Explore the best World War 2 tours worldwide, from Normandy beaches to Pearl Harbor, perfect for history buffs and seniors.
World War 2 reshaped the world, leaving behind stories of heroism, sacrifice, and resilience. Today, travelers can explore these stories firsthand through expertly guided World War 2 tours across Europe, the Pacific, and beyond.
From the iconic Normandy beaches to the solemn grounds of Pearl Harbor, WW2 tours offer a deep dive into history, allowing visitors to walk in the footsteps of those who lived through the era.
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The Best World War 2 Tours
Whether you’re a history enthusiast or exploring the best World War II tours in Europe for seniors, this guide highlights the most compelling experiences that bring the past to life — offering deep insights, powerful memorials, and unforgettable stories of heroism and bravery.
#1. Normandy WW2 Tours
Walking the D-Day Beaches
Normandy remains one of the most visited WW2 destinations. The D-Day landings on June 6, 1944, marked the largest amphibious invasion in history, setting the stage for the liberation of Western Europe from Nazi control.
As part of the operation, U.S. Rangers undertook the daring assault on Pointe du Hoc, scaling 100-foot cliffs under intense enemy fire to neutralize German artillery that threatened the landing beaches.
Meanwhile, the liberation of Sainte-Mère-Église became a pivotal moment in the campaign, as it was one of the first towns secured by Allied forces, symbolizing the success of airborne operations.
What to see:
- Ranville War Cemetery: Located in Ranville near Caen, it holds 2,235 Commonwealth soldiers who fell on D-Day, June 6, 1944, during the Normandy landings.
- D-Day Experience: Relive the events of June 6, 1944 in Normandy. Visit two museums, including Dead Man’s Corner Museum, explore artillery displays, and walk the historic trail of the 101st Airborne Division.
Book a tour:
These Normandy France WW2 tours bring the D-Day landings to life, offering emotional and educational experiences.
- Half-Day WW2 Tour of Utah Beach
- 2-Day Private Tour to Normandy from Paris
- Private WW 2 Tour of American Landing Beaches from Le Havre
- Normandy, Omaha, Utah Landing Beaches Trip from Paris
- Private Guided American D-Day Tour from Cherbourg Cruise Port
- Full-Day WW2 Tour Classic Jeep Tour of Normandy
#2. Berlin WW2 Tours
The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich
Berlin offers a profound look into the heart of Nazi Germany. Kristallnacht in 1938 marked a violent turning point in Nazi Germany, with coordinated attacks against Jews that signaled a major escalation toward the Holocaust.
The fall of Berlin in May 1945 brought an end to Nazi rule, culminating in Hitler’s suicide and the city’s capture by Soviet forces. In the aftermath of World War II, the remnants of the Berlin Wall stand as a lasting symbol of the city’s division and the broader Cold War era.
What to see:
- Führerbunker: Hitler’s underground shelter and the site of his death in the war’s final days; today, only an information board marks its former location.
- Topography of Terror: A museum located in the former Gestapo and SS headquarters, documenting Nazi Germany’s history through artifacts, photos, and videos on the site where persecution and genocide were orchestrated.
- Holocaust Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe: A 4.7-acre memorial in central Berlin honoring the 6 million Jewish victims of the Holocaust, opened in 2005.
Book a tour:
These Berlin WW2 tours will walk you through history and help you understand the city’s transformation post-war.
- Secret WW2 Sites by Private Vehicle
- Third Reich Berlin: Hitler and WWII Walking Tour
- Clash of Titans: Battle for Seelow Heights WW2 Tour
- WW2 Berlin, Holocaust Memorial & Reichstag Tour
- Private Potsdam WW2 and Cold War Black Van Tour
- Private Walking Tour: World War 2 & Cold War Sites in Berlin
- Group Walking Tour: The Wall, Third Reich, WW2, Cold War Berlin
#3. Germany WW2 Tours
Beyond Berlin
Germany, under Adolf Hitler’s Nazi regime, was the driving force behind World War II, launching invasions across Europe and orchestrating the Holocaust, which led to the deaths of millions.
Hitler’s rise to power was marked by events such as Munich’s Beer Hall Putsch (1923), a failed coup attempt, and the Reichstag Fire (1933), which he used to consolidate control and dismantle democratic institutions.
The war began with Germany’s invasion of Poland in 1939, followed by rapid military conquests. However, resistance from the Allies, combined with critical defeats such as Stalingrad and D-Day, led to Germany’s downfall.
In May 1945, Berlin fell to Soviet forces, marking the end of Nazi rule and the division of Germany, shaping Europe’s post-war order.
