Overview
Cinquantenaire Park was created in 1880 to celebrate Belgium's 50th anniversary of independence. A grand triumphal arch (Arcades du Cinquantenaire) stands at its centre. The park houses the Royal Museum of the Armed Forces, Autoworld (a classic car museum), and the Jubilee Museum of Art and History — enough to fill a day. The wide lawns are always lively with picnickers and joggers, and the triumphal arch viewing platform offers a panorama of the Brussels skyline. Park free; museum admission varies. 3-minute walk from Metro 1/5 Mérode station.
Opening Hours
Park: 06:00-22:00. Museums: typically 10:00-17:00.
Travel Tips
The triumphal arch viewpoint is free and offers views of Brussels's EU quarter. On nice days, pack a picnic lunch and relax on the lawn.
Hotels near Cinquantenaire Park
Hotels and guesthouses in Brussels, Cinquantenaire, Brussels
Other attractions in Brussels
Grand Place
A UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most beautiful squares in Europe.
Manneken Pis
Brussels's iconic small bronze statue, dressed in a variety of costumes.
Atomium
An iconic structure shaped like an atomic crystal, built for the 1958 World Expo.
Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium
A museum complex housing masterpieces by Belgian masters including Bruegel, Rubens, and Magritte.
Place du Grand Sablon
An elegant Brussels square lined with upscale chocolate shops and antique stores.
Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert
Europe's first glass-roofed shopping arcade, opened in 1847.
Belgian Beer World
A Belgian beer culture experience housed in the former Stock Exchange building on the Grand Place.