Neighbourhood guide

Mont des Arts and Royal Quarter

Palace, parks and the big museums of the upper town

The Royal Quarter is the upper town around Place Royale, Brussels Park and the Royal Palace. It holds the main museums of art and music.

BELvue Museum is a museum on Place des Palais, next to the Royal Palace, about the history of Belgium and the Belgians. Musical Instruments Museum (MIM) is the musical instruments museum in the old Old England building on Montagne de la Cour, with a rooftop cafe that looks over the city. Charlier Museum is a house museum on Avenue des Arts in Saint-Josse-ten-Noode, built around an art collection that was once the home of the Charlier family. Coudenberg Archaeological Site is the excavated ruins of the former Palace of Brussels, under Place Royale.

Also on the map in this area: BOZAR, Cinematek, National Bank Museum, Royal Palace of Brussels, Mont des Arts, Place Royale, Palais de la Nation, Congress Column, Great Synagogue of Brussels, Egmont Palace, Gare Centrale, Saint-Jacques-sur-Coudenberg, Brussels Park, Egmont Park.

19 places

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See Mont des Arts and Royal Quarter on the interactive map

Nearby neighbourhoods

Grand-Place and Îlot Sacré The guild houses, Manneken-Pis and the lanes behind the Town Hall 29 places · under 1 km away

Sablon and Marolles Antique dealers and chocolatiers above, the flea market below 21 places · under 1 km away

Place Saint-Géry Halles Saint-Géry, the Bourse and the evening terraces 8 places · under 1 km away

Sainte-Catherine and De Brouckère, Brussels

Sainte-Catherine and De Brouckère The old fish quays, the opera and the central boulevards 14 places · under 1 km away

The best of Mont des Arts and Royal Quarter

Best museum BELvue Museum A museum on Place des Palais, next to the Royal Palace, about the history of Belgium and the Belgians.

Best landmark Royal Palace of Brussels The official palace of the King of the Belgians, facing Brussels Park on Place des Palais.

Best church Saint-Jacques-sur-Coudenberg The neoclassical church on Place Royale, built in the 18th century.

Things to do in Mont des Arts and Royal Quarter

Museum BELvue Museum A museum on Place des Palais, next to the Royal Palace, about the history of Belgium and the Belgians.

Old England building at night, home of the Musical Instruments Museum, Mont des Arts, Brussels

Museum Musical Instruments Museum (MIM) The musical instruments museum in the old Old England building on Montagne de la Cour, with a rooftop cafe that looks over the city.

Museum Charlier Museum A house museum on Avenue des Arts in Saint-Josse-ten-Noode, built around an art collection that was once the home of the Charlier family.

Stone vaulted underground passage at the Coudenberg Archaeological Site in Brussels

Museum Coudenberg Archaeological Site The excavated ruins of the former Palace of Brussels, under Place Royale.

Palais des Beaux-Arts Bozar facade with flags on Rue Ravenstein, Brussels

Museum BOZAR The arts centre in Victor Horta's Palais des Beaux-Arts on Rue Ravenstein, with exhibitions, concerts and films.

Blue neon Cinematek sign glowing at night above the entrance in Brussels

Museum Cinematek The cinema archive of Belgium, with screenings in the Palais des Beaux-Arts on Rue Baron Horta.

Royal Palace of Brussels facade across Place des Palais on a sunny day

Landmark Royal Palace of Brussels The official palace of the King of the Belgians, facing Brussels Park on Place des Palais.

Mont des Arts garden with flower beds and the Town Hall spire behind, Brussels

Landmark · Free Mont des Arts A terraced garden and stairway between the Royal Library and Place Royale, with a view of the Town Hall tower.

Church of Saint-Jacques-sur-Coudenberg with the statue in the middle of Place Royale, Brussels

Landmark · Free Place Royale A neoclassical square on the Coudenberg hill, with the church of Saint-Jacques-sur-Coudenberg.

Neoclassical front of the Palais de la Nation with its pediment and columns, Brussels

Landmark Palais de la Nation The seat of the Belgian federal parliament, built in 1783 for the Sovereign Council of Brabant, on Rue de Louvain.

Congress Column rising against a blue sky in Brussels

Landmark · Free Congress Column A column on Place du Congrès that commemorates the National Congress of 1830, with the tomb of the Unknown Soldier at its foot.

Church of Saint-Jacques-sur-Coudenberg portico on Place Royale in Brussels

Church · Free Saint-Jacques-sur-Coudenberg The neoclassical church on Place Royale, built in the 18th century.

Great Synagogue of Europe facade with two towers on Rue de la Régence, Brussels

Landmark Great Synagogue of Brussels The main synagogue of Brussels, on Rue de la Régence.

Formal flower beds in Brussels Park with a stately building behind

Park · Free Brussels Park The formal park between the Royal Palace and the Parliament, laid out in the 18th century.

Clipped hedge parterres of Egmont Park with surrounding buildings in Brussels

Park · Free Egmont Park A small garden behind the Egmont Palace, close to Place du Petit Sablon.

Jardin du Mont des Arts flower beds and paths with the city centre behind, Brussels

Park · Free Jardin du Mont des Arts The formal garden on the terraces of the Mont des Arts.