What to see:
- Dachau Concentration Camp, Munich: The first Nazi concentration camp served as a model for others and a site of immense suffering.
- Hamburg: – Heavily bombed during the war, with Operation Gomorrah (1943) causing massive destruction and civilian casualties.
- Eagle’s Nest (Kehlsteinhaus), Berchtesgaden: Hitler’s mountaintop retreat, now a chalet restaurant offering panoramic Alpine views and historical insight.
- Obersalzberg Documentation Centre (Dokumentation Obersalzberg): Features underground bunkers and exhibits on Nazi leadership’s use of this mountain retreat.
Book a tour:
These Germany WW2 tours extend beyond Berlin to cities like Munich and provide a fuller picture of the war’s impact on Germany.
- Dachau Concentration Camp Private Tour
- WW2 Historical Overnight Trip to Berchtesgaden
- Private Eagle’s Nest & The Hills are Alive Tour
- Private Eagles Nest & Salt Mines Tour from Salzburg
- Private Bavarian Alps & Eagle’s Nest Day Trip from Salzburg
- Eagle’s Nest and ‘The Where Eagles Dare Castle’ of Werfen
- Private WW2 Tour to Berchtesgaden, Obersalzberg & Salt Mine
#4. Nuremberg WW2 Tours
The Trials and Nazi Rally Grounds
Nuremberg holds a unique place in WW2 history. From propaganda to justice, Nuremberg played a pivotal role in World War II, serving as both the stage for Nazi power and the site of their post-war reckoning. It was central to both the rise and fall of the Third Reich.
What to see:
- The Nazi Party Rally Grounds stand as a haunting relic of the Nuremberg Rallies (1927–1938) at Zeppelin Field that showcased Nazi power, with the Documentation Center detailing the regime’s horrors.
- The Nuremberg Palace of Justice. housed the Nuremberg Trials (1945–1946) after the war, setting a precedent for prosecuting war crimes. Visitors can explore Courtroom 600, media exhibits, and the Nuremberg Trials Memorial.
Book a tour:
These Nuremberg WW2 tours cover key sites, including the Documentation Center, Rally Grounds, and Trials courtroom, offering a powerful look at the city’s dark yet historic past.
- Nuremberg World War 2 and Beer Tasting Tour
- Nuremberg WW2 Tour, Courtroom 600 & 3rd Reich Sites
- Third Reich, Nazi Propaganda, Nuremberg Trials Private Tour
- Nazi Party Rally Grounds & Old Town Private Walking Tour
#5. Poland WW2 Tours
Remembering the Holocaust
Poland was at the heart of World War 2, enduring immense suffering and playing a pivotal role in the conflict. Invaded by Germany and the Soviet Union in 1939, it became a battleground for brutal occupation, resistance, and genocide.
Auschwitz-Birkenau stands as a grim symbol of the Holocaust, where millions perished. Despite brutal oppression, the Polish resistance, notably in the 1944 Warsaw Uprising, fought fiercely. Poland’s sacrifices and resilience left a lasting mark on World War II and global history.
What to see:
- Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum: A tribute to the 1.5 million lives lost in the largest Nazi concentration and extermination camp, serving as a powerful reminder of the Holocaust.
- Warsaw’s Jewish Ghetto: Once the largest in Nazi-occupied Europe, it is now marked by monuments and memorials honoring its tragic past.
- Ghetto Heroes Square: Commemorates Krakow’s Jewish community, with Plac Zgody as the former departure point for deportations to Płaszów, Auschwitz, and other camps.
- Warsaw Uprising Museum: Chronicles the 63-day Polish resistance against Nazi occupation through multimedia exhibits, artifacts, and personal stories.
- Oskar Schindler’s Factory (Fabryka Schindlera): Chronicles Oskar Schindler’s rescue of over 1,000 Jews from the Holocaust by declaring them essential workers to his enamel factory. Now a museum on Krakow’s Nazi occupation.
Book a tour:
These Poland WW2 tours provide a deeply moving journey through history, revealing the horrors of the Holocaust and the resilience of its people. Each site offers a powerful perspective on the war, making these tours educational and profoundly emotional.
- Auschwitz-Birkenau & Wieliczka Salt Mine Guided Full-Day Tour
- Auschwitz-Birkenau Tour with Jewish Museum & Synagogue
- Krakow Schindler’s Factory Guided Tour with Admission Ticket
- Museum of the Second World War Gdansk
#6. London WW2 Tours
The Battle for Britain
Britain stood as a beacon of resistance during World War 2, enduring relentless German attacks while shaping the course of the conflict. The Blitz (1940–1941) saw London and other cities bombed heavily, yet British morale remained unshaken.
