Mini-Europe

If you’ve only got a few days in Brussels, make a speedy tour of the major sights of the countries in the European Union at Mini-Europe – all in miniature. Among the 350 detailed models exhibited here, the architectural highlights featured include the Eiffel Tower, Big Ben, the canals of Venice and the Acropolis; they’re all there in carefully replicated models scaled down to 1.25.

The park offers an entertaining way for kids to learn more about the countries of the EU and significant moments from their history. Interactive displays at each model light up various elements of the buildings, trains chuff around tracks, bells chime and national anthems play. Vesuvius erupts, the Berlin Wall comes down and matadors fight the bulls in Spanish bull rings.

As the EU expands, so new models arrive at Mini-Europe. The latest arrivals in 2013 were St Mark’s Church from Zagreb, Croatia, and a diorama celebrating the succession of King Philippe to the Belgian throne on July 23, 2013. Weekly son et lumière and firework spectaculars are held on Saturday evenings in July and August.

Practical Info

Mini-Europe is in the Bruparck in north-west Brussels. The metro stop is Heysel. Opening hours are 9.30am-6pm, open until 8pm in summer. The park is closed between January and mid-March. Access is discounted with the Brussels Card and combined tickets with the Atomium, which is adjacent, are also available. Océade Water Park is next door.