Travel Guide: How To Visit the Atomium in Brussels, Belgium

The Atomium is the symbol of Brussels and it’s a real sight to see at least once in your lifetime! If you’re planning a trip to Belgium soon, I’m guessing this landmark is definitely on your bucket list. If so, then you opened the right article!

In this post, I will tell you everything you need to know about how to visit the Atomium, from the ticket prices to opening times, when to visit, how to get there from central Brussels, where to eat nearby and more.

Let’s get started!

First of all, is the Atomium worth visiting?

exploring Brussels, Belgium.
The Atomium

In short: yes! At the absolute least – a quick glance from afar.

The Atomium is a remarkable sight. Firstly, it is massive. Secondly, the architecture is insanely cool. Thirdly, (and this may sound super childish, but here goes), it is seriously shiny, so don’t forget your sunnies unless you want to be Squinty-McGee all day. Even though it’s impressive, I’m not sure you could call it beautiful. The obscure Atomium structure looks like it’s been teleported out of a 1960s sci-fi film. For me personally, that’s just another tick on the pro’s list for reasons to visit.

Now there’s one thing left to find out: if you’ll visit the inside of the Atomium or not. And all the information below will help you decide for yourself!

Everything you need to know before you visit the Atomium

Everything you need to know before your visit to the Atomium

Why was the Atomium built?

Located on the Heysel Plateau, the Atomium was initially built for the first post-war Brussels World Expo in 1957 and it was meant to be a central piece of the event. Why did they choose atoms, though? Well, science was extremely popular in the 50s in Belgium and people believed it’s one powerful activity. 

Nowadays the landmark is a significant tourist spot, housing a museum devoted to the historical exhibition. It wasn’t intended to be a permanent part of the Brussels architectural landscape – the initial plan was to keep it for 6 months only. However, just like the Eiffel Tower in France, the Belgians loved it so much they decided to keep it! 

The Atomium derives its name from a combination of Atom and Aluminium. The unique structure represents an iron crystal magnified 165 billion times. Originally, the spheres were coated with sheets made of aluminium, but they faded over time, so they were replaced with stainless steel in 2004.

RELATED READ: 12 Top Attractions in Brussels, Belgium – A Complete Guide to the City

How to get to the Atomium in Brussels

The Atomium is located in Northern Brussels, around 8-9 km from the city centre, in Atomium Square.

There are different ways of getting to the Atomium from the centre of the city, depending on your preferences:

ATOMIUM ADDRESS: Square de l’Atomium, 1020 Bruxelles

CO-ORDINATES: 50.894924, 4.341565

Atomium opening hours

The Atomium is open every day from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. The last entrance is at 5:30 PM. You can check the up-to-date schedule on the official website here.

If you only want to see the exterior, you can do so any time, any day. It’s super pretty at night too, when it’s all lit up!

Best time to visit the Atomium

looking up at the Atomium.

In general, the Atomium gets crowded from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM. That’s why I recommend visiting as early in the morning as possible, meaning at 10:00 AM. Or late in the evening, at 4:00 PM. If I were to choose, I’d say to go for the 4:00 PM or 5:00 PM option because the sunset is simply stunning seen from the inside! Plus, there are almost no crowds.

HOW LONG TO SPEND AT THE ATOMIUM

1 to 2 hours should be plenty, queuing included. You can spend more time in the surrounding area – for things to do around the Atomium, please check the dedicated section further below.

Atomium tickets and prices

Below I’ll list the Atomium price for all types of travellers:

Free entry if you have the Brussels Card. More information about what this is below.

NOTE #1: Your Atomium ticket provides access to the full Atomium Museum inside, but also free entry to the Design Museum (right next to the Atomium).

WHERE TO BUY YOUR TICKETS:

You can buy adult tickets with free cancellation here. For all other categories, you can buy your tickets on the official website here.

NOTE #2: You can also buy a combined ticket for the Atomium + Mini Europe, another popular attraction close by. The combined ticket can only be bought from the ticket office at the Atomium. No online option (yet).

NOTE #3: If you want to learn as much as possible about the Atomium building, I recommend downloading CloudGuide on your phone – they have a pretty nice Atomium audio guide. You can get the free app on iPhone here and on Android here.

