belgium battlefields trip

Day Trip to Ypres, War Sites, and World War I Battlefields in Belgium

By Author Jurga

Posted on Last updated: April 19, 2023

Does the name Ypres (Ieper) ring a bell to you? What about Flanders Fields – the World War I battlefields in Belgium ? If it does, you are now probably seeing images of the ‘great’ war, of the trenches and poison gas, and of hundreds of thousands of young soldiers who lost their lives in the war…

If you are wondering how to visit Ypres and the WW1 sites and battlefields in Belgium , then read on!

In this article, we are sharing our experience and tips for your visit to Ypres and the WWI battlefields. First, you can read about what to see and do in Ypres. In addition, you can find information about Tyne Cot and other famous Great War cemeteries near Ypres, as well as other WWI sites.

At the bottom of this post, you can find our suggested self-drive 1-day itinerary and also organized day tours that visit Ypres and WW1 sites in Belgium.

TIP: If you have no time to read the article and are looking for the best tour that visits Ypres and the battlefields, then check out this highly-rated day tour . It’s the best tour that’s available and ideal if you don’t have a car.

Day Trip to Ypres and World War I Battlefields

Why did we choose Ypres and the WWI battlefields for a family day trip?

This part of Europe has been a battlefield for so many armies throughout history, and Belgian schools do their utmost to ensure that future generations do not forget. The WWI battlefields near Ypres and the WWII Bastogne War Museum and Mardasson Memorial are the main war sites in Belgium and every child learns about their significance.

So it was not a surprise that our 8-year-old son came home from school one day and told us what he had learned about the terrible battlefields in West Flanders where hundreds of thousands of soldiers from all over the world died in the mud. He learned about the use of poison gas, Yperite, life in the trenches, and the fact that the soldiers were even eating their horses in order to survive in no-man’s-land.

We then realized that it was maybe time to bring him and his little brothers to the places he had heard and read about. In fact, we felt a bit ashamed, because it’s less than 2 hours from where we live and we hadn’t visited Ypres yet. While, in the meantime, tens of thousands of people come from all over the world to visit Ypres and the war battlefields every year…

So we thought it was a good time to take some time for reflection and to go back in time a hundred years (or does that sound too serious now?). And we decided to make a day trip to Ypres and surroundings. 

We had a very interesting, moving, and educational day and so I want to share our experience. Whether you live here or are visiting Belgium, Ypres and the WWI battlefields are certainly worth the trip!

In Flanders Fields

Before I share practical information about visiting Ypres and the WWI Battlefields, I’d like to share this beautiful poem by John McCrae – ‘In Flanders Fields’.

In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields.

Tyne Cot Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery and Memorial

It was a cold December day and when we arrived in the tiny village of Zonnebeke the faint winter sun was there to welcome us.

It is here that some of the most infamous battles of WWI, the battle of Passchendaele (Passendale), took place in 1917, taking the lives of more than half a million soldiers.

Tyne Cot war cemetery is an obligatory stop when visiting the war battlefields in Belgium. It put us all in the ‘mood’ for the rest of that day: an impressive burial ground for almost 12,000 Commonwealth soldiers, most of whom the name/identity could never be established.

Our kids understood the meaning of a ‘world war’ after seeing headstones of soldiers from places as far away as Australia, New-Zealand, Canada, South-Africa or India in this tiny little village in Flanders.

The stone wall surrounding the cemetery makes-up the Tyne Cot Memorial to the Missing. Walking around here and seeing the names of almost 35,000 missing Commonwealth soldiers who died here after 1917 is very moving.

Practical information for visiting Tyne Cot:

• Tyne Cot is located approx. 10km outside the city center of Ypres. Address: Vijfwegestraat, 8980 Zonnebeke
• The Tyne Cot visitor’s center was closed during winter, but the cemetery can be visited anytime.

After visiting Tyne Cot, we drove to the center of Ypres, where we had a quick lunch. It wasn’t that easy to find something at a decent price and good quality in this tourist area in the low season, but there were a few restaurants open. I assume that there is more choice if you come here in the high tourist season.

After lunch, we visited the In Flanders Field Museum – it’s located right on the main town square of Ypres.

Ypres – Ieper

When you are visiting the battlefields, make sure to also take the time to explore the small town center of Ypres. If you are not sure where to go, you can follow the signs on the pavement for a tourist route – see the picture below.

Don’t miss the Cloth Hall where In Flanders Fields Museum is located, the St Martin’s Cathedral , the Menin Gate Memorial and the Ramparts next to the canal! Read on for more information about these places!

In Flanders Fields Museum and the Bell Tower

The In Flanders Fields Museum is situated right on the main square of Ypres town, in the impressive Lakenhalle building, or Ypres Cloth Hall . This is definitely a must if you want to get a picture of life during the war! 

We steered the kids away from some of the videos and photographs that were too shocking in detail. On the other hand, our kids showed a huge interest in the stories told by children who survived the war, in the weapons, the clothes, and the various interactive displays.

For more information and practical information, check the official website of the In Flanders Fields museum .

Inside the museum, you can also opt to climb the Bell Tower (Belfry). If you’re fit enough, make sure to do it! The views are great and in the distance, you can see the surroundings where all those battles of WWI took place.

Needless to say, we climbed the 231 steps of the Bell Tower (our kids can never resist a tower to climb!). From there, we had a fantastic view of the city, including the Menin Gate. It’s definitely worth the climb and the kids loved it!

The Menin Gate and the Last Post

Another must-see landmark in Ypres, the Menin Gate , is sometimes also referred to as Ypres War Memorial. It has the names of almost 55,000 missing Commonwealth soldiers who died in the area between 1914 and 1917. Hundreds of thousands of men passed through this gate on their way to the battlefields.

The size of the monument is very impressive. But it’s not before you see thousands of names on the endless walls that you really get a lump in your throat. There are flowers everywhere and many  ‘We will not forget’ messages that people still leave here every day.

“They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, We will remember them.” – Laurence Binyon

Good to know: Every evening, at 8 PM, the Last Post is sounded at the Menin Gate . Following the Menin Gate Memorial opening in 1927, the people of Ypres wanted to express their gratitude towards those who had given their lives for Belgium’s freedom, and since that day for almost a century now, a daily ceremony is held at the Menin Gate. It’s a simple, but moving tribute.

The Last Post would certainly have been an unforgettable experience, but we also wanted to visit other places around Ypres, so we decided to leave this for a next visit. And indeed, a few months later, we returned to Ypres and listened to the Last Post. It’s so moving! If you can, wait for it.

The Ramparts of Ypres

If you have some time to discover Ypres more, it’s well worth walking on the walls surrounding the city.

The Ypres ramparts can be accessed via the Menin Gate. The official website of Ypres tourism has some more information about the Ramparts of Ypres .

Yorkshire Trench & Dug-Out

Our kids wanted to see the trenches, so we drove to the Yorkshire Trench & Dug-Out where we could walk through the restored trenches.

We had some difficulties finding the place in the middle of an industrial area. In fact, the whole place has only been discovered in 1997 with the creation of the industrial site. While the kids walked through the trenches we read the explanatory signs. It’s so eye-opening to learn about life during the war.

