"Visit the World's Largest Royal Greenhouse Each spring, the Belgian Royal family opens their private greenhouse complex to the public, for a short two weeks. It is well worth braving the crowds to visit. This incredible 2.5 hectare structure was built in the late 1800s and its architecture is stunning all on its own. Add in the giant palm trees, rare plants and millions of blooms, and you have a magical, colourful space. Visitors also get a rare look at the palace grounds, including views of the Japanese Tower, not normally available to the public."

"The Chinese pavilion was built on the edge of the Royal Estate at Laeken on the orders of King Leopold II between 1901 and 1910. The wooden paneling on the outside of the Chinese Pavilion and its entry pavilion were sculpted in Shanghai . We went there when all the rhododendron flowers were in bloom and it was very beautiful. Definitely recommended!"

"Underground History at the Former Palace of Brussels Place Royal is a busy spot in Brussels . Tourists queue up for the many museums, office-workers bustle back and forth from their cubicles, cars zip around the roundabout and, trams rumble through the middle. All the while, few know that beneath the hustle and bustle is the once lost palace of Brussels – Coudenberg. You may wonder how a city such as Brussels loses a whole palace, especially as there’s a rather grand one replacing it. It happened over time. Fires, battles and modernity chipped away and all but obliterated the once magnificent structure. It wasn’t until 1986 that road crews, doing work on the roundabout, discovered Coudenberg’s remains. They were preserved and eventually opened to the public. You can visit the archaeological site, walk the old road, and learn about the history of this little known monument in Brussels. It’s fascinating, and a little eerie, to stand under the busy square, in the relative silence of Coudenberg. There is also a museum of artifacts recovered from the site and a hall with temporary exhibitions. Access to the site is via the BELvue Museum, which tells the story of Belgium, where you can purchase combination tickets for the two attractions."

"Visit the Final Resting Place of Belgium's Kings The recently restored church of Our Lady of Laeken is located near the Royal Residence. This ornate cathedral was built by King Leopold I, in memory of his wife, Queen Louise-Marie to honor her wish to be buried in Laeken. The Church was designed by Joseph Poelaert who was also the architect of the (in)famous Law Courts in Brussels . The church’s crypt is the final resting place of many members of the Belgian Royal family and contains the tombs of all of the country’s former kings."

"A Pretty Church with a Royal Connection in Brussels While Brussels Sablon Square is most famous for shopping (especially if you are in the market for Belgian chocolate) it’s well worth visiting the pretty church at the top of the triangle. The Église Notre Dame du Sablon (Church of Our Lady of Sablon) is a late Gothic church with a royal connection. The church is the starting point for the annual Ommegang procession, commemorating the arrival of Charles V in Brussels. Notre Dame de Sablon was built for the Grand Serment Royal et de Saint-Georges des Arbalétriers de Bruxelles, the crossbow guild of Brussels. Inside the church you can see hints of this connection in the stained glass windows, featuring crossbowmen. The crossbow guild’s other connection to Notre Dame de Sablon is seen during their shooting competitions. The most difficult event consists of shooting 36 meters straight up into the air, to hit a tiny metal bird target. The distance is taken from the ground to the top of the steeple of the church, where the target used to be placed."

"Visit the Royal Palace for a Unique Work of Art The Belgian Royal Palace sits proudly in front of Parc Royal in Brussels . You can’t stop by for tea with the royals here unfortunately. They live at the Royal Residence in Laeken. However, you can have a look inside the Royal Palace during the summer months and wander through the rooms where official royal business is conducted. Throughout August, the palace is open to the public and can be visited free of charge. You can see the hall of mirrors (a downscaled version of Versailles) with a very quirky ceiling. The ceiling is actually an artwork, by Jan Fabre, called “Heaven of Delight” and is made up of the shiny wings of 1.4 million Thai jewel beetles and took three months to create."

"A Hidden Gem Museum in Parc Cinquantenaire The Art & history Museum (formerly the Cinquantenaire Museum), located right beside Brussels’ iconic triumphal arch, is one of the best hidden-gem museums of the city. This museum of civilizations is part of the Royal Museums of Art and History. Permanent collections include archaeological artefacts and everyday items from Egypt to South-East Asia, and everywhere in between. Highlights include Egyptian sarcophagi, a mosaic floor from Apamea and one of the famous statues from Easter Island. There is also an impressive collection of Art Deco and Art nouveau items from right here in Belgium."

"An Interactive Look at Belgium's History Most visitors to Brussels (and even many locals) don’t know much about Belgian history. Despite the country’s relatively short (by European standards) existence, it has a fascinating story. You can learn all about it in the small and interactive BELVue Museum. The BELVue is located next to the Royal Palace in Brussels and also serves as the entrance to the former Palace of Coudenberg archaeological site (see the Highlight here: http://www.afar.com/highlights/underground-history-at-the-former-palace-of-brussels). Don’t pass up the chance to get an overview of how Belgium came to be and what it’s all about. The BELVue is also home to Green Kitchen, an organic lunch spot popular with politicians and office-workers in the area. The restaurant features huge salads and hot meals prepared fresh daily."