Atomium

The Atomium, the flagship building of Expo58 - the world exhibition which was organised on the territory of Laeken in 1958, has become the very symbol of Brussels. It attracts by its modernist architecture and its panorama on the city. It also houses a museum on the Expo58 as well as a panoramic restaurant by a renowned chef.

Design Museum Brussels

The Atomium’s design collection, as well as a huge private donation, have allowed the creation of the Design Museum Brussels in 2015. The museum hosts a permanent exhibition of the world’s biggest plastic design collection, the Plasticarium, along with temporary exhibitions on design topics.

Mini-Europe

In the international political and journalistic world, Brussels is synonymous with the European Commission. The city is proud to host on its territory the main European institutions. Nothing more natural than exploring this European topic in the miniature park Mini-Europe, which showcases the emblematic buildings of the capitals of the European Union. Mini-Europe is located a stone's throw from the Atomium (and can also be admired from the panoramic sphere of the latter).

Heysel

With two world exhibitions in 1935 and 1958, the Heysel not only saw the Palais des Expositions and the Atomium, but it has remained since the main venue of the major fairs in Brussels: Batibouw, The Auto Show, Made in Asia, Bokenfestijn ... to name but a few annual events. The Palais 12 is now the main hall for international stars - and on the Heysel plateau, the King Baudouin stadium hosts the national football team and the most important athletics event in the country, The Van Damme Memorial. A major development project is under way, NEO, which aims to exploit this territory even more to set up a congress center, shopping center and housing.

Royal greenhouses

It's every year in spring time when search results for Laeken go up: the Royal greenhouse's effect. The magnificent glass and steel construction which was designed for Leopold II opens its doors in April-May to present its collections of flora and exotic trees. This event is also an opportunity to admire the beauty of an immense royal park which is closed to the public for the rest of the year.

Japanese Tower and the Chinese Pavilion

Both the Japanese Tower and the Chinese Pavilion were commissioned by Leopold II. The two buildings, which house collections of Japanese and Chinese art in an unusual setting, form together the Museum of the Extreme Orient (run by the Royal Museums of Art and History). They are currently closed for renovation, but their beautiful garden is always accessible.

Greenery theatre at the Osseghem park

Located next to the Atomium, the Osseghem Park hides a quite romantic open-air amphitheater, the "théâtre de verdure". During the summer months, this is the place to be for events such as Brosella, a two-day folk and jazz festival which celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2016.

Florist’s Gardens

A quiet piece of green with a stunning view of Brussels, the Florist’s Gardens (which are - of course - a heritage of Leopold II) are accessible either through the Colonial Garden or the Sobieski Park. Just follow the signs - all the parks in Laeken are connected to one another by the Green Walk.

Our Lady of Laeken and Laeken cemetery

Monument to Labor