35 GREAT Things Belgium is Famous and Known for

This blog post is all about what Belgium.

Glenn is born and bred in Belgium, and I lived there with him for a year, so we should know a thing or two about this amazing country by now.

In fact, we’ve learned of 35 things that Belgium is famous and known for. And some of these are hilarious!

Did you for example know that Belgium has the only beer pipeline in the world and that it’s one of the most successful pigeon breeding nations?

Other facts are more serious and really shows how Belgium has brought a lot of value to the world.

One things is for sure, a lot of these facts involve beer, which is probably one of the most important things that Belgium is known for. We think it’s safe to say that Belgium is quite the interesting and tasty country to visit, and we hope you’ll visit it on your next trip.

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1. Belgium is famous for its amazing beers

One of the absolute most famous things coming from Belgium is without a doubt beer.

Statistics show that Belgium had over 400 breweries in 2021. And there are allegedly more than 1000 different beer brands produced within these breweries.

What’s so special about the Belgium beer is all the different types of beer you can drink: Trappist, Witbier, Pils, Fruit beer, Blonde and Dubbel or Tripel, and the list goes on.

At first, it can be difficult to understand the difference between all of these beers. But the best way to understand the Belgium beer culture is just to try and taste your way to find what you like.

One thing is for sure – if you’re heading to Belgium, you must try the beer!

2. Every beer has its own glass

There are hundreds of different beer glasses in Belgium.

Whenever you order a beer in a bar, you’ll most likely get the exact matching glass to the specific beer brand you ordered.

Apparently, the beer glasses help bring out the aroma of the beer. Kind of similar to why you drink wine out of wine glasses.

Because the beer glasses are such an important part of the beer culture, you should never drink beer directly from the bottle unless it’s a regular pils. Drinking straight from the bottle is very frowned upon – A lesson I’ve only learned by doing. Whoops!

3. Belgian frites or French fries?

Did you know that French Fries were actually invented in Belgium?

Of course in Belgium they call them Belgian frites.

The Belgian frites are such a big national treasure that the country has made a petition to get UNESCO World Heritage status on their fries and mayonnaise.

It’s still a big discussion whether it was actually France or Belgium who invented the fry, but one thing is for sure – the Belgian frites are damn delicious!

4. Belgian chocolate is next level yummy

One of the most known facts about Belgium is that the country is famous for having some of the best chocolate in the world.

The famous praline (filled chocolates) was even founded in Belgium in 1912 by the Neuhaus family.

And with more than 2000 registered chocolatiers, you’re sure to bump into delicious chocolate on your visit to Belgium. So make sure to stop by a chocolatier on your trip to Belgium and try a few different pieces of chocolate.

5. Belgium is known for fluffy waffles

Another delicious treat that Belgium is known for is waffles.

You can find the Belgian Waffle all around the world. However, in Belgium there is nothing called a Belgian Waffle.

Instead you can get a Brussels Waffle or a Liège Waffle, which are both waffle types named after cities.

The Liège Waffle has round edges whereas the Brussels Waffle is made in a rectangular shape. The two types of waffles also have different texture and taste.

The waffles in Belgium are divine, so make sure to try one on your trip!

6. TinTin was created by a Belgian cartoonist

When I was a child, there was no better way to spent a weekend than watching TinTin with my father.

TinTin is a popular European comic made by the famous Belgian cartoonist Georges Remi also known as Hergé.

The comic is about TinTin, a young Belgian reporter and adventurer, who solves mysteries with his faithful dog Snowy. There are several funny characters in the cartoon. But my all-time favorite character is Captain Haddock who drinks and curses at every chance he gets.

7. There are 3 official languages in Belgium

Belgium actually has 3 official languages, none of which are called “Belgian”.

The 3 official languages are Flemish, French and German.

Does this mean that all Belgian people speak 3 languages? No.

The Belgians living in Flanders (Northwest of Belgium) mostly speaks Flemish/Dutch, the Belgians living in Wallonia (Southeast of Belgium) mostly speaks French, and the small German minority to the far East of Belgium mostly speaks German.

Keep in mind that this country has an area of 30.000 km² with 11,5 million people. It’s not a very big country, yet it’s one of the most diverse countries in Europe when it comes to languages and dialects.

8. Traffic jams are inevitable

Traffic jams are one of the not-so-great things that Belgium is known for.

Belgium is a densely populated country with almost 6 million cars registered.

On top of that, Belgium is situated in the heart of Europe which makes it the perfect drive-through country to connect The Netherlands, The United Kingdom, France, Germany and Luxembourg with each other. The highways are full of trucks because a lot of import and export are passed through Belgium.

