Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium

Belgium's flagship art complex on Place Royale — Old Masters (Bruegel, Rubens, Bosch, David's Death of Marat), the Fin-de-Siècle collection, and the Magritte Museum under one umbrella. €15 buys the Old Masters plus Magritte combo, which is outstanding value. Big, occasionally confusing to navigate, never as crowded as it deserves.

Key facts

Frequently asked questions

What's included in a ticket — it seems like several museums?

It is several: Old Masters, Magritte, and Fin-de-Siècle share the complex. Old Masters alone is €10; the Old Masters + Magritte combo is €15 and is what most people should buy. Under-19s go free.

Is the museum accessible?

Yes — lifts, wheelchair loans and adapted routes are in place, and the entrance on Rue de la Régence is step-free. Some older galleries involve level changes, but staff will route you.

Is 'The Fall of Icarus' here?

The famous Landscape with the Fall of Icarus is here, yes — though scholars now consider it a copy after Bruegel rather than by his hand. It's still the painting Auden wrote about, hanging where he saw it.

How long do I need?

Two hours for Old Masters highlights; four or more if you add Magritte and Fin-de-Siècle. The complex sprawls across levels and buildings, so grab a floor plan at the desk — seriously.

When is it open and when is it free?

Tuesday-Friday 10:00-17:00, weekends 11:00-18:00, closed Mondays. Free on the first Wednesday of each month from 13:00, and there are free Wednesday-afternoon arrangements across the collections — check the site, and expect more people those days.

Is it good with kids?

Better than you'd think — free under 19, and Bosch monsters plus Bruegel crowd scenes are natural kid magnets. The scale is the enemy; pick one wing and quit while you're ahead.

What are the must-see paintings?

David's Death of Marat — the museum's single most famous canvas — plus the Bruegel room (including The Fall of the Rebel Angels), Rubens, and Bosch. If you only have an hour, do Bruegel and Marat and leave happy.

How does it compare to the Magritte Museum?

The Magritte Museum is administratively part of this complex, next door. If you're deciding: surrealism fans start with Magritte; everyone else should see the Old Masters first — it's the stronger overall collection.

Nearby in Ask Brussels

• Magritte MuseumMuseum0.01 km · 0 min walk
• Musée Magritte MuseumAttraction0.09 km · 1 min walk
• Musée des Instruments de Musique (MIM) — EXCLUDED, replacing with: AutoworldMuseum0.14 km · 2 min walk
• Musée des Instruments de Musique (MIM)Attraction0.14 km · 2 min walk
• Sablon (Zavel)Neighborhood0.21 km · 3 min walk