Royal Museum of the Armed Forces and of Military History

Royal Museum of the Armed Forces and of Military History

Royal Museum of the Armed Forces and of Military History
4.5
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
The Royal Museum of the Armed Forces and of Military History is the perfect stop for history and military enthusiasts. Located in the two northernmost halls of the Cinquantenaire Park historic complex, the museum collections comprise more than 10 centuries of military and technology history, ranging from suits of armor, antique firearms and swords to armored vehicles and airplanes. Numerous paintings, sculptures, decorations, and military uniforms bring back to life the military history of this area. Admission is free. Closed on Mondays.
Duration: 2-3 hours
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Address
How to get there
  • Mérode • 5 min walk
  • Schuman • 10 min walk
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See what travelers are saying
  • Hermes_NL 🇳🇱
    Amsterdam, The Netherlands20,132 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Very large museum - take a full day
    The museum is very large … even though the 1st world war section was regrettably closed, one could easily spend a full day. The location in the big park is also quite appealing. Attractive displays although the planes were literally covered in dust.
    Visited June 2023
    Traveled solo
    Written July 1, 2023
  • Malachy Kealey
    Preston, United Kingdom12 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Very possibly the best military museum in Europe
    It is a must-visit for any enthusiast of European and military history. The museum covers European military history in four main sections; the medieval era, the Napoleonic Era, World War I and finally World War II. Each section contains a wide collection of artifacts, vehicles and weaponry and a great deal of information regarding various key events, people and battles of significant importance. The World War I section greets you with its displays of artillery, tanks and planes and detailed information of the various campaigns of the war. The World War II section includes fascinating collections of propaganda from the era and impressive mannequin displays including German motorized infantry, US 101st Airborne Division and British paratroopers. Beyond all this, there is a sort of large aircraft hangar which has a massive collection of modern day fighter aircraft and helicopters. This museum is the most impressive I have ever seen and is very possibly the best military museum in Europe.
    Visited January 2023
    Traveled solo
    Written August 1, 2023
  • Owain
    United Kingdom22 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great day out! Go for it!
    Brilliant museum and a great way to pass some time when in Brussels. Facinating and really interesting, they have a great collection. I wish they had more tanks though, they only have a small selection but have a lot of aircrafts. The section on the Soviet Union is also small. What they have and the aircrafts are amazing, I had to cut my trip short to catch my flight home but I wish I could have spent more time there. The aircrafts and world wars sections are facinating.
    Visited August 2023
    Traveled solo
    Written August 14, 2023
  • Kelly H
    7 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    You have to go
    An amazing museums. Some of the exhibits were being renovated when we went, but there is SO MUCH to see. They layout is easy to follow and the artifacts on display are beautiful. It's a very well thought and designed experience. The aviation hangar in particular is a standout. I particularly loved their dedicated Sabena exhibit.
    Visited September 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written September 19, 2023
  • Corinne L
    9 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Worth it to see
    The museum is very big. You could spend more than a day here if you wanted to read everything displayed. We didn't. We enjoyed seeing the aircrafts and tanks. Actually, we saw 2 of the tanks started and driven as they looked like they had to move them around to reposition them. It was awesome to see. The view from the lookout at the top was amazing.
    Visited October 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written October 11, 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles2,393 reviews
Excellent
1,253
Very good
833
Average
243
Poor
45
Terrible
19

jpdk
Vejle, Denmark249 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020
This big museum shows the military history of Belgium, with lots of things on display, plus a big building filled up with aeroplanes.
The entre can be payd with credit card only, no cash are accepted. At the museum you will find, that all informations to the things on display are in French or Flemish langue only, only a very few places in this huge museum, you will find information in English
Written January 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Valerie P
Hot Springs Village, AR128 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2022
Very well done, collections are curated better than most. Displayed chronologically so you can skip around if you have certain interests. The Aviation Museum is connected and included with your admission fee - has a varied collection as well.
Written June 21, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Bubbles73uk
Weedon Bec, UK854 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020
This is one of the largest military museums in Europe. The exhibits present 12 centuries of history through military equipment & machinery. Don't miss the panoramic view of the city from the terrace on top of the Arcade du Cinquantenaire.
Written January 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

TheAviator0765
Ripon, UK602 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2023
I visited with the intent of just visiting the aviation section of this museum as that is my main area of interest and I was a bit time constrained before catching a train.

