“It’s a unique tour, unlike anything else in Brussels, and leaves you with a real desire to understand more about Belgium’s wartime past.”
By David Harris, April 2026Brussels WW2 Walking Tour: Life in Occupied Brussels
Rated 5.0 by +30 early guests · Local guide · Small groups · Max 6 guests · English/Spanish · Free cancellation up to 24h
What is the experience like?
“Original, precise, accessible and above all: highly useful knowledge covering a topical period for Brussels and beyond.”
By Nikos Kalatsis, April 2026“I am very knowledgeable on WW2 and I learned things. Interesting to see perspective from close in, not the big view.”
By Tom, April 2026Reviews from early guests from GuruWalk, FreeTour and Google Maps.
What you will learn
Explore Brussels through the lens of World War II. Discover the stories and visit the landmarks most closely connected to the Nazi occupation of the city between 1940 and 1944. During this 2.5-hour, intimate and easy-paced walking tour, you will learn:
How the Belgian government responded to the invasion.
How ordinary people adapted to survive: the Belgian exodus, black markets, bombings, and resistance movements.
How the Jewish population was discriminated against, persecuted, and targeted for deportation.
How Brussels managed to regain its freedom and peace once more.
About your guide
Héctor Martínez is a fiction writer whose work draws inspiration from war, memory, and the moral choices people face in times of crisis. He is the author of La Dama de Belleville and regularly publishes short stories online, some of which have been featured in the literary magazine Letralia.
He created this tour after noticing how many powerful wartime stories unfolded in Brussels during World War II. He realised that although many of these stories are well documented, they remain difficult for visitors to access because of language barriers, scattered sources, and the difficulty of reading the city without historical context.
Drawing on research and storytelling, Héctor has crafted an experience that connects these stories to the streets where they happened, so that each guest can begin to imagine what it meant to live in Occupied Brussels.
Meeting point
Meeting point
Fillette à la Coquille sculpture
Inside the Park of Brussels, 1000 Brussels, Belgium Open in Google MapsEnding point
Grand Place
Grand Place, 1000 Brussels, Belgium Open in Google MapsItinerary
Royal Palace
The official palace of the King of the Belgians. Here, we will look at the first reactions in Brussels when Germany invaded Belgium in May 1940, while also exploring the controversial role played by the monarchy and the Belgian government before and during the occupation.
Rue de Ruysbroeck 35
Now a high school, this building once housed a printing shop that became world-famous for a bold act of resistance against Nazi propaganda during the occupation.
Grande Synagogue de Bruxelles
At Belgium’s most important synagogue, we will reflect on the experience of Brussels’ Jewish community during the occupation: daily restrictions, persecution, arrests, deportations, and the systematic violence of the Nazi “Final Solution.”
Place Poelaert
We will visit the monument honouring Belgian infantrymen of both World Wars, then turn to the Palais de Justice, occupied and burned by the Nazis, and Avenue Louise, where the Gestapo headquarters became the target of a daring act of resistance.
Place du Jeu de Balle
In the heart of the Marolles district, where black markets once flourished under occupation, this lively square conceals an almost forgotten wartime secret beneath its cobblestones.
Rue des Tanneurs
Along this old street, traces remain of the Jewish residents deported during the wartime roundups. At its end stands a women’s organization that once helped hide Jewish children from deportation.
Rue Haute 60
In April 1945, Hitler killed himself in his Berlin bunker. But in Brussels, the news gave rise to rumours, disbelief, and one of the city’s most unusual acts of public satire.
Tintin Mural
At this stop, we will look at the wartime controversy surrounding Hergé, the creator of Tintin, and the difficult questions his career raises about art, compromise, and propaganda under occupation.
Grand-Place de Bruxelles
In September 1944, Brussels returned to local hands. After two German occupations in less than thirty years, the city was free once again.
FAQ
- How long is the tour?
The tour lasts approximately 2.5 hours. - Is the tour suitable for people who already know WWII history?
Yes. The tour focuses on local Brussels stories that are often missing from broader WWII narratives. - Where does the tour start and end?
Start at Fillette à la Coquille sculpture. End at Grand Place. - What happens if I book alone?
Solo bookings are accepted, but the tour normally requires at least two participants. - Can I book a private tour?
Yes. Private tours are available for families, schools, companies, history groups, and customized itineraries. - Is the tour in English or Spanish?
Public departures are available in English and Spanish depending on the selected slot. - Does the tour run in the rain?
Yes, the tour runs in normal rain or cold weather. - What else should I know?
Service animals are allowed. Participants should have a moderate physical fitness level. Private and customized tours are available upon request through the “Book a private tour” button.
Booking policies
Cancellation and refunds
Cancel up to 24 hours before the scheduled start time for a full refund. Cancellations less than 24 hours before the tour are not refundable except at the operator’s discretion. Cancellations and rescheduling are managed by email: contact@occupiedbrussels.com.
Rescheduling
You may request to reschedule up to 24 hours before the tour, subject to availability.
Minimum participants
A minimum of 2 participants is normally required. Solo bookings are accepted; if no second guest joins, you may reschedule, receive a full refund, or guarantee the tour for a €40 supplement.
Late arrivals
Please arrive at least 5 minutes early. The guide waits up to 5 minutes after the scheduled start time. Late arrivals and no-shows are not refundable.
Weather
The tour runs in normal rain or cold weather. In unsafe weather or exceptional conditions, the operator may reschedule or cancel with a full refund.
Right of withdrawal
Because this is a leisure service scheduled for a specific date and time, the standard EU 14-day right of withdrawal may not apply. The cancellation policy above applies.
Privacy
Occupied Brussels collects only the details needed to manage bookings and customer communication. Payments are processed securely by Stripe; this website does not store card details. Contact: contact@occupiedbrussels.com.
Reviews
“10/10. Hector explains everything in a super clear and captivating way. You leave with stories you did not expect and will remember from your visit to Brussels.”
Cynthia T.April 2026“Hector is a great storyteller. The tour was well structured and full of interesting details I would not have discovered on my own.”
Alejandro del CarpioApril 2026“Hector told a lot of interesting things about World War II. We went to 10 places in about 2 hours. It’s a one-of-a-kind tour in Bruxelles.”
MaxApril 2026Private WW2 tour in Brussels
Private and customized tours are available for cruise passengers, families, schools, companies, history groups, and visitors who prefer a tailored pace or itinerary.