Mont des Arts
Pl. de l'Albertine, Brussels, Belgium, 1000
Mont des Arts, or Mount of the Arts, is a complex of gardens and sights located between Brussels’ Grand Place and Royal Palace. With meticulously manicured shrubs and esplanades, it’s the perfect vantage point from which to admire the city’s art nouveau architecture and Gothic Town Hall tower in the distance. Once you’ve taken in the setting, many of Brussels’ top museums are mere minutes away.
The basics
Mont des Arts is a great place to sit, take panoramic photos, or simply enjoy the scenery en route to museums and attractions around the Royal Palace. The complex is within easy walking distance of Brussels headliners like the Grand Place, Manneken Pis, and Royal Galleries of Saint Hubert, making it a popular stop on walking and bike tours. Architects lead Brussels sightseeing tours for design fans, and they often stop at Mont des Arts for views of the city’s Gothic, baroque, and art nouveau structures.
Things to know before you go
Mont des Arts is lined with stairs on all sides, but there is an accessible ramp on the northeast side of the park by the Square convention center.
The Mont des Arts complex is known more for its gardens and panoramic views than its buildings, which include the KBR (formerly the Royal Library of Belgium) and Square. However, popular attractions like the Magritte Museum and Museum of Musical Instruments are just steps away.
With its elevated location overlooking the western side of Brussels, Mont des Arts is a popular place to watch the sunset.
Skaters frequent Mont des Arts for its skatepark, as do street artists and musicians.
How to get there
Mont des Arts is within a 10-minute walk of the Brussels Royal Palace, Grand Place, and Royal Galleries of Saint Hubert; it takes climbing a few flights of stairs to reach the gardens (with an accessible ramp available). The complex is right next to the Brussels Central station, where you can catch a train to the airport and the bus or metro to stops throughout the city.
When to get there
Summer is a lovely time to explore the outdoor areas around Mont des Arts, as temperatures in Brussels are mild compared to other European destinations. From June to August you can also catch some of the city’s festivities, including the Ommegang heritage event and the biennial Flower Carpet displayed at the Grand Place.
Don’t miss this musical clock
One of Mont des Arts’ best attractions is easy to miss—unless you listen for it. On the northeast corner of the complex is the facade of the Palais de la Dynastie, where you’ll find a carillon, or a set of musical bells that plays melodies at the top of every hour. Even if you don’t get to hear the music, the carillon is well worth seeing, with a golden clock surrounded by 12 figurines that nod to Belgian history and culture.
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