Aarschot combines historic buildings with paths through natural areas. The mills, the beguinage and the Church of Our Lady tell different chapters of the town’s history; walks and parks offer a different focus. When planning your overnight stay, consider whether you want to include mainly cultural sites, paths along the river or both in your trip.
Beguinage, mills and Demer Gothic
Begijnhof Aarschot was established around 1259, after Hendrik III of Brabant and Aleydis of Burgundy donated their barn and the surrounding area for a new beguinage. The surviving row of houses lies between Stationsstraat and the ’s Hertogenmolens. The restored beguinage houses showcase traditional 17th-century Brabantine brick and sandstone architecture, including gabled roofs and dormer windows.
The ’s Hertogenmolens also tell the story of different eras and uses. Their origins date back to the 14th century; the present central section, comprising five parts and featuring distinctive gables, dates from the 16th century. Over the course of their history, the mills served as grain, bark and glass mills. Their special location also made them a bridge over the Demer and a defensive structure for Aarschot. The lock mechanism is considered almost unique in Europe.
The Demer flows through Aarschot past historic mills, distinctive towers and other important cultural landmarks. Another architectural landmark is the Church of Our Lady: it is a monumental example of Demer Gothic and is recognisable by its warm, reddish-brown iron sandstone. Since 2018, its west tower has housed a carillon with 51 bells, named the “Vredesbeiaard van Aarschot”.
The medieval Aurelianustoren, also known as the Orleanstoren, has been a protected monument since 1936. It offers the opportunity to enjoy views over Aarschot. Check the tower’s access conditions before your trip. Anyone interested in the history of Groot-Aarschot can trace its story from prehistory to more recent history at the Stedelijk Museum. The permanent exhibition is expected to remain closed until the end of 2028 due to construction work; temporary exhibitions can still be visited. Check the latest information before your visit.
Walks and natural areas
The “Aarschot Anders Bekeken” walk leads from the former Molenberg to a panorama overlooking the city. It is suitable for wheelchair users; bear in mind the climb on Maalderstraat, the descent on Bergstraat and the footpath in Tuinwijk. Check conditions on site. The Konijnenbergwandeling offers a different perspective: it follows the Demer out of Aarschot, passes the Achter Schoonhoven nature area and reaches a viewpoint on the Konijnenberg.
The Demerroute follows the river upstream through Schoonhoven Park to Testelt and downstream to its confluence with the Dijle at Werchter. A section between junctions 14 and 51 is closed until the end of 2026. Check the current route before planning to use this section. For paths in Meetshovenbos, the Naturparkour offers several loops: the blue route is 2.74 km long, the green 3.73 km and the red 5.57 km. Together, the Naturparkour covers 12 km. Its starting point is the car park next to ’t Wit Toreke, Ter Heidelaan 97; also check the local signs before setting off.
Schoonhoven Park has five ponds: a swimming pond, a recreation pond, two fishing ponds and a nature pond. Its natural area also features a striking insect mound. In Speelbos Meetshovenbos, on Kleine Mechelsebaan, there is a play area for children with a wooden defensive rampart, shelters, thrones and large forest-wood slingshots.
Beer and practical information
On request, Aarschotse Stadsbrouwerij offers a look at the brewing process behind the local beer “den Bruine”, followed by a tasting at ’t Bruine Café. For getting around locally, Fietspunt Aarschot rents out, among other things, a Veloplus electric wheelchair bike and a Fun2Go electric tandem bike. Some bikes may need to be reserved.
Discover more destinations: Affligem, Kampenhout, Steenokkerzeel, Grimbergen, Wijgmaal, Zaventem, Lasne, Bekkevoort.
For the overview of the wider region: Brabant.