Practical info for visiting Yorkshire Trench & Dug-Out:

• Yorkshire Trench & Dug-Out is not easy to find. It’s a very small place, amidst the industrial buildings, so drive slowly and look for a sign, on the left side if coming from Ypres. Address: Bargiestraat, 8904 Ieper

Langemark German War Cemetery

We continued our trip and went on to Langemark , where the first gas attacks took place, to visit the German war cemetery . More than 44,000 German soldiers are buried here, almost 25,000 of them in a mass grave.

If you come to meditate, this is a very good place to be. It was calm and quiet at the popular landmark like Tyne Cot, but this place was absolutely abandoned. The flat grave markers give this cemetery a distinct and modest look. The German graveyards are very different than the somewhat pompous Tyne Cot.

Practical info for visiting Langemark German war cemetery:

• Address: Klerkenstraat 64, 8920 Poelkapelle

Essex Farm Cemetery

One of the best known WWI sites in Ypres is the Essex Farm Cemetery . If you have the time, it’s definitely worth a visit too. You can read more about it here: Essex Farm .

Yser Tower – IJzertoren Diksmuide

The kids wanted to see the Yser Tower (IJzertoren) so we drove to the nearby town of Diksmuide . The Yser Tower is a peace monument and commemorates the soldiers killed on the Yser Front during WWI.

The Yser Tower, the highest peace monument in Europe, symbolizes the demand for peace. Words ‘No more war’ are written on the tower in the four languages of the fighting forces in the area during the First World War (Dutch, French, English, and German).

We knew it would be too late to visit the 22-floors museum (they close at 5 PM in winter), but we could at least make a walk around the peace site with the tower and the impressive Gate of Peace .

Trench of Death, Diksmuide

You can also visit the Trench of Death near Diksmuide . It’s a larger site than the Yorkshire Trench & Dug-Out. We skipped this as it was already dark by the time we were in the area. From what I understand, it’s a much more popular site with longer trenches, so if you have time to do just one, try the Trench of Death.

Here you can find more info for visiting the Trench of Death.

Vladslo German War Cemetery

Our next stop was the Vladslo German war cemetery . It’s one of the many cemeteries in the area, with almost 26,000 soldiers buried there.

It is an impressive place, with each gravestone containing 20 names of soldiers. But it is especially known for the Grieving Parents statues by Käthe Kollwitz , whose son is buried in this cemetery.

It was getting pretty dark by now and walking amongst the graves of so many young men who lost their life here was a moving and unusual experience. Although it all happened a hundred years ago we could still feel the pain, the suffering, and the death around us.

Suggested one day itinerary for Ypres and the World War I Battlefields in Belgium

Visiting Ypres and the war cemeteries was a unique experience, also for the children. We won’t quickly forget it!

If you are visiting Belgium, I highly recommend paying a visit to the WWI battlefields and Ypres.

If you have your own car and want to visit the most interesting WWI battlefields and cemeteries around Ypres in a day, I suggest the following itinerary:

Vladslo German war cemetery – the Trench of Death – Yser Tower and the Gate of Peace – Tyne Cot – Essex Farm or Langemark German War Cemetery – Ypres .

Best Tours to Ypres & WWI Battlefields

If you don’t have a car, it’s best to book an  organized tour to Ypres (see below). You can also take a train to Ypres and visit the sights in town, but it’s not easy to see any other sights if you don’t have transportation.

Ypres tour from Brussels. This might be a good day trip to consider if you are staying in Brussels for a few days. However, the tours for visiting Ypres from Brussels seem to have been discontinued. So you’d have to first take a train to Bruges and then a tour from there – see below.

There are also organized tours to the Ypres battlefields that leave from Bruges . Bruges is very close to Ypres, so this is something definitely worth doing if you are staying there for a few days. Check this highly-rated tour to Ypres from Bruges .

TIP: You can easily take a train to Bruges from any other city in Belgium and join this tour for a day – it starts and ends at the train station in Bruges.

READ ALSO: What to See & Do in Bruges

Tips for Visiting Ypres and WWI Sites

• Plan ahead what you want to see , read about the places you want to visit, and decide on your itinerary in advance. There is so much to do in the area! If you travel with kids, you may want to tell them some history so that they know what to expect and understand what they see. Ypres City has an excellent website to help you prepare for your trip.
• If you are traveling by car, start your day early in the morning, especially in winter. Or stay overnight and take your time to explore the area more in-depth. Here you can find the best deals for Ypres accommodation .
• Take a picnic lunch if you are visiting the cemeteries during the day. We went to Ypres for lunch but wasted so much time on this.
• Dress warmly for the cemetery visits. There is a lot of wind in the area.

Books and Movies about the WWI

If you like history and want to know a bit more about World War I, here are some great book- and movie suggestions:

• The guns of August by Barbara Tuchman – about the start of WW I.
• The Great War: A Combat History of the First World War by Peter Hart.
• Voices from the Front: An Oral History of the Great War by Peter Hart.
• Movie and books about Passchendaele .

Yes, Ypres is worth visiting. The city is beautiful with some impressive landmarks, including Menin Gate and Flanders Fields Museum. In addition, Ypres is the starting point for visiting the World War I sites, battlefields, and war cemeteries throughout the region.

Ypres is best known as the site of five WWI battles between Germans and the Allied armies. Hundreds of thousands of soldiers have lost their lives near Ypres during the First World War. It was in Ypres that mustard gas (now called ‘Ieperiet’ or ‘Yperiet’) was used by Germans in 1917 for the first time.

At least 1 million people died in the battles near Ypres during WWI, with estimates up to 1,35 million casualties. First Battle (Oct-Nov 1914) had over 250,000 casualties, the Second Battle (Apr-May 1915) – around 100,000 casualties. The Battle of Passchendaele (July-November 1917) had around 400,000 to 800,000 casualties. The Fourth Battle of Ypres – 200,000 casualties, and the Fith Battle of Ypres had at least 10,000 casualties.

Yes, you can visit Ypres and Belgian WWI sites as a day trip from Brussels. Ypres is 120km from Brussels and it takes about 1,5 – 2 hours to drive there by car. You can also get to Ypres by train. But if you want to visit the war sites, it’s best to either come by car or with an organized tour.

So, this is our guide to visiting the Flanders Fields and Ypres. If you are visiting Belgium and are not sure how to best plan your time, please check our suggested Belgium itinerary for 3 or 4 days . It covers all the musts!

READ ALSO: Fun Facts About Belgium

More tips for visiting Belgium, Luxembourg & The Netherlands:

• Where to go: Belgium Itinerary
• Safety: Is Belgium safe?
• Best Things to Do in Brussels
• Best Areas to Stay in Brussels
• Brussels Flower Carpet
• Belgium in Winter
• Brussels Christmas Market
• Belgium Christmas Markets
• Best Things to Do in Antwerp  
• Hidden Gems of Antwerp
• Best Theme Parks in Belgium
• Antwerp with Kids
• Best Things to Do in Bastogne
• Best Things to Do in Dinant
• Bastogne War Museum (WWII sites)
• 1 Day in Amsterdam
• 2 Days in Amsterdam
• Best Things to Do in Amsterdam
• Amsterdam Travel Tips
• Best Day Trips from Amsterdam
• Lisse Tulip Fields
• Tips for Visiting Keukenhof Gardens
• Best Day Trips from Luxembourg

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Friday 22nd of September 2023

thanks so much for your one day suggestions. We've just done our day and found it immensely fulfilling and moving. thanks again.

