Royal Greenhouses of Laeken (Serres Royales de Laeken), Brussels: How to Visit and What to Do Nearby

Royal Greenhouses of Laeken sit in the grounds of the Belgian royal residence in northern Brussels, designed by Alphonse Balat and built between 1874 and 1895 under King Leopold II. The complex comprises roughly 2.5 hectares of interconnected iron-and-glass pavilions, including a 25-meter-high domed Winter Garden and a long gallery housing mature palm and orange trees. The greenhouses are open to the public for only about three weeks each year, typically from mid-April to early May, when the azaleas and camellias are at peak bloom. During the rest of the year, the complex is closed to visitors. is just one of many options in Brussels. Major attractions worth considering include Atomium, Brussels Town Hall (Hotel de Ville), and Cantillon Brewery.