Trees from the Osseghem Park. You can see the Atomium in the background.

Day 3 – Time to head North! (but don’t worry, you won’t need extra layers)

It’s your last day, so set your sights on climbing to the top of the Atomium! Soak in a spectacular panoramic view of Brussels. Did you know that the structure represents an elementary iron crystal magnified 165 billion times? Or that at night it is illuminated by 2,970 LED bulbs? Impress your other half with these intriguing little anecdotes!

If the weather isn't playing ball, take the opportunity to visit the Brussels Design Museum, which lies just a few steps away. But if the sun is shining, take a walk through Laeken Park, which is home to the Royal Domain, or any of the surrounding parks in the north of Brussels (Osseghem, Jardins du Fleuriste, Sobieski, Colonial, etc.).

Take metro 6 and get off at Simonis (Léopold III) to see the Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Koekelberg, before a well-deserved lunch break. It's the 5th largest church in the world and an Art Deco masterpiece. Fancy a nice gastronomic restaurant? We recommend Chez/bij Soje, Les Pôtes en Toque and Brasserie Miroir which are located near the basilica. Looking for a more relaxed atmosphere? Drop by the Food Market at Tour & Taxi's Gare Maritime, or pay a visit to the sustainable village BE-HERE.

Atomium

Halfway between sculpture and architecture, the Atomium was designed and built for the Brussels World's Fair (1958), for which it was the flagship building and emblem. Representing an iron unit cell (9 iron atoms) magnified 165 billion times, the monument with its unique silhouette has, over time, grown to become the symbol of Brussels and Belgium. On the inside the Atomium offers, not just the most beautiful view of Brussels, but also an entirely astounding and surreal ride through its interior spaces and volumes which alone makes a visit worth it. The Atomium ticket automatically includes the entrance to the Design Museum Brussels (150m away).

Atomium

Laeken Park

As its name suggests, Laeken Park is located in the northern Brussels district of Laeken. It's part of the Royal Estate, together with the Osseghem and Sobieski parks, and the Colonial Garden and the Florist's Gardens. They form a large, landscaped estate within walking distance of the Atomium. This French-style park has paths, winding walkways, lawns and copses. An avenue of magnolias leads you to the flamboyant neo-Gothic Dynasty monument. It houses a statue of King Leopold I, a spire similar to that of the City of Brussels Town Hall and nine arches topped by nine pinnacles, referring to the number of provinces in the country at the time. Discover also the chapel and the fountain of Saint Anne and the former United States pavilion of the 1958 Universal Exhibition. Take a stroll through the green areas surrounding Laeken Park and visit the Atomium, Mini-Europe, the Planetarium and the Design Museum Brussels. The Japanese Tower and the Museums of the Far East are just a stone's throw away.

Laeken Park

Basilica of Koekelberg - Panorama

This is the fifth largest church in the world and the largest Art Deco edifice ever built. It houses the Musée des S Òurs Noires (museum of the black sisters) (open Wednesday 2 p.m.- 4 p.m. and by appointment) and the Musée d'Art moderne religieux (museum of religious modern art) (open on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays 2 p.m.- 4 p.m. and by appointment). Warning : the panorama is open in winter (from the end of October to the end of March) from 10 am to 4 pm. The rest of the time, it is accessible from 9am to 5.30pm.

Basilica of Koekelberg - Panorama

Gare Maritime - Tour & Taxis

The Gare Maritime - From industrial freight station to energy neutral urban jungle! It is the perfect setting for innovative cultural events, film or photo shoots, trade shows, fairs, product launches or promotions. The historic station concourse that was part of the Gare Maritime has been transformed into an indoor city with its own food hall (coming September 2021), exclusive shops and offices. Countless unique and inspiring areas and warm, wooden structures alternate in this building complex. It is perfectly suited to accommodate both small and major events. The monumental nave is a true architectural eye-catcher, bathed in indirect sunlight and providing ample space for well-attended indoor activities. Any event in the Gare Maritime is a green event. Sustainability has been key during the renovation works. The building generates its own energy from renewable sources, using geothermics and solar panels. The green boulevards on either side of the nave are lined with themed gardens and tall trees, as if the adjacent park found its way inside. The Gare Maritime is a unique place - attractive, innovative and ambitious.

Historical venues

Gare Maritime - Tour & Taxis

BE-HERE

BE-HERE is a sustainable village where many initiatives are taken in terms of sustainable food, circular economy, social economy or cultural and welfare projects. This energetic, convivial place is open to everyone, especially if you like to shop sustainably and locally, have lunch in the beautiful main hall, meet with friends in the brasserie, taste artisanal products, or have your bicycle repaired. Numerous workshops, activities and events are also organised in this historic and beautifully renovated place.

BE-HERE