# Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium — Brussels, Belgium

> The Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium in Brussels form one of the oldest and largest museum complexes in Europe, housing six distinct museums under one institution. The Museum of Ancient Art, the Museum of Modern Art, the Magritte Museum, the Wiertz Museum, the Meunier Museum, and the Fin-de-Siècle Museum together span six centuries of Belgian and international art.

## Visitor facts
- Opening hours: Tuesday–Friday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Saturday–Sunday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM; Closed Mondays
- Admission: €15 standard; €5 Magritte Museum add-on; combined tickets available
- Address: Rue de la Régence 3, 1000 Brussels, Belgium
- Time needed: 2–3 hours
- Official website: https://www.fine-arts-museum.be/en
- Facts verified: 2026-06-30

## Highlights
- The Fall of Icarus — Pieter Bruegel the Elder · c. 1560
- The Census at Bethlehem — Pieter Bruegel the Elder · 1566
- The Empire of Light — René Magritte · 1954
- The Death of Marat — Jacques-Louis David · 1793 (1794 copy)

## FAQ
**What is the Magritte Museum?**
The Magritte Museum is a dedicated museum within the RMFAB complex, holding the world's largest collection of works by surrealist painter René Magritte — around 230 original paintings, drawings, gouaches, and sculptures. It is housed in the neoclassical Place Royale building adjacent to the main museum.

**Is the Bruegel collection really the largest in the world?**
Yes — the RMFAB holds more works by Pieter Bruegel the Elder than any other museum in the world, including iconic paintings not on loan to any other institution.

**How long does a visit take?**
The full complex — six museums — would take a full day. Most visitors focus on the Museum of Ancient Art and the Magritte Museum, which together take 2–3 hours.

**How long should I spend at Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium?**
Plan 2–3 hours for the highlights. Add time for temporary exhibitions, the museum shop, and café.

**What is Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium best known for?**
The Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium in Brussels form one of the oldest and largest museum complexes in Europe, housing six distinct museums under one institution. The Museum of Ancient Art, the Museum of Modern Art, the Magritte Museum, the Wiertz Museum, the Meunier Museum, and the Fin-de-Siècle Museum together span six centuries of Belgian and international art. Key highlights include World's largest Bruegel the Elder collection — The Fall of Icarus, The Census at Bethlehem, Rubens — The Martyrdom of Saint Lieven and other major works, Jacques-Louis David's Death of Marat.

**How do I get tickets for Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium?**
€15 standard; €5 Magritte Museum add-on; combined tickets available Tickets are usually available on the day, but booking online saves queue time in peak season. Official site: https://www.fine-arts-museum.be/en

**Is the Magritte Museum separate?**
It is a separate building on Place Royale but covered by a combined ticket. Allow an extra hour for the Magritte collection.

**Which Bruegel works are always on view?**
The Fall of Icarus and The Census at Bethlehem are permanent highlights. Other Bruegel paintings rotate occasionally for conservation.

**Can I visit all six museums in one day?**
Possible but exhausting. Most visitors focus on the Museum of Ancient Art and the Magritte Museum — together 2–3 hours.


Source: https://worldmuseumguide.org/museums/royal-museums-of-fine-arts-belgium/ — World Museum Guide, independent and ad-free.