If you’re looking for some fun museums to visit on your next trip, Brussels is the place to be. With a range spanning from classic art museums to vibrant celebrations of culture, the museums in Brussels will help you discover all about the city (as well as dodge their infamous rain showers!).
Browse the outfits of Brussels’ famous mascot, Manneken Pis, explore inside the iconic Atomiom sculpture that dominates the Brussels skyline, learn all about the history of Belgian chocolate, or step inside the world of European politics. Or take some time to discover all about some famous Belgians through history – the music of Jacques Brel, the art of René Magritte, or the architecture of Victor Horta, for example.
This guide has 15 of the very best museums in Brussels, covering all budgets and a variety of interests, meaning you’re sure to find a few to interest you. And if you’re just starting to plan your trip to Brussels, make sure you check out the best things to do in Brussels.
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Are Brussels Museums Closed on Mondays?
Many museums in Brussels are closed on Mondays. This is great if you’re visiting Brussels on the weekend as it means they are open all weekend instead!
If you are visiting Brussels on a Monday, there are a few museums open that you can visit, such as :
- Choco story Brussels
- Atomium (and the design museum)
- Autoworld
- Mini Europe
- Brussels Parliamentarium
- Fondation Jacques Brel
The Brussels Card for Museums
If you plan to visit several museums in Brussels, you can save a lot of money with the Brussels Card. This city pass can be purchased for 24, 48, or 72 hours and gives you access to almost 50 museums across Brussels, as well as various discounts and perks for other museums, attractions, restaurants and bars!
The average price of a museum visit in this guide is €12, so you only need to visit 2-4 museums before you make up the cost. Almost all of the museums in this guide are included in the Brussels Card, and you can even add on a visit to the Atomium or public transport access!
Check out the options below!
The Best Museums in Brussels City Centre
Brussels City Museum
The Brussels City Museum offers an excellent insight into the city of Brussels. Housed in the Maison du Roi in the centre of Grand Place, the neo-gothic building itself is steeped in history, and the rooms inside are dedicated to showcasing the stories of such an eclectic city.
In the museum, you can follow the story of Brussels from medieval times to the modern day, including the Bombardment of Brussels in 1695, urban development in the 19th century, and probably the most famous icon in Brussels – Manneken Pis! If you want to see even more of Manneken Pis, you’ll get free entry to the Gardobe Manneken Pis (read more below!) with your ticket to the Brussels City Museum.
Choco-Story Brussels
What’s a trip to Brussels without indulging in some traditional Belgian chocolate? Take it one step further by visiting the Choco-Story Museum to dive deep into the origins of chocolate around the world, and how Belgian chocolate came to be.
Tickets to the Choco-Story Museum include a chocolate demonstration and tasting, meaning you can satisfy your sweet tooth while you’re there!
Gardrobe Manneken Pis
Brussels has its share of quirky museums, and Gardrobe Manneken Pis is one of them. If you’ve never heard of Manneken Pis, he’s the mascot of Brussels! This little statue of a boy peeing sits proudly in the centre of Brussels, and he has an outfit for every occasion. After seeing Manneken Pis himself, head up the hill on Rue du Chêne where you can visit a museum dedicated to his outfits through the years.
Manneken Pis has more than 1000 costumes. He has been James Bond, Mickey Mouse and Dracula. He has worn the uniforms of a baker, a pilot, and a sanitation worker. He owns traditional outfits of many countries like Japan, Peru, and Scotland, which have been worn to celebrate national days around the world or the visits of world leaders. Trust me – any outfit you can think of, Manneken Pis has it!
Book your tickets!
The Best Art Museums in Brussels
Brussels Art & History Museum
Sitting proudly in Cinquantenaire Park, the Brussels Art and History Museum is definitely one of the more traditional museums in Brussels and is in fact one of the largest art museums in Europe! The classic collection will take you through the likes of Egyptian and Chinese history, as well as important aspects of Belgian culture such as Art Nouveau design and Gothic and Renaissance sculptures.
Part of this Brussels museum is found on the other side of Cinquantenaire Park. The mysterious Pavillion of the Human Passions is a temple designed by Victor Horta, housing a large marble sculpture, The Human Passions, by Jef Lambeux. This exclusive spot is hard to visit, open for guided tours just a few days a year!
Magritte Museum
The Magritte Museum serves to celebrate one of Belgium’s most famous artists – René Magritte. Focusing on surrealism, Magritte produced pieces like The Treachery of Images (also known as Ceci n’est pas une pipe), The Son of Man, and many more – there are over 230 pieces on display at the Magritte Museum.
If you visit Brussels before January 2024, you’ll have the chance to see Magritte around the streets of Brussels. In the Tracks of Magritte is a street art dedication to the famous artist, with murals of his most famous pieces hidden around the city.
Read Next: 10 Fun and Unique Things to do in Brussels
Old Masters Museum + Fin de Siècle Museum
The Old Masters and Fin de Siècle are neighbouring museums that form part of the Royal Museums of Fine Arts in Brussels. This collection of museums showcases the fine arts across Western countries from the 15th century up to the modern day.
First, journey through the past at the Old Masters Museum with a collection featuring many Dutch and Flemish painters, and spanning from the 15th-18th centuries. Then celebrate Brussels and Belgium throughout the 1900s with an eclectic collection of Art Nouveau and more at the Fin de Siècle museum.
