The Atomium, Brussels: What first time visitors should expect

What is the Atomium?

The Atomium is Brussels’ answer to the Eiffel Tower — a landmark that was meant to be temporary but became so beloved it’s now the city’s most recognisable symbol. Built as the centrepiece of the 1958 Brussels World’s Fair (Expo 58), this 102-metre-tall structure represents an iron crystal magnified 165 billion times.

Designed by engineer André Waterkeyn and architects André and Jean Polak, it consists of nine stainless steel-clad spheres (each 18 metres in diameter) connected by tubes containing escalators and lifts. The whole thing weighs 2,400 tonnes and was originally scheduled to last just six months. Nearly 70 years later, it’s still standing — and attracting over 600,000 visitors annually.

The name “Atomium” is a portmanteau of “atom” and “aluminium” (the metal originally covering the spheres before they were replaced with stainless steel during the 2004 to 2006 renovation). It embodied the 1950s faith in scientific progress and the promise of the Atomic Age — back when people genuinely believed atomic energy would provide limitless, clean, cheap power. How times change.

To skip the explanation and buy Atomium tickets, head here.

What to see at the Atomium

The panoramic view at the Atomium

Most people’s visit starts with a lift ride to the top sphere — Europe’s fastest lift in 1958, carrying 500 people an hour at 5 metres per second. Today it whisks you to 92 metres height in about 20 seconds. The top sphere houses a panoramic restaurant and viewing platform with 360-degree views over Brussels. On clear days, you can spot Mini-Europe below, the Palace of Justice, Grand Place, and the surrounding Belgian countryside.

Fair warning: the restaurant isn’t cheap, but the views are genuinely spectacular. If you’re not eating, you can still enjoy the panorama — just expect crowds between 11.00am and 3.00pm.

Permanent exhibition at the Atomium

The base sphere hosts the permanent exhibition about Expo 58 and the Atomium’s history. Using documents, videos, photos, and multimedia displays, it tells the story of the 1958 World’s Fair and how this temporary pavilion became Belgium‘s national symbol. You’ll learn about the construction challenges, the original aluminium cladding (pieces of which were sold as souvenirs during renovation), and the building’s cultural significance.

Temporary exhibitions at the Atomium

One sphere is dedicated to rotating temporary exhibitions focusing on digital arts, design, and contemporary themes. These change regularly, so check what’s on before visiting.

Light shows and escalators

The tubes connecting the spheres contain escalators with accompanying light shows — some visitors find them spectacular, others think they’re a bit naff. Your mileage may vary.

The Kids’ Sphere

There’s a dedicated children’s sphere for school groups and educational events, though it’s not typically part of regular tourist visits. Educational materials and explorer’s guides are available for children aged 6 to 12.

Visiting the Atomium: practical information

Atomium opening hours and admission

Opening hours:

• Daily: 10.00am to 6.00pm (ticket office closes 5.30pm).

Special hours:

• 24th and 31st December 2025: 10.00am to 4.00pm (last entry 3.30pm).
• 25th December 2025 and 1st January 2026: 12.00pm to 6.00pm (last entry 5.30pm).

Closed: 19th January to 6th February 2026 (annual maintenance).

Admission prices:

• Adults: €16.
• Seniors (65+): €14.
• Youth (6 to 18) and students: €8.50.
• People with disabilities: €8.50.
• Free for children under 115cm (45 inches).
• Free for wheelchair users and those requiring crutches.

Important: Your Atomium ticket automatically includes admission to the ADAM Brussels Design Museum (150 metres away).

Booking tip: Buy tickets online. You can’t skip the entry queue (everyone queues regardless of advance booking), but you’ll avoid the ticket office queue. Peak times are 11.00am to 3.00pm — visit at opening (10.00am) or after 5.00pm for smaller crowds.

Getting to the Atomium in Brussels

Address: Place de l’Atomium 1, 1020 Brussels

By metro (recommended): Line 6 to Heysel/Heizel station, then 5-minute walk.

By tram: Line 7 from Brussels centre.

By car: The Atomium has no official parking lots, though street parking is available nearby. Security isn’t guaranteed, so public transport is easily the better option.

From Brussels Central: About 20 minutes by metro.

From Brussels Airport: 20 minutes by taxi/bus/car.

Atomium accessibility

The Atomium has some accessibility challenges due to its 1958 construction. The bottom sphere and lift to the top sphere are accessible. However, the other four publicly accessible spheres are reachable by escalators only, which can be difficult for people with reduced mobility.

Wheelchair users and people requiring crutches receive free admission. Contact the Atomium in advance to arrange assistance: +32 (0)2 475 47 75 or [email protected].

Facilities at the Atomium

Toilets: €0.50 (cash only) — which seems a bit rich considering you’ve paid admission.

Stroller parking: Mandatory stroller storage available at entrance pavilion.

Lockers: Available.

Gift shop: Novelty Atomium souvenirs including mini-models and Atomium-Smurf merchandise (both celebrated their 60th anniversaries around the same time).

How long to spend at the Atomium

Quick visit: 45 minutes to 1 hour. Thorough visit: 1.5 to 2 hours including exhibitions. With ADAM Design Museum: 2.5 to 3 hours total.

Don’t rush — the exhibitions are worth more than brief attention, and queuing for the lift can add time.

Atomium photography policy

Photos are permitted for personal use and social media. The Atomium used to require permission for photography, but Belgian law changed (Code of Economic Law), and personal photos are now fine. Commercial photography still requires authorisation.

