Brussels is the capital of the comic strip, and the Comics Art Museum, formerly the Belgian Comic Strip Center, is where to understand why. It occupies the old Waucquez textile warehouse, an Art Nouveau building by Victor Horta with a grand glass-roofed hall, on Rue des Sables a few minutes from the Grand-Place. The permanent displays cover the invention of the comic strip, the craft of drawing it, and a new survey of a century of Belgian comics, from Hergé's Tintin to Peyo's Smurfs and the many heroes of the Franco-Belgian tradition. Temporary exhibitions change regularly; the autumn 2026 programme includes a major manga show. There is a good shop and a reading library. It is open Tuesday to Sunday.
The building is worth the visit on its own. Horta designed it as a fabric warehouse in the early twentieth century, and its light-filled hall and ironwork are a fine example of Brussels Art Nouveau.
Working the visit: allow ninety minutes. Families should not miss the original drawings and the full-size models of famous characters. Afterward, follow the comic-strip murals painted on walls across the centre, which you can track with a free map from the tourist office.
Practical notes: the museum is closed on Mondays except in summer, and on Christmas Day and New Year's Day. Book on the official site.
What to expect
The experience
A museum of comic art in a Horta-designed Art Nouveau warehouse, with permanent and temporary exhibitions.
Best time
Weekday mornings; weekends are busier with families.
How long
About ninety minutes.
Tips
Pick up a map of the comic-strip murals and walk the route afterward.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Families, Tintin fans and anyone interested in Art Nouveau architecture.
- Families
- One of the best family museums in Brussels, with familiar characters at every turn.
- Couples
- Combine it with a mural walk and lunch in the old centre.
- Pair with
- Grand-Place and the Magritte Museum.
- Time needed
- About ninety minutes.
Good questions
Is this the Belgian Comic Strip Center?+
Yes, it is the same museum in the same Horta building, now called the Comics Art Museum.
When is it open?+
Tuesday to Sunday, with extra Monday openings in summer; it closes on Christmas Day and New Year's Day.
Is Tintin featured?+
Yes, Tintin and many other Belgian comic heroes are part of the permanent displays.
Is it good for children?+
Very, especially for children who know Tintin or the Smurfs.
How long should I allow?+
About ninety minutes, plus time for the shop.