Autoworld Brussels: the vintage car museum guide
Is Autoworld in Brussels worth visiting?
Yes for car enthusiasts and families — Autoworld houses 250+ historic vehicles, from pioneering 1900s automobiles to classic Belgian Minervas and famous marques, in a magnificent iron-and-glass hall in the Cinquantenaire park. Allow 1.5–2 hours, and combine it with the park, the triumphal arch and the other Cinquantenaire museums.
Classic cars under a cathedral of iron and glass
Tucked into the grand exhibition halls of the Parc du Cinquantenaire, Autoworld is one of Europe’s great automobile collections — 250+ historic vehicles displayed beneath a magnificent 1880s iron-and-glass roof. From the dawn of motoring to mid-century glamour, it’s a treat for car enthusiasts and a surprisingly engaging stop for families, all within the same park as a triumphal arch and two other museums. Here’s the guide. For the park itself, see our Cinquantenaire guide.
What’s inside
- Pioneers of motoring — veteran cars from around 1900, when the automobile was a fragile novelty.
- Vintage and classic eras — elegant 1920s–60s cars, luxury saloons and sports cars.
- Belgian heritage — proud examples of home-grown marques like Minerva and FN, reminders that Belgium was once a serious car-making nation.
- Famous names and one-offs — notable models across European and American makers.
- Rotating special exhibitions on themes, marques or eras.
The setting is half the appeal — the soaring iron-and-glass hall gives the whole collection a grand, light-filled stage. Allow 1.5–2 hours.
Practical info
- Where: the south hall of the Parc du Cinquantenaire, European Quarter. Metro to Merode or Schuman (getting around).
- Tickets: moderately priced, with family/child rates.
- Open daily (check current hours) — useful, as it’s open on Mondays when many museums close.
- Indoors — a solid rainy-day option.
Combine in the Cinquantenaire
Autoworld shares the park with several attractions, making an easy themed half-day:
- The triumphal arch and colonnade (climb for a city view).
- Art & History Museum — antiquities and decorative arts.
- Royal Museum of the Armed Forces and Military History — free, with aircraft and a viewpoint.
- The park’s lawns for a break.
It also pairs with the rest of the European Quarter — the free EU museums and the legendary frites at Maison Antoine on nearby Place Jourdan (best frites).
The verdict
Worth it for car lovers and families — a large, well-displayed collection in one of Brussels’ most beautiful interior spaces, and conveniently open when other museums aren’t. If automobiles leave you cold, the Mont des Arts art museums downtown will suit you better, but for anyone with a soft spot for classic cars (or restless kids who like big shiny machines), Autoworld and the surrounding Cinquantenaire make a rewarding outing.
Frequently asked questions — Autoworld Brussels: the vintage car museum guide
Where is Autoworld in Brussels?
In the south wing of the grand exhibition hall in Parc du Cinquantenaire, in the European Quarter, east of the centre. Take the metro to Merode or Schuman; it's easy to combine with the Cinquantenaire arch and the Art & History and Military museums in the same park.What cars are in Autoworld Brussels?
Over 250 vehicles spanning the history of the automobile — early veterans from c.1900, vintage and classic cars, luxury marques, and notable Belgian makes like Minerva and FN, plus rotating special exhibitions. A strong collection in a spectacular setting.