What to see:
- Churchill War Rooms in Westminster: The underground bunker where key wartime decisions were made, preserved as part of the Imperial War Museum.
- London’s Imperial War Museum (IWM): Showcases Britain’s war effort with military aircraft, tanks, and immersive exhibits on strategy and personal wartime experiences.
- St. Paul’s Cathedral: Survived the Blitz bombings and became a powerful symbol of British resilience.
Book a tour:
These London World War 2 tours highlight the city’s resilience during the Blitz. Explore the Churchill War Rooms, the Imperial War Museum, and sites that reveal how Londoners endured the bombings.
- WW2 London Blitz Private Tour
- Winston Churchill’s London-at-War Tour
- Private Tour of WW2 London & Churchill War Rooms
- Private Tour of WW2 Westminster & Churchill War Rooms
- Imperial War Museum (IWM) Tours and Tickets
- RAF Hendon Museum Private Tour
#7. Pacific WW2 Tours
Pearl Harbor and Beyond
The Pacific War was a brutal and pivotal theater of World War II, marked by fierce battles and strategic turning points that shaped the conflict’s outcome.
Japan’s surprise attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941 drew the U.S. into the war, leading to a relentless island-hopping campaign across the Pacific. Key battles, including Guadalcanal, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa, halted Japanese expansion and brought the Allies closer to victory.
The war culminated in the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945, forcing Japan’s surrender and bringing an end to the global conflict. Today, sites across Hawaii, Japan, and Australia are lasting reminders of the war’s impact.
What to see:
- Pearl Harbor National Memorial: It commemorates the December 7, 1941, Japanese attack that led the U.S. into World War II. It features historic sites and memorials and is one of Hawaii’s most-visited and significant WWII landmarks.
- Battleship Missouri Memorial: It marks the site of Japan’s WWII surrender on September 2, 1945, and now serves as a museum and memorial.
- USS Arizona Memorial: It honors the sailors lost in the Pearl Harbor attack with a white structure floating above the sunken battleship, featuring a marble wall inscribed with their names.
- Hiroshima, the first city struck by an atomic bomb, remains deeply connected to World War II history. Today, the Atomic Bomb Dome and Peace Memorial Park are powerful reminders of the past and are the city’s most visited sites.
- Nagasaki: As the site of the second atomic bombing, it played a pivotal role in WWII, which contributed to Japan’s surrender and the war’s end.
Book a tour:
The Pearl Harbor tours in Hawaii guide visitors through the events of December 7, 1941, while other tours offer a closer look at the Pacific theater.
- Pearl Harbor Complete Experience Passport
- Battleships of WWII at Pearl Harbor from Waikiki
- Pearl Harbor National Memorial Tours and Tickets
- Battleship Missouri Memorial Tours and Tickets
- USS Arizona Memorial Tours and Tickets
- Private WW2 Bombing Tour of Darwin, Australia
- Nagasaki Cultural and WW2 History Tour
- Hiroshima Peace Memorial & Atomic Bomb Dome Private Tour
#8. European WW2 Tours
Multi-Country Experiences
For those seeking a broader experience, European World War 2 tours combine key sites across Germany, France, Poland, and beyond. These in-depth tours often include Normandy, Berlin, Italy, Krakow, and Nuremberg, offering a comprehensive view of Europe’s wartime history.
For example, you can explore Italy’s wartime past at Forte Montecchio Nord, a fortress on the banks of Lake Como. Tour its powder room, subterranean tunnels, and heavy-caliber gun emplacements while learning about Italy’s military history.
Book a tour:
- Forte Montecchio Nord Entrance Ticket
- WW2 Battlefields: Montecassino from Rome
- Prague: World War 2 Tour with a Crypt
- WW2 Anne Frank Tour: Jewish District Amsterdam
- World War II in Paris Private Tour with Les Invalides Museum
When booking a WW2 tour, ask if your tour company offers World War 2 tours in Europe for seniors focusing on comfort and accessibility to ensure a relaxing journey at a slower pace and plenty of opportunities for reflection.
World War 2 tours offer more than a history lesson — they immerse you in the places where courage, sacrifice, and resilience shaped the world we know today.
Stand on the sands of Normandy where freedom was fought for, reflect at Pearl Harbor where a nation’s fate shifted, and walk Berlin’s streets where a regime fell.
Step into the past with the best World War 2 tours worldwide and experience history where it was made.
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