Or why not a weekend in Aalst?

Friday: perhaps the day we most look forward to. After all, Friday evening marks the start of the weekend. And weekends should always be cherished. Your batteries are recharged, allowing you to fly through the following week. And this weekend, my batteries were recharged in Aalst. I made closer acquaintance with this creative town, cycled on the water, sampled local beers and gave my taste buds a treat. A great way to start the working week on Monday  all relaxed. Reading on? 

A river bike on the Dender

The first of Aalst's charms (and there are many) is the Dender. The river Dender runs for 65 kilometres in the flood plains of the river Scheldt and winds through the centre of Aalst, embracing a whole host of cycling routes. But we didn't choose the typical cycling route along the tow path. We chose to cycle on the water of the river Dender. And in doing so we immersed ourselves (but not literally) in the lovely landscape of the Dender valley. 

Cycling on the water? That sounds like something only Jesus could achieve. But nothing could be further from the truth. The Outsider in Aalst has river bikes and we used them to pedal our way along the water in our Dender adventure. These river bikes are bikes installed on SUPS which are steered below the water with a rudder. Allowing you to cycle on the water, and with any luck also enjoy the sun on your face. My personal tip: don't start pedalling like Wout Van Aert! Cycle slowly. Slower than normal. We began our excursion like a 'normal’ ride and were out of breath after five minutes. However, it is naturally the intention that you can enjoy the breathtaking scenery and recharge your batteries. 

Award-winning library and local delicacies

After the water we returned to land. Sweet streets guided us towards the centre of Aalst. And we were pleasantly surprised. We stopped at Utopia, which was crowned the best library of Flanders and Brussels in 2019. So we could not resist a visit. After a glimpse of the books, we settled down on the sunny terrace and enjoyed a fresh home-made lemonade. Our mouths began to water as we studied the menu: local specialities, trendy salads and nice-looking burgers. Every Saturday you can go there for a delicious (and extensive) brunch. That's on our list for next time…

After a well-earned break, we popped into Ambarosa. The ultimate regional produce and gift shop for Aalst, known to locals as 'Olsjt'. The shop has more than 300 (!) types of products. Whether you have a sweet tooth or love beer or gin, you are sure to find something that takes your fancy. I bought a beer called ‘Kletskop’ (bald head).  Ambarosa also organises tasting sessions: schnapps, gin, wine, liqueur, apero,… In combination with a local ploughmans known as 'Breughelplankje'. Sounds like a plan.  

Staying at B&B Hof Beygaert

Feel like you're in the French district of Provence? You can do that in Aalst as well. Martine, a proud resident of Aalst, gave us a warm welcome in her unique B&B Hof Beygaert. This lies in a street with little traffic, just a stone's throw from Aalst's bustling centre. The B&B is a piece of a wonderful family story, which Martine will be delighted to tell you. Behind the façade there are four unique guest rooms, each stylishly furnished. We slept in a gorgeous box-spring bed and showered in a spacious bathroom with a rain shower you simply can't bear to leave. And the breakfast was brilliant. We woke up to the smell of fresh bread, which led us to the living room, where we were greeted by a colourful breakfast table. 

Enjoy culinary Aalst

Within walking distance of the B&B lies restaurant Cul’eau. Elegant cuisine with fresh and surprising flavours. A must do when you stay with Martine, and no need to worry about drinking and driving. But this time, we set off to another culinary gem in Aalst: Pacht 26. And what was an unforgettable evening it was. They served their magical dishes with wine from less familiar regions in Poland, Hungary and Austria. This golden nectar truly tickled the palate. Foodies and wine lovers: book your table here!

Discover the history of Aalst

Having given our taste buds a treat during our weekend in Aalst, it was high time to give our brains some activity. After all, Aalst has a rich history, as we discovered during our walk. And that walk began in the town park. The park was created in 1915, commissioned by the former alderman Désiré De Wolf. He was keen to create work for the men of Aalst during WWI, to keep them safe from German demands. On your way through the park you will find various boards telling you more about its creation and the history of Aalst. Legs getting tired? Then stop at the Melkhuisje for a bite, such as pancakes made to Grandma's recipe.

Our brains were not tired though. So we continued our way towards St Martin's church, to discover a real painting of Pieter Paul Rubens.

Lunch at these great places

As fanatic foodies we naturally found plenty of hotspots. So we devoured a wonderful pot of mussels at restaurant Borse van Amsterdam, right on the Grote Markt in Aalst. Prefer a succulent slice of (local) meat? Then you'd better book at a table at meat restaurant De Frigo. And we're sure you'll find lots of other gems in Aalst along the way.

A fun weekend in Aalst for you? Discover the nicest places to stay in Aalst and nearby. Or read the full story on the blog by Miette Dierckx.