Laeken is a district of the city of Brussels.
To know
Laeken is a former town hall that was dissolved in 1921 and has since been aggregated to the city of Brussels although it has retained its old postal codes. It takes its name from the castle of the same name surrounded by an immense park where the royal family of Belgium lives.
How to orient yourself
Laeken: full screen map.How to get
By metro
- 1 Heysel station. Line
By tram
- 2 Heysel stop. Line
- 3 De Wand. Lines
- 4 Araucaria. Lines
How to get around
What see
Atomium
1 Atomium (In 
"Heysel" station, line , in 
stop "Heysel" line , in 
stop "Heysel" n ° 
). 
Adult: € 11; Student / 12-18 years older than 65 years: 8 €; 6-11 years: 4 €; 0-5 years: free. The audio guides in Italian and are rented at the ticket office for € 2. Video guides are available for rent (€ 2) for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. 
Mon-Sun 10: 00-18: 00. An essential symbol of Brussels and Belgium, but also a Mecca for international tourism, a unique achievement in the history of architecture and an emblematic remnant of the Brussels World Expo (Expo 58), the Atomium is today the most popular city. Representing an elemental iron crystal enlarged 165 billion times, alluding to the power of atomic energy then in full swing. Its recent refurbishment in 2006 has restored its original splendor and its new equipment guarantees true durability. Five of the nine spheres are open to the public. One hosts a permanent exhibition dedicated to Expo 58. A second is reserved for temporary exhibitions whose themes revolve around science, progress and the future. The upper sphere, meanwhile, offers a unique and surprising panorama over the city of Brussels. On a clear day the view goes up to Antwerp. The restaurant (independently managed) - also located on the top floor - is open every day and welcomes visitors until 11 pm. In the evening, 2970 flashing light bulbs give a magical and supernatural aspect to the 102-meter-high building. They represent the vortex of electrons around the atoms represented by the nine spheres that represent the atoms of the iron molecule and which make up the monument. 
"Heysel" station, line 
stop "Heysel" line 
stop "Heysel" n ° 
). 
Adult: € 11; Student / 12-18 years older than 65 years: 8 €; 6-11 years: 4 €; 0-5 years: free. The audio guides in Italian and are rented at the ticket office for € 2. Video guides are available for rent (€ 2) for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. 
Mon-Sun 10: 00-18: 00. An essential symbol of Brussels and Belgium, but also a Mecca for international tourism, a unique achievement in the history of architecture and an emblematic remnant of the Brussels World Expo (Expo 58), the Atomium is today the most popular city. Representing an elemental iron crystal enlarged 165 billion times, alluding to the power of atomic energy then in full swing. Its recent refurbishment in 2006 has restored its original splendor and its new equipment guarantees true durability. Five of the nine spheres are open to the public. One hosts a permanent exhibition dedicated to Expo 58. A second is reserved for temporary exhibitions whose themes revolve around science, progress and the future. The upper sphere, meanwhile, offers a unique and surprising panorama over the city of Brussels. On a clear day the view goes up to 
Royal Castle
- 2 Laeken Castle (In stop "Serres Royales" n °
230, 231, 232). Not open to visitors. Castle of the King of Belgium.
230, 231, 232). 
The Chinese pavilion
- 3 Far East Museum (Musées d'Extrême-Orient), 44 avenue van Praet (In stop "De Wand" and "Araucaria" line , in "De Wand" stop n ° 230, 231, 232). The museum is closed for restoration work. This museum exhibits the art of the Far East and is composed of the buildings of the Japanese pagoda and the Chinese pavilion.
