The Best Museums to Visit in Brussels: Your Ticket to an Unforgettable Experience
Brussels is currently home to 1.25 million residents, and it is indeed one of the most popular European tourist destinations. While famed for well-known sights such as the Grand Palace and the Parc du Cinquantenaire, it is just as important to highlight the remarkable museums and art galleries in Brussels.
The team at The Hotel Brussels has therefore decided to compile a quick list of must-visit locations so that you can plan your next holiday accordingly:
1. The Royal Museum of Fine Arts
Copyright: David Coleman Photo - David Coleman
This first venue is featured prominently within many tourist itineraries, and for good reason. The Royal Museum of Fine Arts (also known as the RMFAB) is actually a series of museums that are found throughout the Brussels metropolitan area. This allows visitors to choose the most appropriate location based on where they happen to be staying. The good news is that the Royal Museum of Fine Arts displays works from true icons including Rubens, Memling, Bosch, and Alechinsky.
2. The Musical Instrument Museum
One does not have to be an aficionado of music to appreciate what the aptly named Musical Instrument Museum has to offer. Visitors can enjoy up-close-and-personal views of more than 7,000 unique instruments; some of these dating as far back as the Mediaeval times. Another unique feature of this museum involves the immersive experience that guests can enjoy. Visitors are provided with a set of headphones at the beginning of any tour. These headphones can then be used to listen to the music played by each instrument; resulting in an auditory journey that will not soon be forgotten. The Musical Instrument Museum is indeed one of the top cultural attractions in Brussels.
3. The Magritte Museum
Any article discussing the top museums in Brussels will have to include The Magritte Museum. Named in honour of René Magritte, this museum displays well over 250 of his most famous pieces. The venue comprises three floors; each of these used to represent a specific time period of his life. Here is a quick breakdown of what these levels have to offer:
- The early period (expressionism and pop art)
- His paintings created during the Second World War
- Paintings later in life (well-known examples include The Dominion of Light and the Domain of Arnheim
Note that this museum is actually the home of René Magritte. A separate location (simply known as the Magritte Museum) is located in the city centre, and provides even more examples of his eclectic style.
4. The Museum of the City of Brussels
This is yet another one of the most unforgettable cultural attractions that Brussels has to offer its guests. The Museum of the City of Brussels provides an amazing glimpse into the history of the entire metropolitan area. Founded in 1887, it is currently nestled within the equally impressive Maison du Roi (the King's Palace). One of the most famous exhibitions housed here is a series of porcelain figurines that were created between the 16th and 18th centuries. A collection of tiny outfits created for a famous statue that has become a symbol of Brussels (known as the Mannequin Pis) can be found on the second floor, and more than 600 are on display. The first floor likewise contains many maps and miniature representations of the city; providing an excellent means to appreciate its unique history and development over the years.
Enjoying the Top Museums of Brussels in Style
These art galleries in Brussels are certainly not to be overlooked, so why not visit them in style? The Hotel Brussels offers all the modern amenities that guests have come to expect. However, we also appreciate the fact that culture plays an important role. Visitors can therefore enjoy the best of both worlds. We are also conveniently located on Avenue Louise; boasting iconic views of the city center, and providing a convenient means to access all of the venues mentioned above.
The Hotel Brussels offers a wide range of rooms to select, a day spa, a high-end restaurant (The Iris), and a choice of 12 different meeting rooms. When unparalleled luxury is a necessity as opposed to a privilege, The Hotel Brussels aims to please.