Tickets | Location (Old Masters) | Location (Fin de Siècle) | Website
Horta Museum
Famed as one of the founders of the Art Nouveau movement, Belgian-born Victor Horta’s immense legacy lives on all over Brussels. You can visit some of his most famous works, such as Hôtel Solvay, Hôtel Tassel, the Centre for Fine Arts, and even Brussels Central Train Station.
However, if you want to learn more about Victor Horta and his life, visit the Horta Museum in Saint-Gilles. Not only can you admire the stunning architecture of Horta’s former home and studio that houses the museum, you’ll also discover furniture and other objects he designed while learning about his life and work.
Book your Brussels museum tickets!
The Most Unique Museums in Brussels
Atomium
The Atomium is an icon of Brussels, but it’s not just a sculpture. In fact, the atom structure is a museum, where you can enter the spheres and learn about the history and construction of the Atomium itself. Also, you’ll see some amazing panoramic views over Brussels. This has to be one of the most unique museums in the world, and a must-do when in Brussels.
When you buy a ticket for the Atomium, you get free access to the nearby design museum, where you can learn about Belgian design through various exhibitions.
Read the Full Atomium Guide: How to Visit the Atomium in Brussels
Musical Instrument Museum
One of the more unique museums in Brussels, The Musical Instrument Museum showcases a collection of over 10,000 musical instruments from around the world. The museum is composed of several rooms which showcase different aspects of the musical world, be it a vast exhibition of instruments and their variations throughout Europe and the world, or a journey through musical history in Belgium and Europe.
As with so many spots in Belgium, the building this museum is housed in is just as spectacular as the artefacts. The intricately beautiful Art Nouveau edifice was once the home of the famous Old England department store. The turrets on the side are particularly eye-catching, and you can stand in them and look out over Mont des Arts.
Autoworld
Autoworld houses a huge collection of vintage cars from Belgium and beyond. You’ll find historic vehicles from various countries, as well as racing cars and temporary exhibitions that could feature the likes of Porsches and Bugattis. You could even see some cartoon cars, like the exhibition dedicated to Tintin’s vehicles!
This amazing museum is found inside Cinquantenaire Park. Take some time to explore the park after your visit to Autoworld – you’ll definitely want to see the magnificent Triumphal Arch.
Mini Europe
An homage to the members of the European Union (and the UK), Mini Europe takes you on a trail of over 300 miniature sculptures throughout Europe. You can see the Eiffel Tower, the Berlin Wall, Brussels’ Grand Place, and the Leaning Tower of Pisa. They are hugely detailed and sometimes interactive – for example, you can see Mount Vesuvius erupt and the Berlin Wall collapse.
Mini Europe is a really fun celebration of Europe and great for kids too! Situated next to the Atomium, you could easily visit both in one day.
Read next: The Best Places to Eat in Brussels
Coudenberg Palace
Not many know that Brussels has a hidden palace under the streets of the city centre. Coudenberg Palace was once the home of Belgian royalty until it burned down in the 18th century. After long excavations to discover the underground remains, visitors can see a glimpse of this immense palace for themselves.
At Coudenberg, you can wander through a network of passages and chambers and learn about the buildings that once lay above them. There’s also an entire street down there that wasn’t always underground!
Book your tickets!
More Museums in Brussels
Brussels Tram Museum
Trams in Brussels have been around since the mid-1800s, and you’ll see a modern tram system transporting people all over Brussels when you visit. But why not take a step back in time and visit the Tram Museum in Brussels to discover countless vintage trams (as well as buses, taxis, and other modes of transport) that once operated around the city? This is definitely one of the most unique things to do in Brussels!
The tram museum also offers a special Tourist Tramway, where you can ride around the city on a historical tram, and get some great insight into the attractions you pass from the local guides.
Parliamentarium
Brussels is the beating heart of European politics, with the European Parliament and many other institutions here. At the Parlamentarium, you can take a journey through European political history, as well as how the parliament works. Through interactive activities and audio guides, the Parlamentarium is a great way to get an insight into such an important part of Brussels’ identity.
The Parlamentarium is completely free to enter, meaning it’s one of the best museums in Brussels if you’re on a budget. It’s also great to have easy accessibility to learn about the political landscape across Europe
Free entry | Location | Website
Fondation Jacques Brel
Brussels-born singer Jacques Brel is one of Belgium’s best musical exports. Known around the world during the peak of his music career in the 1960s, the Fondation Jacques Brel is now dedicated to honouring his legacy. At the museum, you can discover the life and work of Brel, through a series of films, photos, songs, and more.
You can also discover the life of Jacques Brel on the streets of Brussels, with a guided audio tour from the museum. You’ll visit notable and inspiring places while enjoying music, and stories about his life.
Et voilà! Which Brussels museums are you planning to visit after reading this guide? And remember, although this is a fantastic place to start, Brussels is home to many more museums than just the ones in this guide, so be sure to be on the lookout for more museums in Brussels that might catch your eye.
You might enjoy my guide to the best day trips from Brussels, or how to discover the Brussels Comic Book Route. If you’re a museum fanatic, check out this list of the best museums in Amsterdam.
I got addicted to visiting Museums after I visited Anne Frank house in Amsterdam last year. Mini Europe looks so cool. I’ve wanted to visit it but was not sure if it was worth it. But your article has stirred the inspiration and wanderlust in me. Now really looking forward to visiting them all.