Saturday 23rd of September 2023

Glad to help, Phil. It is a very moving place to visit, indeed. And so sad too, even more so these days when it's very clear that the world still hasn't learned from the past... Enjoy the rest of your time in Belgium!

Saturday 28th of December 2019

Thank you for the informative blog and the one day itinerary suggestion. It worked great and we had an interesting and smooth day in the Ypres area - all thanks to you! :)

Tuesday 31st of December 2019

Glad to hear that you had a great time and enjoyed your visit to Ypres, Maarit. I really appreciate your kind feedback.

Mick stenson

Friday 13th of December 2019

I have visited ypres 3 times every time there is something i missed the time before. it is a very moveing place. i will be returning next year. thanks you

Monday 16th of December 2019

Agree with you, Mick. It's a special place and there is a lot to visit in the region. Enjoy your 4th trip!

Tuesday 15th of October 2019

Hi Jurga, it was great reading your blog. I am organising a tour for former, serving and military historians, next Oct. I am myself an ex cavalry officer from the Indian army, and living in the UK. Having gone through your blog, except for transportation to and back from the UK, would you have the time to help me with advice. Would be grateful and obliged. I organise tours to India which include the battlefields there in the east along the Burmese border

Hi Paddy, I'm sorry but I can't really help you with organizing a trip. I have as much practical information as possible on the blog, but really have no time to help hundreds of thousands of our readers with the practical side of planning their own trips. I'm sure you'll figure it out. Planning a trip to Belgium is nothing compared to India ;)

Saturday 18th of May 2019

Hello Jurga - thank you for your thoughtful and insightful post. We are visiting the first week in June and had decided to stay in Ghent as a good launching pad to brugge, ypres, brussels. We want to spend a day in Ypres. I would like to take a tour to provide (1) a good concise history and (2) transport to the key sites. What would you recommend? Do I do separate tours in ypres and outside? should I just rent a car and do the outside ypres on my own? It is just my husband and me. Thank you for your advice. Jackie (NYC)

Monday 20th of May 2019

Hi Jackie, generally, we recommend this organized tour. It visits Ypres and also some main places outside the town. The tour leaves from Bruges, but you can easily get there by train from Ghent. There are several trains per hour and it takes about 20-30min depending on which station/ train you take. If you rather rent a car, you can definitely visit all those places on your own, it just will require some preparation as there are so many cemeteries and places worth visiting. The tours know the best ones and they have perfected their itineraries to make sure you make the most of your time. We drove there from home and been to the area several times to later find out that we missed some interesting places... So I'd recommend going with a tour.

• A Guide To The Wwi...

A Guide To The WWI Battlefields Of Belgium

A century after World War I, Belgium’s landscape still bears the marks of a particularly small nation caught up in major military warfare. Soldier cemeteries, memorials and museums strewn all over the country provide us with insight into what life in the trenches must have been like for the Allied troops. Here is our guide to the iconic WWI battlefields of Belgium that can still be visited today.

The Invasion of Liège

By invading Liège in the neutral country of Belgium on August 4, 1914, Germany lit the spark to the already volatile powder keg of strained international relations and initiated the Great War. The superbly confident army’s first attempt to breach the small country’s gateway didn’t go to plan, however. In a short-lived David and Goliath scenario, Germany suffered heavy losses until August 16th by the hand of an extremely outnumbered force of Belgians firing from 12 forts that encircled the city. These would later be captured with the help of heavy-duty weaponry known as howitzers and the Big Bertha cannons.

Not as much a battlefield as a particularly horrifying chapter of the invasion tour through Belgium, the city of Aarschot – where the German troops gathered before marching on Leuven – was already given up on by Belgian soldiers when the controversial leader Colonel Stenger and his infantry arrived. Looking down on his army gathered on the market square from the mayor’s home’s balcony, the colonel is shot down in a bout of confused gunfire. German troops blame the murder on snipers among the Aarschot population and kill over 150 civilians in an act of revenge while everyone else flees, turning the small city into a ghost town.

The Siege of Antwerp

After Leuven and Brussels had fallen in rapid succession, the Antwerp stronghold was next. The night the first bombs were dropped on the city on the night of September 27th, King Albert II, who had taken up residence in Antwerp’s palace on the Meir, realized chances of holding on to the port city were small and fled to the area behind the Yser river. Antwerp’s hopes were vested in France and Britain coming to the rescue given the Allies’ neutrality agreement, but the German Schlieffen Plan to conquering Belgium was all about momentum, and the Antwerp officials were forced to capitulate on October 10th. One of the forts in its defense ring, the Breendonk Fortress, has been preserved as a national memorial and is open to the public.

The Flooding of the Yser Area

The siege of Antwerp in the fall of 1914 also signified the race to secure the oceanside. While scrambling to close off access to ally France, Belgian troops opened the floodgates of Nieuwpoort on October 25th, inundating the low-lying land the German army stood upon. The scene soon dissolved into a disorderly muddy mess. All chances of a swift German advance were gone, yet the ultimate stand came at a price. A miserable four-year period of trench warfare had begun, symbolized to this day by the eerily named ‘Trench of Death’ at Dixmude, the last remnant of the trench system etched into the seaside landscape.

The Battlefields of the Ypres Salient

In the end, the Belgian part in the Great War would be defined by a four-year stalemate in and around Ypres , intermittently interrupted by extremely bloody clashes. For the first time in history, weapons of mass destruction like chlorine gas and mustard gas – dubbed Yperite by the French – were experimented with on the battlefield. Flamethrowers were used for the first time in Ypres, and the confrontation of 1917, known as the Battle of Passchendaele, became infamous for its high number of casualties (over half a million) as well as its mud that immobilized tanks and troops. The many monuments, museums and cemeteries of Ypres still stand as silent witnesses to the heaviest battles of the Great War. In a tradition that’s been around since 1927, the local fire brigade sounds ‘the Last Post’ every night from under the Menin Gate memorial. The trumpeted homage at 8 pm sharp serves as a tribute to the soldiers who gave their lives fighting for Belgium’s freedom.

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• Flanders Fields Guided Battlefield Tour

Flanders Fields Battlefield guided day tour to the Ypres Salient with option for the Last Post Ceremony.

The infamous battlefields of the "Great War". Guided daytrip from Bruges, Tuesday to Sunday from 9.15am- about 6.00 pm. The guided Flanders Fields day tour takes you to the WW1 battlefields and memorials of the Ypres Salient. A sobering and eye-opening insight into the Western Front. This trip can be extended to include the Last Post Ceremony or to visit an ancestor`s grave. This option has to be asked in advance.

The infamous battlefields of the First World War

No visit to Belgium is complete without learning firsthand about this devastating part of our histories. Never conquering but always conquered, lying at the crossroads of Britain, Germany and France, Belgium has always been the punching bag of great nations. And nowhere are the hardships that men endured for four long years more visible and tangible than in the Ypres Salient. Discover restored trenches, stroll amongst eerily quiet war graves in Passchendale and Polygon Wood, clamber over craters and bunkers on the preserved Hill 60 battlefield and pay homage to the monuments erected in proud memory of the sacrifices of the British Forces (including Anzac and Canadian). And discover the modern-day consequences - the 'iron harvest' from the poppy dotted fields. We visit the beautiful city of Ypres (also known as Wipers) which was rebuilt to medieval plans after being totally flattened in WWI. It is also home to the imposing Menin Gate Memorial to the missing which bears the names of almost 55,000 men who fell in the Ypres Salient and who have no known grave. Erected on the spot where the soldiers left the city for the frontline, this is a truly humbling experience. What makes this tour memorable is the way your guide puts everything in to perspective. True and informative stories, knowledge and passion for the subject.

