City: Brussels
Top Things to do in Brussels
10 History Museums in Brussels That You Shouldn't Miss
Unassuming Brussels is the capital of Belgium, Flanders and Europe. Medieval Grand-Place, is indeed grand, with many 17th-century buildings and daily flower markets. Reopened in 2006, the Atomium, Brussels' Eiffel Tower, provides great views, inside and out. Architecture fans should visit Musee Horta, home of Belgian master architect Victor Horta. St. Gery's clubs and bars are packed year-round. Seafood eateries abound in Ste. Catherine. Walk, rather than get snarled up in traffic, in the narrow streets.
Restaurants in Brussels
1. Civa
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 3 reviews
CIVA is a museum, an archive center, a library and a place to meet and discuss for enthusiasts of contemporary and modern architecture, landscape architecture and urban ecosystem in Brussels. As Brussels main architecture centre, CIVA organises exhibitions, lectures, guided tours, book launches and children's activities all throughout the year.
2. Museum of Natural Sciences
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,598 reviews
Meet the famous Bernissart Iguanodons in the largest Dinosaur Gallery in Europe, learn about the human body and how we evolved in the Gallery of Humankind and go back in time in the Gallery of Evolution. You can also find out about urban species in BiodiverCITY, discover specimens which illustrate the Museum’s history in the 250 years of Natural Sciences hall, admire the magnificent crystals in the Mineral Hall, and experience something new every year by visiting our temporary exhibitions or by taking part in one of our Education Service’s interactive activities. During Belgian School Holidays: Tuesday > Sunday: 10.00 > 18.00 During the Belgian school year: Tuesday > Friday: 9.30 > 17.00 | Week-end : 10.00 > 18.00
Reviewed By V5457FGsams
Every time I visit Belgium I make sure the pay a visit to this museum. Can't tell when I'm there next time but it's the first place to visit! Best is the go on a weekday, the museum is quiet and you can take your time to watch all this amazing stuff. There are without a doubt lots of replica's but that doesn't influence the awesomeness of it all. Seeing the impressive collection of Iguanodon skeletons while entering impresses me every time, and I mean EVERY TIME. Even though they're basically nothing but bones they seem to stare back at you. You don't have an excuse not to go!
3. Museum of the National Bank of Belgium
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 14 reviews
The National Bank of Belgium houses its museum in a magnificent nineteenth-century bank building. This is the perfect backdrop to get acquainted with the activities of a European central bank and the history of money. Use the audio guide to visit the museum (free) and test your knowledge of the Eurosystem or try to keep inflation under control. Find out how euro banknotes and coins end up in your wallet. The history gallery is literally the display case of the museum collection and elaborates on the history of the means of payment. You will quickly notice that money then did not always look like money now.
Reviewed By Corwil2
Had 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.
4. Home Frit' Home
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 7 reviews
-> Belgian Fries Micro Museum Over 500 objects and exhibits invite you to explore the world of these golden potato sticks in all their many manifestations: gastronomical, historical, humoristic, artistic and more. -> Funky boutique accommodation Home Frit' Home provides luxury boutique accommodation (up to 6 people) with a garden, a private parking box and a unique immersion into all that is Belgian! -> Belgo-Belgian Art Gallery At Home Frit' Home, artists have the opportunity to display their own, unique vision of Belgium. Their take is essentially “quirky” whatever the medium used: painting, photography, sculpture, etc.
5. House of European History
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 276 reviews
FREE ENTRY: A place to debate, question and reflect on Europe's history. The House of European History is located in the beautifully renovated Eastman Building in leafy Parc Leopold. Its exhibits are available in all 24 official European Union languages and entrance is free. Tailored resources are be available for schools, families and groups, offering a fascinating experience for all.
Reviewed By EmmaInBrussels - Brussels, Belgium
I visited the House of European History back in February 2021 and had a great time! It felt very safe Covid-wise, the staff was friendly, the temporary exhibition Fake for real was captivating and pleasantly interactive. Disinformation is definitely a fitting topic for the current times, and it was eye opening to see how old it actually is! The permanent exhibition was also well made and the tablet made the experience more engaging and so much smoother for a small multilingual group (it was available in all the European languages). We enjoyed learning about the formation of Europe and its defining events. Overall, the museum did a good job at giving a global European perspective of its continent’s History, I would definitely recommend visiting.
6. De Hallepoort
7. Museum of the City of Brussels (Musee de la Ville de Bruxelles)
8. Art & History Museum
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 369 reviews
Travel through time: discover our vast collections of art and objects, ranging from prehistory right up to the 20th century!
Reviewed By laylaaxc - Birmingham, United Kingdom
Located around a 15 minutes drive from Grand Place. It is also located next to the auto Musuem. This is the only Musuem I’ve truly been able to spend two hours in and amazed by true quality of the exhibition.
9. Musee Mode & Dentelle
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 117 reviews
Reviewed By Shoregirl82 - Washington DC, United States
I wanted a break from the crowds and the cold, so I ducked into the museum on a whim. It wasn't a planned visit, but I'm incredibly glad I went. They had an exhibition on Carine Gilson, who is a Belgian haute couture lace designer. Her pieces were way, way out of my price range, but exquisite. To see lace used in a contemporary way wasn't what I expected when I went into the museum. I truly enjoyed the historic pieces of lace and seeing the regional variations of lace through the centuries. I considered lace old-fashioned, but after spending time at this museum, my opinion has changed.
10. Porte de Hal
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 268 reviews
Reviewed By 355stefang - Brussels, Belgium
This "castle" looking structure is part of what was once the old city walls. Inside is a nice museum, very clean and easy to follow. Currently there is an exposition about the painter Breugel. The museum is dedicated to the medieval period when the outer walls still enveloped the city of Brussels. Paintings, artifacts, armor, etc., from sever centuries ago are on display. Note the placards/description signs for the items on display are only in French and Flemish (Dutch). Two cool things I enjoyed were the virtual reality booths and the panorama of the city from the rooftop. The virtual reality is set during the medieval period and is pretty neat. At the the end of the tour you find yourself on the rooftop with excellent panoramic views of Brussels. Overall a fun museum. Given the small size, probably no more than 1 to 1.5 hours needed, even with the audio guide (which I recommend!). Obligatory giftshop near the exit.
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