Natural History Museums • History Museums
THE 10 BEST Brussels History Museums
History Museums in Brussels
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18 places sorted by traveler favorites
- Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.
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Speciality Museums • History Museums
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Speciality Museums • History Museums
Speciality Museums • History Museums
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Speciality Museums • Art Museums
Natural History Museums • Science Museums
Speciality Museums • History Museums
What travelers are saying
- NicoleMBend, Oregon, United States16 contributionsThis is a spectacular museum! The interior architecture and layout is stunning. The dinosaur exhibit is even MORE stunning! It was quiet when we visited and we couldn't believe the quality and quantity of large dinosaur exhibits. It's totally worth it to bring the whole family and spend a couple of hours discovering each room. Recommend!Written September 8, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Lucian MConstanta, Romania2,518 contributionsThe Musée de la ville de Bruxelles is housed by the building that is face to face with the City Hall, namely the Maison du Roi, or Broodhuis, that is, the Bread Market – that's because on this place the bakers' guild sold bread many years ago.
The museum holds many exhibits that are related to the city: different objects, paintings, tapestries, sculptures, sketches, Manneken Pis ... the original, it is said.
Access to the museum can also be paid in cash, not only by card, as is the case in other museums in Brussels. If you are in the Grand Place, it's worth going into the museum to learn more about the history of the city.Written November 15, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - SakiJRTurku, Finland945 contributionsGood museum with several cultural areas such as Roman, greek, egyptian, natives etc. Beautyful building with especially harmonious courtyard.Written February 13, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Global661103 contributionsVery well done museum. One of the best I have seen. However, this is not a 1 or 2 hours visit. It requires much more time. I would suggest maybe doing a floor per 3 hour section. It is that interesting. One criticism would be that they basically ignore about 1,500 years of history by not talking about the Roman Empire.Written November 23, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- LeonhknyHong Kong, China14,201 contributionsThis is the original city tower of Brussels. Along with the surrounding park, Porte de Hal offers a fairy tale-style view. More interested tourists may get in to see the medieval face of the Belgian capital.Written June 15, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- tk3232Sugar Land, TX3,822 contributionsI specifically went to this museum in order to visit a temporary exhibition dedicated to the 50th anniversary of the famous fashion designer. Diane von Fürstenberg is best known for her wrap dress. Diane von Furstenberg is a native of Brussels, but gained worldwide fame in America. Today her fashion company, DvF, is available in over 70 countries and 45 free-standing shops worldwide.
If the museum does not hold a special exhibition, it itself is very small, lace (beautiful) is presented in one room, and on the top floor there are several dresses from different designers, also in only one room. And it's all. Open daily (except Monday), from 10 am - 17 pm, cost 10 euros for adult ticket.Written September 26, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Corwil1 contributionHad a lovely morning in this museum. Friendly welcome and the entry was free. We were given head phones and audio equipment to listen to interesting extra information on the way round. The history of money is clearly explained and there
were a few interactive quizzes which we enjoyed too. It's well laid out. It was very quiet which was nice for us but also a pity as this museum deserves more visitors. Afterwards we were allowed to print some money with our faces on it !! Fun !!
I would not recommend it for families with small children.Written March 9, 2021This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - TrainbleuBrussels, Belgium28,720 contributionsAs a result of the stupid decision to rob a venerable Brussels institution of its name only to replace it by an uninspiring acronym combining the French and the Dutch name, the Royal Library of Belgium - Albertine is now called KBR (Key Based Routing? Key Business Requirement? Knowledge Based Reporting?).
The TA presence of the Royal Library is complex. There are as many as four entries: Librarium (closed), KBR, Palace of Charles of Lorraine and KBR museum. As the former apartments of the Palace of Charles of Lorraine serve as a location for temporary KBR exhibitions comments may be found under KBR or Palace of Charles of Lorraine. The small ‘KBR museum’, which opened its doors to the public on September 18, 2020, presents a permanent collection of manuscripts belonging to the library of the dukes of Burgundy, as well as some paintings, altarpieces and weapons. It incorporates the remains of the gothic Saint Georges Chapel of the (now gone) Nassau Palace.
