Whether you’re a tourist or a local, are you visiting Brussels and not sure which museum to visit? Armed with a Brussels Card(the go-to pass for visiting Brussels’ museums), we set out to (re)visit the city’s most iconic museums to bring you a list of the 19 must-see museums in Brussels.
Who is it for? Music lovers; families; fans of unique museums
Duration of visit: 2 hours
If we had to choose just one, it might be this one! In any case, here at Bruxelles Secrète, we’re big fans of the Museum of Musical Instruments! Its magnificent Art Nouveau building, photographed thousands of times a year, houses an extraordinary collection of hundreds of musical instruments dating from all eras and coming from every continent.
The absolute must-see? Its indispensable audio guide, featuring recordings of nearly 300 musical instruments that you can listen to as you wander through the four floors. Traditional instruments from around the world, a collection of harpsichords and wind instruments, Western musical art, a room dedicated to mechanical instruments… you’ll discover (and hear) objects you never even knew existed!
Bonus: Your ticket also grants you access (if they’re happening at the same time) to concerts at the Concert Hall (5th floor). Feel free to stop on certain floors to admire the view of Brussels; on sunny days, the 6th-floor terrace offers a breathtaking panorama.
Who is it for? Families, groups of friends, and lovers of architecture and contemporary art.
Duration of visit: 1 hour
In the heart of Schaerbeek, a neoclassical masterpiece is preparing to celebrate a special anniversary. In 2026, the Maison des Arts will turn 200. This heritage gem, originally a sumptuous bourgeois mansion before being saved by the municipality, has weathered two centuries of history and urban transformation. Now fully designated as a historic landmark, this former villa has been transformed into a laboratory for artistic creation.
Driven by a strong social mission, this cultural hub offers workshops, lectures, and local events throughout the year. Managed by the French Cultural Service, the site creates a dialogue between its rich architectural heritage and the boldness of contemporary art.
Who is it for? Politically minded people; those curious about the EU and European civilization
Duration of visit: 1 hour 30 minutes
Within its walls adorned with La Fontaine’s fables, the House of European History offers a free and interactive immersion into our continent’s past. FromEurope’s origins to the challenges of its future, discover a space whereprestigious architecture meets modern exhibition design.
Formerly an Art Deco dental clinic, this historic site has been transformed into a visionary museum dedicated to European heritage. Nestled in the lush greenery of Leopold Park, get ready for a unique exploration that symbolizesBrussels’ heritage and is accessible to everyone.
Who is it for? History buffs; archaeology fans
Duration of visit: 3 hours
If there’s one museum that truly captivated us with the richness of its collections, it’s the Art & History Museum, nestled in Brussels’ Cinquantenaire Park. Opened in 1835, it traces the entire history of civilization— from prehistory to the present day— through thousands of works of art and archaeological artifacts . It is one of the largest museums in Europe.
Divided into four main sections (Antiquity, Non-European World Civilizations, Belgian Archaeology, and European Decorative Arts), the Art & History Museum is so large that you’ll need at least half a day to really take the time to see everything.
From the extraordinary Clock Museum to the Museum of Antique Glass, centered around the garden and cloister, including the Boyadjian Heart Museum, the basement levels dedicated to archaeology and its myriad treasures (including—somewhat chilling—skeletons from that era), all the way to the gems of pre-Columbian America and Asian art—you’ll leave having seen and learned a great, great deal!
Who is it for? Children, families; fans of medicine and anatomy
Duration of visit: 1 hour 30 minutes
The Museum of Medicine isn’t just a gallery of antique objects—it’s an immersive and sometimes unsettling journey into the secrets of the body and mind. From millennia-old Egyptian mummies to anatomical wax models, each exhibit in the museum reveals the fragile boundaries between science and belief.
A true cabinet of curiosities located in a booming neighborhood, offering a vibrant getaway on the outskirtsof Anderlecht. Let yourself be guided by the hidden treasures of this unique institution for a day full of discoveries.
Magritte Museum
Who is it for? For fans of Magritte and art in general
Duration of visit: 1 hour
The Magritte Museum, located in the building across from the Royal Museums of Fine Arts, is part of the same complex. A ticket purchased at the MRBA automatically grants you access to the Magritte Museum, offering you the chance to (re)discover the world of Belgian painter René Magritte and the world’s largest collection of his works.
230 works (paintings, drawings, sculptures, and even sheet music, photos, and films…) are on display in this multi-award-winning museum, which welcomes 300,000 visitors a year. Note: If you’re interested in Magritte’s world, you can visit the official Magritte store located on Brussels’ Grand-Place.
