🇧🇪 Brussels

Royal Palace

Must-See ★ 4.5 · 7k reviews

Photo: Image by Martin Falbisoner, CC BY-SA 3.0

The Royal Palace of Brussels is the official palace of the King and Queen of the Belgians in the centre of the nation's capital Brussels. However, it is not used as a royal residence, as the king and his family live in the Royal Palace of Laeken on the outskirts of Brussels. As often mentioned it has a facade 50% longer than that of Buckingham Palace but its floor area of 33,027 m2 is less than half of Buckingham Palace's floor area (77,000 m2)

Visitor Info

Rating ★ 4.5 6,500 reviews

Visit Time ~45 min

Best Time Summer opening or exterior at dusk

Insider Tips

· Check opening dates because the interior is seasonal
· Even when closed, the exterior is worth a quick detour from the park

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does the King of Belgium live in the Royal Palace? ▾

No — the Royal Palace is the King's official workplace for state functions and audiences, but the royal family lives at the Royal Palace of Laeken on the outskirts of Brussels.

When was the current palace facade built? ▾

The neo-classical facade was redesigned and enlarged under King Albert I between 1904 and 1912, giving the palace its current grand appearance facing the park.

What is the most unusual thing inside? ▾

The ceiling of the Mirror Room is lined with the iridescent shells of 1.4 million jewel beetles (Buprestis aurulenta), installed by Belgian artist Jan Fabre in 2002 — a striking and controversial piece.

Is the Changing of the Guard worth watching? ▾

A guard ceremony takes place daily; the most elaborate version with full military band occurs on summer Sundays and Belgian national holidays, typically at 11 AM.