Palais du Coudenberg image

Palais du Coudenberg

Tourist attraction Museum Historical landmark

One of the Most Reviewed Historical landmarks in Brussels


Address

Pl. des Palais 7, 1000 Bruxelles, Belgium

Website

www.coudenberg.brussels

Contact

+32 2 500 45 54

Rating on Google Maps

4.30 (885 reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Saturday: 11 AM to 7 PM
  • Sunday: 11 AM to 7 PM
  • Monday: Closed
  • Tuesday: 9:30 AM to 5 PM
  • Wednesday: 9:30 AM to 5 PM
  • Thursday: 9:30 AM to 5 PM
  • Friday: 9:30 AM to 5 PM

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: visit (13) interesting (10) history (10) free (10) worth (7) palace (7) tour (7) underground (6) museum (6)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 Xueting L. 3 years ago on Google • 133 reviews
    A must-visit in Brussels! Super interesting and impressive to see the kitchen and water waste system of the royals living hundreds of years ago. The history of how the drinking glass was made. The stone technique to make walls. The staircase leading to a garden that you can only picture in your imagination... Audio guides and free WiFi available on your phone so you can listen to the explanations while walking around.
    8 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Bianca W. 1 year ago on Google • 518 reviews
    Fascinating place. The Coudenberg is an old Palace that was lost to fire and later being paved over. The underground building has been excavated and can now be viewed. There's an extensive audio guide, as well as two apps for families and groups with children. It's quite chilly down in the big halls and underground streets, but absolutely worth a visit. Great piece of history.
    6 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Rick J. 6 years ago on Google • 1478 reviews
    If you archaeology interests you then go and have a look at the excavations under Coudenberg Palace and discover the original fortifications underneath the palace that formed part of the original castle. After the tour there is a small museum with the background and history.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Donald G. 1 year ago on Google • 146 reviews
    Amongst the Top-5 Musts when visiting Brussels. Excellent archeological remains of the Coudenberg Palace provide visitors with glimpses into royal life of the 15th and 16th centuries. A very interesting introductory film of about five to ten minutes starts the journey by inviting visitors into the history and landscape of the former palace. Exploration of the subterranean remains of the Chapel and Great Banqueting Hall await. Well-signed in English, French, German, and Nederlands, the information provides wonderful context. A free app that guests access on their phone provides additional information, with a few entries having brief, recorded audio information. Worth a half day for lovers of history and archaeology. I combined my visit with one to the BELvue Museum, aboveground and thoroughly enjoyed it as well.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Mayou P. 2 years ago on Google
    I love these places hidden from the world, there is not much to visit, but the simple pleasure of being in this place, which was once full of life and where the sun alternated with the moon ..... today we can hear the trams passing overhead, I visit this place twice ...
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Robert N. 1 month ago on Google • 524 reviews New
    Interesting place to visit. Unfortunately we didn't have time to take it all in as they kick you out 15 minutes before closing and we got there 1 hour before closing so only had 45 minutes. Make sure you leave at least 1.5 hours to do it properly.

  • 5/5 Brad K. 6 years ago on Google • 73 reviews
    Amazing attraction! Only €5 for students or people under 25. Totally worth it! We spent almost 1.5 hours here and it still wasn't enough. Explore the history of the Royal Palace by walking through the basement of it- an active archaeological site. There is free WiFi throughout the exhibition and a free audioguide that you can access with your phone (or you can rent a device from the reception), as shown in my one photo.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Jack J. 1 year ago on Google • 49 reviews
    I was able to join a private tour through my job, which meant it was free and not very busy. The tour was very engaging and the history of the palace is very interesting. I feel like more could have been done to bring it to life and feel more interactive, but it’s still worth the visit.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Saloni V. 1 year ago on Google
    Couldn’t get in because of time. Even though I had half an hour, they suggested to come next day and see with the museum. But when has that been possible. But looked good in terms of upkeep and maintenance. People were friendly and nice.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Glenn J. 10 months ago on Google
    Stunning, absolutely wonderful experience and glimpse into how structures were built throughout the ages. Very friendly, knowledgeable staff, I would definitely go again
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Laura G. 1 year ago on Google
    Fascinating place, well worth a visit. Audio guide is great.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Footsteps In the S. 4 years ago on Google • 45 reviews
    The English Audio Guide is simply delightful. Funny but informative. The castle is in great condition and walking through it, you can almost imagine what it used to be like.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Dorottya C. 1 year ago on Google • 203 reviews
    It is a unique way to discover the past of the Palais. Remarkable site! Worth a visit!

