No trip can be called completely accomplished if no souvenirs were brought from it. Overseas curiosities, and just original things will preserve the memory of your trip and become an unforgettable gift for your loved ones. Each country has its own unique items. What can I bring from Belgium? If you are puzzled by this pleasant puzzle, then you have opened the right page.
Territory of chocolate
Belgian chocolate is not inferior to its Swiss friend. It was in Belgium that praline, an almond filling for sweets, was invented, and today the annual production of chocolate products in the country is more than 220 thousand tons. The Belgians themselves can’t imagine their life without this delicacy, and to pay their respects to it, they even opened a real chocolate museum in Brussels.
In any city of Belgium, you will find many chocolate shops where you can buy as a gift both classic chocolates with praline, and sweets with unusual additives. The price depends on the brand and quantity of candy in the box. An inexpensive option can be purchased for 17-25€, and more elite brands can cost 40-50€. The highest quality brands are:
- Neuhaus
- Pierre Marcolini
- Godiva
- Leonidas
Many boxes are decorated with Belgian landscapes, and some candies are made in the form of intricate figures. You just need to bring such a souvenir from your trip: after all, chocolate will be a worthy gift for your loved ones.
On a note! What to try in Belgium from food, find out here.
The most delicious waffles in the world
If you’ve visited Belgium but haven’t tasted the local waffles, consider that you haven’t been there. This pastry creation is served not only with fruit, chocolate, berry fillings, but also with a filling of cheese and fish. And if you are still thinking about what to bring from Belgium as a gift, then the unequivocal answer is waffles.
Especially for tourists, this delicacy is packed in beautiful boxes that are convenient to transport in your luggage. But it is worth remembering that waffles have a short shelf life, so it is best to buy them on the eve of departure. The price of this product starts from 2.5€.
Cheese abundance
When it comes to high-quality cheese, many of us think of the Netherlands with countless cheese factories all over the country. However, Belgium is not at all inferior to its Dutch neighbor. Belgian cheeses such as Orval, Remudou and Limburger have long won the love of gourmets due to their unique taste. The Brugge Oud brand enjoys a special reputation among tourists, and it is often decided to bring it to friends as a gift.
And in order to buy this original product, you do not need to go to the cheese factory: after all, most major Belgian supermarkets abound in varieties of cheese for every taste. The cost of cheese products, of course, depends on the variety and weight. So, inexpensive cheese in a package of 200 g will cost 2-4 euros, but higher-quality brands will cost many times more.
Belgian foam beer
If you are tormented by the question of what you can bring from Belgium as a gift to your friends, then do not hesitate to buy beer! The Belgians simply adore the foamy drink and know a lot about its preparation. In this country, there are more than 800 varieties of beer, the annual consumption of which is 150 liters per person!
Here you can find fruit beer made on the basis of strawberries, black currants and cherries, as well as more tart varieties with an unexpected aftertaste. At the same time, Belgium is sure that to experience the true taste of the drink, you need to drink it from a branded glass. The cost of a bottle of Belgian foam ranges from 0.8-1.7€. If you want to bring beer as a gift, complete it with a branded mug.
Genever and Antwerp Elixir
What is it? Just what you can buy in Belgium as a souvenir. Genever is a local high-grade alcoholic drink. It is considered the progenitor of British gin: after all, it is also a favorite of the British, made on the basis of juniper berries, barley malt and wheat grains with the addition of herbs and spices. This drink will be an unusual gift, especially for men. The average price of a genever is 15-20€ per bottle (700 ml).
From Belgium, you can bring another national drink — Antwerp liqueur. Herbal elixir first appeared in the country in the 19th century and still enjoys considerable popularity among both locals and tourists. You can buy it in any Belgian supermarket or gift shops. The price for a small bottle will be 5-6€.
Flemish lace
Belgian lace was once a paraphernalia of aristocrats, but today it can be bought as a gift by any traveler. The center of lace production is the city of Bruges, but the works of masters are also available in specialized Brussels stores.
As a souvenir, you can bring tablecloths, bed linen, pajamas and even whole outfits decorated with lace. Keep in mind that fine handwork is not cheap: for example, a napkin size 30X30 will cost you at least 100€.
Attractions in souvenirs
There are a number of standard souvenirs from Belgium that can be brought as a gift. These are products with images of the main attractions. What is among them? All in the best tourist traditions:
- magnets
- t-shirts
- mugs
- figurines
- national dolls
The famous Brussels pissing boy in a miniature uniform is the main hit of sales. A statuette in the form of an Atomium — the second business card of Brussels-is also in great demand. The cost of such souvenirs will not affect your wallet: prices will vary from 2-10€.
Jewelry and diamonds
Antwerp is the second largest city in Belgium, which can rightfully be called the world’s diamond capital. It processes more than 80% of diamonds from all over the world every year. The reason for this was the highly developed infrastructure for cutting and manufacturing diamond products. That is why Belgium is famous for its exclusive jewelry, for which women come here from all over the world.
The diamond Quarter in Antwerp has become a paradise for lovers of fine jewelry. Prices for jewelry are very diverse. So, a simple silver ring without precious stones will cost about 20-30€, but products with diamonds-from 200-300€ and up to infinity.
Cosmetics and perfumes
Guy Delforge’s perfume workshop, located in the historic city of Namur, is famous all over the world for its unique scents. And if you are a fan of unusual smells, then this perfume should definitely be on your list of what to buy in Belgium. Moreover, the price for them is small and starts from 20€. Bringing such a souvenir to a woman is the perfect solution.
Unfortunately, Belgium does not have its own exclusive cosmetic brands, but there is a wide range of branded products that are difficult to find in Russia. So, in pharmacies and shops you can buy cosmetics of the Darphin and Avene brands.
Exquisite porcelain
One of the oldest cities in Belgium, Tournai keeps the secret of making artful porcelain products, which today amaze with their filigree. Original vases, dishes, porcelain dolls painted with floral patterns in soft colors can be an excellent souvenir for a woman.
The cost of Belgian porcelain depends on the size of the object and the degree of complexity of its execution. For example, you can buy a small milk jug for 10€, and a medium-sized hand-painted vase for 150-200 €. Prices for antique items are measured in three-digit and four-digit figures.
Tapestry Paradise
Fine art brought to life on the loom captured Belgium in the 14th century and today has reached a large scale. Tapestries with medieval motifs will be a worthy souvenir. In addition to luxury expensive canvases, travelers have the opportunity to buy useful accessories with tapestry inserts: purses, bags, pillows and much more. The price of such products starts from 8€.
Conclusion
Any, even the most insignificant souvenirs keep the memory of our trips and delight loved ones. We hope that after reading this article, you will decide exactly what to bring from Belgium. Of course, you can’t buy everything, but a couple of miniature figurines will remind you of unforgettable moments of travel for a long time to come.