Museum National Bank Museum The museum of the National Bank of Belgium, in the centre of Brussels.

Stone gateway at the entrance to the Egmont Palace in Brussels

Landmark Egmont Palace A 16th-century palace beside the Petit Sablon that is used by the Belgian foreign ministry.

Red train at a platform under the roof of Gare Centrale, Brussels

Landmark Gare Centrale Brussels-Central, the railway station designed by Victor Horta near the Carrefour de l'Europe, a short walk from the Grand-Place.

What's on in Mont des Arts and Royal Quarter

Local events in the next 30 days, read from the ward, park and organiser pages each one links to.

Lunchtime concert: Quatuor Taurus & Lucía Alonso Hernández Classical and opera
Fri 13 Nov · KBR
Lunchtime concert: Quatuor Taurus & Lucía Alonso Hernández at KBR, 13 Nov 2026, 12:30 to 13:30, as listed on the KBR agenda.
7€ · 12:30 to 13:30 · Map · Source: KBR
BxlSurScènes: Aliya Assanova and Arieta Liatsi Classical and opera
Sat 14 Nov · Atelier Marcel Hastir
A piano and violin concert in the BxlSurScènes series at Atelier Marcel Hastir.
20:00 · Map · Source: Atelier Marcel Hastir · BxlSurScènes - Aliya Assanova, piano & Arieta Liatsi, violon
Self-guided workshop: writing with a quill & painting with pigments Activities
Sat 14 Nov · Atelier
Self-guided workshop: writing with a quill & painting with pigments at Atelier, 14 Nov 2026, 14:00 to 16:30, as listed on the KBR agenda.
8€ to 11€ · 14:00 to 16:30 · Map · Source: KBR
BxlSurScènes: Trio d'Ecouves plays Brahms and Dvořák Classical and opera
Sun 15 Nov · Atelier Marcel Hastir
A piano trio concert of works by Brahms and Dvořák in the BxlSurScènes series at Atelier Marcel Hastir.
17:00 · Map · Source: Atelier Marcel Hastir · BxlSurScènes - Trio d'Ecouves - œuvres de Brahms et Dvorak pour trio piano, violon et violoncelle
Happy Sunday! Kids and Family Activities
Sun 15 Nov · Magritte Museum
A bilingual family activity at the Magritte Museum for children from age 6.
Map · Source: Magritte Museum · Happy Sunday! Kids & Family (FR/EN) or (NL/EN)
Echoes Across the Atlantic Theatre and shows
Wed 18 Nov · Bozar, Henry Le Bœuf
Echoes Across the Atlantic at Bozar, Henry Le Bœuf, 18 Nov 2026, from 20:00, as listed on the La Monnaie / De Munt agenda.
from 20:00 · Map · Source: La Monnaie / De Munt
MetaBelgica: Shared Heritage, Shared Data Talks and readings
Wed 18 Nov · Auditorium
MetaBelgica: Shared Heritage, Shared Data at Auditorium, 18 Nov 2026, 09:00 to 16:40, as listed on the KBR agenda.
Free · 09:00 to 16:40 · Map · Source: KBR
BxlSurScènes: Ensemble Pathodia Classical and opera
Fri 20 Nov · Atelier Marcel Hastir
A baroque ensemble concert with countertenor, guitar, cello and viola in the BxlSurScènes series at Atelier Marcel Hastir.
20:00 · Map · Source: Atelier Marcel Hastir · BxlSurScènes - Ensemble baroque Pathodia: Alexandre Dandelot, contreténor & guitare, Marta Jiménez Ramírez, violoncelle, Álvaro Muñoz Perera, alto
BxlSurScènes: Mow Quartet Classical and opera
Sat 21 Nov · Atelier Marcel Hastir
A quartet concert between classical and folk music in the BxlSurScènes series at Atelier Marcel Hastir.
20:00 · Map · Source: Atelier Marcel Hastir · BxlSurScènes - Mow Quartet musique "À la croisée du classique et du folk de l'Orient à l'Occident"
Self-guided workshop: writing with a quill & painting with pigments Activities
Sat 21 Nov · Atelier
Self-guided workshop: writing with a quill & painting with pigments at Atelier, 21 Nov 2026, 14:00 to 16:30, as listed on the KBR agenda.
8€ to 11€ · 14:00 to 16:30 · Map · Source: KBR

