After four years of silence behind scaffolding and construction barriers, the Royal Palace in Brussels is welcoming visitors once more. Starting July 3, 2026, you can finally step inside one of Belgium's most commanding buildings to discover why this place has captivated locals and travelers since the Summer opening tradition began in 1965.
The closure from 2022 onwards was necessary. Extensive renovation work on the facade and windows meant the building was essentially off limits. Those hungry for a glimpse of the interior had to settle for a virtual tour online. But now, the real thing is back, and King Filip and Queen Mathilde themselves attended the reopening to see what visitors would experience.
What You'll Actually See Inside
Forget dusty throne rooms and roped-off furniture. The Palace is staging four major exhibitions alongside its permanent galleries. Louise d'Orléans' journey to queenship gets examined through art and artifacts. There's also "Music, Sound and Imagination," a collection of dream machines, and a fascinating exploration of the Palace itself as a memory palace. These rotate displays keep the experience fresh.
But the real stars are the state rooms. The Empire Room, housed in the Palace's oldest section, hosted everything from concerts to court balls. Its centerpiece is a Kerman rug gifted to King Leopold II by the Persian Shah in 1900. The Throne Room commands attention with its Auguste Rodin sculptures and gilded oak floors. Then there's the Mirror Room, where Belgian artist Jan Fabre did something truly wild in 2002. His ceiling and chandelier installation "Heaven of Delight" incorporates nearly 1.5 million jewel beetles. Yes, actual beetles. Pressed into resin. The visual impact is somewhere between stunning and unsettling.
How to Actually Get In
Tickets are no longer free, a shift driven by budget constraints within Belgian Science Policy. Adults pay 10 euros per person, while children under 13 enter free (though they still need a reserved time slot). Book your visit through the official Palace website well in advance, especially if you're traveling during peak season.
The 2026 opening runs from July 3 through August 16, which is earlier than usual. A state visit from Denmark's royal couple in September requires preparation time, so the Palace closes ahead of schedule. Mark your calendar carefully: the Palace is shut on July 15, 16, 20, and 21.
Planning Your Visit
This is not a quickie tourist stop. Budget at least two hours to move through the rooms without rushing. The exhibitions add another hour if you're genuinely interested in the stories behind the objects. The garden is also included with admission, offering a rare chance to see the grounds where Belgian royalty actually walks.
If you're building a Brussels itinerary, pair this with nearby attractions outside the city for a fuller Belgian experience. Or if you're focused on Brussels proper, the reopened Palace fills a major gap in the city's cultural calendar. For those curious about how European travel is evolving, Brussels is transforming how it serves travelers, making independent research and online booking more essential than ever.
The Royal Palace reopening feels like a bigger moment than typical museum news. It's a building that's been central to Belgium's identity for centuries, and now it's accessible again. Four years is a long time to keep such a landmark locked away. Make the most of it while you can.
