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Completed in 1899, this is a classic example of the innovative iron-and-glass structures produced by Art Nouveau architects. When visiting the MIM, make sure to look at the interior of the museum itself.

Infrared headphones are issued to all ticket holders; as you approach selected exhibits, recordings of those instruments are automatically triggered – which is both pleasurable and informative.

Technology has had a major impact on music in recent decades, from electric amplification to synthesizers and, latterly, computer-generated music. This small collection offers a fascinating snapshot. If you don’t know what an ondes martenot is, here’s your chance to find out.

The ingenuity of instrument-makers is evident in this collection, which includes some outrageously elaborate musical boxes and a carillon – a set of bells used to play tunes.

The MIM runs a strong line in ethnomusicology. This impressive collection includes panpipes, sitars, African harps and drums, gamelan orchestras, and giant Tibetan horns.

Sharing the 2nd floor is the stringed instrument section, including violins of all shapes and sizes, psalteries, dulcimers, harps, lutes and guitars. There is also a reconstruction of a violin-maker’s workshop.

This section charts the evolution of western “art” instruments from antiquity through the Renaissance to the 19th century. The headphone guide shows the evolving complexity of musical sound.

Even if you don’t need refuelling, take the lift up to the 6th floor to admire the view. From here you can see the statue of St Michael glistening on the top of the spire of the Hôtel de Ville in the Grand Place, and far across town to the Basilique Nationale and the Atomium.

This fascinating collection includes pipes, rattles, accordions, hurdy-gurdies and some splendid oddities – chief among them a collection of Belgian glass trumpets.

Star exhibits include harpsichords by the Ruckers family, who worked in Antwerp from the 16th century.