Brussels has an extraordinary cultural scene, with museums and galleries ranging from the great Belgian masters to contemporary art and architecture. But rather than trying to see everything, I prefer choosing a few places that offer something genuinely different. These are three cultural places in Brussels that I particularly enjoy, each for a very different reason. From the beautiful Art Deco surroundings of Villa Empain to the surreal world of René Magritte and the ever-changing exhibitions at BOZAR, they show three very different sides of the city’s artistic personality.
Villa Empain: Art, Architecture and a Touch of Glamour
If I had to choose a favourite cultural place in Brussels, Villa Empain would be very high on my list. This magnificent Art Deco villa on Avenue Franklin Roosevelt is worth visiting for the architecture alone. Built in the 1930s, its elegant interiors, beautiful materials, geometric details and striking swimming pool immediately transport you to another era.
Today, Villa Empain is home to the Boghossian Foundation and hosts temporary exhibitions, so there is always another reason to return. For me, however, the real pleasure is the combination of art and setting. Take time to look beyond the exhibition itself and notice the rooms, architectural details and views towards the garden and pool.
And although that beautiful pool may look incredibly inviting on a warm summer’s day, unfortunately you can’t swim in it! You can, however, experience the setting in a completely different way during the summer, when special parties and events are sometimes organised around the pool. It is worth keeping an eye on Villa Empain’s programme if you are visiting Brussels during the warmer months.
It feels more intimate than visiting a large museum and is somewhere you can explore slowly rather than feeling you need to work your way through an enormous collection.
Check the current exhibition and programme before visiting, but allow time to appreciate the villa itself. The building, garden and that irresistible swimming pool are very much part of the experience.
Av. Franklin Roosevelt 67, 1050 Bruxelles
Magritte Museum: Step Into the Surreal World of René Magritte
Few artists are as closely associated with Belgium as René Magritte, and the Magritte Museum is a wonderful introduction to his distinctive and often wonderfully puzzling world. Located in the heart of Brussels on Place Royale, the museum brings together paintings, drawings, photographs, sculptures and other works that trace different periods of the Belgian Surrealist’s career.
Even if you already recognise some of Magritte’s recurring symbols, from bowler hats and clouds to apples and mysterious figures, seeing his work together gives you a much better sense of the ideas and humour behind it. I particularly like that his paintings make you stop for a moment and question what you are actually looking at. Things appear familiar, but something is nearly always not quite as it seems.
Its central location also makes the museum very easy to incorporate into a day exploring Brussels, rather than making it the only purpose of your visit.
Don’t rush from painting to painting. Magritte’s work is often about looking twice, noticing what feels strange and allowing yourself to wonder what he was trying to say.
BOZAR: For Exhibitions That Keep You Coming Back
BOZAR, the Centre for Fine Arts, is different again. Rather than visiting for one permanent collection, I tend to think of BOZAR as somewhere to return to depending on what is being shown. Its programme continually changes, bringing together contemporary and modern art, photography and other visual arts alongside music, film, performance and cultural events.
The building deserves attention too. Designed by Belgian architect Victor Horta, the Centre for Fine Arts shows a very different side of his work, moving away from the flowing lines associated with Art Nouveau towards a more geometric style. Look at the spaces and the way natural light enters the building as you move through it.
When accessible, don’t miss the rooftop terrace, which offers another perspective over central Brussels and is a lovely addition to a cultural visit.
And if art isn’t the only thing you have come for, BOZAR is also home to Bozar Restaurant, the Michelin-starred restaurant by chef Karen Torosyan. It makes it possible to combine an exhibition with a very special meal in the same iconic building. I share more about the restaurant in my guide to Michelin-starred restaurants in Brussels.
This combination of architecture, changing exhibitions, food and cultural events means that no two visits necessarily feel the same. It is always worth checking the programme before deciding when to go.
Check what is on before your visit and choose an exhibition that genuinely interests you. If the rooftop terrace is open, allow a little extra time to head upstairs and enjoy another side of BOZAR.
Rue Ravenstein 23, 1000 Bruxelles
Which Brussels Cultural Experience Should You Choose?
| If you love… | Choose |
|---|---|
| Art Deco, beautiful interiors and intimate exhibitions | Villa Empain |
| Surrealism and iconic Belgian art | Magritte Museum |
| Changing exhibitions, contemporary culture and architecture | BOZAR |
Of course, these are only three of Brussels’ many museums and cultural spaces, but they are three that offer very different experiences. You could easily choose just one according to your interests and leave yourself time to enjoy the neighbourhood around it rather than trying to fit several museums into the same day.
Continue Exploring Belgium
If you enjoyed discovering these cultural places in Brussels, you might also like my guide to Art & Culture in Antwerp, where I visit three very different museums, from the grand galleries of KMSKA to photography at FOMU and sculptures surrounded by nature at Middelheim Museum.
And there is more to come. I will also be sharing some of my favourite places where art and nature come together around Brussels, as well as a separate guide to the city’s beautiful Art Nouveau architecture and houses.
Planning a Trip to Belgium?
Belgium may be small, but there is so much to discover when you take the time to look beyond the obvious sights. If you would like help creating a personalised trip combining art and culture, memorable food, beautiful places and time to simply enjoy where you are, I can create an itinerary around the things you genuinely love.