Should you buy a Brussels Card for the Atomium?

The Atomium
the Atomium in Brussels, Belgium

Brussels Card is a typical tourist pass that offers:

The Brussels card with Atomium entry costs 41€ for 24 hours (+8€ for unlimited transport), 49€ for 48 hours (+15€ for unlimited transport) and 57€ for 72 hours (+19€ for unlimited transport).

In my humble opinion, the Brussels Card is only worth it if you have at least 3 days to spend in Brussels and you want to make the best of it. This means seeing as many attractions as possible and using public transport a lot. Otherwise, I think it costs a bit much. As usual, I recommend making a list of all the places you want to see, calculate the costs of all the tickets and then see if the tourist pass is worth it for you or not.

NOTE: You must exchange your online Brussels Card for the actual card at any Tourist Office once you arrive in the city (they’re close to most train stations and other popular spots in the centre).

Is it worth visiting the inside of the Atomium?

Apart from the three outer spheres, you can visit the insides of the other six if you choose to purchase a ticket. There is a viewing platform and restaurant in the 7th and highest sphere. With 360 degree views of the surroundings, they say you can see all the way to Antwerp if the weather is good – so you can expect to take some pretty nice pictures from up there. 

The other spheres hold a minimalistic museum dedicated to the Atomium expo from 1957, continuing to the present day. There is also a tourist shop selling merchandise inside the building but beware of the sky-high prices.

I think the Atomium interior is worth it for the panoramic views from the highest level (100m tall!) and the museum if you’re an architecture fan. Plus, it’s pretty fun to walk around the spheres and to see the light shows on the elevators! But if you’re on a budget or you’re short on time, just admiring the outside and taking some pics should be enough.

RELATED READ: Where to stay in Brussels – 3 Best Areas and Hotels

Where to stay near the Atomium in Brussels

If you’re really passionate about the Atomim and want to book a hotel as close to it as possible, I got you! I have selected some excellent accommodations below for all budgets, so you won’t need to waste time searching yourself. But please keep in mind that this landmark is not located in the city centre, but in the northern part of Brussels, half an hour from the centre by public transportation.

MID-RANGE HOTEL: Pegasus Apparthotel Brussels Expo Atomium

BUDGET: B&B Marianne

APARTMENT: Résidence Stiénon

Things to do near the Atomium

Photo of the attraction Minieurope In Brussels

Because the Atomium is not located in the city centre, it makes all the sense in the world to make the best out of your trip there and visit some other cool attractions nearby. Here are your options:

Best restaurants near the Atomium

View from the Atomium restaurant

Sadly, there aren’t a lot of restaurant options around the Atomium. Still, I have gathered all the information you need about the ones available:

MY RECOMMENDATION: Visit the Atomium, grab some Belgian fries from one of the friteries nearby and then return to Brussels centre for your next meal.

BONUS #1: Where to go for the best views of the Atomium

If you’re not interested in seeing the inside of the Atomium and admiring the panoramic view from the top level, maybe you’ll prefer taking some postcard-worthy pictures of it to bring back home as a memory! Here are the best spots to get a view of the Atomium:

BONUS #2: Fun facts about the Atomium

Let’s get you all hyped and excited for your upcoming trip with some FUN Atomium facts:

This was my complete guide to the Atomium in Belgium! In this post, I have told you everything you need to know about when, how and why to visit the Atomium and I offered you updated info about ticket prices, nearby attractions, nearby restaurants and more. In case you were wondering if the Atomium is worth visiting or not, I’m pretty sure the article above has already answered your question!

If you need more help in planning your upcoming Brussels trip, I recommend clicking here to find all my articles about this fun city.

xoxo,

Melissa

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Complete guide Atomium Belgium
Complete guide Atomium Belgium

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12 Top Attractions in Brussels, Belgium – A Complete Guide to the City

Brussels, the capital of Belgium, is one of the most popular and culture-rich vacation destinations in the entire Europe. In case you’re planning a visit there soon, scroll down to find my complete list of unmissable attractions in Brussels, as well as the top places to stay, what to eat (and where to eat it!) and information about public transportation in the city as well.

