The Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences featuring fossils, wildlife displays, and interactive science exhibits.
Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, a Brussels museum known for its impressive dinosaur exhibits and scientific collections.
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Royal Belgian institute of Natural Sciences

Brussels, Belgium
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The Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences featuring fossils, wildlife displays, and interactive science exhibits.

Few places spark the imagination quite like the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences. Where ancient fossils lie side by side with modern science, families and curious minds of all ages come to explore the wonders of Earth’s history. Dinosaurs may draw the crowds, but quiet corners and quirky galleries reveal new stories with every visit.

Visiting Info

Currency
Entrance fee
13 EUR
Hours
Opening hours
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Contact Information

Location
Address
Rue Vautier 29, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium
Phone
Website

Planning your visit

A successful day at the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences starts with a bit of preparation. Located in Brussels’ leafy EU Quarter, the museum welcomes school groups, travelers, and even neighborhood locals. Tickets move quickly on weekends or rainy holidays, but quieter mornings let visitors wander at their own pace. Most exhibits are indoors, offering a comfortable escape from the city’s weather swings.

  • Best time to visit: Weekday mornings, especially outside Belgian school holidays or during the shoulder seasons (spring and autumn)
  • How to get there: Metro line 1 or 5 to Maelbeek (Maalbeek) station; trams 81 and 92 or buses 34 and 38 stop nearby
  • Accessibility: Fully accessible for strollers and wheelchairs; family-friendly facilities and quiet spaces for breaks
  • Average visit duration: 2 to 3 hours for highlights; up to 5 hours for deeper exploration or with children

Must see stuff

The museum’s three towering Iguanodons greet every visitor, but there's more to discover beyond those legendary bones. Halls fill with shimmering minerals, dioramas of wild Belgian countryside, and interactive science corners. The Living Planet gallery introduces creatures from rainforests to Arctic snows, while the evolution-focused Gallery of Humankind draws curious eyes with ancient skulls and clever hands-on games. Those who pause in quieter corridors find fossilized sea lilies, strange insects, and even Belgium’s oldest meteorite.

  • Key sights or features: The Dinosaur Gallery (Europe’s largest), Gallery of Evolution, Gallery of Humankind, and BiodiverCITY urban biodiversity exhibit
  • Unique experiences: Touch real fossils, experience immersive VR stations on ancient Earth, take a peek behind the scenes during "Science Sundays"
  • Photo-worthy locations: Dinosaur Hall with its 29 mounted skeletons, the view down the Timeline Staircase, and the sunlit atrium by the whale skeletons
  • Cultural or historical facts: The famous Iguanodons were discovered in Bernissart, Belgium, in the 19th century and radically changed paleontology

Tips for your visit

While exploring the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences is a joy, small tweaks can make the day smoother. Weekday mornings offer generous space, but late afternoons see local families drop in with little ones. Some temporary exhibits require a separate ticket—these lines can be long, especially on Saturday. Gift shops sell science kits, but snacks are limited, so packing water and a sandwich is smart. Genuine curiosity unlocks the best conversations with friendly museum staff, many of whom have studied here for decades.

  • Best times to avoid crowds: Right after opening, or during lunch hour on weekdays
  • What to bring: Comfortable shoes for long halls, a camera for fossil photos, refillable water bottle
  • Local etiquette or rules: No flash photography in certain galleries; most signage is in French, Dutch, and English
  • Safety or comfort advice: Lockers available for bags and coats; floors can be slick near the dinosaur gallery on rainy days