Exploring Belgium: The Atomium in Brussels

When I put together the post: Things I hope to see in Brussels, I never expected to see them all. When you travel with friends, everyone has different hopes of what to see and do. So, I was stoked to hear that my friends were up for checking out Brussels most iconic landmark – The Atomium. 

This piece of Belgium architecture isn’t in Central Brussels so you will need to get on the train. The station you need to get off at is Heysel and for a single ticket, it cost €2.10. You could easily spend the day in Heysel because there is so much to see. Not only the Atomium, but you have Mini Europe, the Exhibition Palace, you have Oceade – which is a family waterpark and so much more.

Built in 1958, for the Brussels World Trade Fair and it is the quirkiest, yet coolest structure I think I have ever seen. The nine spheres on the Atomium represent an iron crystal magnified 165 billion times. Which is seriously, seriously cool.

Standing at 102 metres high it is an impressive structure. I was surprised to hear that it was only meant to be built for the exhibition, then it was going to be dismantled. However, the country fell in love with it and as you can see, it still stands today. 

The cost to get into the Atomium for an adult is €15. However, we had plans to visit Mini Europe as well, so a combo ticket was best for us at €27.90. You’re not saving much, but a few extra euros always comes in handy.

This is a top attraction for Brussels, so be prepared for the queue to get in! Only a dozen or so people can be brought up at a time and we waited a good 30minutes before being able to be taken up to the top sphere.

The elevator you’re taken up in is known as the fastest elevator in Europe. It covers 5m per second and it also has a glass roof so you can watch as you travel up the centre of the Atomium. 

The views from the top of the Atomium were amazing. You get not only one of the best views of Brussels from up there, but it’s also 360 degrees. There are also telescopes for you to use if you’d like a closer look {these cost €1 to use}.

There are also maps placed around the sphere telling you what is in the area and what you could go on to explore after your time at the Atomium. The park in Heysel is massive and you could easily spend the entire day there. 

Out of the nine spheres, you have access to five of them. Where you can enjoy a range of historical information as well as memorabilia. 

There are also two spheres that are quite…different shall we say? Very quirky, very cool and something you need to see & experience for yourself, I think. 

The escalators back down are very cool. With space-like music and tunnel lights – it’s all very funky and adds to the atmosphere of the Atomium experience. You can check out my Brussels stories on my Instagram highlights if you’d like to see more! 

Overall, our time at the Atomium was great. It’s easily done in an hour {after surviving the queues!} and it’s definitely something you must do if you’re ever in Brussels.

Also, check out the food and waffle van nearby – literally the nicest chips & waffles in Brussels. Easily! 

If you’d like to see one of the weirdest buildings in Europe, then you should definitely visit the Atomium! 

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