What would you say if I told you there is a place that brings together the main attractions of the Old Continent? Although it seems impossible, I assure you that such a place exists. I am talking about Mini-Europe, an outdoor museum that hosts a variety of miniature buildings, monuments and sights. Situated in Brussels, next to the Atomium, this miniature park displays the most famous and beautiful sights in Europe. It will be a real delight to admire this collection of about 350 scale models, from 80 different European cities. You will have the chance to walk among the Eiffel Tower, the Acropolis, the Big Ben, the Tower of Pisa, the Trulli of Alberobello, the Grand-Place of Brussels and so on. You can also relax admiring the gondolas of Venice or the Lisbon Ocenarium. Beautiful landscapes from Santorini or the Algarve will fill you up with energy and good mood. Significant moments in European history are perfectly reproduced in Mini-Europe: the fall of the Berlin Wall, the launch of the Ariane rocket or the eruption of Mount Vesuvius Volcano. An animated miniature world is portrayed in a beautiful setting embellished with natural green spaces. I could say a lot of things about this impressive place, but I will let the following pictures say the rest.

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There is a place that can offer you the chance to take a tour around Europe in just a few hours. This place is Mini-Europe, an outdoor museum located at the foot of the Atomium, in Bruparck , Brussels. Inaugurated by Prince Philip of Belgium in 1989, this miniature park hosts an impressive collection of about 350 exhibits from 80 different European cities.

This collection covers an area of 24000 m² and it consists of a variety of miniature buildings, monuments and sights. Represented at a scale of 1:25, all these scale models are perfect reproductions of the original buildings and sights. The setting is really special: a big garden embellished with plants, dwarf trees, bonsai, bushes and flowers.

It will be a memorable experience to walk among all these European symbols and admire their unique architecture. This park brings together the most beautiful and important monuments in Europe: the Eiffel Tower, the Big Ben, the gondolas of Venice, the Acropolis, the Tower of Pisa, the Trulli of Alberobello, the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, the Grand-Place of Brussels, the Lisbon Ocenarium and many others.

I was impressed by the fact that traditional villages from different parts of Europe are perfectly reproduced on a small scale in this park. For example, you can discover beautiful landscapes from the Algarve, Portugal or Santorini, Greece. Another aspect that I liked very much about Mini-Europe was the reproduction of some of the most significant moments in European history: the fall of the Berlin Wall, the launch of the Ariane rocket or the eruption of Mount Vesuvius Volcano.

The big surprise is that Mini-Europe also hosts miniature trains, mills and cable cars which actually function. A whole miniature world is lying in front of your eyes and even if it is not real, it will make you feel the European atmosphere and learn a lot of things about the main attractions in Europe.

Mini-Europe is also perfect for children. This place gives them the opportunity to live an amazing adventure in the world of miniatures and also play entertaining games during their visit. It is important to know that Mini-Europe is usually closed at the beginning of the year. This year the park will be closed between January 4th and March 11th .

Therefore you should take this aspect into account because it would be a pity to go to Brussels and not be able to visit this fabulous place.

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You should spend at least a week in this beautiful city in order to have enough time to visit all these places. If you are going to spend only one day in this city, there are some places you should definitely not miss. You should take into account the following recommendations, in case you want to spend a perfect day in Brussels:

1. Firstly you should check the weather forecast and choose a sunny day in case you want to enjoy your trip around the city. Weather in Brussels is very unpredictable.

2. You should wear comfortable clothes and shoes.

3. Brussels is famous for its interesting architecture and no tourist should miss the masterpieces of the city.  The most representative buildings are in my opinion: the Grand Place-Grote Markt, the Manneken Pis , the Jeanneke Pis, the Palace of Justice, the Royal Palace, the National Basilica of the Sacred Heart and the Statue of Europe.

4. A walk in the Cinquantenaire (Jubelpark) will give you the energy to continue exploring the city.

5. You should not miss the Atomium, which is the iconic image of Brussels and the symbol of Belgium. It will be a memorable experience to visit the five spheres which are open to the public.

6. Mini-Europe is an outdoor museum where the tourists can admire scale models of famous European monuments and buildings.

7. If you are a museum lover Brussels is the place to visit. There are a variety of museums you can choose from. In my opinion the most interesting ones are the Musical Instruments Museum ,the Rene Magritte Museum and the Chocolate Museum.

The Chocolate Museum is an absolute must if you want to plunge into the world of chocolate and live an amazing experience.

8. You shouldn’t miss the most important European institutions. The European Parliament, the European Commission and the European Council are all located in Brussels.

9. In my opinion you will not have a complete experience in Brussels if you don’t taste some Belgian dishes such as: fries, mousse and the best chocolate and beer.

If you like spending your holidays in the big cities of the world and you are ready to be fascinated by a unique architectural style, Brussels is the perfect destination.

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