Heritage Days 2026 in Brussels: 9 places not to be missed

Updated on September 6, 2026 by Pierre

We say it every year, and every year it's even more true: booking at the last minute for Heritage Days means condemning yourself to visiting what's left. This year, bookings only open on September 8th, so we have two days to prepare, no more. So it's best to know where you want to go already.

The 38th edition of Heritage Days takes place on the weekend of September 19th and 20th, 2026, under the theme "Our Landscape, Our Heritage." More than 270 activities are planned across 19 municipalities, including buildings that only open once a year, guided walks, and gardens we pass by every day without ever entering. We've done the research for you.

🏰 The long-awaited return of the Halle Gate

Closed to the public since 2025 for extensive restoration, the Porte de Hal is reopening its upper levels for these Heritage Days. It is the only remaining vestige of the medieval ramparts still standing in Brussels, with its neo-Gothic walkway added in the 19th century by the architect Henri Beyaert. The guided tour ends on this walkway, offering a panoramic view of the city from the Saint-Gilles hill to the Atomium.

Please note, this is only on Sundays, with departures every 30 to 45 minutes between 11:00 and 15:30 (alternating between French, Dutch, and English), and reservations are made through the Royal Museums of Art and History ticket office, not via the general Heritage Days portal . Boulevard du Midi 150, 1000 Brussels.

🕳️ Beneath the Place Royale, the Brussels that has disappeared

Even if you're familiar with the Coudenberg site , the sensation of walking beneath the Place Royale in the cellars of the Palace of the Dukes of Brabant never fades. This year, access to Rue Isabelle is once again available; this street, which once connected the palace to the Collegiate Church of St. Gudula, allows you to almost reach the Place Royale and the Palace of Fine Arts on foot, underground.

Open both days from 10:30 am to 17:30 pm, with fixed time slots every hour and a half. Reservations required. Place Royale 10, 1000 Brussels.

🖼️ The Royal Bach Ice Rink, Saturdays only

A former roller skating rink dating back to 1877, it became one of the city's most beautiful contemporary art galleries in 2015, with its Polonceau timber frame that's a must-see. We have a soft spot for this place and already recommend it regularly, but the Heritage Days opening allows you to go in without having to worry about the current exhibition.

Saturdays only, from 11am to 13pm and then from 14pm to 18pm, no reservation required. 15 Rue Veydt, 1060 Saint-Gilles.

🌿 The Art Deco garden of the Van Buuren Museum

We know the house, less often the garden that surrounds it. Designed by Jules Buyssens and then completed by René Pechère with its famous labyrinth inspired by the Song of Songs, it is one of the most elaborate gardens in the capital, and access is free for the occasion (the interior of the house is not included).

Saturday from 13 p.m. to 18 p.m., Sunday from 10 a.m. to 18 p.m., no reservation required. Avenue Léo Errera 41, 1180 Uccle.

(to be verified before publication: heritagedays.urban.brussels/fr/programme/uccle/jardins-du-musee-van-buuren )

🗿 In Masonic temples, once a year

This is the kind of door that never opens any other way. Four of Brussels' oldest Masonic temples, active since 1909, can be visited with specialized guides, including one of the largest temples in continental Europe, with its rather spectacular Egyptian-inspired architecture. Groups form at the entrance according to language, as soon as there are at least five people, so be prepared to wait a little.

Sunday only, from 10am to 18pm, no reservation required but bags will be searched at the entrance. Rue de Laeken 79, 1000 Brussels.

🦅 A falconry museum right in the city center

We admit it, we weren't familiar with this one. Located on Rue de Flandre, this museum dedicated to falconry, recognized as intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO, recounts the history of this practice in Brussels since the time of the Spanish Netherlands. Falcons have never really left the city, in fact: they can still be found today on the tower of the Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula.

Both days, from 9am to 17pm, no reservation required. Rue de Flandre 31, 1000 Brussels.

🏢 View of the European Quarter from a Brutalist building

Less well-known than the Berlaymont, the ARLON 53 building is a fine example of Brutalist architecture, completed in 1968 and designed by Jean Verschure. The tour ends on the rooftop terrace, offering a view that vividly illustrates the transformation of the neighborhood from a former residential area to an office district.

Sunday only, four departures between 10am and 15:15pm, reservation required. Rue d'Arlon 53, 1040 Brussels.

🏭 The Godin Familistère, the social utopia of Laeken

Just steps from the canal, this residential complex, built in the late 19th century by Jean-Baptiste Godin (the founder of the stoves bearing his name), already offered running water and toilets on every floor to 75 working-class families—a level of comfort not yet available at the nearby Royal Palace of Laeken. The Espace Godin, less than a two-minute walk away, complements the visit with photos and archives on the factory's history.

Both days, from 10am to 17pm, no reservation required. Quai des Usines 155, 1000 Brussels.

🌳 A walk in the Sonian Forest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site

To gain a different perspective, join a guided walk in the Sonian Forest, on the outskirts of the city, with the Friends of the Sonian Forest . This is an opportunity to understand what makes this forest so special, and the challenges facing its preservation.

Sunday from 10am to 12pm, departure from the terminus of tram 8 (Place Léopold Wiener), arrival at the Adeps centre, Chaussée de Wavre 2057, 1160 Auderghem. Booking required.

How to organize yourself for the weekend

Reservations open on September 8, 2026, at heritagedays.urban.brussels, and not before, except for Porte de Hal, which uses its own ticketing system. Venues requiring reservations sell out quickly, sometimes within hours, so keep an eye on the website as soon as it opens if one of the above time slots appeals to you. The full program and interactive map of all venues are already online.

One small but important detail: Sunday, September 20th is Car-Free Sunday. Traffic is prohibited in the Brussels Region from 9:30 am to 7:00 pm, so plan to use public transport, cycle, or walk that day. An information point will also be set up at Mont des Arts 20, open both days from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, for any questions you may have.

FAQ

Do you have to pay to participate in Heritage Days? No, the entire program is free, including places that require a reservation.

Can we book now? Not yet. Bookings open on September 8, 2026 on the official website heritagedays.urban.brussels.

What if a place is full? Many sites, such as the falconry museum, the Van Buuren museum gardens or the Godin Familistère, can be visited freely without reservation, which remains the best alternative.

How to get around on Sunday? By public transport, by bike or on foot. Sunday, September 20th is a car-free Sunday; traffic is prohibited in the Brussels Region from 9:30 am to 19 pm.