Who is it for? Children, families; comic book lovers
Duration of visit: 1 hour
The Smurfs, Boule & Bill, Tintin, the Marsupilami, and all the other comic book heroes hold no secrets for you? Head to the Belgian Comic Strip Center and discover its museum, which traces the key moments in the creation and expansion of what is known as “the ninth art.”
Videos, comic book panels, drawings, merchandise, and temporary exhibitions: be sure to stop by the well-stocked gift shop (on the ground floor) and take a moment to admire the building’s splendor. It’s Art Nouveau in style and was designed by the brilliant Victor Horta!
Royal Museums of Fine Arts
Who is it for? All audiences; children, families; art enthusiasts and beginners
Duration of visit: 3 hours
They’re the Louvre of Brussels: the Royal Museums of Fine Arts impress with their sheer size (10 floors, including 8 underground), their wide variety of works, and above all the splendor of the central hall—a masterpiece in its own right!
The museum is divided into three sections: Old Masters (1st floor), a vast collection of Southern Dutch classics from the 15th–18th centuries (Bruegel, Rubens, V.D. Weyden, Cranach, David, Rembrandt V. Rijn…); temporary exhibitions (levels 0, 1, -3, -4); Fin-de-Siècle (levels -5 to -8), linked to the artistic effervescence of Brussels in the 1900s (Van Gogh, Ensor, Gauguin, Rysselberghe, Rodin, Khnopff, Mucha), with a section on Horta and Art Nouveau.
Note: You’ll be asked to remove your jackets and bags during your visit. Tip: If you don’t have coins for the locker, there are free coat check areas on Level -2. Umbrellas can be left for free on Level 0. Your MRBA ticket also grants you access to the Meunier Museum (Rue de l’Abbaye), the Wiertz Museum (Rue Vautier), and the famous Magritte Museum.
Who is it for? Architecture lovers, nature enthusiasts, and those curious about heritage and history
Duration of visit: 1 hour
Ready for a journey through time in the heartof Anderlecht? Step inside the House of Erasmus, one of the capital’s oldest residences. It was here, amid Gothic brickwork and Renaissance furnishings, that the “Prince of Humanists ” found refuge in 1521.
This charming house offers a unique experience that continues into the site’s dazzling gardens —true havens of peace wherecontemporary art blends with medieval thought. From the treasures of the Beguinage to never-before-seen works of art, discover a heritage site where the past resonates with surprising modernity.
Natural Sciences Museum
Who is it for? Children, families; fans of dinosaurs and archaeology
Duration of visit: 1 hour 30 minutes
The Museum of Natural Sciences might as well be called the “Dinosaur Museum, ” since dinosaurs are the centerpieces of the place! An impressive number of these giants have been reconstructed (using real fragments and bones!), including a section on gemstones and another on biodiversity.
Fun, educational, and even interactive, the Museum of Natural Sciences is designed primarily for children and is sure to delight families. Note: the museum also has its own cafeteria, where you can take a break for a snack with the little ones before going to say hello to the Tyrannosaurs…
Who is it for? For art and design enthusiasts
Duration of visit: 1.5–2 hours
Among the city’s must-see museums is the Design Museum Brussels, located in Heysel near the Atomium. Here, everyday objects become true icons. Pop-art chairs, futuristic lamps, and cult objects tell the story of how our lifestyle has evolved from the 1950s to today through exhibitions that are as cutting-edge as they are fun. Special mention goes to the Plastic Design Collection, which explores the era of plastic—from its creative boom to environmental challenges—and the“Belgisch Design Belge”space dedicated to local gems. Bonus: the museum doesn’t just showcase exhibits; it encourages visitors to reflect, question, and even debate design and its impact on our society, all within a setting accessible to everyone.
Who is it for? Art students; fans of unique exhibitions; specialists
Duration of visit: 2 hours (depending on the exhibits)
Bozar is a center for temporary exhibitions located between Place Royale and the Central Station. Upon entering its stunning lobby, you’ll most likely see a dozen or so students sitting on chairs, sketching their drawings. The atmosphere is quite avant-garde, with very specific or socially engaged exhibitions—and often very interesting ones.
Discover the exhibitions currently on view as well as the program for ’24–’25 on the Bozar website.
