For many veterans, history isn’t just something in the pages of a book – it’s something you’ve lived, something you’ve felt. The battlefields of Europe, shaped by two world wars, remain powerful places of remembrance, reflection, and connection. Today, battlefield tours are more popular than ever, offering the chance to stand on hallowed ground, understand the sacrifices made, and keep the stories alive for future generations.
Here are some of the best WWI and WWII battlefield tours across Europe.
The Somme, France (WWI)
Few names resonate with such weight as the Somme. A place of unimaginable loss, the rolling fields now hold cemeteries, memorials, and museums. Tours typically take in Thiepval Memorial, Lochnagar Crater, and preserved trench lines, giving visitors a haunting insight into life – and death – on the Western Front. Many veteran groups describe standing at Thiepval as one of the most moving experiences of their lives.
Ypres and Flanders Fields, Belgium (WWI)
Ypres is synonymous with the Great War. The Menin Gate, where the Last Post is played every evening, remains one of the most solemn ceremonies in Europe. Guided tours also explore Passchendaele, Tyne Cot Cemetery (the largest Commonwealth War Graves cemetery in the world), and the In Flanders Fields Museum. For those who served, it’s a chance to witness the sheer scale of sacrifice.
Normandy, France (WWII)
No WWII tour list would be complete without Normandy. From the beaches of Sword, Juno, and Gold to Omaha and Utah, visitors retrace the steps of the D-Day landings. Tours often include Pegasus Bridge, the American Cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer, and the Caen Memorial Museum. Many veterans feel a deep sense of pride here, standing where Allied forces began the liberation of Europe.
Arnhem and Operation Market Garden, The Netherlands (WWII)
Known for the battle immortalised in A Bridge Too Far, Arnhem tells the story of airborne bravery and heavy losses in 1944. Tours usually include the John Frost Bridge, Oosterbeek War Cemetery, and the Airborne Museum. Veterans often speak of the resilience of both soldiers and Dutch civilians during the failed operation.
Dunkirk, France (WWII)
The evacuation of 1940 remains one of Britain’s most remarkable military stories. Battlefield tours in Dunkirk take you to the beaches, evacuation sites, and the Dunkirk War Museum. Many also highlight the role of the “little ships” and the immense courage of those involved in the evacuation under fire.
Verdun, France (WWI)
Verdun was one of the longest and bloodiest battles of the Great War. Today, the area is marked by forts, ossuaries, and scarred landscapes. The Douaumont Ossuary, holding the remains of over 130,000 unidentified soldiers, is especially sobering. Veterans who visit often remark on the eerie silence of Verdun’s battlefields.
Berlin, Germany (WWII)
For those seeking to understand the war’s conclusion, Berlin offers an entirely different experience. Tours often cover the Reichstag, the remains of the Berlin Wall, the Holocaust Memorial, and sites linked to Hitler’s final days. While less of a “battlefield” in the traditional sense, it is a vital piece of WWII history.
Why Go?
Battlefield tours are not about glorifying war – they’re about honouring sacrifice, understanding history, and keeping memories alive. For veterans, these journeys can be deeply personal. Whether it’s paying respects at a Commonwealth War Grave, standing where Allied forces turned the tide, or simply taking a quiet moment of reflection, these tours remind us that history lives on in the ground beneath our feet.
