The Royal Greenhouses of Laeken: A Hidden Gem in Brussels’ Crown
In the late 1800s, King Leopold II of Belgium decided to build a state-of-the-art greenhouse on the grounds of the Royal Palace of Laeken in Brussels. King Leopold II was a brutish man who left a legacy of violence and appalling human rights abuses in his wake. The only hint of softness that King Leopold II ever displayed was his love of Art Nouveau architecture and rare tropical plants.
King Leopold II enlisted architect Alphonse Balat to build a towering series of interconnected greenhouses known as the Royal Greenhouses of Laeken, designed to house tropical and subtropical plants. The greenhouses were made almost entirely out of metal and glass—a rare combination of building materials at the turn of the century. Balat fashioned luminous glass domes to serve as a stunning backdrop for some of the loveliest plants in existence.
Photo by depositphotos.com
Some of the highlights of King Leopold II’s sprawling garden include an explosion of camellias, a grove of orange trees, and a room full of delicate orchids. The greenhouses include several indoor streams and waterfalls. Numerous statues peek out from behind the greenery, including a collection of miniature dinosaurs. Each greenhouse has a distinct name. The Congo Greenhouse, the Winter Garden, and the Diana Greenhouse are some of the most iconic greenhouses.
The Royal Greenhouses of Laeken are open to the public for approximately three weeks every year. From mid-April to early May, visitors can walk among luscious ferns, stately palm trees, and rare tropical plants with vibrant blooms. Prepare to see pink flowers with purple centers, crimson amaryllis blooms, and star-shaped petals that look as though they belong in an enchanted garden. There is even a small cafe where you can enjoy a cup of tea.
One of the grand highlights of Leopold II’s garden is located outside the greenhouses. An ornate Japanese tower surrounded by a placid pond and delicate pink cherry blossoms is a crowd favorite. Visitors can experience the serenity of a Japanese garden a few short miles from the bustling city center of Brussels.
If you’re a plant lover, booking a trip to Brussels just to visit the Royal Greenhouses of Laeken should top your travel list. The Royal Greenhouses of Laeken allow you the opportunity to view a rare collection of whimsical plants, trees, and flowers that will inspire you to up your gardening game and surround yourself with exotic plants.
Address:
4858 Avenue du Parc Royal
Brussels, 1020
Belgium
UnusualPlaces Field Notes
- Location
- Royal Greenhouses of Laeken public-entrance area, Brussels, Belgium
- Coordinates
- 50.8891169, 4.3570874
- Access
- The 2026 public season has ended and all 2026 tickets sold out. The Belgian Monarchy says exact 2027 dates will be announced in early 2027. Public entry is only during the ticketed seasonal opening; the City of Brussels says tickets cannot be bought at the gate.
- Admission
- The 2026 ticket was €7; children 12 and under were free but still needed a reserved ticket. All 2026 tickets sold out. The 2027 price and booking window have not yet been announced.
- Time needed
- The official 2026 visitor routes were about 2 km (short) or 3 km (long); evening visits used the short route. The operator publishes route lengths, not a standard total visit duration. Future routes may differ.
- Best season
- Spring, when the annual public opening traditionally takes place for about three weeks. The 2026 season (April 17–May 10) has ended; the 2027 dates are not yet published.
- Opening hours
- Not open to the public year-round. The 2026 ticketed period ran April 17–May 10 and has ended. Exact 2027 dates will be announced in early 2027; the next daily schedule is not yet published.
- Location checked
- 2026-10-23
- Facts checked
- 2026-10-23
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