Belgian Comic Strip Center

Belgium's national shrine to the ninth art — Tintin, the Smurfs and the whole Belgian school — housed in a gorgeous Victor Horta-designed Art Nouveau warehouse. €12 gets you original plates, the history of the medium, and that light-flooded atrium. More reading-heavy and old-school than kids expect; comics nerds will be happy for hours.

Key facts

Frequently asked questions

Is there anywhere to eat inside?

The Horta Brasserie on the ground floor does decent Belgian standards in a lovely Art Nouveau room, and you don't need a museum ticket for it. Handy, since the immediate neighbourhood is a bit of a dead zone for food.

Are the exhibits in English?

Main texts run in French, Dutch and English, though some temporary exhibits skew French/Dutch. The visual nature of the material carries you through the gaps.

What does it cost and when is it open?

€12 adults, €9 for seniors and ages 12-25, €5 for kids 6-11, and a family pack (2+2) at €32. Open Tuesday-Sunday 10:00-18:00, plus Mondays in July and August.

How long does a visit take?

Ninety minutes covers it comfortably for most people; serious fans linger past two hours in the original-art galleries and temporary exhibitions. The bookshop can quietly eat another half hour and some money.

Why is the building itself famous?

It's the Magasins Waucquez, a 1906 former fabric warehouse by Victor Horta — one of the few of his commercial buildings to survive. The glass-roofed atrium alone justifies poking your head in; the ground floor, shop and brasserie are free to enter.

Is the Comic Strip Center good for kids?

Mixed, honestly. Young kids love the Smurf village and Tintin rocket, but a lot of the museum is original plates and history panels that reward readers more than runners. Ages 8+ with a comics habit do best.

How does it compare to the comic murals around town?

Do both — the free Comic Book Route murals are scattered across the city centre, and the museum sells the context. Grab the mural map at the museum shop and turn the walk back to Grand Place into a treasure hunt.

Is there a lot of Tintin?

Yes — Hergé is the museum's anchor, with original plates and the famous red-and-white moon rocket in the lobby. But it's deliberately about all of Belgian comics: Smurfs, Lucky Luke, Spirou, and contemporary graphic novels too.

Nearby in Ask Brussels

• Cathedral of St. Michael and St. GudulaAttraction0.38 km · 5 min walk
• A la Mort SubiteBar0.42 km · 5 min walk
• Galeries Royales Saint-HubertAttraction0.49 km · 6 min walk
• Day Trips from Brussels by TrainAttraction0.5 km · 6 min walk
• Hoppy Leuven — Brew BrusselsCafé0.54 km · 7 min walk