What To Buy In Belgium

what to buy in belgium
Anurag
Anurag 
Updated
| 4 min read

Considered to be one of the most beautiful countries in Europe, Belgium attracts visitors from different parts of the world every year. To make your trip memorable, there are many incredible places you must visit while you are here, including small towns and natural landscapes. You should also try the beer and the baked goods on offer, as well as sample the delicious local food to enhance your experience. If you are a shopping enthusiast, then you can visit this country at any given time within the year. Check out this list of what to buy in Belgium.

1. Clothing

Wedding dress
Source: Pixabay

If you are planning a trip to Belgium, make sure that you buy a smock or a beret - these are popular for men because it makes up the Belgian national costume. For women, check out the latest collection of huntress dresses from local clothing stores or traditional shops. Women in Belgium traditionally preferred to wear a huntress dress as it gave them a classier look. Also, if you are planning to get married, you can also browse through the wedding dress stores here. Lace is another specialty in the country, and there many prominent Belgian fashion designers for wedding gowns.

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2. Glassware

New Belgium Fat Tire Beer Glass
Source: Photo by user Dan Harrelson used under CC BY 2.0

Are you planning to visit Belgium soon? If yes, don’t forget to buy some glassware from the local stores or souvenir shops to take home. Belgian breweries and pubs use distinctive glassware that comes in different shapes and sizes. You can check out Tripel Karmeliet’s voluptuous glasses, high-stemmed tulip glasses, and Kwak coachman’s glass that is famous across the globe for its distinct look - it even comes with a wooden stand that highlights the shape. So, make sure that you save some money to buy a few of these unique items.

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3. Belgian chocolates

Leonidas Belgian Chocolate
Source: Photo by user sk used under CC BY-ND 2.0

Who is not fond of Belgian chocolates? The locals have been promoting their tradition and culture through these delicious treats for years. The chocolates are known for being buttery and sweet with just a hint of bitterness, making it stand out from chocolates that are sold everywhere else. You must try the truffles, molded pralines, and buttercreams when you visit.

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4. Comic books

Brussels comic book route- Tintin on rue de l'Etuve (Belgium, DSCF4461)
Source: Photo by user Trougnouf used under CC BY-SA 4.0

If you know your comic book history, then you know the role of European comics in today’s world. Belgium is known for its arts, infrastructure, and architecture. However, most people are not aware of the fact that comics have played a significant role in the city’s development. Have you heard of the Adventures of Tintin? Those comics were made by Georges Remi (Hergé), a Belgian cartoonist from Brussels. While here, you can walk into any bookstore and look for the comics section.

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Belgium Tour Guide

Miriam  Meda

Miriam Meda

I inspire and help you on your trips to Belgium with my project, Curiositas Mundus. My goal is to avoid you any surprises once you land in this beautiful and small country. Traveling with kids? No problem. Are you a high school teacher preparing for your next study trip? No worries. Families? Friends? Solo travel? VIP? Companies? Universities? Lost souls? Restless minds? Physical challenges or ... Read more

5. Lace

Brussels, Belgium
Source: Photo by Flickr user Ninara used under CC BY 2.0

Considered to be one of the most delicate fabrics in the textile industry, lace is made up of yarn and threads stitched in a unique pattern. Most of the time, it is made by hand or by machine; however, when it comes to Belgian lace, everything is handcrafted. You will come across various cotton threads, linens, silk threads, and many more. You can check out antique stores like ’T Apostelientje in Bruges to find authentic Belgian lace.

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6. Jewelry

Jewelry
Source: Pixabay

Belgium is a place that is also known for its unique, handcrafted pieces of jewelry. There are many places where you will find various designs. Whether you want to buy diamonds, pearls, or gold, you can get authentic and original pieces here. Many kinds are available, from silver necklaces to gold plated earrings, and many more. If you are getting married soon, then you can find accessories to match your dress while you are here.

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7. Cigars

Three cohiba cigars
Source: Photo by user Soonadracula used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Did you know you can find shops selling cigars in Belgium? If not, then you must explore the places in and around Brussels or Bruges when you visit. You can find well-known brands from other countries. Some of the major brands that make the best cigars are Cohiba, Bolivar, Cuaba, H. Upmann, Hoyo De Monterrey, Jose L.Piedra, Montecristo, and many more. So, if you are a smoker, then you must grab the opportunity to buy cigars when you are visiting Belgium.

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8. Beer

Belgium - brewers of the world's finest beer
Source: Photo by user TeaMeister used under CC BY 2.0

When you are planning to visit a place like Belgium, you must try the craft beers that are made locally. With their unique beer flavors, it is easy to see why Belgians love to drink during the weekends while chilling with friends and family. If you want to try new brands, according to locals, you must drink the Colonel Lager Beer, 961 Beer from Lebanon, Colonel Red Irish, Almaza Radler Lemon, Chimay Blue, and Corsendonk, among others.

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9. Tapestries

<div class="fn">
<span style="font-weight:bold"><span dir="ltr" lang="en"><i>Dialectic</i></span></span><div style="display: none;">title QS:P1476,en:"Dialectic"</div>
<div style="display: none;">label QS:Len,"Dialectic"</div>
</div>
Source: Photo by user Details of artist... used under PUBLIC DOMAIN

If you don’t know much about tapestries from Belgium, then you must do a little bit of research before visiting the place. The weavers of Belgium are famous across the world for their craft, especially for the innovative designs that they make. There are many options for you to choose from, so you can buy the best tapestries to decorate your living room, dining hall, or bedroom. You have the option to select traditional or modern designs depending on your preference. You can buy them in different forms too: wall tapestries, bags, pillow covers, or table cloths.

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10. Manneken-Pis

Manneken-Pis souvenirs
Source: Photo by user John Althouse Cohen used under CC BY-ND 2.0

When you are visiting Belgium, make sure you visit the Manneken-Pis sculpture that is located in Brussels, Belgium. This iconic fountain landmark that stands 61 cm (24 inches) high and depicts a small boy urinating into the basin of a fountain. Jerome Duquesnoy had designed this sculpture in the early 1600s and put it in place when it was completed. You can capture a picture standing next to it to make your trip here historic and memorable. You will also find little figurines of Manneken-Pis in several souvenir stores, so you can take a version home with you.

Tip from tour guide

Miriam

Miriam
Belgium

Manneken Pis

Planning to buy the figurines of Manneken Pis? Here's an interesting fact about it: Until the late 40s, the costumes of the Manneken Pis from Brussels were a little "amorphous," with fake arms finished in gloves that simulated hands. Then, a new sewing pattern was established that would respect its peculiar pose in the future. ‬

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Explore the beauty of Belgium

Although there are many things to buy in Belgium, it’s important for you to ensure that you enjoy your trip to the fullest. You must explore this historic place and capture all the beautiful moments worth cherishing. Have a great time!

Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Hi, I am Anurag Paul Gummadi, residing in Bangalore, India.

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