This sadly means that there are often traffic jams in this little country.

9. Jenever is the national drink

Even though beer is the most common and loved alcoholic beverage in Belgium, Jenever or Genièvre is said to be Belgium’s national spirit.

Jenever is a strong liquor that you drink from a shot glass. You can either drink it cold or hot, and it has several different flavors such as melon, vanilla, chocolate, blueberries – basically whatever your heart desires.

You can find it in most bars or in Jenever houses, which are dedicated to only serving this liquor. During Christmas you can also find the liquor at the Belgium Christmas markets.

Jenever is a drink that’s more than 500 years old. It’s a protected product which means it can only be produced in The Netherlands, Belgium, Northern France and Germany.

If you like to explore new types of alcohol, make sure to try Jenever next time you’re in Belgium. It’s between €2-3 per shot and it makes you feel nice and warm on the inside (speaking from experience).

10. Manneken Pis is Belgium’s most famous statue

New York City has the statue of liberty, Copenhagen has the Little Mermaid, and Florence has David by Michelangelo. So, what statue is Belgium famous for? Manneken Pis.

A statue of a little naked boy who’s taking a pis.

However, he’s not always naked. Manneken Pis is often dressed up in different clothes according to what’s happening in Belgium. For example, Manneken Pis was wearing the Belgium football uniform during the World Cup. Isn’t that hilarious?

Manneken Pis is only a minute walk away from the Grand Place in Brussels. You’ll most likely find the little boy next to a big herd of tourists who are all pointing their cameras towards a small object by the corner of a building.

I must say that even though it seems a bit disappointing when you compare it to other great statues around the world it surely still deserves to be on any Brussels itinerary!

11. Jean-Claude Van Damme is from Brussels

Belgium’s most famous and international actor is still Jean-Claude Van Damme – also known as the Muscles from Brussels.

He is both famous for being an actor, writer, and producer. During the 80’s and 90’s he starred in many action movies such as Double Impact and Bloodsport.

12. The Belgian musician Adolphe Sax created the Saxophone

Another famous Belgian is Adolphe Sax – also known as the inventor of the saxophone in the 1840’s.

Adolphe Sax was born in Dinant, which is a beautiful picturesque town in Wallonia. If you ever visit Dinant, you’ll notice several colorful statues of saxophones. The city placed the saxophones as a tribute to Adolphe Sax and his great invention.

If it wasn’t for Adople Sax, we don’t think we would have enjoyed jazz as much as we do today. There is no better sound than the sweet and smooth tone coming from a saxophone!

13. Sinterklaas is more popular than Santa Claus

During Christmas in Belgium, you have two different men dressed in a red suit with a long white beard, who brings presents to children: Santa Claus and Sinterklaas. One big guy in red just wasn’t enough for Belgium.

Since most of us already know Santa Claus, let me instead introduce this Sinterklaas figure that Belgium and The Netherlands are known for.

Sinterklaas is based on a historical figure named Saint Nicholas who was a Greek bishop. Sinterklaas wears a red cape and a red mitre. He doesn’t have flying reindeer like Santa Claus, instead he has a white faithful horse.

It’s said that Santa Claus actually derives from Sinterklaas who derives from Saint Nicholas – so in a way they’re all connected.

14. Belgium is famous for its picturesque towns

The picturesque medieval-style cities are one of the main things that attracts millions of tourists to Belgium every year.

Belgium has some of the most beautiful and historical cities in Western Europe such as Bruges, Ghent, Namur, and Dinant. Our all-time favorite place is Ghent, which is where we used to live.

Check out some of the beautiful Belgian cities, which we’ve visited:

15. Tomorrowland is one of the best electronic dance festivals

One of the world’s most famous electronic dance festivals is held in Belgium.

Every year, thousands of young party people pilgrimage to Belgium to take part in Tomorrowland.

It’s a big electronic dance festival that has won several awards and is known for its crazy electronic music and stage setups. So, if you’re a big party person and into electronic music, you should definitely check out Tomorrowland.

16. Christmas markets in Belgium are amazing

There are so many great Christmas markets in this country. Europe is famous for having the best Christmas markets in the world, and Belgium doesn’t let you down.

You can buy all sorts of things in the Christmas markets. On top of that, the markets are full of mesmerizing Christmas lights, which contrasts the dark winter sky, and the smells that surrounds you are mouthwatering.

There is no better feeling than to go to a Christmas market in Belgium and warm your insides with a hot cocoa, a mulled wine, or even a Jenever.

So, if you’re ever in Belgium during December, make sure to check out some of the big Christmas markets around the country.

