Musical Instruments Museum, Brussels Travel Guide

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Explore a world-renowned collection of musical instruments in Brussels' stunning Art Nouveau landmark, the Musical Instruments Museum (MIM).

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Musical Instruments Museum

The Musical Instruments Museum (MIM) in Brussels houses over 8,000 musical instruments, blending historical artifacts with an immersive auditory experience. Housed in the stunning Art Nouveau Old England building, visitors explore diverse musical traditions while listening to the instruments through provided headphones.

A brief summary to Musical Instruments Museum

Rue Montagne de la Cour 2, Brussels, Brussel, 1000, BE
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Tuesday 9:30 am-5 pm
Wednesday 9:30 am-5 pm
Thursday 9:30 am-5 pm
Friday 9:30 am-5 pm
Saturday 10 am-5 pm
Sunday 10 am-5 pm

From Eve

Know before you go

Hi, I'm Eve. Here are a few practical things to know before exploring Musical Instruments Museum.

Use the provided headphones to fully immerse yourself in the sounds of the instruments on display.
Visit the rooftop restaurant for panoramic views of Brussels after exploring the museum.
Check the museum's website for temporary exhibitions and events.
Allow at least two to three hours to fully explore the museum's extensive collection.
Photography is allowed in most areas, but flash photography is prohibited.

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Getting There

Public Transport

The MIM is easily accessible via public transport. Brussels Central Station is a short 200m walk away. Take Metro lines 1 or 5 to Gare Centrale or Parc stations. Several bus lines (27, 38, 71, 95) and tram lines (92, 93) stop at Royale. A single metro/bus/tram ticket costs €2.10.
Walking

The MIM is located in the Mont des Arts area, a short walk from many central Brussels attractions, including the Royal Palace and Magritte Museum. From the Grand Place, walk approximately 1.2km southeast. The walk is mostly uphill. No costs involved.
Taxi

Taxis are readily available in Brussels. A taxi from the city center to the MIM will take approximately 3 minutes and cost between €6 and €8. Minimum fare is €2.40, with a price per kilometer of €1.80. Keep in mind that between 10 PM and 6 AM there is an additional charge of €2.
Driving

Driving to the MIM is possible, but parking in central Brussels can be difficult. Consider using a park-and-ride on the outskirts of the city and taking public transport. If driving, the Congrès-Albertine underground car park is recommended. Hourly parking rates at Albertine-Square car park are around €3.60-€4.00. Expect to pay between EUR2 - EUR4 per hour for street parking.

Discover more about Musical Instruments Museum

The Musical Instruments Museum (MIM), located in the heart of Brussels, is a celebration of musical heritage from around the globe. Part of the Royal Museums of Art and History, the MIM boasts a collection of over 8,000 instruments, with around 1,200 on display, making it one of the world's most diverse musical instrument museums.The museum's collection was established in 1877, initially to demonstrate early instruments to students at the Brussels Royal Music Conservatory. The collection quickly grew, and in 2000, it found its permanent home in the Old England department store, an Art Nouveau masterpiece designed by Paul Saintenoy. The building itself is a sight to behold, with its intricate steel and glass facade.Inside, the MIM is organized across four floors, each dedicated to different aspects of musical history and instrument types. Visitors are given infrared headphones that play musical extracts of the instruments on display, creating an immersive and engaging experience. The museum showcases Belgian musical history, European traditions, and non-European instruments. Highlights include mechanical instruments, traditional instruments from around the world, and the evolution of modern orchestral instruments. A unique collection of mechanical, electrical, and electronic instruments can also be found.Brussels' importance in musical instrument making is also highlighted, notably as the home of Adolphe Sax, the inventor of the saxophone. Since 2020, the MIM has been home to the oldest surviving saxophone in the world, a baritone saxophone dating back to 1846.To complete the experience, a restaurant on the 10th-floor terrace offers panoramic views of Brussels' historic center.