One of the world's largest collections of musical instruments, housed in the extraordinary Old England building on Montagne de la Cour — a 1899 Art Nouveau department store of iron and glass, all scrollwork and bay windows, designed by Paul Saintenoy. The collection runs to more than 7,000 instruments, from prehistoric bone flutes to electronic synthesisers, with particular strengths in Belgian and European folk instruments and non-Western traditions.
The museum provides headphones as you walk in: as you approach each exhibit, the audio automatically plays a recording of that instrument. The effect is atmospheric and makes a museum that could be dry into one that stays with you. The rooftop café has one of the better views over the Upper Town and, on a clear day, towards Laeken. Allow two hours minimum; the serious enthusiast will want a full afternoon.