Information

Optional : last post ceremony, pick up points.

The Flanders Fields guided Battlefield DayTour includes Tyne Cot Cemetery, Passchendale, Hill 60 preserved battlefield, a German cemetery, bunkers and craters, restored trenches, Hooge Crater Museum or an alternative, Essex Farm Cemetery and dressing station (site John McCrae) the town of Ypres and the Menin Gate and various memorials to the British Forces (including ANZAC and Canadian). Download our folder (PDF) Download our folder (JPG)

The Flanders Fields Battlefields guided daytrip has been running since 1990 and is offered every day except Monday, from halfway February through the end of December. Please ask for exact dates. Daytrip from Bruges 9.15am- about 6.00 pm

You have the option to extend the tour to include The Last Post Ceremony at 8.00pm - the tribute to the fallen soldier and played in perpetuity every evening under the Menin Gate. We drop you off in Ypres at the end of our daytour, giving you time to explore the city further and eat a meal. A taxi service will bring you back to your accommodation in Bruges around 9.10pm.

This service is offered for a small extra fee of only €25 pp. Limited seats availalable, minimum two participants requested for this option. This service always has to be requested when booking the tour and availability has to be confirmed by us.

We pick up from most hotels and b&b's in Bruges , but if you are close to a pickup point we might ask you to meet us there.

Hooge Crater Museum

German Cemetery Langemarck

Yorkshire Trench

New Zealand Memorial

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Battlefield tour Belgium

During WWII, Belgium was a hot spot in terms of battles between the Allied Forces and the Germans. With our Battlefield tour Belgium, you can visit many of the former battlegrounds and memorial sites at several locations in Belgium.

About your battlefield tour Belgium:

Explore some of the WWII museums like the Bastogne War Museum, Airbone Bastogne Museum and the Musée de la bataille des Ardennes.

Visit some of the WWII cemeteries and memorials like the Ardennes American Cemetery and Memorial or the Mardasson Memorial.

Experience other places of importance during WWII, such as the Dinant Citadel, the ‘Vierfrontenbrug’ (Bridges of Four Battles) and the Railway Battery E690 In Bredende.

Based on your wishes, we can create a program that matches your demands. As several WW2 sites are far away from each other, we need to make choices regarding the program. We use specialized WWII guides to make sure you have all the (deep) historic information you need.  This tour has a duration of around 10 hours. We will make sure everything you need is included in this tour, like transportation and entrance tickets. This tour is available for individuals and groups.

Personalize your tour battlefield Belgium tour

At ZOYO Travel we value personalized travel experiences and we want to create a real and local experience, just for you. Therefore, you can adjust this tour to your wishes and preferences by adding on the experiences below.

Combine with a special interest city tour of Brussels.

Explore the city of Liège, the largest city near the Ardennes.

Book an overnight stay in a house in the middle of the Ardennes nature.

Do you have other suggestions or preferences? Just ask our ZOYO travel advisors.

Want to share some thoughts? Let me (or my team) help you directly

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It's all about you. This means that all our tours will be customized to your own wishes and requirements.

Our promises: 

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Our tours are well-known for a perfect combination between the well-known highlights and the real (true) local hidden gems and experiences.

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Kim's Battlefield Tours

Specialising in world war  one   battlefield  tours ypres, passchendaele, vimy and the somme.

A passionate WWI tour guide from the U.K now based in Ypres, Belgium. Bringing to life the stories of the men who fought here, helping to keep their memories alive. 

Often combined with

Onze-Lieve-Vrouw-Bezoekingkerk (Church of Our Lady of the Visitation)

B&B Pronkenburg

Flanders Fields Remembrance Tour from Bruges with Lunch

• Visit WWI sites, battlefields, and memorials around Flanders
• Entrance and audio guided visit to Flanders’ Field Museum
• Attend the emotional Last Post Ceremony in Ypres
• Travel in an air-conditioned vehicle and lunch included
• See itinerary
• Air-conditioned vehicle
• Professional multilingual guide
• Hotel pickup and drop-off
• Bargeplein, Bargeweg, 8000 Brugge, Belgium Bargeplein
• Not wheelchair accessible
• Stroller accessible
• Near public transportation
• Confirmation will be received at time of booking
• Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
• This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
• This tour/activity will have a maximum of 200 travelers
• For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
• Tyne Cot Cemetery
• Last Post ceremony

Similar experiences

• You'll start at Bargeplein Bargeweg, 8000 Brugge, Belgium Bargeplein See address & details
• 1 Passchendaele New British Cemetery Stop: 30 minutes See details Pass by Tyne Cot Cemetery Hill 60
• 2 Essex Farm Cemetery Stop: 15 minutes See details
• 3 Last Post ceremony Stop: 30 minutes See details
• You'll return to the starting point

