The Atomium represents a 102-metre-high iron molecule and is one of the main symbols of Brussels. The spheres are the molecule’s atoms, hence the name Atomium, and you can visit them inside. Over 600,000 tourists annually visit this building in the Belgian capital because of its curious futuristic shape. In this article, you can read about my experience and why Atomium is so amazing.
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The Atomium: a giant iron molecule in Brussels
The Atomium structure was the symbol of the 1958 Brussels World’s Fair, intended to stand only for the duration of the event. Still, just like the Eiffel Tower in Paris and the Borgo Medievale in Turin, its public success helped make the installation permanent.
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The theme of Expo 58 was ‘A world for a better life for mankind’, and the giant iron molecule of the Atomium represents the peaceful use of atomic energy for scientific purposes. Given our conflicting perception of nuclear power today, especially in some European countries like Italy, it is very curious to visit a monument intended to promote a super-optimistic vision of a modern, hyper-technological future.
Although atomic energy has not yet allowed humanity to live better, the Atomium has established itself as a symbol of Brussels and, in the early 2000s, underwent a significant restoration to maintain the building’s uniqueness and highly symbolic character. Since its reopening, the Atomium has become Brussels’ most popular attraction.
Why visit the Atomium
The Atomium in Brussels is an absolute must-see building. It is no coincidence that it is one of the most visited attractions in the Belgian capital, with more than 600,000 visitors a year, including heads of state, privately or officially.
The Atomium offers a spectacular view of Brussels, but what makes it unique is the tour through the spheres of atoms that make up a giant iron molecule. That alone is worth the visit for architecture enthusiasts.
Its incredible structure has been used and continues to be chosen as the backdrop for dozens of photo shoots each year for fashion, design or architecture magazines. The building also hosts impressive multimedia temporary exhibitions designed for the Atomium’s volumes.
Furthermore, if you are more interested in the food and wine aspect of Brussels, the upper part of the highest sphere houses the Atomium restaurant of the same name. With an independent entrance, the restaurant offers a taste of Belgian specialities and seasonal dishes 100 metres above the ground.
Why visit the Atomium
The Atomium in Brussels is an absolute must-see building. It is no coincidence that it is one of the most visited attractions in the Belgian capital, with more than 600,000 visitors a year, including heads of state, privately or officially.
The Atomium offers a spectacular view of Brussels, but what makes it unique is the tour through the spheres of atoms that make up a giant iron molecule. That alone is worth the visit for architecture enthusiasts.
Its incredible structure has been used and continues to be chosen as the backdrop for dozens of photo shoots each year for fashion, design or architecture magazines. The building also hosts impressive multimedia temporary exhibitions designed for the Atomium’s volumes.
Furthermore, if you are more interested in the food and wine aspect of Brussels, the upper part of the highest sphere houses the Atomium restaurant of the same name. With an independent entrance, the restaurant offers a taste of Belgian specialities and seasonal dishes 100 metres above the ground.
The architecture of the Atomium
Despite its modern and almost futuristic appearance, the Atomium is a historical building built in 1958 for the last Universal Exhibition hosted by Belgium. Its structure is exceptional in many ways, starting with spaces and volumes.
The stainless steel spheres represent the atoms of an iron molecule, measure 18 metres in diameter and are supported by an imposing metal structure. The interior design by architects André and Jean Polak and engineer André Waterkeyn is also stunning. The escalators are inside metal tubes with incredible sound and light installations.
The Atomium visitor route
The Atomium area consists of two separate buildings:
- the rectangular structure housing the ticket office and pay toilets
- the Atomium building with the visitor route.
You can get inside the Atomium building only with a valid ticket or a reservation for the restaurant in the highest sphere. I recommend buying your Atomium ticket online before you go to avoid queues at the ticket office, as it is a top-rated destination with over 600,000 visitors a year.
With your entrance ticket, you can start your one-way tour through the Atomium. First, you will visit the highest sphere, reaching the top with the main lift to admire the panorama of Brussels. Once you back down the same lift, you will take the escalators to the spheres housing the permanent and temporary exhibitions.
