Royal Palace (Palais Royal)
About
The Royal Palace of Brussels, a neoclassical masterpiece, serves as the administrative residence of the Belgian monarch and the centre of state affairs. Situated on Place des Palais, the palace was originally built in the late 18th century and rebuilt to its current form in 1904 under Emperor Leopold II. Visitors can explore richly decorated halls such as the Grand Staircase, Throne Room, Hall of Mirrors, and the opulent Empire Room, which are open to the public on Tuesdays through Sundays from 10:30 am to 5:00 pm. The palace’s State Rooms host grand receptions, while the Grand Staircase leads to the State Rooms, the Marble Room and the Goya Room showcase art and furnishings of the Belgian court. The palace is surrounded by the beautiful Brussels Park and the greenhouses at Laeken, which also welcome visitors in the spring.
Highlights
- Grand Staircase
- Throne Room
- Hall of Mirrors
- Empire Room
- State Rooms
Must-See Areas
Good to Know
Good for
Best time to visit
The palace is most vibrant from June to September, when the gardens are in full bloom and the palace itself is open to the public seven days a week.
At a glance
- Typical visit: about 1 hour 30 minutes