Huis van Alijn

i loved it! I grew up here and watching the exhebitions, so its amazing. They have changed a bit, but for the better. There is a lot of interactive things to do, such as smelling and watching photos and holding stuff when permitted. Its very nice for younger kids or as a family trip!

‘September 2025: didn't go in the museum, just enjoyed a beer in the open courtyard. Products, food and beer bought from the shop are non-profit. Sales going to the museum. Well worth a visit. Very cheap. I had a Gentse Gruut Blonde 5.5% and a Drogan Worst (air dried sausage). The Gruut Blonde is made with herbs added. Quite a peculiar taste!’ Thanks for the tip. I also got the same beer. Very tasty. Started to feel drunk on an empty stomach so we ordered the sausage - it comes with mustard - and a champignon soup. Nice cosy cafe at the rear of the courtyard with nice old grandma serving 🙂

We had a brilliant time at the museum. It is hard to pinpoint what the focus is, a museum of life? A museum of time? Hard to explain but so brilliantly done at the same time. We spent a good two hours roaming through the rooms and we were the last people there at closing time, yet didn’t feel rushed out the door. There was also a Fairground/Circus exhibition on at the time of visit which was also brilliant. Slight note that although there are English translations on written signs, all audio seems to be in Flemish so it was the only inaccessible bit for us.

Very nice museum with incredibly low entry fees for such a good experience. Very interactive, with smells, buttons.. Would definitely recommend if you’re passing by

I was more interested in the history of the building and the story behind the name. Took some great photos in the courtyard. The Museum however was disappointing but I think Belgian families would really enjoy it more than tourists from abroad. The theme of the museum is about Belgian life through the ages. I would have taken more time but the piercing screams of kids running around made me want to leave fast.

September 2025: didn't go in the museum, just enjoyed a beer in the open courtyard. Products, food and beer bought from the shop are non-profit. Sales going to the museum. Well worth a visit. Very cheap. I had a Gentse Gruut Blonde 5.5% and a Drogan Worst (air dried sausage). The Gruut Blonde is made with herbs added. Quite a peculiar taste!

Huis van Alijn in Gent is a delightful treasure trove of nostalgia and cultural richness. This museum beautifully captures the essence of everyday life through its immersive exhibits, showcasing the evolution of Belgian traditions over the years. From vintage artifacts to interactive displays, each corner tells a unique story. The staff's passion for preserving cultural heritage is evident, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Tourists will appreciate the multilingual guides and informative displays that provide insights into the charming history of Gent. Situated in the heart of the city, Huis van Alijn is easily accessible and complements a day of exploring the picturesque streets of Gent. For an authentic Belgian experience, don't miss this hidden gem. It's a perfect blend of history, nostalgia, and genuine hospitality, making it a must-visit destination for tourists seeking a deeper connection with local traditions.

Nice museum about everyday life in the 90s. The museum is quite small so a visit will not take more than two hours. I really like that you can get a headset and listen to videos and music on the way. Most videos are in Dutch. Worth visiting if you are in Ghent.

This is truly a not to be missed museum experience. As many of you who follow me know I primarily write food reviews yet on occasion something strikes me as specials and very worthy of a review. This is one of those things. In a former alms house next to a church this museum is in two parts around a courtyard with tables and a cafe. The first part of the exhibit was on the world famous "fun fairs" of Europe, Belgium in particular. These are traveling amusement activities that entail everything from rides, side shows, puppet shows, oddities, tarot card readers, etc. These are now UNESCO protected. The exhibits throughout are interactive and quite entertaining. The second portion, across the courtyard is a series of rooms, marked by the twelve months of the year, showing everyday life and accessories of 20th century Belgium. It is so well done and interesring and really captures daily living, events and traditions through this period of time. What I found fascinating is how much it paralleled life in the US with a few exceptions. For example they didn't have Halloween until recently. Christmas gifts were opened on Dec.6 brought by St. Nicholas, not Santa Claus (who comes later) and rituals around marriage and death. It's obvious a lot of our traditions in the US were carryover from European immigrants. It was also great to see the similarities of life in the 70s, 80s and 90s when the differences in the world got smaller and fewer. A great exhibit and museum that culturally makes a lot of sense and very educational.

Found this place by accident. If you ever wondered what it was like to visit a crazy uncle that collected random things from the 60-80's, this is worth a visit. Each room themed with old school toys and machines.