Show all 26 events

Concert 11h11: Tony Nys and Daniel Blumenthal Classical and opera
Sun 22 Nov · Atelier Marcel Hastir
A Sunday morning concert by Tony Nys and Daniel Blumenthal at Atelier Marcel Hastir.
11:11 · Map · Source: Atelier Marcel Hastir · Hors programme - Concert 11h11: Tony Nys - Daniel Blumenthal
Explore the Magritte Museum (English) Tours and walks
Sun 22 Nov · Magritte Museum
A guided tour in English for adults at the Magritte Museum with Jennifer Batla.
Map · Source: Magritte Museum · Explore the Magritte Museum (EN)
Self-guided workshop: writing with a quill & painting with pigments Activities
Sun 22 Nov · Atelier
Self-guided workshop: writing with a quill & painting with pigments at Atelier, 22 Nov 2026, 14:00 to 16:30, as listed on the KBR agenda.
8€ to 11€ · 14:00 to 16:30 · Map · Source: KBR
BxlSurScènes: L'âme bulgare Classical and opera
Sat 28 Nov · Atelier Marcel Hastir
A violin and piano concert of works by Vladigerov and Hristoskov in the BxlSurScènes series at Atelier Marcel Hastir.
20:00 · Map · Source: Atelier Marcel Hastir · BxlSurScènes - Jacqueline Preys, violon & Tzvetana Gigova, piano : "L‘âme Bulgare" - œuvres de Vladigerov et Hristoskov
Self-guided workshop: writing with a quill & painting with pigments Activities
Sat 28 Nov · Atelier
Self-guided workshop: writing with a quill & painting with pigments at Atelier, 28 Nov 2026, 14:00 to 16:30, as listed on the KBR agenda.
8€ to 11€ · 14:00 to 16:30 · Map · Source: KBR
Self-guided workshop: writing with a quill & painting with pigments Activities
Sun 29 Nov · Atelier
Self-guided workshop: writing with a quill & painting with pigments at Atelier, 29 Nov 2026, 14:00 to 16:30, as listed on the KBR agenda.
8€ to 11€ · 14:00 to 16:30 · Map · Source: KBR
Storytelling and sign language walks Tours and walks
Sun 29 Nov · Magritte Museum
A sign language visit at the Magritte Museum, part of its Musée sur Mesure programme.
Map · Source: Magritte Museum · Promenades contées, promenades signées (FR/LSF)
Rita Matos Alves, Manon Gertsch and Céline Bodson Classical and opera
Sat 5 Dec · Atelier Marcel Hastir
A soprano, piano and violin concert with works by Berlioz, Prokofiev, Rachmaninov and Strauss at Atelier Marcel Hastir.
20:00 · Map · Source: Atelier Marcel Hastir · Rita Matos Alves, soprano, Manon Gertsch, piano et Céline Bodson, violon - œuvres de Berlioz, Prokofiev, Rachmaninov, Strauss…
Self-guided workshop: writing with a quill & painting with pigments Activities
Sat 5 Dec · Atelier
Self-guided workshop: writing with a quill & painting with pigments at Atelier, 5 Dec 2026, 14:00 to 16:30, as listed on the KBR agenda.
8€ to 11€ · 14:00 to 16:30 · Map · Source: KBR
German Lieder recital: Adam Juran and Bao Phung Ngoc Classical and opera
Sun 6 Dec · Atelier Marcel Hastir
A voice and piano recital of German Lieder at Atelier Marcel Hastir.
17:00 · Map · Source: Atelier Marcel Hastir · Hors programme : Adam Juran, chant & Bao Phung Ngoc, piano :“Doch meine Saiten tönen nur Liebe” - Récital de Lieder allemands
Self-guided workshop: writing with a quill & painting with pigments Activities
Sun 6 Dec · Atelier
Self-guided workshop: writing with a quill & painting with pigments at Atelier, 6 Dec 2026, 14:00 to 16:30, as listed on the KBR agenda.
8€ to 11€ · 14:00 to 16:30 · Map · Source: KBR
Self-guided workshop: writing with a quill & painting with pigments Activities
Sat 12 Dec · Atelier
Self-guided workshop: writing with a quill & painting with pigments at Atelier, 12 Dec 2026, 14:00 to 16:30, as listed on the KBR agenda.
8€ to 11€ · 14:00 to 16:30 · Map · Source: KBR
Concert 11h11: Astor Klezmer Trio Classical and opera
Sun 13 Dec · Atelier Marcel Hastir
A Sunday morning klezmer trio concert at Atelier Marcel Hastir.
11:11 · Map · Source: Atelier Marcel Hastir · Hors programme - Concert 11h11: Astor Klezmer Trio
Cosnefroy-Miralles guitar duo Classical and opera
Sun 13 Dec · Atelier Marcel Hastir
A guitar duo concert at Atelier Marcel Hastir.
17:00 · Map · Source: Atelier Marcel Hastir · Duo de guitare Cosnefroy-Miralles
Self-guided workshop: writing with a quill & painting with pigments Activities
Sun 13 Dec · Atelier
Self-guided workshop: writing with a quill & painting with pigments at Atelier, 13 Dec 2026, 14:00 to 16:30, as listed on the KBR agenda.
8€ to 11€ · 14:00 to 16:30 · Map · Source: KBR
Yoga & Sound in the Nassau Chapel Activities
Sun 13 Dec · KBR museum
Yoga & Sound in the Nassau Chapel at KBR museum, 13 Dec 2026, 11:00 to 12:00, as listed on the KBR agenda.
15€ · 11:00 to 12:00 · Map · Source: KBR

All 26 local events in Mont des Arts and Royal Quarter

From the blog

The Atomium lit up at night with its steel spheres and the glass pavilion at its base in Brussels

Things to Do in Brussels: Grand-Place, the Atomium, Museums and Comics Read

Stay in Mont des Arts and Royal Quarter

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