Brussels: What you can see for a day

The City of Brussels is the capital of Belgium. It is also the capital of the French Community of Belgium, the Flemish Community, and the Flemish Region (although it is not part of the region itself), and it is the largest municipality within the Brussels-Capital Region. The City of Brussels also serves as the administrative center of the European Union, hosting several of its principal institutions in the European Quarter. As of 1 January 2024, the City of Brussels had a population of 196,828 inhabitants. It covers an area of 33.09 km² (12.78 sq mi), resulting in a population density of 5,949 inhabitants per km² (15,410 per sq mi). Like all municipalities in the Brussels-Capital Region, it is officially bilingual in French and Dutch. The Atomium is a landmark modernist structure that was originally built as the centerpiece of the 1958 Brussels World's Fair. Designed by engineer André Waterkeyn and architects André and Jean Polak, it was conceived as a tribute to scientific progress and a symbol of Belgian engineering excellence. It stands on the Heysel/Heizel Plateau in Laeken, the site of the exhibition. Today, it is Brussels' most popular tourist attraction and serves as a museum, art center, and cultural destination. Standing 102 meters (335 ft) tall, the Atomium is one of the tallest structures in Belgium. Its nine stainless-steel-clad spheres, each measuring 18 meters (59 ft) in diameter, are connected in the shape of a unit cell representing an iron crystal magnified 165 billion times. Tubes connecting the spheres contain stairways, escalators, and a lift in the central vertical tube, providing access to six of the spheres, which house exhibition spaces and other public areas. The uppermost sphere features a restaurant with panoramic views of Brussels. Mini-Europe is a miniature park located within the Bruparck entertainment complex at the foot of the Atomium. It features scale models of famous monuments from European Union member states and other European countries, built at a scale of 1:25. Approximately 80 cities and 350 buildings are represented. Mini-Europe attracts around 350,000 visitors annually and generates a yearly turnover of about €4 million. Mini-Europe was created by Johannes A. Lorijn, who also founded similar miniature parks in Austria and Spain. The park includes animated displays featuring trains, windmills, an erupting Mount Vesuvius, and cable cars. At the end of the visit, the Spirit of Europe exhibition provides an interactive introduction to the European Union through multimedia exhibits and games. The Royal Museum of the Armed Forces and Military History, commonly known as the Royal Military Museum, is a military museum occupying the two northernmost halls of the historic Cinquantenaire/Jubelpark complex. Brussels is the de facto capital of the European Union, as it hosts many of the EU's principal institutions, including key administrative, executive, and legislative bodies. As a result, the name "Brussels" is often used metonymically to refer to the European Union and its institutions. The Royal Palace of Brussels is the official palace of the King and Queen of the Belgians, located in the heart of the capital. However, it is not used as the royal residence; the royal family resides at the Royal Palace of Laeken in northern Brussels. The Grand-Place is the central square of Brussels and one of the city's most famous landmarks. It is surrounded by ornate Baroque guildhalls that once belonged to the Guilds of Brussels, as well as two prominent buildings: the city's Flamboyant Gothic Town Hall and the neo-Gothic King's House (Maison du Roi) or Bread House (Broodhuis), which houses the Brussels City Museum. The square measures 68 by 110 meters (223 by 361 ft) and is entirely paved. 00:00:10 Arrival at Brussels Central Station and City Center 00:00:25 Atomium 00:05:24 Mini-Europe 00:11:48 Royal Museum of the Armed Forces and Military History 00:12:33 European Parliament 00:13:59 Royal Palace of Brussels 00:14:43 City Center and Grand-Place (Brussels' Main Square)