Who is it for? Anyone curious to learn more about the history of Belgium
Duration of visit: 1 hour 30 minutes
Want to (re)discover Belgium beyond the clichés? Head to the BELvue Museum, a museum that’s as fun as it is fascinating, plunging you into the heart of Belgian identity. Here, more than 200 objects tell the story of the kingdom through highly immersive themed galleries: from works by René Magritte to everyday objects, including a soccer ball signed by the national team—a true symbol. Spanning pop culture, politics, art, and society, the exhibition explores Belgium as a true European crossroads, rich in languages and diversity. And with its temporary exhibitions that constantly refresh the narrative, the BELvue succeeds in being at once informative, vibrant, and resolutely modern.
Who is it for? Locals; visitors; urban history enthusiasts
Duration of visit: 1 hour 30 minutes
The City of Brussels Museum is undoubtedly the best way to learn as much as possible about the city’s history. From the time when Brussels had city walls, to the time when the Senne River flowed through its center, and key moments in the city’s history such as the burning of the Grand-Place in 1695, you’ll learn a wealth of fascinating information about our city.
Scale models and paintings, abandoned projects such as the Anspach-Royale aerial gallery… the Museum of the City of Brussels also lets you see the original version (for those interested) of the famous Manneken Pis. The museum is housed inside the sublime neo-Gothic building of the Maison du Roi (with its fairy-tale-like staircase) right in the heart of the Grand-Place!
Parlamentarium
Who is it for? Politically minded people; those curious about the EU and European civilization
Duration of visit: 1 hour
Brussels is inextricably linked to its status as the Capital of Europe. The Parlamentarium, the European Parliament’s Visitor Center, is the key museum for gaining a better understanding of the origins and functions of the European Union. It is located in the European Quarter, between Place Luxembourg and the lovely Leopold Park.
Spanning two floors (the museum is fairly compact), you’ll discover a multitude of interactive exhibits as well as a surprising semicircular theater. To round out your visit, we also recommend stopping by the House of European History (located right next door at 135 Rue Belliard) to learn more about the history of Europe as a continent.
Who’s it for? Car enthusiasts; fans of unique museums
Duration of visit: 1 hour
Located in the Cinquantenaire Park, near the Art & History Museum, the Autoworld Museum features a very (veeeery) extensive collection of automobiles. From the very first vehicles of the late 19th century to the most luxurious supercars of the 2010–2020 era!
Organized into several sections (American classics, historic cars, motorcycles, race cars…), the Autoworld museum has something to delight car enthusiasts and even those new to the subject. The layout is open and airy, spread out inside a large wrought-iron palace that once housed the Mundaneum. The venue even has a café.
Who is it for? Architecture lovers, Art Nouveau enthusiasts, and those curious about design and history
Duration of visit: 1 hour 30 minutes
If you want to immerse yourself in the fascinating world of Art Nouveau in Brussels, the Horta Museum is a must-see, often less crowded than more traditional museums. Housed in the former home and studio of Victor Horta, one of the undisputed masters of Art Nouveau, this museum invites you to discover an authentic, perfectly preserved architectural masterpiece. Every detail— from the furniture to the stained-glass windows, including the ironwork and mosaics—bears witness to Horta’s extraordinary creativity and craftsmanship at the end of the 19th century.
The tour offers an immersive experience in the heart of a home designed as a total work of art, where every space is crafted to play with light and natural forms. It’s also an opportunity to learn more about the life and career of this visionary architect who left a profound mark on Brussels. A real favorite for art and architecture enthusiasts looking to venture off the beaten path!
Ready to embark on a journey through time? We’re heading to Train World, Brussels’ most spectacular train museum, nestled inside the Schaerbeek train station. Here, young and old alike can boardan immersive adventure on Belgian railways, featuring impressive locomotives, fascinating archives, and superbly staged displays. The highlight of the show? Five steam locomotives to admire up close, including the legendary “Pays de Waes”—quite simply the oldest preserved locomotive in Europe. With period photos, vintage posters, and rare images of the electrification of the rail lines, the tour brilliantly blends nostalgia and discovery. It’s fun, accessible to everyone, and truly a change of scenery.
Brussels Museum of Illusions
Who is it for? Families, groups of friends, and anyone curious about fun and visual experiences
Duration of visit: 1 hour 30 minutes
The Brussels Museum of Illusions offers an extraordinary experience right in the heart of the capital. This interactive museum features more than 60 installations that challenge your perception and critical thinking through fascinating optical illusions and immersive exhibits.
Here, you can walk on walls, explore optical illusions, and take surprising and fun photos. Ideal for all ages, this place skillfully combines fun with learning about the science behind the illusions. Note: Advance reservations are recommended to fully enjoy the visit.
