Free Walking Tour Brussels WW2: Life in Occupied Brussels

Guided by a local, explore Brussels through the story of World War II: Nazi occupation, resistance, collaboration, black markets, persecution, and liberation. This 2-hour walking tour focuses on daily life in occupied Brussels and the city-center sites where these events unfolded. Ideal for travelers interested in history beyond the usual highlights, it reveals the city as an open-air museum and memorial shaped by war and the struggle for freedom.

 Did you know that in 1945, a fake funeral was staged in the heart of Brussels to celebrate the death of Adolf Hitler? ⚰️ 

Unlike many major European cities, Brussels suffered relatively little damage to its infrastructure and historical heritage during Nazi Germany ocupation, yet its citizens did not escape suffering.

Ordinary people had to find ways not only to survive, but also to keep alive the hope that freedom would one day return. Beyond the infinite beer choices and perfectly cooked fries, Brussels hides many stories of resistance, bravery, and sacrifice. This tour was created to give voice to those stories,  which form a testimony of a city that stood tall in the face of hatred and death.

Walking around the city center, I will introduce you to some of the main places that marked the Nazi presence in Brussels during WWII. We will explore how black markets flourished in response to scarcity and hunger, how Nazi propaganda spread through the city, and the risks some people took to shelter persecuted Jews and save them from extermination.

By the end of the tour, participants will leave with a richer, more complete view of the EU’s capital city.