Musical Instruments Museum (MIM), Brussels – Book Tickets Online & Experience Music Beyond Borders

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Musical Instruments Museum Brussels: Quick Access

Highlights

See the collection’s roots in François-Joseph Fétis’s original 172 instruments.

View rare pieces like a Jew’s harp dating back to the 16th century.

See a harmonica donated by jazz musician Toots Thielemans.

Discover the componium, a 19th-century orchestrion that composes music automatically.

Brussels Card: 49 Attractions + Discounts

Highlights

Visit top museums including Autoworld, the Belgian Chocolate Village, and the Museum of the City of Brussels.

Explore niche spots like the Belgian Brewers Museum and the Sewers Museum.

Visit any included museum as many times as you like within your validity window.

Get discounts on other attractions, guided tours, shops, restaurants, and bars.

About Musical Instruments Museum

The Musical Instruments Museum (MIM) is dedicated to the collection, preservation and exhibition of musical instruments from around the world and from every era. Its world-famous collection is housed in the Art Nouveau Old England building on the Mont des Arts, a neighborhood that is home to several of the city’s best museums and cultural institutions.

Besides the galleries, the MIM has a concert hall, a space for workshops (for groups and by reservation only), a museum shop and a library.

Address Rue Montagne de la Cour 2, 1000 Brussels, Belgium
Collection created in 1877
Building The former Old England department store, an Art Nouveau landmark dating from 1899

Why Visit the Musical Instruments Museum?

Diverse Global Collection

The museum holds thousands of musical instruments from around the world, spanning the Middle Ages to the present day and many different cultures. This diverse collection offers a rare opportunity to explore the evolution and cultural significance of music through authentic instruments.

Musical Instruments Museum (Google Maps)

An Art Nouveau Landmark

The museum is housed in the Old England building, a celebrated Art Nouveau landmark on the Mont des Arts. The setting is part of the attraction, and the museum sits next to Place Royale and across the street from the Magritte Museum.

A Museum You Can Listen To

Your visit comes with headphones that play sound extracts as you stand near the instruments, so you can hear what you see. The museum also has a concert hall, and workshops can be booked by groups in advance.

Guided and VIP Options

Depending on the ticket you choose, you may be able to add a guided or behind-the-scenes experience. Check the details of your ticket to see what is included.

Easy to Explore at Your Own Pace

The museum is organised over several floors, so you can take a short tour of two levels or take your time and explore everything. It suits music lovers, families and curious visitors with no musical background.

Operating Hours of the Musical Instruments Museum

Museum Opening Hours: - Tuesday to Friday: 9:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
- Saturday, Sunday & Public Holidays: 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Ticket Sales & Last Entry: - Ticket sales close: 4:00 p.m.
- Last entry with a valid ticket: 4:15 p.m.
- Gallery access ends: 4:45 p.m.
- Museum closes: 5:00 p.m.
Special Holiday Hours (December): - December 24 & December 31: Museum closes at 3:00 p.m.
- Last entry: 2:00 p.m.
Museum Closure Days: Mondays, January 1, May 1, November 1 & November 11, and December 25.

Best Times to Visit the Musical Instruments Museum in Brussels

Mornings Right After Opening

Arriving shortly after the museum opens is a good way to explore MIM at a relaxed pace. Early mornings are typically quieter, which makes it easier to enjoy the listening experience and the rare instruments without feeling rushed.

Weekdays, Especially Tuesday Through Thursday

Weekdays tend to be less crowded than weekends. Visiting midweek lets you take your time over the collection and explore the floors comfortably.

Plan Your Time

Allow about two hours for the visit. Ticket sales close at 4:00 p.m., and visitors are asked to leave the galleries from 4:45 p.m., so aim to arrive by early afternoon at the latest.

Outside Busy Periods

Weekends and public holidays tend to be busier. For a smoother experience, choose a weekday outside school holidays if your schedule allows.

During Temporary Exhibitions and Concerts

MIM organises temporary exhibitions, concerts and other musical events. Check the museum’s agenda to add something extra to your visit beyond the permanent collection.

Where to Find the Musical Instruments Museum in Brussels

Location The Musical Instruments Museum (MIM) is located in the heart of Brussels’ historic city center, making it easy to combine your visit with nearby cultural landmarks. Housed in the Art Nouveau Old England building on the Mont des Arts, it sits next to Place Royale and across the street from the Magritte Museum.
Address Musical Instruments Museum (MIM)
Rue Montagne de la Cour 2
1000 Brussels
Belgium

How to Get to the Musical Instruments Museum in Brussels

By Metro

Take metro line 1 or 5 to Gare Centrale / Centraal Station, the closest major transit hub, about 5 minutes away on foot.

From the station, follow signs toward Mont des Arts to reach the museum.

This is one of the fastest and most convenient options for visitors staying in the city center.

By Train

If you arrive in Brussels by train, Brussels Central Station is the closest station to the museum.

From the station, the museum can be reached on foot in just a few minutes.

Visitors arriving at Brussels Midi or Brussels North can transfer to a local train or metro to Central Station.

