Public opening of Royal Greenhouses in Laeken: Tickets on sale from 20 March

The splendid greenhouses of the Royal château in Laeken open to the public this year from 17 April to 10 May.

For the 2026 edition, tickets go on sale on 20 March at 13.00. As an indicator of the high demand, some140,000 tickets were sold in a day and a half last year.

It is a tradition dating back a century that thousands of varieties of plants and trees go on display at the heritage site in the spring.

They include rare species from the collection of King Leopold II, who commissioned the classical-style greenhouses and winter garden that were designed by illustrious Belgian architect Alphonse Balat in 1873.

He also designed many a royal residence and the impressive staircase in the throne room of the royal palace. Balat, who was one of Victor Hugo’s tutors, preferred simple, harmonious lines in his architecture, despite the ornamentation that was prevalent at this time.

As for the botanical experience, visitors can admire around 600 species of plants, trees and blooms that fill 36 pavilions and greenhouses spread across 1.5 hectares of the 187-hectare Laeken estate.

Greenhouses include the Palm House, the Azalea House and the Geranium Gallery, as well as the Orangery. Each one offers different scenery to create a diverse natural world tour. There is a choice of two routes: 2km and 3km. The opening is staged of course during the peak flowering season.

Photos: ©Belga/Royal Palace ©Karin Borghouts