10 Best Museums in Brussels

The Royal Museums of Fine Arts is 6 museums housing over 20,000 works and showcasing Belgium’s history of art from the 15th to 21st centuries. Some of the most iconic artists are featured such as surrealist Paul Delvaux and fauvist Rik Wouters.

The main building houses the Museum of Ancient Art and the Museum of Modern Art, allowing you to explore 2 contrasting eras on the same day. Make sure that you see Landscape with the Fall of Icarus, long attributed to W.H. Auden’s famous poem. The museum shop is also ideal for picking up a beautiful reminder of your day here.

Originally designed and built for the Brussels World Fair in 1958, the Atomium was conceived to be an expression of the democratic will to maintain peace among all nations. Following a major restoration in the early 2000s, it is now a symbol of both Brussels and Belgium and is Brussels’ most popular attraction.

Accessible by metro and a 15-minute ride from both De Broukère and Brussels South Station, the Atomium offers incredible views both inside and out. The internal architecture is reminiscent of an intergalactic spaceship and features sound and light exhibitions as you ascend the escalators. At the top, you’ll see panoramic views of the city and can even enjoy a meal with a view from the Atomium Restaurant.

A must see for both adults and children, the Museum of Natural Sciences allows you to trace the history of animal and human evolution. Going all the way back to prehistoric history, you can see the famous Bernissart Iguanodons in the largest dinosaur gallery in Europe. Little ones can even take on the role of a palaeontologist in a museum workshop.

Accessible by metro, bus, train or bike, the Museum of Natural Sciences also features the BiodiverCITY gallery which explores the animals and vegetation we find in cities and how we can play our part in protecting them. The Mineral Hall is breath-taking, containing 80% of known rock specimens and even a bit of the moon.

The Oldmasters Museum is 1 of the 6 museums which make up the Royal Museum of Fine Arts and narrates 400 years of art history from the 15th to 18th century. It is particularly well known for its Pieter Bruegel the Elder collection, the second biggest in the world, and collections from Rubens and Jordaens.

Located near Place Royale, the Oldmasters Museum is also home to a number of paintings from the Southern Netherlands, with masterpieces by Rogier van der Weyden, Petrus Christus, Dirk Bouts and Hans Memling. Don’t forget to stroll through the statue garden, complete with a fountain.

If you’re fascinated by the mechanics of how music is made, the Musical Instrument Museum is for you. The History of Musical Instruments in Europe exhibition is a great starting point as it chronologically traces Western classical music from the Renaissance to the end of the 19th century. Or take a deeper look at keyboards: a story of invention, codification and exploration.

Just 200 metres from the Brussel-Centraal/Bruxelles-Central station, the Traditional Instruments exhibition also proves to be a visitor favourite, exploring both Belgium, European and world traditions. The concert hall is also housed here so make sure you check to see if there are any concerts on when you’re visiting.

Dedicated to the roots of Belgium motoring, over 300 vehicles are on permanent display here. Starting from 1896 and going all the way through to modern day, you can admire these cars up close and personal. One of the highlights is the Sports and Competition section which showcases F1, GT and rally cars.

Located in the European district of Brussels, the cartoon zone is particularly impressive. Creating a world where reality meets cartoons, the zone is designed as a paddock where visitors can be photographed in an F1 Vaillant racing car. If you need to refuel after your visit, stop by the Bagnole Brasserie.

Train World showcases trains from the past, present and future. In fact, Belgium’s railway network is the oldest in Europe, so it only makes sense to have a museum which celebrates this. From steam locomotives to electric trains, you’ll be able to appreciate them not just as engines, but as true pieces of art.

Located in Schaerbeek station, it is perhaps unsurprising that train is the easiest way to access the museum. The museum doesn’t just tell the story of the trains, but the people behind them, including the story of the Telemans family who once lived in the railway cottage. Download the Erfoged App for a free audio guide.

Chocolate is one of Belgium’s best-loved delicacies so why not spend some time finding out more about it? You’ll be able to explore the history of chocolate, understand and see how it’s made and, of course, sample some.

There are also workshops available where you’ll learn how to make your chocolate dreams come true with the help of an expert chocolatier. A 3-minute walk from Brussels Town Hall, it is also well worth visiting the chocolate shop to bring home some delicious souvenirs… If they last that long.

Located right in the heart of Brussels, the Magritte Museum houses the largest collection of Magritte’s works. Part of the Royal Museums of Fine Arts, you can discover 230 of the surrealist’s works, including those from the artist’s “vache” period. You’ll find a range of mediums are used including paintings, gouaches, drawings, sculptures and painted objects, as well as advertising posters, musical scores, photographs and films.

Welcoming over 300,000 visitors a year, the museum has been nominated for 8 nominations and prizes. It also has a creative workshop space, allowing others to experiment with their own artistic talents. Audio guides are also available for children, teenagers and adults to bring the whole experience to life.

From Tintin to the Smurfs, Belgium is well known for its contributions to the comic book world. This museum gives you the opportunity to discover them – and those from further afield, as you immerse yourself in a world of comic books figurines. This immersive, sound-enhanced and multimedia museum will capture the imagination of all ages.

Located in the Horta Gallery, near the Gare Centrale, the Brussels Comics Figurines Museums will bring back memories for adults while the bright, colourful displays make it accessible to the littlest comic book fans. Awarded the Trip Advisor certificate for excellence for 6 consecutive years, the whole family will love this impressive collection.