Service stairs also connect the Atomium spheres but weren’t accessible during my visit. Spend as much time as you need to visit each sphere, as you can’t return. The visitors’ route is a one-way direction.
The panorama of Brussels from the Atomium
Many tourists choose to visit the Atomium mainly for the view of the Belgian capital. From the top of the panoramic sphere, it is possible to admire Brussels and sometimes even Antwerp when the weather is perfect.
Along the corridor of the highest sphere, you will find paid telescopes to get a better view of the monuments. You can recognise them thanks to the information panels illustrating the areas of Brussels visible from the Atomium.
In my opinion, the unique structure of the building is more interesting than the panoramic view. Still, when travelling, I mainly look for historical and architectural curiosities when other people seek breathtaking views. If you want to visit the Atomium just to see the panorama, the best spot to observe the city and take pictures of Brussels from above is one of the side spheres, 36 metres above the ground.
Permanent exhibition
In the permanent exhibition of the Atomium, you can discover the history of the building, from its inauguration during the 1958 Universal Exhibition until today. The main part is about the Expo 58. It is fascinating because this event marked the collective memory of Brussels and the last Universal Exhibition organised by Belgium.
Its message of limitless optimism towards a prosperous future thanks to the use of atomic energy seems naive today. Still, it was the central theme of the 1958 Universal Exhibition. It reflected the enthusiasm of society at the time for scientific progress.
The exhibition also recounts curious details of Expo 58, such as the much-appreciated presence of the hostesses of the Atomium, the girls who welcomed visitors dressed in red uniforms and blue hats. There is also a curious scale model of the World Expo site and a model of the Atomium itself.
All the signs and exhibits hark back so strongly to that period full of confidence in the future that you might feel nostalgic. Who would not want to live in a time when the future looks bright and promising?
The next part of the exhibition is dedicated to the fate of the Atomium after the Universal Exhibition, including the building’s decline in the 1990s, followed by its reopening in 2006 and the current exhibition design.
Temporary exhibitions
The temporary exhibitions are also as impressive as the Atomium itself. Temporary exhibitions are always impressive multimedia installations specially designed for the volumes of the spheres.
Practical information for visiting the Atomium
You can buy tickets for the Atomium at the ticket office on-site or online. Tickets cost €16, with reductions for children and seniors. The ticket also includes admission to the nearby Brussels Design Museum, just 150 metres from the Atomium.
Opening hours are daily from 10 am to 6 pm, with reduced hours during the Christmas holidays. To be safe, always check the updated information on the Atomium website.
The Atomium always has many visitors, but during weekends and school holidays, the attendance is even higher. I recommend buying your ticket online in advance to avoid queuing at the ticket office and not finding a place for your visit. On the Atomium calendar below, you can see real-time ticket availability.
How to get to the Atomium
The Atomium is in Brussels’ Heysel Park. Although it is pretty far from the centre, you can easily reach it with the blue metro line. Check Google Maps for the best route to get there from where you are.
Atomium
Place de l’Atomium, 1
1020 Bruxelles
Where to stay in Brussels
Brussels offers a variety of accommodation options. If you’re looking for a hotel in the city centre, I recommend the Pillows City Hotel Brussels Centre. It is just 100 metres from Brussels Central Station and a 5-minute walk from Grand Place and the Manneken Pis Statue. For a charming and authentic experience, you can stay at the Happy Guesthouse in a typical townhouse with an Art Nouveau façade. They serve a delicious homemade breakfast made with Belgian products. In the European Quarter, Ambiorix Residence is a great option. They offer rooms with private bathrooms, a shared kitchen, and a lounge area.
As you might have guessed from reading this article, I was fascinated by the futuristic structure of the Atomium in Brussels, which I definitely recommend visiting during a trip to Belgium. Share your impression of the Atomium in the comments and whether you have already listed it as a must-see destination in the Belgian capital.