Rubenshuis Museum
Former home and museum of painter Peter Paul Rubens
In Antwerp, the Rubenshuis preserves Peter Paul Rubens' 17th-century home and studio; visitors study his paintings, period interiors and the courtyard garden, and see rotating exhibitions on Flemish Baroque art.
Rubenshuis at a Glance#
Address: Wapper 9-11, 2000 Antwerpen, Belgium
Website: https://www.rubenshuis.be
Hours: Tue-Sun 10:00am-5:00pm, closed Mondays
Admission: €12 adult, reduced rates for students/children; combination tickets may be available
About Rubenshuis#
Rubenshuis is the historic home and studio of the Baroque painter Peter Paul Rubens, located in central Antwerp, Belgium. The site was Rubens’ residence and principal workshop during the early 17th century.
Rubens acquired adjoining townhouses in Antwerp around 1610 and converted them into a palatial residence and working studio that supported an active international workshop. After Rubens’ death in 1640 the property changed hands over centuries and was later restored and opened as a museum to present his life and work.
The museum sits in Antwerp’s historic centre, within walking distance of the city museum district and other cultural sites.
- Rubens’ residence: Serves as the preserved home and studio of Peter Paul Rubens, who lived and worked there from about 1610 until his death in 1640.
What to See#
- Living quarters and reception rooms: The former artist’s living quarters and reception rooms reassembled and presented to illustrate 17th-century domestic and studio life in Antwerp.
- Studio (atelier): The large ground-floor studio space where Rubens painted and received patrons, presented with period furnishings and reproductions of working surfaces.
- Garden: A small enclosed garden restored to reflect the early 17th-century layout that adjoined Rubens’ house, used historically for study and private leisure.
How to Get to Rubenshuis#
Rubenshuis is in Antwerp’s city centre, a 10-15 minute walk from Antwerpen-Centraal train station. Tram lines 4 and 7 stop near the Meir shopping street; Wapper is a short walk from there.
Tips for Visiting Rubenshuis#
- Audio guides include commentary about studio layout and how Rubens used his house as a workshop - use one to understand the rooms.
- Visit midweek morning to see the collection with fewer school groups.
- Don't miss the small courtyard garden - Rubens kept plants he painted.
Best Time to Visit Rubenshuis#
Open year-round; avoid Monday afternoons when many Antwerp museums are closed for staffing or maintenance.
Weather & Climate near Rubenshuis#
Rubenshuis's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 1°C to 23°C. Moderate rainfall (819 mm/year), distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | 1° - 6° | 0° | 67 mm | overcast | 93% | 4.7 m/s | 0.0 low | 8.2h |
| February | Poor | 1° - 7° | 0° | 53 mm | overcast | 89% | 4.3 m/s | 0.1 low | 9.8h |
| March | Acceptable | 3° - 10° | 4° | 67 mm | partly cloudy | 84% | 4.4 m/s | 0.4 low | 11.7h |
| April | Good | 5° - 14° | 7° | 51 mm | partly cloudy | 79% | 4.0 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 13.7h |
| May | Good | 9° - 19° | 14° | 64 mm | partly cloudy | 77% | 3.8 m/s | 1.1 high | 15.4h |
| June | Good | 12° - 21° | 16° | 77 mm | overcast | 76% | 3.6 m/s | 1.4 high | 16.3h |
| July | Very Good | 14° - 23° | 19° | 73 mm | partly cloudy | 75% | 3.5 m/s | 1.3 high | 15.9h |
| August | Very Good | 13° - 23° | 18° | 61 mm | partly cloudy | 77% | 3.3 m/s | 1.1 high | 14.4h |
| September | Good | 11° - 20° | 15° | 75 mm | partly cloudy | 79% | 3.5 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 12.5h |
| October | Acceptable | 7° - 15° | 11° | 75 mm | overcast | 85% | 3.8 m/s | 0.3 low | 10.5h |
| November | Acceptable | 4° - 10° | 4° | 80 mm | overcast | 91% | 4.1 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.7h |
| December | Poor | 2° - 7° | 1° | 76 mm | overcast | 94% | 4.5 m/s | 0.0 low | 7.7h |