• Sunshine07455018020 0 contributions 4.0 of 5 bubbles Learn about Ghent and Brugge! Loved having Stefan as a guide! You can tell he loves his job and is so excited to tell others the history of his country. Appreciated his candor. I would recommend breaking this tour into English and French. Poor guy had to tell us everything in English and then French. It’s a lot of work for the guide and could save time. It’s a long tour so not having to wait for translations would be better! Read more Written April 25, 2024
• N8983EOjanetv 0 contributions 4.0 of 5 bubbles An informative, full, enjoyable day It was an enjoyable experience - Stephan was our guide and Giuseppe our driver. The drive was very smooth. Lots of information provided by Stephan with good humour. Unfortunately the weather was quite rainy but there were sunny breaks. Read more Written April 24, 2024
• yenisbeld2019 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Loved our tour The trip is amazing. The views are espectacular. I would love to go back to Dinant. Very well organized and on time. Bus is confortable. Tour guide very knowledgeable. Highly recommended Read more Written April 23, 2024
• kellmoo86 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Very enjoyable The bus ride was very nice and comfortable. Our tour guide was very friendly and informative. There was a lot of walking on mainly flat ground. We thoroughly enjoyed our excursion. Read more Written April 23, 2024
• F5958FEleighc 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Thank you, David! David was excellent! He answered everyone’s questions and kept us all on track. He was patient and helpful. David and Pascal made this a great trip! Read more Written April 22, 2024
• e_magarwal 0 contributions 2.0 of 5 bubbles Avoid this tour company These guys sure don’t know how to organize a tour. After booking directly with them, all you get is a confirmation email, with no other information. Reach the parking spot at 7.30 am (1/2 hour early) to see the nice driver Elvis waiting with the warmed bus (as it’s rainy and 1 degree wind chill outside But his bosses, the guides come only at 7.50 am. And have no idea how to divide the crowd between the 2 groups of English and Spanish speaking tourists. Even on the way back, there’s rain and hailstorms, and our guide can’t find the bus in the parking lot. We walk round and round It’s amazing that for a tour company, they cannot get the basics right. People could have been divided into 2 buses based in the language a day before, with clear instructions sent to us. Guides need to be more punctual and professional. And know their job Read more Written April 21, 2024
• smorals2000 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Excellent guide Beautiful cities, but the highlight of this day tour was our guide- Andrea. She made this trip amazing, she is very knowledgeable, answered all questions in multiple languages. Went out of her way to assist everyone in the tour. Read more Written April 20, 2024
• ColleenInBelfast 0 contributions 3.0 of 5 bubbles Brugge is worth visiting - even with a lackluster tour guide Admittedly, this tour was better than the trip I took with the same company and with the same tour guide the day before. It seemed slightly less chaotic and crowded. But, there is still a lot of room for improvement. The bilingual (English/French) tour setup is a major drawback and slows things down dramatically. My friend and I had a fabulous time in Brugge, but we essentially gave up on trying to listen to the guide’s commentary and just did our own thing. Read more Written April 20, 2024
• ColleenInBelfast 0 contributions 3.0 of 5 bubbles The bilingual tour took away from the experience Sadly, this trip was a bit chaotic and felt unorganized. It was wonderful getting to visit Luxembourg and Dinant, but it seemed like a lot of valuable tour time was wasted on the tour guide having his hands too full. It also seemed like the bilingual English/French tour might have been a way for the company to double things up and save money. But, it slowed the tour down in a pretty major way. Read more Written April 20, 2024
• F3969HVjulieb 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Really great experience and worth the trip. The views and both towns were just amazing. The locals were very welcoming and accommodating. The day was well organised and ran to time with a Good amount or guided tour or free time. The guide was knowledgeable, patient and very polite. Read more Written April 20, 2024
• Fredy J 0 contributions 4.0 of 5 bubbles The only visit you should be having to Luxembourg, covers it all really! This trip was well organized, a short visit to Luxembourg with all the history accurately narrated by our women tour guide. She was brilliant! A must visit to Dinant as well! Read more Written April 19, 2024
• Fredy J 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles A well worth visit to absolute magical cities!! Absolutely mesmerizing! The whole trip was well organized as well. Our tour guide was on point the whole time, a must visit forsure! The boat ride was sickkkk as well! Read more Written April 19, 2024
• Belle-Noel 0 contributions 4.0 of 5 bubbles Long day but a good experience It was lovely to be able to book a tour to see Bruges and Ghent in one day. We arrived at the coach destination and there was a bit of an issue with what coaches to put people on but we eventually got our seats. The guide was Johan who was phenomenally knowledgable. He did the entire tour first in English and then French and as I understand both, I found him to be extremely skilful at it. There were a few disruptive people on our coach which was annoying, as we were trying to listen to all the information from our guide but sadly some people just don't know how to behave. We first went to Ghent which was a lovely, little town that had a quaint feel to it. We were told not to sit and eat anywhere, as there wouldn't be enough time. The tour was long and we were starving by this point and because it was just before midday, there was nothing open, so we had to make do with chocolate and biscuits from a local shop near to the Cathedral. I would highly recommend bringing some type of snacks for anyone reading this. We then made our way to Bruges. It was extremely windy and chilly but we were lucky that it didn’t rain the whole day. There was a lot of walking and talking by the guide, so comfortable shoes were a must. We then had some free time where we finally got some food. We thought Bruges was very pretty with lovely architecture but weren’t bowled over by it - perhaps the tour was a bit rushed and so we only saw select parts; had we maybe been able to wander around ourselves, it may have felt different. It was very nice but it’s not somewhere I’d go back to. The other thing that we found - which was the same in Brussels is the inability to sit and consume a snack or a drink somewhere. We struggled to find anywhere to just simply sit and have a drink. Everywhere was buy and walk due to only select premises having licenses for seating. It was very annoying. The journey home was a long one and we didn’t get back until roughly 19:30 with the coach having left at 09:00. All in all it was a great day but I would say that where the guide took more of a lecture style to his tour, it was simply following him around and listening to him talking all day. It was a shame that he didn’t choose to implement any group interaction and that the history was purely fact based without any personal stories - or even an ability to ask questions. By the end of the tour, it became quite overwhelming with all of the information. Of course each guide is different and I did appreciate how knowledgable Johan was. I would recommend doing this tour because it’s a good way to see the 2 famous cities in Belgium. Read more Written April 19, 2024
• SiddhiinGalway 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Best tour in Belgium! Highly recommended from Brussels This is truly one of the best tours in Belgium (that I have had the pleasure to go on) and I have done a couple over the years. Bruges boat trip add-on was the highlight, so highly recommended. This tour company is really reliable and the tour guides were so knowledgeable, helpful and friendly. And when walking, the audio headsets proved to be very useful to hear the commentary at the same time. I was a bit worried about the amount of walking but there was enough time allocated for this and I did not get very tired. I went with my sister and had a really enjoyable time. Read more Written April 13, 2024
• Wre2nxt 0 contributions 4.0 of 5 bubbles Archetypal Europe You will meet at an easily identifiable, central location, which is the National Belgian bank. A comfortable coach will collect you, and you will meet your guide for the day. We had Jan, who was friendly, welcoming, and witty! We first travelled to Ghent, which was around 45 minutes drive. Jan showed us round on a guided tour for around 30 minutes, and then we had 45 minutes to explore solo. Once the group all meets up again, it's off to Bruges. As soon as you arrive, you get taken to a nice restaurant for lunch. It has many typical dishes from Belgian cuisine. Or, you can wander off alone to a restaurant of your choosing! After Jan gave us another guided tour around the city, and at extra cost, took us on a tour of the city via canal ways & boats - which was my favourite part! It is quite a long day and has a fair bit of walking involved, so prepare to burn some energy! All in all, a nice day! The group was a bit large, and Jan had to keep swapping between languages, which was a bit distracting, but he certainly did well! Read more Written April 13, 2024

More to explore in Bruges

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Buy it with

Flanders Fields Remembrance Tour from Bruges with Lunch provided by Brussels City Tours

10 Thought-Provoking Ypres Battlefield Tours (2024)

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Would you like to know what the best Ypres Battlefield Tours are? You’ve come to the right spot!

I live an hour away from Ypres , a town known for its WWI history. Being Belgian, I grew up close to these real stories of the past.

In fact, as a kid, I used to speak every year on the November 11 memorial at the Canadian War Cemetery in Adegem. One time, our then prince, now king, Philippe , was even there to listen.

Ypres is famous for the Battle of Ypres , which was a series of battles during World War I between Germany and the Allied forces. Surrounding the town are battlefields, cemeteries, war museums, and memorials that honour these battles.  

Since September 2023, nearly all of the locations mentioned have been recognised by UNESCO as World Heritage collectively listed under the title “ Funerary and Memory Sites of the First World War (Western Front) “

Joining a Ypres battlefield tour will allow you to dive deep into the history of the First World War. It’s the perfect occasion to learn more about the significance of the area in WW I and/or to honour someone who fought .

I will guide you through the best battlefield tours Ypres, Bruges and even Brussels have to offer and I’ll tell you more about the history of the places you’ll be visiting.

MY TOP PICKS From Ypres | Ypres Battlefields Public Half-Day Tour or Private 4-hour Tour of the Ypres Battlefield |From Bruges Great War Flanders Fields Minibus Tour w/Lunch  

Battlefield Tours from Ypres

BEST YPRES BATTLEFIELD TOURS

1. Private 4-hour Tour of the Ypres Battlefield

⭐ RATING: 5/5 ( 71 Reviews ) |⌛TOUR LENGTH: 4 hours approx.|💰 CHECK PRICE

This Ypres battlefield tour will take you from Ypres to Passchendaele as you board a private car.  