Brussels is well-known for its historical buildings, incredible gastronomy (think about chocolate, waffles and beer) and beautiful museums. It’s a capital city full of history, that caters for all types of visitors. Regardless if you’re interested in architecture, exploring the historic centre, going on day trips or you just want to spend some quality time relaxing and tasting some incredible dishes, get ready for one of your best vacations!

where is brussels located in belgium

Okay, enough talking, let’s get down to business! Get ready to make some real travel plans!

12 Top things to do in Brussels, Belgium

There are so many interesting attractions in the city of Brussels that it was really hard to make a shortlist! Regardless if you want to visit the Grand Place or a UNESCO World Heritage site or simply indulge in traditional gastronomy, the list below has it all:

1 – Grand Place

Grand Place in Brussels Belgium 11
Grand Place in Brussels Belgium

The Grand Place (also known as Grote Markt) is the main square in Brussels’ historic centre. Famous for its jaw-dropping architecture (including a 15th-century town hall!), the stunning buildings that surround the cobbled plaza offer an insight into Brussels through the eras. Most of the buildings in the Grand Place are full of history, dating from the late 17th century, but the earliest date all the way back to the 12th century. 

Their golden exteriors have been preserved to retain their original Gothic and Baroque style, but inside they are now filled with restaurants, cafes and shops. The Grand Place is pretty impressive, I promise! 

2 – The Atomium

Brussels guide Atomium
Brussels guide Atomium

The Atomium is one of the most well-known landmarks in Belgium and a symbol of Brussels! It was initially built for the first post-war Brussels World Expo in 1957. Nowadays it holds a museum devoted to the historical exhibition inside its spheres along with a restaurant and viewing platform.

Atomium entrance fee: 16€/person. You can buy your tickets online here.

RELATED READ: Travel Guide: How To Visit the Atomium in Brussels, Belgium

3 – Mini Europe

Mini Europe In Brussels, Belgium
Mini Atomium at the Mini Europe in Brussels

If you want to travel around the world (okay, just Europe, but still!) while you’re in Brussels, this is THE place to go. With over 350 miniature buildings including all the major European landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower, Big Ben and the Venice canals, Mini Europe is a great attraction for families to learn about European history in an interactive way. 100% a great place to go with little ones!

Mini Europe entrance fee: 12€/person. Children under 1.15m can enter free of charge! You can buy your tickets online here.

TIP: You can buy a combined ticket for the Atomium + Mini Europe + Brussels Design Museum for 18.40€ here.

4 – Eat Waffles

waffles in brussels belgium

You can’t come to Belgium and miss out on waffles! Luckily, Brussels is the perfect place to sample the real deal. There are two different types to choose from; the Brussels waffle (rectangular and flaky, often coated in icing sugar) or the Liege waffle (sweeter, with rounded corners and a crystalized surgery coating). The most famous spot for this Belgian delicacy is Maison Dandoy, and I can confirm it is well worth a visit to get one there!

TIP: If you LOVE waffles, you might be interested in joining a waffle making workshop, why not?

5 – Palais Royal / Royal Palace of Brussels

Palais Royal / Royal palace of Brussels
Palais Royal : Royal Palace of Brussels 2

Although the palace is no longer home to the King and Queen of Belgium, the stunning building still acts as the monarchy’s headquarters in the centre of the capital. Aside from its stately importance, the building and its surrounding parks and grounds are beautiful and easy to explore during a trip to the city. 

TIP: During summer (late July to late August), visitors can even go inside and see the rooms of the palace free of charge. You can check out more details about this event when the palace is open to the public here.

6 – Palais de Justice

Palais de Justice in Brussels Belgium

The Law Courts of Brussels is a must-visit for anyone who enjoys European architecture. The Palais De Justice is an impressive building both inside and out and with visits being absolutely free of charge, it’s one of Brussels must-visits – especially if you’re into photography!

7 – Parc du Cinquantenaire

Parc du Cinquantenaire in Brussels Belgium 2

A park, really?! I know, but trust me, it’s worth a visit! Not only is this park super photogenic, but its surrounding buildings house museums on either side. By the way, Parc du Cinquantenaire hosts a beautiful Triumphal Arch as well – a must see!

TIP: I recommend visiting the Cinquantenaire Park during spring when the park is full of flowers and you can enjoy the sunshine.