17. Belgium had no government for more than a year

A rather peculiar thing that Belgium is famous for, is to not have had a government for more than a year – this happened twice!

In October 2020, Belgium finally formed a new government since the elections in May 2019, which meant that the country was functioning without a government for 494 days.

What’s even weirder is that this is not even the longest time that Belgium has gone without a government. After the elections in 2010 it took Belgium 541 days to form a new government.

The politics in Belgium are very complicated because of the many different regions. My overall understanding of the Belgian people is that they are not very happy with their politicians… Which is understandable when it takes more than a year for them to form a federal government.

18. The capital of Europe: EU Parliament and NATO

Staying in the political landscape, Belgium is also famous for being the Capital of Europe with the EU Parliament and NATO Headquarters located in Brussels.

19. Belgium is famous for pigeon breeding

One of the funniest facts about Belgium is that it’s famous for pigeon breeding.

Oh yes, you heard it right.

Pigeon.

Breeding.

Belgium is famous for breeding pigeons which are used in pigeon racing competitions. Pigeon racing is a sport where you release a bunch of pigeons somewhere and see which pigeon makes it home first.

When I first learned about this, I thought it was a joke. But then I realized that pigeon racing is actually a million dollar sport.

In 2020, a pigeon from Belgium was sold for $1,9 million, making it the most expensive pigeon in the world to ever be sold. Now, we don’t mean to sound disrespectful at all… But who buys that?!

20. Antwerp is the diamond capital of the world

Antwerp in the North of Belgium has long been known as the Diamond Capital of the world.

Since the 15th century, Antwerp has been the world center for diamond trade and has gained great expertise in gem cutting and polishing.

It’s said that more than 80% of the world’s diamonds pass through Antwerp. So make sure to go by Antwerp if you’re looking for something shiny.

21. Napoleon was defeated in Waterloo

Waterloo is a town situated just south of Brussels. It’s the historical place where Napoleon Bonaparte was defeated in 1815.

The Battle of Waterloo was very important because it set a new course for Europe now that the French empire was gone. It even brought peace to Western Europe for a few years before new wars broke out.

Today you can visit the Battlefield and Museum of Waterloo.

22. Belgium was the battlefield of Europe

The Battle of Waterloo is not the only time that an important battle has been fought within Belgium’s territory. In fact, Belgium has long been known as the Battlefield of Europe.

Several battles during the World Wars have been fought in Belgium by the French, German, Dutch and British. It wasn’t always easy to be a small country situated in the heart of Europe.

So, if you’re a keen historian, who loves to read and learn about the wars in Europe, a visit to Belgium is mandatory.

23. Belgium is among the youngest countries in Western Europe

Belgium finally gained sovereignty from The Netherlands in 1830, which makes Belgium one of the youngest countries in Western Europe.

24. The blue Smurfs come from Belgium

Another popular comic that Belgium is famous for is the small, blue creatures living in mushroom-shaped houses – The Smurfs!

The comic was made by Pierre “Peyo” Culliford in 1958, and the original name is Les Schtroumpfs. Apparently, more than 100 different Smurf characters have since been created, and they all have names based on their characteristics such as “Papa Smurf” or “Clumsy Smurf”.

The Smurfs have gained great popularity over the years. You can find the Smurfs in comic books, movies, tv-series, and games.

25. The Ardennes is Belgium’s greatest nature spot

One of the best things about Belgium is the Ardennes Forest.

As mentioned earlier, Belgium is a very densely populated country in the heart of Europe with lots of traffic passing through. However, in the Southeast region you can find the serene Ardennes.

The Ardennes is a region with extensive forests, hills, and rivers that stretches across the borders to France, Germany and Luxembourg. It’s a beautiful nature area, and it’s the perfect place to escape the busy cities of Belgium and go do some hiking in the wilderness.

26. Speculoos is Belgium’s best biscuit

Before visiting Belgium, I had never heard of Speculoos before.

Speculoos or Speculaas originates from The Netherlands and Belgium, and it’s one of the best biscuits in the whole world.

Speculoos is a Christmassy-spiced biscuit often eaten shaped as Sinterklaas during Christmas. However, you can eat this little wonder every day. Today, you can even buy Speculoos as a spread to put on bread. Very tasty!

27. The world’s first and only beer pipeline is in Bruges

Producing some of the world’s most tasty beers simply isn’t enough.

Belgium took it to the next level and has now become famous for being the first and only country in the world with a beer pipeline! It’s the delicious beer named Brugse Zot that’s flowing through the pipes.