If you have limited time for a tour, this is the perfect chance to retrace the footprints of soldiers between 1914 and 1918 within four hours. 

The first stop is Hill 60 , where you will learn the story behind the massive mines in 1917. 

At Sanctuary Wood Museum , you will see relics of the original Canadian trenches and have an insight into the challenges WW I soldiers endured in these. There are also displays of relevant WW1 artefacts and photographs. 

The Saint Julien Memorial features an 11-metre-tall column of The Brooding Soldier . A visit will give you an in-depth narration of the first German gas attack and how Canadian soldiers bravely held on despite this. 

This tour also allows visits to three cemeteries, where you can commemorate the lives of the fallen Commonwealth and German soldiers. 

Highlights of this tour

• Hill 60  
• Sanctuary Wood Museum  
• Tyne Cot Cemetery  
• Langemark Cemetery 
• Saint Julien Memorial  
• Essex Farm Cemetery 

“We had an excellent guide who made the afternoon very special! He went out of his way to make our tour relevant and informative. We even found our family name on one of the memorials.” CURTIS_S, Dec 2023  ( see more reviews )

2. The Christmas Truce to Passchendaele Ypres Based WW1 private tour    

⭐RATING: 5/5 ( 20 Reviews ) |⌛TOUR LENGTH: 8 hours approx. | 💰 CHECK PRICE 

In addition to Hill 60, Tyne Cot Cemetery, and Sanctuary Wood Museum, this private, customizable Ypres to Passchendaele tour has eight other stops. 

The tour begins at Messines Ridge , south of Ypres, which features 19 mine craters. 

This will be followed by a stop at Hooge Crater Cemetery . Here you can visit the grave of Patrick Joseph Bugden, VC. He was a recipient of the Victoria Cross, which was considered the highest award for bravery. 

The tour continues to the sites of The Black Watch and the Battle of Polygon Wood . The latter is a significant landmark that features the woods which were fought over the war. A visit to this place is not complete without stopping at the cemetery and the Australian 5 th Division monument. 

During the latter part of the journey, you will see the Site John McCrae and Menin Gate Memorial in between drive-throughs to the Broodseinde and Zonnebeke battles sites. 

The Site John McCrae is where the physician and lieutenant colonel composed the poem In Flanders Fields during his service. 

The Menin Gate Memorial , on the other hand, is dedicated to fallen British and Commonwealth soldiers whose graves are not known. If you’re like me, not only will you get overwhelmed by the magnificence of its walls, but also by the number of soldiers—over 54, 000—who fought and whose names are listed here. 

Make sure to return to the gate at 20:00 for the daily Last Post Ceremony – it’s a thought-provoking moment and something you shouldn’t miss when in the neighbourhood.

• Messines Ridge  
• Hooge Crater Cemetery  
• The Black Watch 
• Battle of Polygon Wood  
• Broodseinde  
• John McCrae Site  
• Menin Gate Memorial 
• Zonnebeke  
• Sanctuary Wood Museum 

“Great day out very informative. And always made feel confortable by out guide. I Would highly recomend to anyone visiting Ypres” SEAN_B, AUG 2022 ( see more reviews )

3. Ypres Battlefields Public Half-Day Tour

⭐RATING: 5/5 ( 45 Reviews ) |⌛TOUR LENGTH: 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.)|💰 CHECK PRICE

This Ypres Battlefield half-day tour is perfect if you have a small group.  

This is also a great option if you have limited time in the city, but do not want to pass up the chance to revisit the Ypres Battlefields history! 

The tour starts at Sanctuary Wood and its iconic museum , which will give you an overview of the battles in The Ypres Salient. The preserved trenches give a raw insight into what it must have been like to live through the horrible war. 

The Essex Farm Cemetery is also a stop on this tour. This preserved historical area also served as a dressing station and was instrumental in the evacuation of wounded soldiers. 

Following are Commonwealth Tyne Cot Cemetery and the German Langemark Cemetery . Between these, you will pass by the Saint Julien Memorial and have a look at the battlefields of Passchendaele . 

• Sanctuary Wood  
• Essex Farm Cemetery  
• Langemark Cemetery  
• Saint Julien Memorial (Pass By) 
• Passendale  
• Tyne Cot Cemetery 

“Excellent half day tour – our guide Roger was very knowledgeable and gave our small group a very good overall feel for the history of the battles around Ypres Thoroughly recommended” SIMON_R, OCT 2023  ( see more reviews )

4. Full-Day Canadian WW1 Vimy and Somme Battlefield Tour  

⭐RATING: 5/5 ( 6 Reviews ) |⌛TOUR LENGTH: 9 hours (approx.) | 💰 CHECK PRICE  

This full-day Canadian battlefield tour starts from Ypres and continues to Vimy and Somme. 

At the Canadian National Vimy Memorial, you will see the Grange Tunnel as well as the Vimy Ridge, where you will see Canadian and German trenches. The place also has a visitor centre, where you can stop by! 

The next destinations are Courcelette Canadian Memorial and Lochnagar Crater. The latter was the aftermath of an underground explosion. 

At Thiepval Memorial, you can pay respects to more than 72,000 soldiers, who passed away in the Somme and, unfortunately, do not have known graves. 

The last stop is the Beaumont-Hamel Newfoundland Memorial, which commemorates World War 1 Newfoundlander soldiers. The memorial holds a striking bronze caribu that shows honour to the memory of the Newfoundland Regiment volunteers. 

• Canadian National Vimy Memorial  
• Courcelette Canadian Memorial  
• Lochnagar Crater  
• Thiepval Memorial  
• Beaumont-Hamel Newfoundland Memorial 

“Claude was a really good guide. He was totally knowledgeable about the Great War and all of dates and stats were in his head. He made sure he did whatever we wanted to do and gave us options wherever it was possible. The tour was comprehensive and gave us a better understanding about the causes of the war.” MILLERS, MAR 2020 ( see more reviews )

battlefield tours from bruges

5. great war flanders fields minibus tour w/lunch   .

⭐ RATING: 4.9/5 ( 787 Reviews ) | ⌛TOUR LENGTH: 9 hours | CHECK PRICE  

This historical, full-day Ypres battlefield tour begins from Bruges. 

In an air-conditioned minibus, you will be transported to preserved war trenches, bunkers, and craters, such as Hooge Crater .  

This tour also includes visits to war sites, graves, and memorials including Polygon Wood, Passchendaele, and Menin Gate Memorial.  

As you ride through the Ypres countryside, you have the chance to appreciate the iconic poppy fields that grace the Flanders region. 

Lastly, at the Menin Gate, you can catch the Last Post Ceremony , a daily tribute that remembers the bravery of soldiers. For this, you can request the tour to be extended. 

• Hooge Crater 

Passchendaele 

Polygon wood .