Entry was 11 euros, and I quickly (or tried) to find my way through the military section to the aviation hall, although I had to ask a member of staff as with work in progress and areas closed, the flow was not logical and signs were few and far between.

Into the aviation hall, I was there for about 10:30 and pretty had the place to myself. So this is the national depository of aviation in Belgium, and it has some real gems to wander around in what is a magnificent building.

But it appears to be in a state of near neglect. Aircraft resting on deflated tyres is not a good look. Most covered in a thick layer of dust. And so much bird poop! Interpretation boards are in both Belgian languages, nothing in English. The World War II section pays tribute to those pilots who flew with the RAF and then their own Belgian squadrons, but again is faded. Most of the upper gallery was closed off due to maintenance work which was disappointing, but needs to be done. And I left with the intent of checking out the bookshop, but it was closed between 12 and one (this is mentioned in the website, but does seem illogical).

So really interesting, but disappointing at the same time. It might be lack of money or staff, but compared to say the RAF Museum at Hendon, Duxford, Udvar-Hazy or the Smithsonian the exhibits really seemed to be neglected. Sorry, but that's the way it appears.
Written July 9, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Daniel Gareth Duffy
11 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2022
Rarely have I visited a place and left feeling so fulfilled and satisfied. This museum is huge, its exhibits are almost impossible to conquer within a day, and it has a wealth of material focusing mainly on military affairs from Napoleon and beyond. I spent the majority of my time in the WWII section, and it was incredibly informative re. Belgium's role in the war (and the Flemish/Wallonian split). If I had to offer some constructive criticism, they need more English translations (I can read French, but not fluently, so it took longer for me to get through exhibits) and much more information on certain exhibits. And they give free tap water refills in the café (unlike the rest of Belgian hospitality)!
Written September 19, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Stephen H
Brussels, Belgium498 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2021
Even with COVID, great experience. The aircraft section of the museum is not climate controlled, so dress appropriately. Do not forget the tanks outside (some people do). Remember the gift store is closed over lunch.
Written January 16, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Hermes_NL 🇳🇱
Amsterdam, The Netherlands20,132 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2023 • Solo
The museum is very large … even though the 1st world war section was regrettably closed, one could easily spend a full day. The location in the big park is also quite appealing. Attractive displays although the planes were literally covered in dust.
Written July 1, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Paul S
Antwerp, Belgium286 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2020
We came to visit the airplains. And we were very dissepointed. Flat tires, missing info signs, patio chairs stored between fighter jets, monolingual (French) info signs, not accessible wall maps, .....
And when we ask for a sandwich at the bar, the staff member only speaks French. The classified sandwiches were not available.
It must be said other parts of the museum are in a more modern state.
There are also rooms that look like a large installed warehouse.
Our general impression is that of a general loss.
Fortunately, the entrance fee is very democratic.
Written August 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

hans-jaguar
Santa Comba Dao, Portugal22,329 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2022
After your visit of “Auto World”, you just cross the street and you can right away start your second visit who is the “Royal Museum of the Armed Forces and Military History”.
Since May 1, 2017 the Royal Military Museum is part of the War Heritage Institute, the new reference institution for military heritage and remembrance in Belgium. Through temporary exhibitions and events this World Famous collection of weapons, uniforms, armoured vehicles and airplanes is accessible for all ages.
From medieval armours to the F-16 jet: the Royal Museum of the Armed Forces and Military History presents 12 centuries of military history through uniforms, weapons and heavy machinery. On top of that, it accomodates an Air and Space Hall with 130 airplanes and a brand new Antarctica room. The terraces on top of the Cinquantenaire gallery offer a panoramic view over the Belgian capital. The museum organizes temporary exhibitions on a wide thematical range as well. This two locations are worthwhile a visit.
Written January 29, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

GAR
243 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2022 • Solo
This museum houses a vast array of items, from huge artillery pieces and tanks down to small personal items that once belonged to soldiers. Sadly when I went the aviation hall was closed, and so I couldn’t access a couple exhibits that were on the other side. Still, there was a lot to see, including weaponry, uniforms, and two exhibitions, one on WWI and the other on WWII. Unfortunately not everything is in English, I had no problems in the WWI area as everything was translated but in other parts of the museum it was almost exclusively French and Flemish
Written June 6, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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