Visiting the Musical Instruments Museum Brussels - Tickets, Timings & Visitor Guide

Planning your visit to the Musical Instruments Museum ensures a rich and engaging experience exploring the global heritage of music.

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.

Special Events and Experiences at the Musical Instruments Museum in Brussels

Permanent Exhibition: The World of Musical Instruments

This is the core experience at MIM, featuring thousands of instruments from around the world. The instruments are organised by theme over several floors, and headphones let you hear sound extracts as you stand near them.

Dates: Ongoing, year-round

Temporary Exhibitions

MIM organises temporary exhibitions on specific themes, so check the museum’s agenda to see what is on during your visit.

Dates: Varies throughout the year

Concerts and Workshops

The museum has a concert hall and organises musical events. Workshops are available for groups, by reservation only.

Dates: Selected dates throughout the year

Shopping at the Musical Instruments Museum in Brussels

About Before you leave, make time for the Musical Instruments Museum shop, a good place to pick up music-inspired souvenirs and gifts that reflect the museum’s collection.
Shop Hours: - Tuesday to Friday: 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. & 1:00 p.m. - 4:45 p.m.
- Saturday & Sunday: 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. & 1:00 p.m. - 4:45 p.m.
- Closed on Mondays and on days when the museum is closed.

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.

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.

Frequently Asked Questions About Visiting the Musical Instruments Museum

1. 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. It is closed on Mondays, January 1, May 1, November 1 and 11, and December 25. On December 24 and 31 it closes at 3:00 p.m.

2. Are there any discounts available?

Children and young people under 18 enter for free, and the Brussels Card and museumPASSmusées are accepted. Check the ticket details when booking to see what applies to you.

3. Do I need to book guided tours in advance?

Yes. Guided tours and workshops are for groups and need to be reserved in advance. Check the details of your ticket for any guided or behind-the-scenes options.

4. Is parking available at or near the museum?

The museum has no car park of its own, and 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 before you travel.

5. What accessibility options does the museum provide?

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.

6. Are children allowed in the museum?

Yes, there is no age restriction and entry is free for visitors under 18. The headphones that play sound extracts near the instruments make the visit engaging for families.

7. Can I bring pets to the museum?

Pets are not allowed inside the museum. Please contact the museum in advance if you need to bring an assistance dog.

8. Are there cafés or gift shops at the museum?

The museum has a shop, with a lunch break from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. The museum restaurant is currently closed for renovation, but there are plenty of cafés and restaurants nearby, and a picnic area is available.