Cities
Belgium Brussels Central Brussels Castle

Castle of Laeken

About

Nestled within the Royal Domain in northern Brussels, the Castle of Laeken is the official residence of the Belgian royal family. Originally built between 1782 and 1784 as the Palace of Schonenberg for the Austrian governors of the Habsburg Netherlands, the neoclassical estate has witnessed centuries of European history. After surviving the French Revolution and a devastating fire in 1890, it was rebuilt and expanded under King Leopold II, who also commissioned the iconic Royal Greenhouses—an architectural marvel still admired today. Though not open to the public, the castle remains a working royal residence and a symbol of Belgium’s monarchy. Its vast parkland, dotted with sculptures and historic pavilions, reflects the grandeur of a bygone era. Each spring, the Royal Greenhouses briefly open their doors, offering a rare glimpse into this secluded world. The Castle of Laeken stands as a living monument to royal tradition, architectural evolution, and the enduring legacy of Belgium’s sovereign past.

Brussels Belgium
Castle of Laeken
Location

The Castle of Laeken, also known as the Royal Castle of Laeken, is located in the Laeken district in the north of Brussels, at Avenue du Parc Royal, 1020 Laeken. Serving as the official residence of the Belgian royal family since 1831, the castle is set within the expansive Royal Domain of Laeken, a lush parkland that covers over 180 hectares and features beautifully landscaped gardens and serene ponds. While the castle itself is not open to the public, the surrounding grounds offer visitors a chance to admire the elegant exterior and enjoy the tranquil green spaces. Nearby, the Royal Greenhouses of Laeken are a major highlight, renowned for their stunning Art Nouveau glass architecture and rare botanical collections, open to the public during select weeks each spring. The area also boasts the Japanese Tower and Chinese Pavilion, part of the Museums of the Far East, as well as the peaceful Parc de Laeken and the Church of Our Lady of Laeken, where members of the royal family are buried. Iconic Brussels attractions such as the Atomium, Mini-Europe, and Train World are within easy reach, making the Castle of Laeken an appealing stop for those exploring the city’s royal heritage and northern districts.

Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium Museum Magritte Museum Magritte Museum Museum Belgian Comic Strip Center Belgian Comic Strip Center Museum Musical Instruments Museum Musical Instruments Museum Museum Autoworld Autoworld Museum BELvue Museum BELvue Museum Museum Train World Train World Museum Museum of the City of Brussels Museum of the City of Brussels Museum Brouwerij Cantillon Brouwerij Cantillon Museum Royal Palace of Brussels Royal Palace of Brussels Palace Palace of the Nation Palace of the Nation Palace La Monnaie La Monnaie Theatre Théâtre Royal du Parc Théâtre Royal du Parc Theatre Royal Flemish Theatre Royal Flemish Theatre Theatre Palais du Coudenberg Palais du Coudenberg Museum Parc de Bruxelles Parc de Bruxelles Park Parc du Cinquantenaire Parc du Cinquantenaire Park Bois de la Cambre Bois de la Cambre Park Botanical Garden of Brussels Botanical Garden of Brussels Botanical Garden Mont des Arts Garden Mont des Arts Garden Park Grand Place Grand Place Square Atomium Atomium Tourist attractions Manneken Pis Manneken Pis Statue Saint Michael and Saint Gudula Cathedral Saint Michael and Saint Gudula Cathedral Cathedral Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert Shopping Centre Place Royale Place Royale Square Statue of Everard t'Serclaes Statue of Everard t'Serclaes Statue Brussels Town Hall Brussels Town Hall Town Hall Fashion & Lace Museum Fashion & Lace Museum Museum Art & History Museum Art & History Museum Museum Old Masters Museum Old Masters Museum Museum Constantin Meunier Museum Constantin Meunier Museum Museum Wiertz Museum Wiertz Museum Museum Design Museum Brussels Design Museum Brussels Museum House of European History House of European History Museum Jewish Museum of Belgium Jewish Museum of Belgium Museum Royal Belgian institute of Natural Sciences Royal Belgian institute of Natural Sciences Museum Brussels Museum of Industry and Labour Brussels Museum of Industry and Labour Museum Erasmus House Erasmus House Museum Museum of Ixelles Museum of Ixelles Museum Van Buuren Museum & Garden Van Buuren Museum & Garden Museum Choco-Story Brussels Choco-Story Brussels Museum Belgian Brewers Museum Belgian Brewers Museum Museum Sewer Museum Sewer Museum Museum Parlamentarium Parlamentarium Museum Royal Observatory of Belgium Royal Observatory of Belgium Observatory MIRA Public Observatory MIRA Public Observatory Observatory Atelier 34zero Muzeum Atelier 34zero Muzeum Gallery Boghossian Foundation Boghossian Foundation Gallery BOZAR BOZAR Cultural Centre Centrale for contemporary art Centrale for contemporary art Gallery Etablissement d’en face Etablissement d’en face Gallery Eté 78 Eté 78 Gallery Fondation A Stichting Fondation A Stichting Museum Fondation CAB Fondation CAB Gallery Galila’s P.O.C. Galila’s P.O.C. Gallery Moonens Foundation Moonens Foundation Gallery n0dine n0dine Gallery Vanhaerents Art Collection Vanhaerents Art Collection Museum La Verrière La Verrière Gallery Wiels Wiels Museum Rodolphe Janssen Rodolphe Janssen Gallery Xavier Hufkens Xavier Hufkens Gallery Mendes Wood DM Mendes Wood DM Gallery Harlan Levey Projects Harlan Levey Projects Gallery Meessen De Clercq Meessen De Clercq Gallery Galerie Greta Meert Galerie Greta Meert Gallery Galerie Nathalie Obadia Galerie Nathalie Obadia Gallery Espace Art Gallery Espace Art Gallery Gallery Galerie d’YS Galerie d’YS Gallery Galerie VidalCuglietta Galerie VidalCuglietta Gallery ZSenne artlab ZSenne artlab Gallery Théâtre National Wallonie-Bruxelles Théâtre National Wallonie-Bruxelles Theatre Théâtre Des Galeries Théâtre Des Galeries Theatre Théâtre de Poche Théâtre de Poche Theatre Théâtre Varia Théâtre Varia Theatre Théâtre Le Public Théâtre Le Public Theatre Théâtre Les Tanneurs Théâtre Les Tanneurs Theatre Théâtre des Martyrs Théâtre des Martyrs Theatre Le 140 Le 140 Theatre