National Basilica of the Sacred Heart
National Basilica of the Sacred Heart
4
Points of Interest & LandmarksLookoutsObservation Decks & TowersReligious SitesChurches & Cathedrals
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
anked fifth among the world's largest churches, the National Basilica stands as a magnificent Art Deco monument, offering breathtaking panoramic views. This summer, from June 15 to August 18, 2024, the Basilica proudly hosts an extraordinary immersive exhibition by renowned Bulgarian artist and iconographer Dian Kostov : Crossroads, The Price of Choice. Experience "Crossroads," a unique showcase that transforms the Basilica inside and out with custom installations and modern icon paintings. This collaboration invites visitors on a contemplative journey, merging traditional artistry with contemporary vision. Don’t miss this opportunity to witness Kostov’s unparalleled work in a setting that enhances its beauty and significance. Plan your visit and immerse yourself in this one-of-a-kind artistic experience at the National Basilica.
Duration: 2-3 hours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
838 reviews
Excellent
334
Very good
334
Average
120
Poor
32
Terrible
18
Paul Legate
United Kingdom21,893 contributions
Sept 2019 • Solo
The Basilica of the Sacred Heart is an impressive building on Koekelberg Hill. The basilica is in art deco style and is as impressive inside as it is externally, the enormity of the place is immediately apparent. There are many attractions within the Basilica to be seen which costs 6€ including various exhibits and entry to the panoramic terrace but definitely worth the extra expense. I decided to walk up to the terrace which was worth the effort as the views of the city and beyond were truly spectacular, I had an easier journey back down to ground level as I took the lift back down. In the 30 plus years I have been visiting Brussels I have never visited Basilica of the Sacred Heart which really is a shame because it is an amazing building and although slightly away from Central Brussels it is well worth exploring.
Written 14 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Leonhkny
Hong Kong, China20,996 contributions
Jun 2023
The first sight of the National Basilica must be impressive for most visitors. It is one of the largest churches in the world and can be seen from the end of Parc Elisabeth. Given its sheer size, the basilica has a surprisingly simple, almost austere interior. It is out of tourist area and thus remains serene and peaceful. Metro line 6 connects it with downtown Brussels.
Written 13 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HenriMeunier
Florianopolis, SC5 contributions
Oct 2012
Let's put it straight: this is not a church for moron tourists who expect every religious building to be more or less the same as all the others. This basilica is realy different. It is huge of course, yes (the biggest Art Déco Monument and the fith biggest church in the world). But inside, the architect has managed to create a rather intimate space and you can pass many hours to enjoy the perspectives and all details which make this building so special. In my opinion a far more homogenous and interesting example of an imposant 20th century church than the helplessly overrated Sagrada Familia in Barcelona. Forget what you think to know about churches and discover this architectural masterpiece! It is a must do when you visit Brussels, unless you just want to see the usual city-stuff.
Written 18 October 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Giles C
London, UK20 contributions
Oct 2019
Free entry and only 6 Euros to go up to the dome, when we were there we were the only ones so enjoyed the views in peace. Church is not that old but still have the appropriate ambiance. The stained glass windows are beautiful.
Written 28 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
photovagabond
Cary, IL157 contributions
Apr 2019 • Solo
Beautiful art deco cathedral - worth the trip to go see - incredible architecture and a fixture on the skyline of Brussels.
Written 19 April 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ronny V
Amstelveen, The Netherlands46 contributions
Apr 2012 • Friends
Larger than that other magnificent art deco structure in the southern hemisphere, the statue of Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro. This church must be the largest art deco church in the world. And of course it took also a few decades to build it entirely. Visitors who know nothing about art deco don't like this basilica. People who know only a little bit about 20th century architecture like this masterpiece by Ghent architect Albert Van Huffel. Everything started with some megalomaniac plans by King Leopold II fur a church à la Sacre-Coeur in Montmartre (Paris). The king died, World War I broke out, so it all got pretty delayed. In the roaring twenties, art deco became popular. So, they decided to make it more fashionable and went completely for an art deco reinterpretation of the classical western cathedrals. For that decision we may be cardinal Mercier very grateful. The building is entirely of concrete, and inside they used lost formwork in the shape of huge ceramic hollow bricks, filled up with concrete. The result was a marvel (but outdated, when finally completed in the sixties ;-)
No wonder, Albert Van Huffel won the great architecture prize at the 'Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes' in Paris. Not to be missed inside are the eight stained glass windows representing the life of Jesus by Belgian painter Anto Carte.
Now the basilica is a true landmark on the Brussels skyline, with a fantastic view on it from one of its towers.
So if you like other famous art deco marvels like the statue of Christ The Redeemer in Rio, the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco or the Empire State Building and the Chrysler Building in New York, then you should add the Basilica of Koekelberg to your To-Do list too.
No wonder, Albert Van Huffel won the great architecture prize at the 'Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes' in Paris. Not to be missed inside are the eight stained glass windows representing the life of Jesus by Belgian painter Anto Carte.
Now the basilica is a true landmark on the Brussels skyline, with a fantastic view on it from one of its towers.
So if you like other famous art deco marvels like the statue of Christ The Redeemer in Rio, the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco or the Empire State Building and the Chrysler Building in New York, then you should add the Basilica of Koekelberg to your To-Do list too.
