In the shadow of the Atomium

Surrounding the Atomium, on the grounds where the World Fair was once held, is the Heysel site. 11 of the palaces built for the exhibition are host to a myriad of fairs. The 12th and last one is now a big concert arena, appropriately named Palace 12. In the shadow of the Atomium, you’ll also find the city’s biggest cinema, the Planetarium, the King Baudouin Stadium (home base of the national soccer team, the Red Devils) and Mini Europe (a park with miniature versions of Europe’s finest buildings and monuments). Nature aficionados can enter the woods next to the Atomium and walk to the Royal Palace of Laeken or the Chinese Pavilion and Japanese Tower, two exotic-looking buildings which King Leopold II had built.