Atomium

The Atomium was built for the 1958 World's Fair in Brussels and represents an iron crystal magnified 165 billion times. Its nine stainless-steel spheres, joined by tubes, rise 102 metres above the Heysel park. It was meant to stand only for the six months of the fair, but it became the symbol of the city.

Escalators and stairs inside the tubes link several spheres, which hold exhibitions about Expo 58, and a fast lift takes you to the top sphere for a panorama over Brussels. Right beside it, Mini-Europe displays models of famous European buildings, a fun stop for children.

The Atomium is about 20 minutes from the city centre by metro. Visit in the afternoon and stay to see the spheres lit up at dusk.