Written 7 July 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your in-depth review! We hope other visitors follow your advice and add us to their to-do list : )
Cedric
Written 23 July 2012
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
grape53
Oklahoma19 contributions
My experience with cathedrals is limited, but this one is decidedly mind-boggling. The largest Art Deco church in he world, the Basilica of the Sacred Heart is an astonishing work of art. Located a few miles outside of Brussel, it is a subway ride and a decent walk through a park, but it is worth the trouble. The stained-glass windows are the most beautiful I've ever seen. The building is an amazing and lovely achievement. If you have some free time in Belgium, this is an important work you can't miss.
Take line 1A or line 2 of the subway to the Simonis station.
Take line 1A or line 2 of the subway to the Simonis station.
Written 16 October 2009
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Myo M
Coquitlam, Canada26,945 contributions
Oct 2023 • Solo
Quite an "eye-catcher" (one for an "awesome impression" at my first sight of it) is how I would describe this basilica not so much for its structure but mainly for its "surrounding nature" which is a widespread & meticulously-maintained "sloping lawn" (which supposedly is called Koekelberg Hill but really just a "very gentle rise" from the street outside the basilica grounds). And so, just after the "slight glitch" of finding the entrance all the way on the "back side" of the Basilica (after almost assuming it was closed without being able to go in the main door on the front side), I was also once inside fairly impressed by the spaciousness with not one but "two altars" (one at each end of the length of the floor) although yes the basilica overall is just "quite a modest one" in terms of decorations & such except for like colorful stained-glass windows on the walls beside and all the way to the top (some "significant number" of them to see though). And also, with just "free admission" to the Basilica itself, there's a fee (of about 8 euros) to go up one of the two towers (which I skipped after having already seen the city from the top of the Cinquantenaire Arch just the day before).
After about a 20-minute metro ride from the Bourse/Beurs station near the Grote Markt at the "city center" (with also a line change at Rogier) was arriving at the Simonis station right beside the Parc Elisabeth in a long-rectangular shape followed by about a 15-minute "leisure walk" (actually one just for about 5 minutes or so) through the park to the "far end" just across the street from this basilica (with a pretty nice photo-op of the Basilica seen between the two rows of trees and where at the time of my visit in the fall was also an "added charm" of fallen leaves all along the way).
After about a 20-minute metro ride from the Bourse/Beurs station near the Grote Markt at the "city center" (with also a line change at Rogier) was arriving at the Simonis station right beside the Parc Elisabeth in a long-rectangular shape followed by about a 15-minute "leisure walk" (actually one just for about 5 minutes or so) through the park to the "far end" just across the street from this basilica (with a pretty nice photo-op of the Basilica seen between the two rows of trees and where at the time of my visit in the fall was also an "added charm" of fallen leaves all along the way).
Written 12 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Deborah from Indiana
11 contributions
Sept 2019
I love walking and so I walked from the Grand Place area to the Basilica-about 3 miles each way. I took a meandering path through the city to find the Zinneke Pis statue and the Black Tower, then direct to the Basilica and so glad I did. The walk was filled with interesting buildings, statues and canals. Walking along the tree-lined path toward the Basilica is so refreshing. You have to enter from the side-not up the main stairs. There is an office where you purchase the tickets to get to the observation deck. Make sure you watch the weather and go when you can appreciate the 180 degree view of Brussels 174 feet up-there are stairs and an elevator. The Basilica is listed as one the the 5 largest in the world and the largest Art Deco church-worth the effort to get there. Walking back, I went straight down the avenue, past the modern buildings to the Botanical Gardens-quite the experience. There is so much to see and do in Brussels-if you can fit this Basilica in-do it.
Written 4 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Premsteve Martis
Bengaluru, India207 contributions
Nov 2019
Huge basilica, quaint place to spend sometime.
Sunny day is best to enjoy one the panoramic view of the city from atop the terrace
Sunny day is best to enjoy one the panoramic view of the city from atop the terrace
Written 18 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi, I am going to be in Brussels 28-31st ? Will there be any Easter church service?
Written 25 March 2018
BasilicaKoekelberg
Brussels, Belgium
Hi! There's a mass every week day at 9'00 AM (in french on monday, tuesday, thurday ,friday, and saturday in Dutch on wednesday. On sunday, 10'00 (french) and 11'30 (bilingual frenh-dutch)
Written 26 March 2018
Olá! Em Bruxelas eu me hospedei no Hotel Ibis Brussels Ste Catherine.
Written 27 January 2018
Hello, anyone knows if the tourist hop on hop off buses could reach this? Or do I have to take a taxi?
Written 5 November 2017
BasilicaKoekelberg
Brussels, Belgium
Hi Rodella,
There's a touristic bus line passing by, and you can also take the metro (station Simonis/Elizabeth)!
Don't hesitate to send us a mail for any further info: tourism@basilicakoekelberg.be
Written 6 November 2017
Ciao, mi sapete dire se l'entrata è libera o a pagamento? Vale la pena salire per vedere il panorama?
Written 23 July 2017
BasilicaKoekelberg
Brussels, Belgium
Hi,
Access to the upper part of the basilica and panorama costs €5 (accesse to temporary exhibitions and museums). From there, you'll have a 360° view on Brussels and surroundings (up to 30 km when the weather allows it).
Comparatively, Atomium costs €12 for adults and we are a bit higher!
Written 25 July 2017
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