Experience the best of Belgian food and fashion at the Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert, Brussels’ well-preserved 19th-century shopping arcade.
The Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert was built in 1847 to cater to an ever-growing bourgeois class. The arcade was designed so that upper-class citizens could avoid poorer neighbourhoods when they shopped. Nowadays the arcade, one of Brussels’ main attractions, bustles with activity. Visitors can shop at high-end boutiques, have a drink and a meal at a trendy restaurant or just admire the arcade’s impressive architecture.
The three two-story arcades house over 50 boutiques that have wide variety of products. The King’s Arcade contains shops that offer hand-blown glassware, traditional Belgian chocolates and high-quality leather goods. Right next-door is the Queen’s Gallery, which is famous for its interior design and designer footwear boutiques. In the Princes’ Gallery, shoppers will find souvenir shops, a chic women’s clothing shop and bookstores.
The arcades’ extravagant architecture transports visitors back in time to the Brussels’ lavish 19th century. Many visitors come exclusively to see the windows, ornate columns and interlaced arches.
With its cinema, bars and restaurants and two theatres, the arcade bustles with activity late into the night. See a performance at the Royal Theatre or a show at the Vaudeville theatre.
Despite its exclusive reputation, the Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert has a variety of affordable restaurants that are popular with locals. Take a break from shopping and sip on a hot coffee in the one of the arcade’s cafés or visit one of the French wine shops and try some of their delicious champagnes.
Situated in the heart of Brussels, Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert is easily accessible via bus, tram, train or foot. For those arriving in cars, there are metered parking spots on the streets near the Grand Place. Though the Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert is open every day, the hours of the individual stores vary.
