The Royal Palace in Brussels

I almost didn’t go see the Royal Palace in Brussels. It’s not one of those places that gets talked about the same way as Grand Place, and when you’re walking through the city, it’s a little out of the way compared to everything else. But I’m really glad we went. It feels different than the rest of Brussels. When you walk up to it, the first thing you notice is how open everything feels. You’re not squeezed between buildings or crowds.

The palace sits right across from a large park, and there’s space to actually step back and take it in. It’s very symmetrical, very classic… but not over the top. Just elegant in a quiet way. After being in the busy parts of Brussels, it felt like a breath of fresh air. The “official” palace. This part was interesting to me. This is the official palace of the King of Belgium, and it’s where state events, ceremonies, and formal meetings take place. But it’s not where the royal family actually lives day to day. They live just outside the city, so this palace is really used more for official purposes than everyday life. Once I realized that, it made the whole place feel a little different. More like a working space than a home.

A little bit of history

The palace you see today was built in the 1800s after Belgium became an independent country. It was designed to reflect the new monarchy, which is probably why it feels more refined than dramatic, elegant, but not overwhelming. We didn’t go inside (and that was fine). The inside is only open during part of the summer, and we were visiting in December, so it was closed. But honestly, I didn’t feel like I missed out. Just seeing it from the outside, walking the area, and crossing through the park across the street was enough. It’s one of those places that’s more about the setting and the feeling than checking something off a list.