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Church of Our Lady of Laeken Brussels

4.5

·1k reviews·Bruxelles, Belgium

Neo-Gothic church and crypt housing Belgian royalty, with a stunning adjacent cemetery.

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Once a month

Crypt access is limited

CrowdLow

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Church of Our Lady of Laeken Brussels

Best Time

Once a month

Crypt access is limited

CrowdLow

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Neo-Gothic church and crypt housing Belgian royalty, with a stunning adjacent cemetery.

4.5

(1k reviews)

"The graveyard is GORGEOUS but inside this church lays Leopold II, so it really houses very, very evil things."

TIP

📅 Crypt Visit Schedule

Check monthly schedules for crypt access; it's often only open once. 🎟️

🌳 Explore the Cemetery

The graveyard is stunning and historically rich, a must-see! :evergreen_tree:

Quick Facts

Hours

Rating

4.5 · 1,374 reviews

Type

Church

Address

Parvis Notre Dame, 1020 Bruxelles, Belgium

Website

notredamedelaeken.be

♿ Wheelchair accessible🅿️ Accessible parking

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Royal Crypt

Underneath the church

Descend into the final resting place of Belgian royalty, a solemn and historically significant site.

Neo-Gothic Architecture

Admire the stunning neo-Gothic design, characterized by its ornate spires and impressive facade.

Laeken Cemetery

Explore the adjacent, 'gorgeous' cemetery, noted for its unique beauty and historical significance.

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Planning Your Visit

Royal Crypt Access

The crypt of the Church of Our Lady of Laeken, housing Belgian royalty, has limited visiting hours, often only once a month. Plan your visit carefully to coincide with these rare opportunities.

Beyond the Spire

While the church itself is impressive, don't overlook the adjacent cemetery. Travelers describe it as gorgeous and one of the most interesting in the city, offering a unique perspective on Brussels' history.

Best Times

When

Once a month

Why

Crypt access is limited

Crowd

Low

When

Daytime

Why

For architectural viewing

Crowd

Medium

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

@visit.brussels asked me which places in Brussels you must go to at least once💘 here’s a list of my 9 favourites places but there are so much more! 📚Tropismes bookshop 🥂Tope ⚜️Saint-cyr house ☀️Marolles elevator 🧇Manneken pis café 🍃Royal greenhouse of Laeken 🔭Tondo footbridge 🎭Fine arts museum 🕰️Saint-Michel cathedral #brussels #brusselsspot #brusselsspots #brusselshotspots #brusselshots...

@raimaa_brussels

209K likes • 3.3M views

📅 Crypt Visit Schedule

Check monthly schedules for crypt access; it's often only open once. 🎟️

🌳 Explore the Cemetery

The graveyard is stunning and historically rich, a must-see! :evergreen_tree:

Five Things To Do In Brussels 🇧🇪 #visitbrussels #thingstodo #traveltips

@jyptravels

60.9K likes • 1.9M views

It’s been a year when in Brussels when I see this beautiful structure - The Church of Our Lady of Laeken (French: Église Notre-Dame de Laeken, Dutch: Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk van Laken) is a Roman Catholic parish church in the Brussels district of Laeken, Belgium. Built in neo-Gothic style, it was originally erected in memoriam of Queen Louise-Marie, wife of King Leopold I, to the design of the arch...

marilen_yap_heijmans

0 likes • 53 views

🏛️ Admire the Facade

The neo-Gothic architecture is a highlight, even if you can't enter the crypt. :camerawithflash:

🚶‍♀️ Public Transport

Use public transport to reach the church; it's efficient and cost-effective. 🚌

-The Church of our lady of Laeken- I visited for learning gothic architecture in Brussel.. Great inspiration for my drawing🏰😉✨💐🍷 #goth #gothicart #gothiclife #gothiclifestyle #gothic #gothicarthitecture #neogothicarchitecture #neogothic #gothiccastle #gothicchurch #gothicdoom #brussels #laekencharles #laeken #church

meiart9

0 likes • 271 views

Tips

from all over the internet

📅 Crypt Visit Schedule

Check monthly schedules for crypt access; it's often only open once. 🎟️

🌳 Explore the Cemetery

The graveyard is stunning and historically rich, a must-see! :evergreen_tree:

🏛️ Admire the Facade

The neo-Gothic architecture is a highlight, even if you can't enter the crypt. :camerawithflash:

🚶‍♀️ Public Transport

Use public transport to reach the church; it's efficient and cost-effective. 🚌

What Travellers Say

4.5

(1k reviews)

Reviews Summary

Visitors are drawn to the Church of Our Lady of Laeken for its impressive neo-Gothic architecture and the historical significance of its royal crypt. However, access to the crypt is highly restricted, often limited to once a month, which can be a point of disappointment. The adjacent cemetery is frequently praised for its beauty and unique atmosphere. +1

"It was all closed up. A shame: A saint of modern history is buried in the crypt (Albert), and I wanted to see that. A devilish character is within, too (Leopold II). Pretty significant history but, alas, unavailable--even in the height of summer tourist season."

john sherman

"Absolutely fabulous church ⛪️, the blue ceiling is gorgeous!"

Zana Suran

"This church should be a stop during your Brussels tour. It may look at first like any other church from big European cities but this may be true, but you experience something much more special in here.

I recommend you visit the cemetery next door. This way you get much better views of the church and you feel much different about the place. To make the most of the experience as well, come here during the church’s opening hours so you get the chance to have a look inside this magical church.

With no exaggeration, this is one of the prettiest churches i visited in europe. It’s strange to say but yes, i will be coming back !

Free Parking space is available in front of the cemetery entrance. Free public toilets available too."

Jad Badran

What People Like

Impressive neo-Gothic architecture

Historical royal crypt

Beautiful cemetery

What People Dislike

Limited crypt access

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

The Church of Our Lady of Laeken is accessible via public transport. Many visitors recommend using trams or buses, which are efficient and cost-effective in Brussels. You can pay directly with your bank card, phone, or smartwatch at the validators on board for a cheaper fare than paper tickets.

While not directly on the main tourist circuit like the Grand Place, it's part of the broader Brussels landscape. Travelers often see it from their windows or include it in a wider exploration of the city.

For getting around Brussels, including to the Church of Our Lady of Laeken, public transport is highly recommended. Trams, buses, and the metro are convenient. You can use contactless payment directly on the vehicle for the best rates.

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

General entry to the church itself is usually free, but access to the royal crypt is restricted.

The crypt, which houses the Belgian royal family, has very limited visiting hours, often only once per month. It's essential to check the specific schedule in advance.

Beyond the limited crypt access, the church's main areas are typically open during daylight hours for visitors to admire the architecture.

The cemetery adjacent to the church is generally accessible without an admission fee, allowing visitors to explore its grounds.

🎫 🏛️ Onsite Experience

Inside, you can admire the neo-Gothic architecture. The main draw for many is the opportunity to visit the royal crypt, the burial place of Belgian monarchs.

Travelers describe the Laeken cemetery as 'gorgeous' and one of the most interesting in the city. It offers a unique atmosphere and historical insights.

While often referred to as a church, it holds significant historical and royal importance. It's not typically classified as a cathedral in the same way as St. Michael and St. Gudula Cathedral.

Its primary significance lies in being the burial site for the Belgian royal family, including King Leopold II, within its crypt.

Photography rules can vary. It's best to check for signage or ask an attendant, especially regarding the crypt.

📸 📸 Photography

The exterior, with its neo-Gothic spires, offers great photo opportunities. The adjacent cemetery also provides unique and atmospheric shots.

Photography policies can differ. While exterior shots are generally fine, it's advisable to confirm rules for the interior, particularly in sensitive areas like the crypt.

Architectural photography focusing on the spires and details of the church, as well as atmospheric shots of the cemetery, are popular.