The Atomium is one of the most known landmarks of Brussels. Build for the 1958 Brussels World’s Fair (Expo 1958), it is located on the Heysel Plateau in Laeken, in the northern part of Brussels.
What does the Atomium symbolize?
It is the engineer André Waterkeyn that imagined the Atomium and it was built by the architects André and Jean Polak. The landmark is 102 m (335 ft) height and weight 2 400 tons (2 500 since 2006). The Atomium represents the body-centered cubic crystal structure of iron magnified 165 billion times. The nine stainless steel clad spheres of 18 meters (60 ft) represent the 9 iron atoms of this crystal structure.
Interesting facts
At the time of its construction it was a technical feat. The Atomium was ranked the 6th largest built metal structure in the world. The lift was the fastest of Europe in its time with 5 m/s (16.5 ft/s). It can bring until 22 people at the time in 23 seconds. The escalators in the tubes between the sphere are one of the fastest of Europe and with the longest measuring 35 m (115 ft).
What is inside the Atomium?
Six of the nine spheres are accessible. The one on the basis is reserved to an exposition about the 1950’s, the 1958 Brussels World’s Fair and the build of the Atomium.
The central sphere holds a bar and the upper one has a restaurant, but above all a wonderful panorama of Brussels and its surroundings.
Another sphere holds temporary exhibitions. The fifth one is dedicated to different events, like movies, concerts, parties, … The last sphere is dedicated to children and urban education workshops which allow children to spend the night in the Atomium.
How to get there?
Address: Place de l’Atomium (French) / Atomiumplein (Dutch) 1 in Laeken.
Although the Atomium is around 6 km at the north from the city center, it is very easy to access. From the center of Brussels it is accessible by metro. From the metro station De Brouckère it will take you nearly 15 minutes. You need to take the line 1 in the direction of the Gare de l’Ouest / Weststation and get off at Beekkant station. Then take line 6 (on the same platform, but on the other side) in the direction of Roi Baudouin / Koning Boudewijn until the Heysel / Heizel station.
From the Brussels south station (the international railway station), you can take directly the line 6 in the direction of Roi Baudouin / Koning Boudewijn until the Heysel / Heisel station. It will take you also around 15 minutes.
More information and prices can be found on the website of the public transport of Brussels: www.stib-mivb.be.
If you come with the car, pay attention that the Atomium has no parking and that it is in the Low Emissions Zone of Brussels.
Opening hours
- 7 days a week : from Monday till Sunday included
- From 10 am to 6 pm (ticket office closing and last entry into the building at 5:30 pm)
- 24 and 31 December : From 10am to 4pm
- 25 December and 1st January : From 12am to 6pm
Tickets
- Senior [≥65]: €14
- Adult [18-64]: €16
- Child [>115cm (3.77ft)]: €8,50
- Child [≤115cm (3.77ft)]: €0
- Student [with card (international)]: €8,50
- Person with a disability: €8,50
- PRM: €0
You can buy your ticket online via their websites: atomium.be