• Menin Gate Memorial (for the Last Post Ceremony) 

“We cannot recommend this tour highly enough!!! Sharon and Philippe were so friendly and helpful, accommodating a stop at a family members grave (thank you again for this!) and even getting in touch with us before the tour to check if we wanted picking up from our hotel instead of walking to the meeting point – now that’s service!” DANIELLE. , DECEMBER 5, 2023 ( see more reviews )

6. Flanders Fields Remembrance Full-Day Trip

⭐️RATING: 4.6/5 ( 15 Reviews ) | ⏳TOUR LENGTH: 11 hours| 💰 CHECK PRICE  

This Flanders Field remembrance full-day guided tour starts in Bruges.  

The first stop is the Passchendaele Battlefield, and then your tour guide will take you to Tyne Cot Cemetery.  

For the rest of the morning, you are set to visit Polygon Wood, where some of the Australian and New Zealand Troops fell.  

This will be followed by stops at memorials for Canadian Troops, including the monument of the Brooding Soldier and Essex Farm Cemetery. 

After lunch in Ypres, you will be set for a drive to France for the Vimy Memorial, which also houses a museum and trenches.  

If the packed schedule allows, you might be able to take a stop at Hill 60 in Ypres. 

Like most tours, this one will conclude with attending the Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate. 

• Passchendaele Battlefield 
• Polygon Wood  
• Brooding Soldier Monument  
• Vimy Memorial 
• Hill 60 
• Menin Gate 

“Apart from a late start due to unforeseen circumstances in Brussels the tour was magnificent. I would highly recommend the tour to anyone interested to broaden their knowledge of military history. The guides knowledge and sharing of his history made the trip very memorable…..thank you..” Garry. , October 3, 2023 ( See more reviews )

7. Private Vimy and Belgium Canadian Battlefield Tour  

⭐ RATING: 4.5/5 ( 5 Reviews ) | ⌛DURATION: 10 hours approx. | 💰 CHECK PRICE    

This private Canadian-focused full-day battlefield tour to Vimy and Belgium starts in Bruges.  

This journey that follows the footsteps of Canadian soldiers will first move towards the Canadian National Vimy Memorial in France. Here you have the chance to walk through the preserved trenches and the Grange Tunnel.  

Around lunchtime, you will pass by the Ploegsteert Memorial before arriving at Hill 62 or Sanctuary Wood. 

Your tour guide will then take you to Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry Memorial, which commemorates the bravery of the fallen soldiers under Princess Patricia of Connaught. 

After stops at the Tyne Cot Cemetery and the Brooding Soldier Memorial, you will see the German Langemark Cemetery, where you will witness its contrast to the allied cemeteries. The trip will continue to Essex Farm Cemetery. 

Before ending the trip at Menin Gate for the Last Post, you will have free time to explore the town of Ypres. Here, you can see the beautiful buildings on Main Square, especially the Cloth Hall. 

• The Ploegsteert Memorial 

Hill 62 (Sanctuary Wood) 

• Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry Memorial  
• Saint Julien Memorial 
• Ypres Cloth Hall  

“Claude was a wonderful tour guide for this trip. He was very knowledgeable on the history of different battles and explained them while showing us where the front lines were. Most memorable was the Canadian Vimy Memorial and the Passchendaele Museum.” PATRICIA_P, SEP 202 ( see more reviews )

8. Australian Battlefields Private Tour in Flanders

⭐ RATING: 5/5 ( 5 Reviews ) | ⌛ DURATION: 11 hours approx. |💰 CHECK PRICE  

This whole-day, private Australian Battlefields tour from Bruges will help you trace the Australians’ involvement in World War 1.  

The first destination is the Museum of the Battle of Fromelles. The place will help you understand why and how the bodies of 250 soldiers who were buried in mass graves were unearthed and re-buried in individual graves. The latter is the Pheasant Wood Military Cemetery, which will be the next stop. 

This will be followed by visits to the Australian Memorial Park, VC Corner Australian Cemetery, and Rue Pettilon Military Cemetery. Then you will pass by the Mademoiselle from Armentieres and The Ploegsteert Memorial. 

At Messines Ridge, you will bear witness to the place where the Australians attacked the place. At Hill 60, you will see craters before going to Polygon Wood, the Memorial Museum Passchendaele 1917, and Tyne Cot Cemetery. 

After visiting the interesting Australian memorial sites, you will have free time to wander around the town of Ypres. Here you can visit the Cloth Hall, among other impressive buildings in the area.  

Lastly, you will attend the Last Post at the Menin Gate before going back to your place of origin. 

• Museum of the Battle of Fromelles 
• Pheasant Wood Military Cemetery 
• Australian Memorial Park  
• VC Corner Australian Cemetery  
• Rue Pettilon Military Cemetery  
• Mademoiselle from Armentieres 
• Memorial Museum Passchendaele 1917  
• Ypres Cloth Hall 
• Menin Gate (for the Last Post Ceremony) 

“This tour was very interesting and emotional. A must for all Australians.” JULIE K, MAY 2017  ( see more reviews)

9. Flanders Fields Remembrance Tour with Lunch  

⭐ RATING: 4/5 ( 179 Reviews ) |⌛DURATION: 11 hours approx. |💰 CHECK PRICE  

This full-day tour will take you on a Flanders Fields remembrance adventure from Bruges on an air-conditioned bus.  

You will be transported to the town of Vladslo for the German War Cemetery , which holds more than 3,000 graves. Here, you can also view the Grieving Parents sculpture, which was created by Käthe Kollwitz in memory of her fallen son. 

This will be followed by a visit to the Trench of Death (Dodengang) in Diksmuide, at the Belgian coast. The site gives a preview of the horrors faced by soldiers during the Great War.  

After about half an hour, you will reach the Saint Julien Memorial (Brooding Soldier). 

Before continuing the journey, you will take a break for a satisfying, traditional Belgian lunch at a local restaurant in Ypres. This is already paid for and included in the tour. 

After your meal, you will learn more at the In Flanders’ Field Museum , which is one of the top Ypres tourist attractions. It’s an interactive museum with an audio-guided commentary about the battlefields’ history and stories of war. 

In the latter part of your tour, your guide will take you to Passchendaele and Passchendaele New British Cemetery . You will pass by Tyne Cot Cemetery and Hill 60 as well. 

To conclude your trip, you will stop by Essex Farm Cemetery before participating in the solemn Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate. 

• Germany Military Cemetery 
• Grieving Parents 
• Trench of Death 
• Saint Julien Memorial (Brooding Soldier) 
• Flanders’ Field Museum 
• Passchendaele  
• Passchendaele New British Cemetery 
• Pass by Tyne Cot Cemetery 

“Our guide was very knowledgeable and really brought history to life. Very friendly, able to answer any questions about the area, the battles. The Last Post ceremony was very moving..” JUSTINE_R, OCT 2023  ( see more reviews )

battlefield tours from brussels

10. flanders fields remembrance full-day trip.

⭐ RATING: 4.43/5 ( 30 Reviews ) |⌛DURATION: 13 hours approx. | 💰 CHECK PRICE 

This Flanders Fields full-day tour starts and ends in Brussels. 

At Passchendaele, you will see the location where the first gas attacks occurred.  

Afterwards, you will be headed to Tyne Cot. A resting place of almost 12,000 soldiers, it is the largest Commonwealth cemetery to date. 

As the trip continues in the afternoon, you will visit the dressing station, where John McCrae composed the famous poem In Flanders’ Fields. Aside from this, other WWW1 memorial sites, such as the Brooding Soldier, are on the list.  

