Brussels City Museum (Musée de la Ville de Bruxelles)

The basics

Brussels City Museum focuses on Brussels's culture, history, and people, making it ideal for visitors who want to get beneath the city's surface. From ornate altarpieces from the city’s historic churches to everyday silverware used by local nobles and merchants hundreds of years ago, it’s a unique and tangible look into the past.

Learn about the centuries of political and social changes Brussels has undergone, and hear how the World Wars affected the city and its people. See accurate 3D models of Brussels throughout significant periods of history, and understand how the city has changed.

Things to know before you go

• The museum itself is a historical monument. Known as the Maison du Roi, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

• In November and December, Brussels’ giant Christmas tree is placed in front of the museum, making for excellent photos.

• If you’d like a guided tour, the museum offers them during the first week of the month at 12:30pm.

• Admission is €3 per person.

How to get there

The museum is right on the Grand Place, a neo-gothic town square in the heart of Brussels’ old town. It’s easy to find on foot or by bicycle, and the nearest metro stop is Grand-Place. Once you’re there, you can’t miss the imposing building’s detailed stonework and pinnacles.

When to get there

Brussels City Museum is open every Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 5pm throughout the year. It’s a popular museum and can get busy, so it’s a good idea to visit during quieter times, like mid-morning or just after lunch.

Explore Brussels’ Grand Place, the heart of old Brussels

Brussels City Museum is in the heart of the city’s old town, a winding network of medieval streets and historical buildings that seem a world away from the modernity of the rest of the European capital. Discover hidden gem cafes and restaurants, traditional pubs, and find the Manneken Pis—a Belgian emblem.