8 – Manneken Pis

Manneken Pis in Brussels, Belgium
Manneken Pis in Brussels, Belgium

This little landmark is a bit of an odd one, but tourists crowd around the fountain to see the sculpture called “Manneken Pis” – a 61cm bronze statue of a… peeing little boy. Some may find it altogether unimpressive but it seems here in Brussels that size does not matter, haha! And as odd as it may sound, Manneken Pis is actually a symbol of Brussels. You’ll see replicas all over the city; painted on walls, stencilled onto your waffle in icing sugar, decorating the chocolate shops you visit – he seems to be everywhere! You can even take him home as a magnet, bottle opener or keychain – lucky you!

FUN FACT: Except for Manneken Pis, there are two other “members” of this odd family: Jeanneke Pis (a girl) and Zinneke Pis (a dog).

9 – Eat mussels and fries

Eat Mussels and Fries in Brussels
Brussels, Belgium

Mussels in Brussels! It rhymes, so you know it’s good! This delicacy can be served in a variety of ways; steamed in white wine sauce, garlic and lemon or with some spicy tomato sauce – but they always come with fries on the side. Eating mussels in Brussels is a real art, so make sure you don’t miss this from your bucket list.

TIP: We had a particularly great experience at Chez Leon where they serve generous portions and the flavours are on point. I also heard Le Zinneke and In’t Spinnekopke are popular spots.

10 – The Tintin Street Art Trail

The Tintin Street Art Trail in Brussels, Belgium
The Tintin Street Art Trail in Brussels, Belgium

Take a self-guided walking tour of Brussels by following the Tin Tin Comic Strip Trail! Wear comfy shoes as it’s a 3-mile route that takes you on the hunt for 30 wall murals inspired by the comic strip throughout the city. Hergé, the cartoonist behind the Tin Tin comic was Belgian, so you’ll notice TinTin and snowy pop up a lot around the city.

TIP: If you don’t fancy so much walking, you can cheat a bit by using the hop-on / hop-off bus – for this I’d recommend getting a bus pass.

11 – Taste some Belgian beer

Belgian beer
Belgian beer

Belgium is possibly the most celebrated beer brewing nation in the world today, so it makes sense to try some of the finest artisanal beer in the world while you are in Brussels. Join a beer tasting tour or visit a brewery to learn the latest wave of brewing innovation. Whether you’re into classic beer or modern brewing techniques, everyone loves to sample the goods!

12 – Eat Belgian chocolate

Belgian chocolate
Belgian chocolate

Belgium is famous for its incredible chocolate, so you’ll find no shortage of amazing chocolatiers all over Brussels. There are so many treats to sample, from chocolate-covered strawberries to caramelised pralines to truffle liquors. The most famous and my personal favourite are the handmade Belgian chocolate bars. They are the yummiest but also the priciest!

TIP: If you want to truly enjoy Belgian chocolate, I recommend visiting the Choco-Story Museum, followed by a workshop with a professional chocolatier during which you’ll make your own chocolate bars. Alternatively, you can opt for a Chocolate Tasting from 5 renowned confectioneries in the city.

BONUS: Extra Brussels attractions if you have more time

In case you still have some days left to explore Brussels or if you’re not visiting for the first time and you’ve already seen the Grand Place or Manneken Pis, I have a BONUS list of fun things to do for you!

Brussel attractions worth checking
Extra Brussels attractions if you have more time

MORE THINGS TO DO IN BRUSSELS:

Best tours for visiting Brussels by type of traveller

I know, my list of recommended things to do in Brussels is long and complex. It might be a hassle trying to organise a complete itinerary to suit your needs. BUT! I have a solution. Guided tours! There are many options to choose from, depending on what you want to visit.

Here are the best ones I hand-picked:

BONUS: Organised day trips from Brussels

If you’re up for a fun day trip from Brussels, I got you covered! Brussels has a great location that makes for an amazing starting point for day trips all over Europe. Here are some interesting choices:

Where to stay in Brussels, Belgium

When it comes to hotels in Brussels, the possibilities are endless. The city has tons of options for all types of travellers and budgets out there, from hostels and apartments to luxurious 5-star hotels. 

