Atomium

An iconic symbol of Brussels! Admire from the park or head inside to see how this interesting structure came to be.

The #1 tourist attraction in Brussels. You can’t miss the Atomium. Literally, it stands out. This unique structure was made years ago for the World Fair in Brussels in 1958. The sciency symbol is more than a cool sight, though.

The Atomium is definitely touristy, but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth a look. Get inside and you’ll walk through the tunnels and spheres of the structure to see a history exhibit. Plus, views of Brussels, a restaurant sit-down lunch, and temporary exhibits.

All six spheres are open to the public. If you’ve got time to wander in, check out the different levels.

• The first sphere is where you’ll find the permanent expo on the Atomium’s history. Long story short, if you magnify an iron crystal 160+ billion times you’ll see something like the Atomium. If you want all the deets of the design by engineer André Waterkeyn and the Polak architect brothers André and Jean, then go here.
• The second sphere is all about temporary exhibits. These vary all the time, but are often collabs with Visual System to bring light, art and sound to the sphere and tunnels in an artsy exhibit.
• The third sphere and other ones in the middle are used for concerts and other events.
• The sixth sphere is used to hold events for kids.
• Head up to the top sphere. This is the grand finale. This is where you get a panoramic view of Brussels. You can grab a bite to eat at the restaurant too, though tables fill up quickly especially in the tourist season.