The beer pipeline runs underneath the famous cobble streets of the beautiful UNESCO World Heritage historic centre of Bruges. It’s 3 kilometers long and connects the old famous brewery De Halve Maan to its bottling plant. Just brilliant!

28. Belgium is known for its amazing bar culture

In every small town in Belgium you can make sure to find at least one bar or pub that serves all that delicious Belgian beer to a very affordable price.

In 2019, statistics showed that Belgium is home to 14276 bars (or cafés as Belgians call their bars), which is actually a decline from almost 18000 bars back in 2009.

However, Belgium is still one of the better countries in Europe to get lost in a bar because of all the different types of beer you can try.

Anyone who fancies beer should definitely go by a few bars and experience the Belgian drinking culture.

29. Friteries are everywhere

Just like you can find a bar in every small town, you can also always find a friterie close by.

A friterie is a place where you can buy deep fried stuff. Belgium is famous for its tasty friterie snacks such as Fries, Bitterballen, Kaaskroket, Viandel, and many more!

However, for your health’s sake, we wouldn’t recommend eating this every day.

When I first started dating Glenn and visiting Belgium, I had no idea that this was a big thing. Now I’ve learned that most families even have their own deep fryer in the garden and make their own fries every Sunday.

I love how Belgians always look oddly at me when I say that friteries aren’t a thing in Denmark, and then they ask, “But where do you get your fries then?”

Make sure to go by a friterie/friturie/frituur/frietkot on your visit to Belgium. Order some fries and a few different snacks, and you’ve experienced Belgium’s deep fried culture.

30. Many expats are living in Belgium

Since Belgium is famous for being The Capital of Europe, you naturally expect a lot of foreigners to be living and working here.

Belgium’s population has reached more than 11,5 million people (2021). Yet, out of this population, more than 1 million people are foreigners – And I used to be one of them.

You can read my blog post about what living in Belgium as an expat is like. Just notice that I no longer live in Belgium, so I can’t comment on the situation today.

31. Cycle racing is a popular sport

One of the most popular sports in Belgium is cycle racing. This is where you’ll find a lot of young up-and-coming cyclist from all over the world.

Belgium also has some big races every year such as Tour of Flanders and Liège-Bastogne-Liège.

If you want a career in cycling, Belgium is the place to start.

32. Stromae is from Brussels

Some of Belgium’s most famous musicians are Happy-Go-Lucky schlager singers.

However, on the international scene Belgium is mostly known for Stromae. Stromae is a Belgian musician who sings and raps in French.

Even though most of Europe don’t speak French and therefore have no clue what Stromae is singing about, he still managed to get his single “Alors on danse” to rank nr. 1 in most European countries.

33. Belgium has one of the best national football teams

Belgium’s national male football team often ranks in top 3 over the best teams in the world.

While we can’t say much about football itself, we can assure you that the Belgians know how to party. During the last World Cup, several cities in Belgium showed the matches on big screens, which made thousands of people come together to watch and support the national team.

Although there are a lot of different cultures and big diversions in Belgium, it’s lovely to see how the country unites when a football match is on.

34. Belgium has 33 UNESCO World Heritage belfries

Belgium is famous for its historical buildings, and the country doesn’t let you down when it comes to belfries.

A Belfry is a bell tower that was built in the Middle Ages to warn the people living in the cities about danger. Most of the big cities in Belgium have belfries that you can visit today.

You can even visit my favorite belfry that’s located in Ghent, which also happens to be the tallest belfry in all of Belgium. Or go visit the beautiful and more popular Belfry of Bruges.

There are 33 UNESCO World Heritage Belfries in Belgium, whereas 26 of them are located in Flanders and 7 in Wallonia.

35. Belgium has the longest tram line in the world

The longest tram line in the world is located in Belgium.

It’s called the Kusttram, which means the “Coast Tram”, and it takes you through 68 stops down the coast.

It stops in all of the coastal cities such as Knokke, Blankenberge, Oostende, Nieuwport and Adinkerke. So it basically takes you from the northern side of the coast near the Dutch border and all the way down to the southern side of the coast near the French border.

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We hope you enjoy this blog post about all these facts that makes Belgium a great country! If anyone asks you what is Belgium famous and known for, we hope that you have a few answers ready by now.

You are more than welcome to leave a comment if you have some great facts about Belgium that you would like to share with the rest of us.

Now that this blog post is over, it goes without saying that Belgium has a lot to offer and is worth a spot on anyone’s bucket list! So enjoy your trip to the land of beer, fries, belfries, pigeon breeding, TinTin, Tomorrowland and traffic jams.

Thanks for reading and happy travels!

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