By Bus and Tram

STIB bus lines 27, 38, 71 and 95 and trams 92 and 93 serve the Central Station area, a short walk from the museum. Check STIB for current routes, as city-center services change from time to time.

Buses and trams are an affordable and reliable way to reach the museum from different neighborhoods in Brussels.

By Car

Driving to the museum is possible, but parking in central Brussels can be limited.

Paid public car parks are available near Place Royale and Mont des Arts.

Brussels is also a Low Emission Zone, so check your vehicle’s compliance before you travel, and use GPS navigation to avoid restricted or pedestrian-only zones.

On Foot

Visitors staying in central Brussels, near Grand Place or Mont des Arts, can easily walk to the museum.

The walk offers scenic views of historic buildings and cultural landmarks.

Exploring on foot is a great way to combine sightseeing with your museum visit.

Things to Know Before Visiting the Musical Instruments Museum in Brussels

Facilities
Accessibility
Guidelines
Rules

Restrooms Restroom facilities are available within the museum, including adapted toilets.
Museum Shop The museum shop is open during museum opening hours, with a lunch break from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m., and closes at 4:45 p.m.
Lockers & Cloakroom Free lockers are available. If your luggage is too big for a locker, you can leave it in the unattended cloakroom on the ground floor at your own risk.
Headphones & Listening Experience Headphones are included with your visit and play sound extracts as you stand near the instruments on display.
Lifts Lifts connect the floors of the museum, making it easy to explore its multiple levels.
Picnic Area The museum restaurant is currently closed for renovation, but a picnic area is available if you bring your own meal.

Interesting Facts About the Musical Instruments Museum in Brussels

It Houses One of the World’s Largest Instrument Collections

The Musical Instruments Museum (MIM) looks after thousands of instruments from around the world, covering centuries of musical history and traditions.

The Building Is an Art Nouveau Landmark

The museum is housed in the former Old England department store, an Art Nouveau building from 1899 on the Mont des Arts, which makes the structure itself a major attraction.

You Can Hear the Instruments as You Explore

Headphones included with your visit play sound extracts when you stand near the instruments, so you can hear how historical and rare instruments actually sound.

The Collection Spans Many Traditions

The collection showcases European musical traditions as well as non-European instruments, giving a global perspective on music and culture.

Instruments From the Middle Ages to Today

The galleries trace instruments from the Middle Ages to the present day, including keyboards, mechanical, electrical and electronic instruments and traditional instruments.

A Favorite Among Music Lovers and Non-Musicians

You don’t need musical training to enjoy the museum. The combination of sound, visuals and storytelling makes it engaging for casual visitors, families and music enthusiasts alike.

The Museum Is Spread Across Several Floors

The instruments are organised by theme over several floors, and you can choose a short tour of two levels or take your time to see everything.

It’s Part of the Royal Museums of Art and History

MIM is one of the Royal Museums of Art and History, together with the Art & History Museum and the Halle Gate.

It Sits on the Mont des Arts

The museum is next to Place Royale and across the street from the Magritte Museum, in a neighborhood that is home to several of the city’s best museums.

Concerts and Events Throughout the Year

Besides its galleries, MIM has a concert hall and a library, and it organises musical events and temporary exhibitions.

Musical Instruments Museum - Highlights in Pictures

Frequently Asked Questions About the Musical Instruments Museum in Brussels

1. Where is the Musical Instruments Museum located in Brussels?

The Musical Instruments Museum (MIM) is at Rue Montagne de la Cour 2, on the Mont des Arts in the historic city center, next to Place Royale. It is housed in the Art Nouveau Old England building and is within walking distance of Brussels Central Station.

2. What are the opening hours of the Musical Instruments Museum?

The museum is open Tuesday to Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Saturday, Sunday, and public holidays from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Ticket sales end at 4:00 p.m., and the last entry is at 4:15 p.m. The museum is closed on Mondays, January 1, May 1, November 1 and 11, and December 25.

3. How long does a visit to the Musical Instruments Museum take?

Most visitors spend about two hours in the museum. You can take a short tour of two levels, or allow more time if you want to see everything.

4. Is the Musical Instruments Museum worth visiting if you’re not a musician?

Yes, the museum is designed for both musicians and non-musicians. The headphones that play sound extracts near the instruments, together with the visuals and storytelling, make the experience engaging even if you have no musical background.

5. Do I need to book tickets in advance for the Musical Instruments Museum?

Tickets can also be bought on site, but booking online in advance is recommended, especially on weekends and public holidays, as it helps you avoid waiting at the ticket counter.

6. Is the Musical Instruments Museum wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the museum is accessible to visitors with reduced mobility, with lifts between the floors and adapted toilets. If you have specific access needs, contact the museum before your visit.

7. Can you take photos inside the Musical Instruments Museum?

The museum does not publish its photography rules online, so please check with the staff on arrival.

8. Is there a restaurant or café at the Musical Instruments Museum?

The museum’s restaurant is currently closed for renovation. There are plenty of cafés and restaurants around the museum, and a picnic area is available if you bring your own meal.

9. What is the best time to visit the Musical Instruments Museum in Brussels?

The best time to visit is early in the day or on weekdays, particularly Tuesday through Thursday, when crowds are lighter.