Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium

Travelers keen to explore the Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium should start with a bit of advance planning. Set in a convenient district south of the city center, the museums welcome visitors year-round, but a few simple decisions can turn a good trip into a great one. Mornings during weekdays often mean a quieter experience; late afternoons can grant almost private viewing of famous works. Tickets are sold both online and at the door, with family and student discounts available. The area around the museums buzzes with local cafés, making it a pleasant place to linger before or after the main event.

• Best time to visit: Weekday mornings for fewer crowds; spring and autumn offer mild weather.
• How to get there: Short walk from Central Station; tram, bus, and metro lines stop nearby at Parc and Palais stations.
• Accessibility: Wide entrance ramps, elevators, and accessible toilets. Wheelchairs available. Staff attentive to families, seniors, and visitors with reduced mobility.
• Average visit duration: Two to four hours allows for all major collections; art lovers can easily spend a full day.

The Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium impress with their variety and depth. Six linked museums converge under one banner, offering everything from glowing medieval altarpieces to radical contemporary installations. The grand halls of the Old Masters Museum shine with works by Peter Paul Rubens, Anthony van Dyck, and Pieter Bruegel the Elder. Below, the Magritte Museum’s surreal displays show why Belgium produced one of surrealism’s brightest stars. Elsewhere, unexpected finds reward the curious—especially in the Fin-de-Siècle Museum, which breathes life into turn-of-the-century creativity. Photo buffs will be happy: the sweeping marble staircase, playful ceiling frescoes, and sudden urban views near the windows offer unique backdrops.

• Key sights: Rubens Room (epic altarpieces), Bruegel’s peasant scenes, the monumental "The Fall of the Rebellious Angels," and the shimmering Symbolist galleries.
• Unique experiences: The atmospheric Magritte Museum, with dreamlike paintings and letters; free digital guides available in several languages; themed tours led by art historians.
• Photo-worthy spots: Grand entrance hall, spiral staircase near the Magritte rooms, and rooftop glimpses of downtown from upper windows.
• Cultural notes: These museums hold over twenty thousand works, charting Belgian art from the 15th century to today; Bruegel’s scenes sneak in sly humor if you look up close.