Museums in Belgium – Art, History & Surprises

Belgium’s museums cover everything from Flemish masters and medieval manuscripts to chocolate, tobacco, and even football. Whether you’re after world-class art in Brussels, quirky collections in small towns, or family-friendly science centers, there’s a museum here for every interest.

Looking for accommodation in a museum city?

Use the interactive map to plan your visit and find inspiration for your next day out.

Scroll down to explore my guides to some of the most fascinating museums in Belgium — from the world-famous to the wonderfully unexpected.

Tip: Zoom in to spot hidden gems like the Cheese Museum or the Aquarium Museum

Featured Museums

MAP-Mercator Museum Will Change How You See the World

Belgium’s first cartography museum, where Mercator’s legacy comes alive.

DIVA Museum Antwerp – Diamonds, Jewellery and Silver

Discover Antwerp’s dazzling world of diamonds and silver.

Memorial Museum Passchendaele 1917 – The Battle

Learn the story of the 1917 Battle of Passchendaele.

museums for all ages

Tournai Natural History Museum: Belgium’s First Museum!

Founded in 1828, this was the first museum in Belgium opened to the general public

Museum of the Playing Card – All the Aces of Card History

Learn how Belgium became a world leader in playing cards.

Houtopia – A Sensory Wonderland for Children

An interactive museum in Houffalize dedicated to the five senses.

SPARKOH! – Science and Discovery for All Ages

Hands-on science centre making learning fun for all ages.

Weyler Cycle Museum – 200 Years of Bicycles

Explore over 200 bicycles from 1819 to today.

Château de Seneffe – Art, Nature and a Silver Museum

Elegant 18th-century château with silver museum and parkland.

Amandine Museum Ship – Iceland’s Last Belgian Trawler

Step aboard Belgium’s last Iceland trawler in Ostend.

Red Star Line Museum – Stories of Refugees

Immersive stories of migration and exile in Antwerp.

Eperon d’Or – Explore Belgium’s Industrial Heritage

Shoes, brushes, and industrial heritage in Izegem.

15 Child-Friendly Museums in Belgium – Where to Take the Kids

15 museums across Belgium designed with children in mind.

WW1 Experience Centre – Life Under Occupation

Discover how locals coped with WWI occupation in Tildonk.

Africa Museum Tervuren – A Must-See Cultural Landmark

Renovated museum exploring Africa and Belgium’s ties.

Museum Hof van Busleyden – The Golden Age of the Southern Netherlands

Mechelen’s museum of Renaissance and Golden Age heritage.

Goalmine Genk – Belgium’s Football Museum

A museum dedicated to Belgium’s footballing history.

Defroidmont Chocolate Museum – Sweet Treats in the Ardennes

Sweet journey through chocolate-making in the Ardennes.

Tobacco Museum Wervik – The Story of Tobacco Through the Ages

The history and heritage of tobacco in Wervik.

Belgian Draft Horse Museum Vollezele – Celebrating a National Icon

Draft horses and their cultural role in Belgian farming.

Cheese Museum Passendale – Sights, Smells and Tastes

Cheese-making traditions brought to life in Passendale.

I’m continually adding more museums to this section. Is there a Belgian museum you’d love me to cover? Drop me a line – I’d love to hear your ideas.

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