Last December I visited Brussels with MEININGER Hotels (see my review here!) and it seemed everyone in my dorm room was visiting a giant atom on the outskirts of Brussels. I had no idea what they were talking about, but after a fierce Mexican lunch at Chi-Chi’s Tex-Mex, complete with my very first Michelada to remove the hangover from the previous night’s Sandeman’s unlimited bar crawl, I found myself being dragged along to the Atomium!
p.s. a Michelada is an even better version of a Bloody Mary made with beer instead of vodka! I know… it doesn’t sound too appealing, but follow this great recipe and see for yourself!
It goes without saying that the size of the Atomium is breathtaking. At 102m tall I felt even shorter than usual! And the amount of times I heard my friend say “It’s just so big” was kind of hilarious… none of us had expected such a high structure!
Of course, at 102 metres the views were spectacular! The atom structure is calculated to be 165 billion times the size of a natural atom structure, and of the nine spheres that create the impressive Atomium, you are able to get a lift to the very top sphere to experience 360º views of Brussels.
Unfortunately we weren’t blessed with the best weather on our visit, but the experience of just being within the 2,400 tonnes of steel that make up the Atomium is also pretty cool.
Of the nine spheres, some contained art exhibitions, and others told the of the inspiration and creation of the Atomium for the 1958 World Fair of Brussels. Connecting each sphere is a total of twenty tubes, and they’ve really done well to make even the simple act of taking an elevator a fun activity as you can see in the light show below!
Very futuristic! To top it off we decided to explore Mini Europe (which is located just at the foot of the Atomium and is really fun!) until the sun went down, as a little birdie had told us that the Atomium lights up at night! And oh boy did it light up! Unfortunately my iPhone struggles in low light (sad face!) so the image below just doesn’t do it justice!
Tips & Tricks when Visiting the Atomium Brussels
- Visit the structure an hour before dark so that you can see the Atomium sparkle from the outside once the sun goes down!
- From February 3rd – 13th you won’t be able to get the elevator to the top as it is undergoing maintenance!
- The exhibition is open every day of the year form 10am – 6pm (with a few exceptions around christmas – click here if you are planning to visit in the Christmas holidays)
- The price for adults is €11 – if you are under 18 or a student (with a student card) then the price is €8
- I mentioned the Mini Europe amusement park and it really is a lot of fun! The individual costs for adults to enter is €14.50, but if you are going to visit both Mini Europe and the Atomium then the combined ticket costs €23.60, saving you a few Euro
- If you are travelling to the Atomium from Brussels (it is a very easy day trip!) then just hop on line 6 and get off at Heysel/Heizel (click here for a PDF metro map)
Along with my fantastic trip to Bruges, the day trip to the Atomium was a very pleasant surprise! It is not only awe-inspiringly huge, but a really beautiful display of modern architecture!
Lots of love,
