Over 245 museums and cultural hubs across Belgium have grouped together to offer a museum pass that gives visitors year round unlimited entry for a one-off price of just 59 euros.
A year’s pass to the world’s greatest art
Belgium is home to some of the world’s greatest art. The very term “Old Masters” was coined in the region and includes renowned Flemish Primitives, such as Jan Van Eyck, and the epitome of the Baroque Master, Peter Paul Rubens. Belgian artists have played a huge role at the heart of a number of significant artistic movements, from Art Nouveau to the development of Surrealism. And the country is of course, synonymous with comic book art.
Belga news agency points out that one of the bonuses a year-long pass brings is the ability to pop in and out of participating institutions at leisure. “Instead of rushing to see everything in a single day, visitors can take their time,” the outlet says, “knowing they can return whenever they like. The museum pass adds a sense of spontaneity, allowing for impromptu visits such as a quick stop during a lunch break, reducing the pressure to see everything in the museum’s collection.”
A great gift
Purchasable online or in-person from participating venues, the pass gives access to dozens of big name venues such as Brussels’ Bozar and MLeuven, as well as lesser-known gems, such as the Fondation Folon.
With standard entry prices sometimes costing between 10 and 20 euros, the savings soon rack up, making a pass a great gift for both the art-curious and true art lovers, who might even use it to spend extra time with a particularly beloved piece. Quinten Tops, a 21-year-old nursing student from Antwerp told Belga: “My all-time favourite artwork I was able to see with the museumpass was Jean-Michel Basquiat’s Kings of Egypt II that hangs in Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp (KMSKA). Sometimes I visit the museum just to go see that singular piece.”
For those who take up the 59-euro annual pass then, a huge range of treats are in store from museum and gallery visits galore to bargains on merchandise and discounted travel.
What do you get?
The pass includes:
- A full year’s access to all the participating museums and galleries around the country, when you want and as often as you want. See the list and interactive map
- Free or reduced-price access to selected temporary exhibitions
- Additional advantages such as five half-price round-trip Discovery Tickets from NMBS / SNCB Discovery Tickets
- Reductions in museum and gallery gift shops and other exclusive gift offers usually reserved for members and pass holders
What’s more, a fortnightly newsletter will be delivered straight to your inbox, ensuring you stay up-to-date on the latest exhibition info and discoveries to be found across the country’s cultural institutions. A bespoke app allows users to save their favourite “to-do” ideas and get ready for their visit.
