11 must-see museums in Flandre
1. Royal Museum of Fine Arts (KMSK) in Antwerp
Visit the renovated KMSK and experience “The Finest Feeling”. This is the largest art museum in Flanders. Marvel at masterpieces by the Flemish Primitives and the masters of Antwerp Baroque, and also by Rik Wouters, René Magritte... This museum is also home to the largest collection in the world of work by Ostend painter James Ensor. And when the weather is good, don’t forget to visit the wonderful museum garden.
How to get there: Leopold de Waelplaats 1, 2000 Antwerp. 1.3 km from Antwerpen-Zuid station and 2.4 km from Antwerpen-Centraal station.
2. The Museum aan de Stroom (MAS) in Antwerp
The MAS is located in the southern part of the oldest port area of the city on the Scheldt, the Eilandje. It is one of the hotspots of this hip area. MAS is a multifaceted museum, full of stories and surprises. You can find out all about the history of Antwerp, the historic port city on the Scheldt, and also about its place in the world. When you visit, remember to take the escalator to the museum’s roof terrace on the 10th floor, and enjoy the breath-taking view of the city’s skyline.
How to get there: Hanzestedenplaats 1, 2000 Antwerp. 2.1 km from Antwerpen-Centraal station.
3. Groeningemuseum, Bruges
At the Groeningemuseum, Bruges’ City Museum of Fine Arts, you can explore six centuries of Flemish and Belgian painting. These include masterpieces by Flemish Primitives such as Van Eyck and Memling, but also magnificent works by Renaissance and Baroque masters, 18th- and 19th-century neoclassical paintings and a selection of works by Flemish expressionists such as Permeke and Broodthaers.
How to get there: Stationsplein 12, 8000 Bruges. 1.2 km from Bruges (Brugge) station.
4. In Flanders Fields Museum in Ieper (Ypres)
At the In Flanders Fields Museum, discover the story of World War I and the Westhoek Region. The invasion of Belgium, the first months of the war, the trench war, the end of the war... You can learn about the war via real-life participants and interactive exhibits. Climb the Belfry for a unique view of the city and surrounding battlefields.
How to get there: Lakenhalle, Grote Markt 34, 8900 Ieper. 850 m from Ieper station.
5. Mu.ZEE in Ostend
For lovers of classic contemporary art, the Kunstmuseum aan Zee is the perfect venue. The museum is located in a former warehouse and displays an extensive collection of modern art from 1830 to the present. Permeke, Raveel, Magritte, Panamarenko,… all of them made a contribution to the history and development of Belgian art.
How to get there: Romestraat 11, 8400 Oostende. 900 m from Ostend (Oostende) station.
6. The MOU in Oudenaarde
The MOU is housed in the beautifully ornamented Gothic town hall of Oudenaarde. In the 16th century, Oudenaarde was a thriving centre of the tapestry industry. Oudenaarde tapestries are displayed in museums all over Europe, and today 37 of these magnificent wall hangings can be viewed at the Oudenaarde Museum/MOU. As well as tapestries, the MOU is also home to one of the largest collections of silverware in Flanders. The museum has its own conservation and restoration workshop on the second floor. Visitors can attend demonstrations on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons.
How to get there: Markt, 9700 Oudenaarde. 700 m from Oudenaarde station.
7. Museum of Fine Arts in Ghent (MSK)
Belgium's oldest museum, located on the edge of the Citadel Park, houses some 600 works of art from the 14th to the 20th century in 40 rooms, including works by Van Dyck, Bosh, Rubens, Ensor, Minne, Magritte, Paul Delvaux and many others. As well as displaying its vast permanent collection, the museum also organises temporary exhibitions.
How to get there: Fernand Scribedreef 1, 9000 Gent. 1.1 km from Gent-Sint-Pieters station.
8. S.M.A.K. in Ghent
For contemporary art lovers, the S.M.A.K., Ghent’s Museum of Contemporary Art, is the place to visit. You can find masterpieces from World War II to the present, by Belgian and international artists from various movements such as Cobra, Pop Art, Minimal Art, conceptual art and arte povera.
How to get there: Jan Hoetplein 1, 9000 Ghent. 800 m from Gent-Sint-Pieters station.
9. M Museum, Leuven
This museum is in the old city centre of Leuven. Its iconic building is a fusion of old and new, built around a quiet courtyard garden. The historical collection is closely related to the history of Leuven and the Dukedom of Brabant from the Middle Ages to the 19th century. The M Collection includes unique works by Dieric Bouts, Constantin Meunier, Jef Lambeaux, Georges Minne...
Good to know: with the entrance ticket to M, you can also visit the Treasure Chamber in the fully restored Church of St Peter (Sint-Pieterskerk), where Dieric Bouts’ Altarpiece of the Holy Sacrament is also on display. With the new mixed-reality experience, you can also learn the story behind the church; don a pair of smart glasses and you can see the Church of St Peter burning or take a walk with Jesus and his apostles...
How to get there: Leopold Vanderkelenstraat 28, 3000 Leuven. 1 km from Leuven station.
10. Kazerne Dossin Memorial in Mechelen
During World War II, this former army barracks was the German occupier’s transit camp for Jews and Roma. From here, thousands of Jews and Roma were transported by train to Auschwitz-Birkenau. Most of them never came back.
The Kazerne Dossin Memorial, museum and research centre uses photographic portraits, documents and multimedia facilities to tell these people’s stories.
How to get there: Goswin de Stassartstraat 153, 2800 Mechelen. 2 km from Mechelen station.
11. Gallo-Roman Museum in Tongeren
Go on a journey of discovery at this museum and explore the exciting story of humanity from prehistoric to Roman times. Over 2,000 exhibits such as bronze swords, flint tools, and also models, films and lifelike synthetic-resin figures will put you under the spell of the past.
How to get there: Kielenstraat 15, 3700 Tongeren. 700 m from Tongeren station.
Tip: with the Discovery Ticket, you can travel to Tongeren on a half-price return ticket.
