This bizarre monument dates back to 1958 and is open daily to visit. It’s over 300 feet tall and has nine large spheres which are connected by tubular passageways making the shape of a giant iron crystal cell. In the inside of the spheres you’ll find exhibition space, a restaurant and public areas with the top one having a lovely view of Brussels. We last visited the Atomium as renovation work had just started, this work was completed in 2006 and part of the renovation means that the faded aluminium spheres have now been swapped for dazzling stainless steel. We thought the Atomium was fascinating to visit and we’d thoroughly recommend it. It doesn’t matter what’s inside really, as it’s the structure itself that’s the big highlight. This is an extract from our free Brussels City Guide.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON BRUSSELS ATOMIUM
The permanent exhibition inside the Atomium is about the 1950′s and in particular Expo 58 which the Atomium was created for. This exhibition covers 2 floors in the base sphere but there are further temporary exhibition in the other spheres. There are a number of places to eat including a restaurant in the upper sphere and a cafe in the central sphere.
ADDRESS & OPENING TIMES
Brussels Atomium, Square de l’Atomium, 1020 Brussels (Bruxelles), Belgium.
Tel: +32 2 475 47 757677
The Atomium is in Heysel Park next to Mini-Europe. Nearest metro station is Heysel/Heizel and the open top bus tours stop here too. Open daily 10am – 6pm. Adult admission is 11 Euros although some discounts and concession are available (2010 prices).
MORE ON BRUSSELS ATOMIUM
Atomium website
Hotels near the Atomium – Best Prices from Hotels.com
More hotels in Brussels – Up to 30% off with Expedia.co.uk
Wikipedia
Books on the Atomium - Amazon.co.uk
Frommer’s
The monument was originally planned to remain standing only for six months. However, it soon became an symbol not only of World’s Fair, but also of modern architecture and Brussels. The monument stayed same for almost 50 years. The Atomium is one of the iconic images of Brussels. Thousands of tourists are visits Belguim every year. Atomium is most popular attraction in Brussels in Belgium. tomium, a large structure made out of man-made life-size atoms.