Fun Facts About Belgium | Things You Didn't Know!

Belgium may be small, but it’s packed with diversity and surprises. From the longest tram line in the world and the biggest chocolate-selling airport to rich cultural heritage and innovative contributions from Belgian scientists, Belgium is full of unique facts that make it a fascinating destination. Discover the fun facts about Belgium that make it so special.

Longest Tram Line in the World: The Coast Tram stretches over 43 miles along the Belgian coast, claiming the title of the world’s longest tram line.
Invention of Roller Skates: Jean-Joseph Merlin, an inventive Belgian, introduced the very first roller skates around 1760.
Brussels Praline: The delicious praline, a Belgian chocolate delight, was created in the 19th century by the Neuhaus family in Brussels.
Belgian Endive: Brussels is the birthplace of Belgian endive, a unique vegetable that’s less than 200 years old.
Comic Capital of the World: Belgium, famous for its comics, brought us icons like Tintin, The Smurfs, and Lucky Luke. The country hosts multiple comic festivals and has museums dedicated to this art form.
Beer Culture: With over 2,000 different beers and a spot on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list, Belgium is a beer lover’s paradise.
Atomium: This Brussels monument, built for the 1958 World Expo, represents an iron crystal magnified 165 billion times.
Castles: Belgium boasts the highest density of castles in the world, ranging from medieval fortresses to grand mansions.
Chocolate Sales at the Airport: Brussels Airport is the world’s top chocolate-selling airport, a must-visit for chocolate lovers. It sells about 3.5 pounds of chocolate per minute, making it the biggest chocolate-selling airport globally.

Sandcastle Competition: Ostend attracts many visitors annually with the world’s largest sandcastle competition.
Albert Einstein in Belgium: Before moving to the US, Albert Einstein temporarily lived in De Haan-Wenduine in 1933.
Outlets: The plugs in Belgium are types C and E, so you do need a travel adapter.
Palace of Justice Replica: The impressive Palace of Justice in Brussels has a replica in Lima, Peru, built in the 1930s.
Fry Shack Culture: Belgium’s unique fry shack culture offers a wide variety of sauces for fries, such as mayonnaise and stew sauce.
Language Diversity: Belgium, with its three official languages – Dutch, French, and German – is a melting pot of cultural diversity.
World-Famous Flavors: Belgian waffles, chocolate, and beers are celebrated worldwide for their taste and quality.
Home of the European Union: Brussels serves as the de facto capital of the EU, hosting key institutions like the European Commission and the European Parliament.
Art and Architecture: Belgium boasts a rich art history with greats like René Magritte and Pieter Bruegel the Elder.
Longest Government Formation: Belgium set a world record by functioning for 652 days without an official government from 2019 to 2020. Surprisingly, the country ran smoothly.
Cultural Diversity: Belgium has three official languages: Dutch, French, and German. Different regions predominantly speak one of these languages, while Brussels is bilingual.
Diamond Capital: Antwerp, Belgium’s second-largest city, is known as the diamond capital of the world, with over 80% of the world’s diamonds passing through its trading district.
Largest Courthouse: The Palace of Justice in Brussels is the largest courthouse in the world, even bigger than St. Peter’s Basilica.
Tomorrowland: Belgium hosts Tomorrowland, one of the largest electronic music festivals in the world, drawing thousands of visitors from around the globe each year.
Unique National Holiday: Belgium celebrates its national holiday on July 21, commemorating the swearing-in of its first king, Leopold I, in 1831.
Spa Town: The town of Spa in Belgium is famous for its mineral springs and is considered the origin of the word “spa.” It has been a wellness destination since the 18th century.
Billiard Balls Production: Belgium produces nearly 80% of the world’s billiard balls, leading the global market in this niche product.
Progressive Legislation: Belgium was one of the first countries to legalize euthanasia in 2002 and same-sex marriage in 2003, reflecting its progressive social policies.
Famous Fries: Belgian fries, also known as “frites,” are a national dish often served with various sauces. They are typically double-fried for extra crispiness.

Unique Flag Design: The Belgian flag has three vertical stripes in black, yellow, and red, distinguishing it from the horizontal stripes of the German flag.
Durbuy: Durbuy, located in the province of Luxembourg, is often called the smallest town in the world and has a charming medieval atmosphere.
Innovative Contributions: Belgian scientist Georges Lemaître proposed the Big Bang theory, fundamentally changing our understanding of the universe’s origin.
No Closing Time for Bars: In Belgium, there is no legally mandated closing time for bars, allowing visitors to enjoy drinks into the early hours.

These are just some of the amazing facts about Belgium. Do you know any more? Let us know!