Royal Greenhouses of Laeken

Leopold II had the greenhouses built at Laeken between 1874 and 1895 to designs by Alphonse Balat, who was Victor Horta's teacher, and they form a linked complex of iron and glass pavilions, domes and galleries covering about two and a half hectares, connected by long glazed corridors so the whole thing can be walked under cover. Inside are camellias planted in the 1880s, palms, azaleas, orange trees, ferns and a great deal of nineteenth-century planting kept in continuity. They are part of the working royal estate and are open to the public for about three weeks a year in late April and early May, timed for the azaleas and camellias, which is the only chance to see them and which draws long queues.

What you actually see

• Balat's iron and glass pavilions - domes and galleries linked by glazed corridors.
• Camellias planted in the 1880s - original plantings still growing.
• The Winter Garden dome - the largest of the linked structures.
• Azaleas in flower - the display the opening period is timed for.

When to go

Late April to early May only, for about three weeks, which is the sole opening period each year and the dates change; check well ahead. Two hours. Evenings are sometimes included and are less crowded.

Honest expectations

Three weeks a year is the whole opportunity and queues are long, sometimes over an hour. The route is one-way and moves steadily, so lingering is limited. It rains often in Brussels in spring and the queue is outdoors. Booking is not always possible.

Nearby

The Atomium and Mini-Europe are nearby; Laeken church and the royal park are adjacent.