Comics Art Museum Brussels: a guide to the Belgian Comic Strip Center
Brussels: Brussels Comic Art Museum Entrance Ticket
Is the Comics Art Museum in Brussels worth visiting?
Yes, on two counts — it's a well-curated celebration of Belgian and European comics (Tintin, the Smurfs, the artists and craft behind them), and it's housed in a stunning Victor Horta Art Nouveau building, so you get architecture and comics in one. Allow 1.5–2 hours; it's central and great for families and design lovers alike.
Comics and Horta under one roof
The Comics Art Museum — officially the Belgian Comic Strip Center (Centre Belge de la Bande Dessinée / CBBD) — is a double treat. It’s both a serious, joyful museum of the art form Belgium gave the world, and one of the most beautiful Art Nouveau interiors in the city, because it occupies Victor Horta’s former Waucquez textile warehouse (1906). Whether you come for the comics or the architecture, you get both. Here’s how to visit. For the wider trail, see the comic strip route.
The building (worth the ticket alone)
Before the comics, the Horta interior: a luminous central hall under a glass roof, the signature sweeping iron staircase, and the flowing ironwork that made Horta famous. It’s a free-flowing, light-filled space that exemplifies Art Nouveau — and a rare chance to experience a Horta interior beyond the Horta Museum (hidden Art Nouveau gems). Even non-comic-fans leave impressed.
What’s inside
- The history of the comic strip — how the form developed, the techniques of drawing and storytelling, original plates and sketches.
- The Belgian greats — Hergé’s Tintin, Peyo’s Smurfs, Lucky Luke, Spirou, Gaston Lagaffe and more, with original artwork.
- A reconstructed Tintin rocket and iconic set pieces popular for photos.
- Rotating exhibitions on artists, genres and the modern bande dessinée scene.
- A specialist comics library and shop for fans.
Allow 1.5–2 hours.
Practical info
- Central location near the lower town / Rue des Sables, easy to combine with the murals.
- Tickets ~€13 adult, reduced for children/seniors/students; a museum entry ticket can be booked ahead to skip the queue.
- Closed Mondays (check current hours).
- Family-friendly, though some content is aimed at adult comic-art appreciation.
Make it a comic day
The museum is the indoor anchor of a perfect Brussels comic day:
- Morning: hunt the outdoor murals on the comic strip route — free and fun.
- Midday: the Comics Art Museum for the artwork and the Horta building.
- Afternoon: dive deeper into Tintin (guide) or browse a comic shop for a Hergé souvenir.
To add expert context, a comic murals tour or a Tintin and street-art walk pairs beautifully with the museum.
Verdict
Worth it. Few museums give you a world-class art form and a UNESCO-calibre building in one modest ticket. Comic fans will love the originals; everyone else will be won over by the Horta interior and the sheer charm of a country that treats cartoonists as national treasures. For the why behind that, read Belgian comics explained.
Frequently asked questions — Comics Art Museum Brussels: a guide to the Belgian Comic Strip Center
How much is the Comics Art Museum and how long do you need?
Tickets are modestly priced (around €13 adult, less for children/concessions); allow 1.5–2 hours. The building itself — Horta's former Waucquez warehouse — is part of the attraction, so factor in time to admire the Art Nouveau interior.Is the Comic Strip Center good for kids?
Yes — children who know the Smurfs or Tintin enjoy it, and it's interactive and colourful, though some exhibits skew to adult comic-art appreciation. It pairs perfectly with the free outdoor comic murals hunt for a family-friendly comic day.
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