Brussels has more than a hundred museums, and some of them are world-class. You can see paintings by Bruegel and Rubens in the morning, the world's largest collection of René Magritte after lunch, and Tintin's original drawings before dinner. This guide selects the best museums by interest, with practical tips to save time and money.
It is part of our complete Brussels travel guide.
Before you go: free days and passes
- First Wednesday of the month: several major museums are free, mostly from 13:00. They include the Art & History Museum, the BELvue, the Natural Sciences Museum, the Magritte Museum, the Old Masters Museum and the Army Museum.
- Brussels Card: a museum pass valid for 24, 48 or 72 hours, which covers dozens of museums. It is worth it if you plan to visit at least two or three paid museums a day.
- Mondays: many museums in Brussels are closed on Mondays. Always check the official website before you go.
Art museums
Old Masters Museum (Royal Museums of Fine Arts)
Part of the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium, on the Mont des Arts, the Old Masters Museum covers Flemish and European painting from the 15th to the 18th century, with works by artists such as Pieter Bruegel the Elder, Peter Paul Rubens and Jacob Jordaens.
Magritte Museum
In the same complex, the Magritte Museum holds the world's largest collection of works by the Belgian surrealist René Magritte: paintings, drawings, photographs and archives. It is one of the most popular museums in the city, so arrive early.
Note: the Fin-de-Siècle Museum, also part of the Royal Museums, has been closed since January 2024, and the Wiertz Museum since October 2024 for renovation.
Art Nouveau: the Horta Museum
In Saint-Gilles, the Horta Museum is the former house and studio of Victor Horta, the architect who made Brussels the capital of Art Nouveau. With its flowing ironwork, mosaics and stained glass, it is one of four Horta houses listed together as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000.
- Tip: booking online in advance is recommended.
To see more Art Nouveau, read our guide to Brussels architecture and landmarks.
Comics: the Comics Art Museum
Belgium is a country of comic strips, and the Comics Art Museum (Belgian Comic Strip Center), at Rue des Sables 20, celebrates the art form in a former Art Nouveau textile warehouse designed by Victor Horta. You will meet Tintin, the Smurfs, Lucky Luke, Spirou and many others. It is open from Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 to 18:00.
After the visit, look out for the Comic Strip Route, a trail of large murals painted on façades around the city centre.
Music: the Musical Instruments Museum (MIM)
Housed in the Old England building, a former department store designed by Paul Saintenoy in 1899, the MIM displays a remarkable collection of musical instruments from around the world, with audio guides that let you hear many of them. It sits on the Mont des Arts, a few steps from the Royal Museums.
History and Europe
House of European History
In the Leopold Park, in the European Quarter, the House of European History tells the story of the continent from the 19th century to today. Entry is free.
Parlamentarium
The European Parliament's visitor centre explains how the EU works through interactive exhibitions. It is free and open seven days a week.
Brussels City Museum
In the King's House on the Grand-Place, the City Museum traces the history of Brussels and keeps the original statue of Manneken Pis.
Coudenberg
Under the Place Royale lie the archaeological remains of the former palace of Charles V, including a buried medieval street. A fascinating underground visit.
Science and nature: the Natural Sciences Museum
The Natural Sciences Museum, near the European Quarter, is famous for its dinosaur gallery, one of the largest in Europe. Its star attraction is the famous Iguanodons of Bernissart, part of a group of around thirty skeletons discovered in a Belgian coal mine. A great choice for families: see our guide to Brussels with kids.
Museums at the Cinquantenaire
The monumental Cinquantenaire Park, with its triumphal arch, is home to several museums, including the Art & History Museum, Autoworld (classic cars) and the Army Museum. Plan half a day if you want to see more than one.
Which museums should you choose?
- Art lovers: Old Masters and Magritte, then the Horta Museum.
- Families: Natural Sciences Museum and Comics Art Museum.
- Architecture lovers: Horta Museum, MIM and Comics Art Museum (all in Art Nouveau buildings).
- On a budget: House of European History and Parlamentarium (both free), and the first Wednesday of the month.
- Rainy day: combine the Mont des Arts museums with the Coudenberg, all within a few minutes' walk.
See the museum district with a private guide
Our private tour The Heart of Belgium — History, Elegance & Chocolate includes the Mont des Arts and the Royal Quarter, and can be adapted to include Art Nouveau architecture and Belgium's comic-strip heritage. For more ideas, see our practical Brussels travel tips.