouse of the medieval textile trade, and it was here that a man named Dirk Martens set up the very first printing press in the Low Countries back in the 1400s, helping spread books and ideas across an entire region. Today you can explore his story at a dedicated museum, gaze up at a magnificent 13th-century belfry that still rings out over the busy market square, and wander past some of the oldest civic buildings in Belgium.

But Aalst has a playful side too. Every year the city explodes into one of the most creative and chaotic carnivals you will ever see, where costumes get wonderfully outrageous and the crowds are showered with onions, a tradition so unique it caught the attention of the whole world. Aalst is historic, a little bit quirky, and completely unforgettable.

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Quick fact

Aalst is a historic Flemish city on the Dender river, known as an important textile centre during the Middle Ages and as the hometown of the first printer in the Low Countries.

Fun fact

The Aalst Carnival is so wildly creative and exuberant that UNESCO once listed it as Intangible Cultural Heritage — it is famous for participants dressing in outrageous costumes and showering the crowd with onions!

Landmarks

Aalst Belfry

One of the oldest belfries in Belgium, this UNESCO-listed medieval tower has stood proudly over the city since the 13th century and still rings out across the market square.

Grote Markt of Aalst

The heart of the city is this lively market square lined with beautiful historical buildings including the impressive Schepenhuis, one of the oldest civic buildings in Belgium.

Dirk Martens Museum

This museum celebrates Dirk Martens, who set up the very first printing press in the Low Countries right here in Aalst around 1473, helping to spread knowledge and books to millions.

Onze-Lieve-Vrouwziekenhuis Chapel

This beautifully restored historic chapel is an example of the rich religious architecture that dots the city, with lovely stained glass that glows in rainbow colours.

Stadspark Aalst

The city park is a green, peaceful retreat along the River Dender where families love to walk, cycle, and watch the ducks, with pretty flowerbeds throughout the year.