Bedroom at the Rocco Forte Hotel Amigo in Brussels

RELATED READ: If you want to read everything there is to know about the best areas and accommodation options in Brussels, I recommend checking out this article: Where to Stay in Brussels, Belgium.

Here are some of the best options I have selected for you:

LUXURY: Rocco Forte Hotel Amigo

MID-RANGE: NH Collection Brussels Grand Sablon

BUDGET: Yadoya Hotel

HOSTEL: 2GO4 Quality Hostel Brussels Grand Place

ENTIRE APARTMENT: The Livorno

What to eat in Brussels & Best restaurants in the city

I mentioned at the beginning of this Brussels guide that the city is well-known for its gastronomy. Well, I wasn’t kidding at all, as there are SO many dishes to try here! And some people visit this capital just for the food. From pralines to artisan beers, here are some unmissable dishes to try while you’re here:

C-H-O-C-O-L-A-T-E

Decadent. Incredible. Unmissable. It’s a well-known fact that Belgian pralines are top-notch and, although you can pretty much find them everywhere around the city, I recommend joining a Chocolate Tasting that will take you to 5 renowned confectioneries in the city.

Belgian chocolates

MUSSELS AND FRIES

A match made in heaven! And by heaven I mean Brussels, of course. They’re also called “moules frites” here and I recommend heading over to Chez Leon for big portions and incredible flavours.

Delicious Belgian mussels

BELGIAN FRIES

Here’s some information that will blow your mind: French fries are not actually… French. Nope, they’re Belgian! Needless to say that you need to try some “Belgian fries” which are actually French fries which are actually Belgian while you’re in town! One of the best places to try them is at Fritland.

Belgian fries

WAFFLES

I guess waffles need no introductions, my friends. And if they’re served as a special breakfast in other parts of the world, they’re a staple sweet snack here and you can grab one at every corner of the street. But I recommend going to Maison Dandoy for some of the best waffles in town! By the way, you’ll encounter two types of waffles in this city: Liege Waffles (crispy) and Brussels Waffles (fluffy). Make sure you try both of them!

Belgian waffles

BEER

Yep, you know it – you cannot visit Brussels without tasting some national beer, my friends! And because there are endless bars in the city and you might get confused, the easiest way to do it is to join a beer tasting tour

Belgian beer

Getting around Brussels

Now that you have a complete list of things to do in Brussels, you might be wondering what are the best ways to get from point A to point B. Luckily for visitors, this capital has a very good public transportation system that makes things smooth and easy.

Girl riding a bike around Brussels, Belgium

Here are the best ways of getting around the city:

WALK

If you’re staying in Brussels city centre, you’ll be pleased to see that this is a super walkable city. So if you’re an active tourist, you might want to experience the center by foot and admire all that stunning architecture.

TRAM. BUS. METRO

Now here’s some good news: all public transportation in the city is operated by the SAME company – how awesome is that? This means that you can get tickets easily and you can even change means of transport whenever you want. Moreover, you can get the Brussels Card – it’s basically a public transport pass available for 24, 48 or 72 hours that will make things even simpler. You can buy it here.

BIKE

This place is incredibly bike-friendly, which I find to be simply awesome. You can rent bikes using Villo!

RENTED CAR

Although it’s not convenient at all to rent a car in order to explore the city, it might be an excellent idea if you’re planning on going on some day trips – such as Ghent or Bruges!

RELATED READ: Complete Guide: 7 Unmissable Things to Do in Bruges, Belgium

Phew, I’m done now! This was my complete Brussels travel guide full of unforgettable things to do, hotels, unmissable dishes and more.

Regardless if you want to see some top sights such as the Atomium, the Grand Place or Parc du Cinquantenaire, or some lesser-known attractions such as the Mont des Arts, Cathedral of St. Michael and the Museum of Musical Instruments, the list above has EVERYTHING you might need to create the perfect itinerary for your trip. 

Although Brussels is an incredible travel destination where you can spend quite some time without getting bored, it’s not the only worthy city in Belgium. To read more about my adventures in this wonderful country, I recommend heading over here.

xoxo,

Melissa

Want to know more about travelling to Brussels?

Pin me for later!

Attractions in Brussels
Top Brussels things to do

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