As we love studying the intricate details of illuminated manuscripts, we thoroughly enjoyed our first visit to this museum. We particularly appreciated the fact that we could magnify certain details on a touch screen. The KBR leaflet “Witches avant la lettre” led us to believe there was a new, special exhibition on witches at the museum, so we went back. But it turned out the ‘witches’ were only a thematic focus in a collection we had already seen. A bit of a letdown, really. We were also deeply puzzled by the KBR’s use of the expression “avant la lettre”. The purpose was clearly not to show that medieval women were witches before the term ‘witch’ was coined (‘witches avant la lettre) but, on the contrary, that women in different roles and professions were not considered to be witches in Medieval times.Written December 6, 2021This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Neil KLiverpool, UK618,727 contributionsDe Hallepoort ( Porte De Hal ) is the only medieval city gate remaining in the city of Brussels and was part of the second defensive wall of Brussels,constructed between 1381-1383 with major restoration work being carried out in the 19th century ,this gives the gateway it's a gothic look,it's now home to a museum ,I viewed the gateway as I was walking through Parc De La Porte De Hal,on a beautiful afternoon the gateway looked amazing ,it's most definitely well worth checking out if you're in the Saint Gilles District and easy to locate along Zuidlaan ( Boulevard De Waterloo )Written June 13, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Rik TFredericton, Canada1,353 contributionsGreat host. Very clean. Very damp downstairs, but there is a dehumidifier under the stairs. Lots of french fry memorabilia.
The location is great, just a block from the Union tram stop. Only about 10-15 minutes to get to Gare Midi. The neighbourhood is great; residential, safe, and quiet. There are a couple of pizza places and a brasserie or two nearby. Groceries are a block away.
Make sure you show any cab driver the complete address so they can get you there. We had mixed taxi experiences.
Beds are comfortable, there's a fridge and microwave, toaster, coffee maker, hair dryer, dishwasher, clothes washing machine, one and a half bathrooms, nice patio and yard in the back, and the host was great at explaining the logistics of the place. He even had a transit card that he gave us with four or more rides left on it. (Normally €5 just for the card, and €14 for ten rides).
Oh, there's a bathtub AND shower. Two sinks in the downstairs bathroom too.
Oh! The host also had a big bottle of Belgian beer waiting for us in the fridge too! Score!Written May 31, 2018This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - mashie44Belgium148 contributionsWonderful combined visit (under 2 euro) with the house of Eramus 200m away. Very helpful, friendly staff. a film (available in French and English at least) will be a bit long for most but was very interesting (and I stayed to the end) - about the role of the beguinage in allowing women an independent existence in safety, without the patriarchal discipline of the church but with a commitment to a life of meditation and helping others (the beguines were the first organised nurses). Some say it wasn't just because the men all died in crusades, it was a way for women to live independently, usefully and safely. Seeing the tiny rooms, I can imagine 8 lived here more comfortably than many poor people would have done. There is a little museum of local items and a few gems. Don't miss the sweetshop.Written July 9, 2017This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Dimitris LSydney, Australia44,486 contributionsThis building has changed "lives" over time, from hotel to museums and then museum again. Unfortunately we were unable to have a look inside and just admired it from the outside. It looks impressive, but as others have noted the clock is not really an amazing instrument or attraction in the way some others are. Still it's worth a brief look if you happen to be around.Written September 15, 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Kelly JCroydon, UK103 contributionsThis was very interesting and quite an enjoyable visit! If you’re interested in engineering and the development of cities, this is for you!
A really engaging audio guide takes you through the history of sewer development error you go into the depths and walk underground alongside working sewers. Yes, it smells. But it’s the shortest part of the visit and if you’re interested in these types of things, you’ll enjoy it. €10/ adult.Written July 10, 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - wingateLondon, UK2,546 contributionsThis modest museum is situated in the suburbs of brussels near Clemenceau metro station.it has a very unprepossessing exterior with a sign on hoardings.I arrived at the same time as one of the curators.I was admitted for free.the lights were turned on and there like Aladdin cave were all these artefacts from the war and wall to wall displays..I would warn that there is no English translation.I still found it very interesting,though this meant that I only stayed for half an hour.the last visitor signed the visitors book a week ago.if you are interested in the subject matter you should make the effort to visit.Written March 26, 2015This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Andreas Laggis10 contributionsFascinating experience, unique exposition, talented curators, “Superstudio Migrazioni” is an oeuvre that you should not missWritten March 18, 2021This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Frequently Asked Questions about Brussels
- These places are best for history museums in Brussels:
- Beguinage d'Anderlecht
- Museum of Natural Sciences
- Musee national de la Resistance
- Home Frit' Home
- House of European History
- These are the best places for kid-friendly history museums in Brussels:See more history museums for kids in Brussels on Tripadvisor
- These are the best places for groups seeking history museums in Brussels:See more history museums for groups in Brussels on Tripadvisor
- These are the best places for budget-friendly history museums in Brussels:
- House of European History
- Museum of Natural Sciences
- Porte de Hal
- Art & History Museum
- Museum of the City of Brussels (Musee de la Ville de Bruxelles)