Thing to do
Royal Galleries of Saint-Hubert
A 213-metre glass-roofed arcade opened in 1847, one of Europe's earliest covered shopping galleries, lined with chocolatiers, cafés, a theatre and a cinema.
Mont des Arts
A terraced formal garden between the lower and upper town, created between 1956 and 1969, with one of the best free views over central Brussels.
At a glance
- Type
- Garden and viewpoint
- Area
- Mont des Arts (Royal Quarter), Brussels, Belgium
Good to know
- Free
- City views
- Formal garden
- Carillon clock
Why we recommend it
The Mont des Arts is the slope that links the lower town around the Grand-Place with the upper town and the Royal Quarter, and it offers one of the best free views in Brussels. King Leopold II bought up the old neighbourhood here in the late 19th century with the idea of creating an arts quarter, and the city council approved his plan in 1894. A temporary garden was opened in 1910, but the present layout dates from a redevelopment between 1956 and 1969 by the architects Maurice Houyoux and Jules Ghobert.
The centrepiece is the geometric garden designed by René Pechère, laid out over the roof of an underground car park, with clipped hedges, lawns, fountains and stairways climbing towards the Place Royale. From the top of the steps you look down over the garden to the spire of the Town Hall, and on a clear day you can pick out the Basilica of Koekelberg and even the Atomium in the distance. Turn around and the dome of the Church of St James on Coudenberg closes the view uphill.
Look out too for the carillon clock in the arcade over Rue des Arts. It has 24 bells, and twelve figures from Brussels history and folklore move as it chimes, while a bronze jacquemart at the top strikes the hours. The surrounding buildings include the Royal Library of Belgium, the Square convention centre built for Expo 58, and St George's Chapel, which survived from the old palace of Orange-Nassau.
The Mont des Arts suits everyone and costs nothing, and it is a natural pause between museums. Families can let children run on the lawns, photographers will enjoy the view at sunset, and the steps make a good meeting point. The stairs are fairly steep, so those with limited mobility may prefer to approach from the top, near the Place Royale.
The garden is a short walk from Brussels-Central station. The Musical Instruments Museum, the Royal Museums of Fine Arts and the Magritte Museum are at the top, and the Royal Palace and the Cathedral are close by, so it is easy to include on any route between the Grand-Place and the upper town.
Mont des Arts FAQs
Is the Mont des Arts free?
Yes. The garden and steps are public and free to visit.
What can you see from the top?
The Town Hall spire and, on clear days, the Basilica of Koekelberg and the Atomium.
When was the garden created?
The current layout dates from a redevelopment between 1956 and 1969, with a garden designed by René Pechère.
What is the clock on the arcade?
A carillon with 24 bells and twelve figures from Brussels history, with a bronze jacquemart that strikes the hours.
When is the best time to visit?
Late afternoon and sunset give the best light over the lower town.
Is it accessible for people with limited mobility?
The stairs are steep, so approaching from the top near the Place Royale is easier.
How do I get there?
It is a short walk from Brussels-Central station.
What museums are nearby?
The Musical Instruments Museum and the Royal Museums of Fine Arts, including the Magritte Museum, are at the top.