Dining at the Atomium

The panoramic restaurant in the top sphere offers meals with spectacular views. Expect to pay premium prices — it’s at least €34 for two courses. Outside, there’s a café serving sandwiches, waffles, and snacks.

Honestly, food options around the Atomium are limited. Grab Belgian fries from a friterie nearby, or wait until you’re back in central Brussels for a proper meal.

Special offers at the Atomium

• Brussels Card holders: Discount on Atomium admission.
• Train visitors: Buy Atomium tickets online and get 40% discount on return train travel to Brussels (use SNCB-NMBS code from your ticket).
• City Sightseeing Brussels ticket holders: €2 discount.
• Planetarium ticket holders: €2 discount.
• De Gezinsbond members: 10% discount (online only).
• Groups of 20+: Discounted rates (book 3 weeks ahead).

Nearby attractions to the Atomium

The Atomium is located in the Heysel/Laeken area of northern Brussels, about 5 miles from Grand Place. Here’s what else is nearby:

• ADAM Brussels Design Museum: 150 metres away — included with your Atomium ticket. Features the Plasticarium collection of 1950s-to-present plastic design. Open 11.00am to 7.00pm daily.
• Mini-Europe: 4-minute walk — miniature park with 300 replicas of Europe’s famous landmarks at 1:25 scale. Combined Atomium and Mini-Europe tickets available at Atomium ticket office (not online).
• Planetarium of the Royal Observatory: 150 metres away — cosmic shows and astronomy exhibits. €2 discount to Atomium if you show Planetarium ticket.
• Bruparck: Leisure centre with restaurants, bars, shops, and Kinepolis Cinema (29 screens including IMAX).
• King Baudouin Stadium: Nearby — Belgium’s national football stadium.
• Royal Greenhouses of Laeken: Open 3 weeks annually (late April to early May) — spectacular Art Nouveau glass structures. Admission €2.
• Royal Castle of Laeken: Belgian royal family residence — not open to public, but visible from greenhouses.
• Japanese Pagoda and Chinese Pavilion: 1km southeast — museums of Oriental arts built in 1901 and 1903 for Leopold II. Avenue Van Praet.
• Parc de Laeken: 70-acre park with Laeken Castle, Japanese Gardens, Notre-Dame de Laeken, Florist’s Garden — lovely for strolls.
• Basilica of Koekelberg: Unusual neo-Gothic and Art Deco church — 11th largest in the world, second largest in northern Europe after Liverpool Cathedral.

Note: Most visitors combine the Atomium with Mini-Europe and/or ADAM Design Museum, then head back to central Brussels for other attractions like Grand Place (5 miles south).

Tips for visiting the Atomium

• Visit at 10.00am opening or after 5.00pm to avoid peak crowds (11.00am to 3.00pm).
• Buy tickets online to skip ticket office queues, though you’ll still queue for entry.
• Check Facebook or Google for real-time visitor numbers before arriving.
• During Belgian and European school holidays, expect longer waiting times — up to 2 hours has been reported.
• Your ticket date doesn’t give priority access — everyone queues together.
• The lift takes 20 people at once, so queues move steadily.
• Bring cash for toilets (€0.50).
• Visit ADAM Design Museum afterwards — it’s included in your ticket and often quieter.
• If combining with Mini-Europe, buy the combo ticket at Atomium ticket office.
• The Atomium looks magical illuminated at night — even if you don’t go inside, seeing it lit up is worthwhile.
• Five Friday evenings in summer (late July/early August), the Atomium stays open until 10.00pm for the Laeken Fireworks Spectacular (check if this event is still running).
• Download the free Atomium smartphone app for additional information.
• Consider the Brussels Card for free transport and museum discounts if visiting multiple attractions.

Why visit the Atomium?

The Atomium is unique — there’s nothing else quite like it anywhere. Yes, it’s touristy. Yes, the interior can feel a bit underwhelming compared to the spectacular exterior (some visitors find the light shows dated). And yes, you’ll probably queue. But it’s still worth visiting because it’s such an extraordinary piece of mid-century optimism frozen in stainless steel.

The structure represents a fascinating historical moment when people believed atomic energy would solve humanity’s problems and create a utopian future. That naive optimism is rather touching in retrospect, and the Atomium stands as a monument to both scientific ambition and the 1950s faith in progress.

The views from the top are pretty cool — 360 degrees over Brussels. The permanent Expo 58 exhibition provides fascinating context about post-war European recovery and the role of World’s Fairs in promoting technological advancement. And the sheer architectural audacity of building a 102-metre-tall representation of an iron crystal — and having it still stand nearly 70 years later — is impressive.

Plus, where else can you ride escalators through tubes connecting giant spheres whilst light shows play around you? It’s pleasingly bizarre.

The Atomium represents Brussels. Not the bureaucratic EU Brussels, but the quirky, forward-thinking, slightly eccentric Brussels that builds extraordinary things and then keeps them around because they’re too interesting to demolish. That’s worth experiencing, even if you have to queue and pay 50 cents for the toilet.

Just visit at 10.00am or after 5.00pm to avoid the worst crowds, combine it with the included ADAM Design Museum to maximise value, and don’t expect a quick visit — factor in queuing time. The Atomium rewards patience with genuine wow moments, spectacular views, and a tangible connection to that optimistic post-war era when anything seemed possible and the future looked shiny.

More Brussels travel

Other Brussels travel articles on Planet Whitley include:

• Following the Tintin trail in Brussels.
• How to find the best chocolates in Brussels.
• Planning a visit to the BELvue Museum in Brussels.
• Guide to seeing the Manneken Pis in Brussels.
• Practical guide to the Autoworld car museum in Brussels.