Being both the capital of Belgium and the capital of the European Union (i.e., the “capital of Europe”), there are plenty of WWII sites in Brussels for you to check out. Brussels is definitely not my favorite city in Belgium (by a long shot), but if this is your first time to this country, you should absolutely spend some time here. Either way, it’s the best place to start any Belgium road trip.
This post focuses specifically on the city of Brussels and just outside it. For all the best WWII sites you can visit in Belgium, check out my guide in that link.
World War II in Brussels
As far as WWII history goes, Nazi Germany invaded Belgium on May 10, 1940 and took the capital just eight days later. The Nazi occupation of Brussels lasted until September 3, 1944 when it was liberated by British troops.
This post gives you a rundown of the WWII sites in Brussels you can visit today. It contains a mix of museums, memorials, monuments, and various other historical sites.
If you’d like to visit some of the incredible Battle of the Bulge sites in Belgium, check out my guide to WWII sites in Bastogne specifically.
Map of WWII sites in Brussels
This map contains all the Brussels WWII sites I mention in this post. To save this map: Click on the star ⭑ next to the map’s title to save in your Google Maps. To use this map: When you get here, open Google Maps on your phone, click “Saved” at the bottom, then click “Maps.”
WWII Museums in Brussels
Among the many museums in Brussels, here are the ones where you can learn about some of the country’s WWII history:
1. Belgian Resistance Museum
Belgium’s National Museum of the Resistance is located on the outskirts of Brussels. It features exhibits and historical artifacts centering around several categories of Belgian resistance during WWII. Such as: intelligence networks, underground press, escape and rescue networks for Jews, armed resistance, and more.
Visitor information, hours, admission, & more here: museumresistance.be
2. Royal Military Museum Brussels
The Royal Military Museum of Brussels contains several large exhibition halls filled with historic artifacts and interesting presentations on Belgium’s military past going back hundreds of years. Among many others, you may be particularly interested in the Aviation Hall and the Bordiau Gallery (which focuses on WWII).
Visitor information, hours, admission, & more here: klm-mra.be/en
3. Kazerne Dossin Holocaust Memorial Museum
Just a half hour outside the center of Brussels is the small(er) town of Mechelen where you’ll find the Kazerne Dossin Memorial Museum. Located at the former Mechelen transit camp, this space is both a large Holocaust museum and a memorial. It was from here that Nazi Germans sent 25,274 Jews and 354 Romani from occupied Belgium to concentration camps in Poland.
This museum features several levels of exhibits on how the “Final Solution” played out in Belgium. It utilizes historical photographs, art installations, and personal artifacts to tell these stories. There’s also a rooftop observation deck where you can see the former camp and the entire city beyond it.
Across the front plaza you can visit the memorial building that’s actually located within the former barracks. (Walk under the arch and the entrance is just to your right.) The train car out front indicates the spot where the camp’s railway was located.
It’s just a 30-minute drive to get here from central Brussels or you can take the S1 train leaving from “Schaerbeek” as well. Visitor information, hours, admission, & more here: kazernedossin.eu
4. Museum of the Brotherhood of Parachutist Agents 1940-1945
This small museum focuses on the Brotherhood of Parachutist Agents – a group of British-trained Belgian secret agents who parachuted into Nazi occupied territories between 1940-1945. You’ll get to learn more about these men and their missions and see a collection of artifacts that includes secret correspondences, spy equipment, and historical photos.
You can only visit this museum on a guided tour with prior arrangement and reservation; no walk-ins are accepted. For more on the Brotherhood, visit this page. To reserve a tour, send an email to the address listed on this page.
WWII Memorials & Monuments in Brussels
Scattered around Brussels you’ll also find these memorials and monuments to various World War II people and events:
5. Stumbling Stones around Brussels
As with most other European cities, I’m going to encourage you to keep your eyes peeled for Stumbling Stones while exploring Brussels. These small bronze stones mark the last known residence of a Jew killed in the Holocaust and serve as their own personal memorial. They contain things like the person’s name and birthdate along with the date, manner, and location of their death.
You can find stumbling stones (Stolpersteine in German) in several cities in Belgium including Brussels, Ghent, Antwerp, and Liège. While in Brussels, head over to Rue des Tanneurs (around address 130 and up); this street is filled with them.
6. Belgian Infantry Memorial
In front of the Ferris wheel in Place Poelaert you’ll find the Belgian Infantry Memorial. This monument commemorates Belgian infantry fighters who died serving in both WWI and WWII.
7. National Memorial to the Jewish Martyrs of Belgium
The National Memorial to the Jewish Martyrs of Belgium is a large memorial in the Anderlecht neighborhood of Brussels. It features several different monuments including one with the names of Belgian Jews who were killed in the Holocaust, either by the Nazi occupiers and/or deported to the concentration camps.
You’ll also find a memorial here dedicated to the Jews of the Belgian Resistance who were killed. You can find tons of photos of this monument here.
Other WWII sites in Brussels
Here are a couple more miscellaneous World War II sites in Belgium’s capital:
8. Enclosure to the Executed
On the northeast outskirts of Brussels you’ll find the Enclosure of the Executed (Enclos des Fusillés in French). Located at the original site of the National Shooting Range, this small cemetery is where 365 Belgian resistance fighters were killed and buried, 261 of them by Nazis during WWII.
There are rows of crosses and Stars of David along with benches, memorial plaques, and a memorial dedicated to the Unknown Belgian Political Prisoner. For both current and historical photos of this site, visit this page.
9. Fort Breendonk Concentration Camp
Also just a short 30-min drive from the center of Brussels is the former concentration camp at Fort Breendonk. This is one of the best (for lack of a better word) represented concentration camps I’ve visited; you’re sure to get a clear picture of the history here.
The fort itself dates back to WWI days but was commandeered for Nazi purposes during WWII. Each room of this imposing fort contains a powerful exhibit on how it was formerly used. They contain photographs, video footage, sound recordings, artifacts, recreations, and so much more. It’s truly haunting.
You’ll visit the prisoner cells, the execution yard, the work grounds, torture chambers, barracks, showers, and more. You’ll also get to see several meaningful memorials in and outside the fort as well. Their slogan reads: “Breendonk. Stays with you. For life.” And they’re not wrong. You won’t soon forget your experiences here.
Visitor information, hours, admission, & more here: breendonk.be/en
Read my full post about visiting Fort Breendonk here.
Where to stay in Brussels
There’s no shortage of great hotel options in Brussels, but I can personally recommend two places:
Hotel NH Collection Brussels Grand Sablon – I stayed here in May 2024 and loved it. It’s in a great location with a friendly staff, clean property, and comfortable rooms. It’s just wonderful all around and I’d definitely stay here again.
Meininger Brussels City Center – I’ve also stayed here and loved it too! This is more of a “budget” option but is an overall incredible value. The property and its room are enormous. It has fun common areas and a great bar on-site. It’s a little more of a walk into the city center but an otherwise accessible location near the river.
Otherwise, you can check out all Brussels hotel options here.
Resources for visiting the WWII sites in Brussels
- Hotels: Find great places to stay here on Booking.com (but Expedia and Hotels.com usually have good deals too).
- Rental cars: Check out the best Belgium rental car deals here.
- Travel planning: Pick up a Belgium guidebook and this super helpful Belgium customs and culture guide.
- Be sure to watch Band of Brothers and Monuments Men before your visit!
- What else have I covered in Belgium? Check out my Belgium archives.
Like this post? Have questions about these WWII sites in Brussels? Let me know in the comments below. Enjoy Belgium!
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