  • 5/5 Martzschello 2 months ago on Google • 79 reviews New
    Das Museum ist einen Besuch wert wenn man nähere Details zur Geschichte von Brüssel erfahren möchte. Der Audio-Guide lässt sich per QR Code auf das Handy laden. Ich empfehle Kopfhörer sodass man andere Gäste beim Hören nicht stört. Insgesamt ist man nach 1-1.5h durch. Der Museumshop und das Kaffee (teuer) sind gleich beim Ein- bzw. Ausgang.

  • 5/5 Kevin B. 5 months ago on Google • 72 reviews
    Incredibly interesting museum showcasing the buried streets of the old palace. Audio tour was shorter and well recieved at our own pace. It was off-season and quiet making it a sombre experience.

  • 2/5 Jörg T. 7 months ago on Google • 70 reviews
    Wenn ich ein Museum aussuchen müsste, das mir wenig Freude gemacht hat, dann dieses. Die Ausgrabungsreste sind nicht besonders aufregend, aber gut man hat hier nicht mehr. Aber die App mit den Infos hat fast nicht funktioniert und es ist echt umständlich stets das Handy einzuschalten. Beschreibende Tafeln sind dagegen Mangelware.

  • 5/5 Ana - The She A. 3 months ago on Google • 46 reviews New
    Stunning & worth visiting. The pictures don’t do it justice. There is such a big underground space with an entire underground street and old parts of the palace that were preserved. We followed the free audio tour that was helpful & learned so much. We went around mid-day and there was barely anyone in which added to the experience!! Such an underrated attraction!

  • 1/5 Chiew Kheng P. 1 year ago on Google
    €10 wasted . A lot of imagination have to be made by the visitors on what happened to that place. U don’t get to see the actual locations of the old palace , just some sample exhibits

  • 5/5 Lies W. 3 years ago on Google
    Definitely worth a visit to go and see the ruins!

  • 4/5 Vija V. 3 months ago on Google New
    It was interesting but i expected it to be bigger and with more clear explanation. There was no staff member downstairs in the area of excavations.

  • 3/5 Alexandra S. 5 months ago on Google
    It was interesting but it was lacking oxigen in some parts. We started to get dizzy so we decided not to finish the tour we paid for.

  • 4/5 Jemy J. 7 months ago on Google
    Historic excavation site.

  • 5/5 David D. 8 months ago on Google
    A good free museum of the history of Belgium This museum is worth visiting, but is probably best to not spend too much time in, unless you are very interested in the history of Belgium

  • 3/5 Peter s. 10 months ago on Google
    Good for $5 and 45 mins

  • 4/5 sari r. 4 years ago on Google
    Nice and interesting if you have the time.

  • 4/5 Pom P. 2 years ago on Google
    Good conservation place. Enjoy to visit.

  • 5/5 Alessandro T. 1 year ago on Google
    Sensational adventure deep down in the buried old city of Brussels. For you to be aware of this, the visit at Palais du Coudenberg will take you deep underground, visiting ancient remains of a former old avenue above which the city was then rebuild and further developed. The experience is extremely interesting and entertaining, the free audio guide will lead you through all the corridors and rooms of this magnificent place. I really strongly recommend everyone (not claustrophobic) passing by Brussels to invest up to ten euros and a couple of hours to visit this place.

  • 4/5 Fernando N. 3 years ago on Google
    An interesting visit. You'll need a smartphone to access the free audio guide (WiFi included)

  • 5/5 Marwa M. 4 years ago on Google
    Very interesting underground ruins. 7 euros to get in and entry is across the street from the Belvue museum. You get free WiFi!

  • 5/5 Coach M. 2 years ago on Google
    My preschoolers loved it!

  • 5/5 Johan D. 2 years ago on Google
    Treasure hunt for kids is fun. Online audioguide is also good

  • 5/5 Lisa P. 1 year ago on Google
    Excellent archeological site. Great history and the treasure hunt is fun for kids.

  • 4/5 Bart E. 3 years ago on Google
    Interesting audioguide for adults and children can enjoy a discovery tour. Be aware it is quite cold undergrounds

  • 5/5 김신영 2 years ago on Google
    If you are in belgium, you must go

  • 3/5 Rabia U. 2 years ago on Google
    We went there in covid-times and unfortunately the boxes that were there to make it more fun for the kids were closed. But I'm sure in non covid times it would have gotten an extra star 😉 A lot of fun to run around and discover the undergrounds of the palace !


Call +32 2 500 45 54 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible entrance

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