The Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert is a historic glass-roofed shopping arcade in central Brussels, completed in 1847 by architect Jean-Pierre Cluysenaar. Its roughly 213-metre run of iron-and-glass vaulting links the Queen's, King's and Princes' galleries, and it is regarded as the first public covered arcade in Europe built through political will, predating Milan's Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. Home to Neuhaus (where the Belgian praline was born), the leather house Delvaux and a royal theatre, it remains one of Brussels' most elegant places to stroll and shop. Just a five-minute walk from the Grand Place, its glass canopy makes it a rewarding Belle Epoque wander whatever the weather.
A 213-metre arched glass-and-iron roof over an Italian neo-Renaissance (Cinquecento) facade
The Latin motto 'Omnibus omnia' ('Everything for everybody') inscribed on the pediment
The flagship Neuhaus, where the filled Belgian praline was first created in 1912, amid a line-up of celebrated chocolatiers
The Theatre Royal des Galeries (opened 1847) and the long-established Tropismes bookshop
A literary past frequented by Victor Hugo and Baudelaire, and the venerable Taverne du Passage cafe
Good to know
SafetyPickpockets work the nearby tourist hotspots (Grand Place, Central Station) and the crowded arcade itself. Wear bags to the front and keep your wallet, passport and phone in an inner pocket.
CautionDistraction theft is common near the station: petition-signing, spilled items or unsolicited 'directions'. If someone is overly helpful or strikes up a sudden conversation, check your belongings first.
RulesWalking the arcade is free, but individual shops, the theatre and the cinema require separate entry or purchase. Opening hours and closing days vary by tenant, so check each venue's latest information before visiting.
MannersAt upscale chocolatiers such as Neuhaus, chocolates are usually chosen piece by piece; don't touch the display, ask the staff. Tipping in cafes and restaurants is not obligatory but rounding up or leaving a small amount for good service is customary.
SeasonThe glass roof keeps you dry in rain or snow, but December (Brussels' Christmas market season) and summer weekends get very busy. Belgian weather is changeable, so a light layer and an umbrella are worth carrying.
RulesUse STIB/MIVB tickets or a Brussels Card for public transport. You must validate at metro and tram gates; travelling without a valid ticket risks a heavy fine. Fares and passes should be confirmed for the latest rates.
Practical info
It is about a five-minute walk from Central Station (Gare Centrale, metro lines 1 and 5) and from the Grand Place, and close to the Bourse tram stop. The covered passage is generally open from early morning until around midnight and entry is free, but the hours and prices of individual shops, the theatre and the cinema change, so confirm the latest details before you go.
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