Brussels' most recognisable piece of modern architecture: nine stainless-steel spheres arranged as the unit cell of an iron crystal, magnified 165 billion times, built for the 1958 World's Fair and never taken down. The top sphere holds a restaurant and panoramic lookout; the connecting tubes contain escalators and the lift up. Next door are Mini-Europe (scale models of European landmarks, a guilty pleasure) and the excellent ADAM design museum.
Atomium
Giant iron crystal from the 1958 World's Fair
| Address | Square de l'Atomium, 1020 Laeken |
|---|---|
| Admission | €16 adults; combined tickets with Mini-Europe and ADAM design museum |
| Opening Hours | Daily 10:00–18:00 |
| Website | atomium.be |