The tour concludes with a visit to the Menin Gate in Ypres for the Last Post Ceremony. 

• Brooding Soldier 
• Canadian National Vimy Memoria 
• Nauville-Saint-Vaast 
• Ypres 

“Really jam packed full day of everything WW1 in Belgium. Lots of interesting commentary and poignant visits to trenches, graveyards, memorials and a museum, plus more. Stefan our guide was knowledgeable, engaging and even added his own personal history..” SARAH, AUGUST 30, 2023  ( see more reviews )

Popular Tour Stops

Passchendaele is a rural Belgian village in Zonnebeke, West Flanders. It is almost synonymous with the Third Battle of Ypres as it is where the unfortunate event took place.

In Passchendaele’s battlefields, you will see the remnants of the man-made earthquake that is WW1.

The Battle of Polygon Wood, a part of the Battle of Passchendaele, had been fought in this forest, which makes it a significant WW1 landmark. 

It derives its name from its shape on the map. This now peaceful wood holds two Commonwealth War Graves Commission cemeteries. Some remains of bunkers also still survived. 

The Canadian Hill 62, otherwise known as the Sanctuary Wood Memorial, features war trenches and a museum. Its trench system is extensive and has sections that run underground.

You will see corrugated iron on the trenches’ sides to preserve its shape these days. The privately owned museum, on the other hand, holds relics and artefacts. These include weapons, stereoviews, and a large collection of WW1 photographs.

Hill 60, which is about 60 meters above sea level, is a significant WW1 site as battles between the German and the Allied Forces took place here.

Due to the extreme nature of the fighting that took place, it is considered a mass grave.

It became impossible to recover and/or identify the soldiers’ remains. The site, nevertheless, is maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

Menin Gate Memorial (Watch the Last Post) 

The Menin Gate Memorial to the Missing is one of four memorial sites dedicated to the British and Commonwealth soldiers who lost their lives during WW1 in Ypres.

On its walls are engraved names of more than 54,000 soldiers whose graves were unknown.

Poppy Fields of Flanders

The war brought opportunities for poppies to appear as they thrived in the harsh conditions of this event.

Later on, these became a symbol of remembrance for the WW1 battles and thousands of soldiers who lost their lives after Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae penned the poem In Flanders Fields after his friend, another soldier, died.

Saint Julien Memorial/Brooding Soldier

The Saint Julien Memorial is a Canadian war memorial site that commemorates the Canadian First Division’s part in WW I.

They participated in the Second Battle of Ypres, which had them brave the first poison gas attacks.

The park features a towering, 11-meter column of a single granite shaft. At the top, you will see a figure of a Canadian soldier with a bowed head and folded hands. 

Tyne Cot Cemetery

The Tyne Cot Cemetery is where the Commonwealth, French, Belgian, and German forces fought during the First World War.

Now, it has become a Commonwealth War Graves Commission burial site for the departed soldiers of the said war in the Ypres Salient. It is also considered the largest Commonwealth Cemetery in the world. 

Essex Farm Cemetery

The Essex Farm Cemetery is another Commonwealth War Graves Commission burial site. This is specifically situated within the grounds of the Site John McCrae.

There are over 1,200 burials commemorated, a little over 100 of which are unidentified. Among other resting places of soldiers, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site under funerary and memory sites of World War I. 

Langemark German Cemetery

The Langemark German War Cemetery is located near the Langemark village, where the first German gas attack occurred. The burial ground holds 44,000 graves. A sad fact about this place is that it holds several mass graves. 

In Flanders Fields Museum (and Belfry) in Ypres’ Cloth Hall

The In Flanders Fields Museum is a military history museum dedicated solely to the First World War.

It allows visitors to experience and learn more about the horrible life at the front through preserved artefacts, touching videos, special sound fragments, and other multimedia materials.  

The museum is located on the second floor of the Cloth Hall in the city centre of Ypres. This is a must-visit memorial conveniently located at the market square. 

Hooge Crater Memorial Museum 

Named after the deep crater, that resulted from a mine explosion during World War I, nearby,  the Hooge Crater Museum is dedicated to said event.

It houses reconstructions of full-scale battle scenes as well as a unique yet extensive collection of war photographs, weapons, uniforms, and other military equipment.  

The museum has a café where visitors can take a break after all the learning!

How to Get to Ypres?

If you are travelling from further away, it is best to note that the nearest airports to Ypres are Brussels , Lille and Charleroi (well, actually, Bruges-Ostend is the closest but it’s tiny and only a couple of airlines fly here).

where to stay in Ypres

If you haven’t already booked your accommodation in Ypres, I can recommend Main Street Hotel . This quirky boutique hotel has the perfect location to explore Ypres. Some rooms come with a terrace and some with a whirlpool, but an extensive breakfast (with sparkling wine!) is included in all stays.

more about the WW I history in Ypres and The Ypres Salient

What caused the ypres war    .

The Battle of Ypres resulted when the Race to the Sea ended. During this time, the Allied forces and the German side both attempted to turn each other’s western flank. 

Why did the Germans want Ypres?    

Ypres is a valuable asset as it offers a strategic route to the coastal ports of France and Belgium.  

What countries fought in the Battle of Ypres?    

The countries that fought in the Battle of Ypres were Germany, Belgium, France, Britain, and Canada. 

How many battles of Ypres are there?

There were five battles of Ypres.  

• First Battle of Ypres – 1914 
• Second Battle of Ypres – 1915 
• Third Battle of Ypres or Battle of Passchendaele – 1917 
• Fourth Battle of Ypres ( Battle of the Lys or Battle of Estaires )   1918 
• Fifth Battle of Ypres ( Advance of Flanders or Battle of the Peaks of Flanders ) – 1918 

How long did the Battle of Ypres last? 

The Battle of Ypres was a series of battles that spanned between 1913 and 1918. 

Who won the Battle of Ypres?

The British Allies were victorious during the Fifth Battle of Ypres. 

How did the Battle of Ypres end?

By the Fifth Battle of Ypres, the morale of German troops waned. Additionally, American soldiers, who were on the Allies’ side, were arriving and gave the latter an advantage. The British had the advantage, the poor condition of the weather and roads made mobility challenging, and the Germans increased their resistance. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, you can visit war trenches in Ypres. Frequently visited ones include the well-preserved Sanctuary Wood or Hill 62 as well as Yorkshire Trench.  

There are a number of World War I cemeteries, where German soldiers and Allied Forces troops are laid to rest.  

The Third Battle of Ypres, also called the Battle of Passchendaele, occurred in Passchendaele, which is in the municipality Zonnebeke in the West Flanders province. It is close to Ypres.  

During the Battle of Passchendaele, the British army suffered approximately 275,000 casualties. Under this include 5,300 New Zealanders, 15,600 Canadians, and 38,000 Australians. On the other hand, it was 220,000 on the German side.  

Yes, you can visit Flanders Fields independently of on a Ypres battlefield tour.

Flanders is the Dutch-speaking northern part of Belgium. The area around Ypres sits on battlefields where many of the World War I Battles occurred. The term “Flanders Fields” itself comes from the poem “ In Flanders Fields ” by John McCrae.

The In Flanders Fields poem by John McCrae is still popular today as it continues to be a part of ceremonies, particularly Remembrance Day in Canada. Such a day is celebrated to commemorate the men and women who served their country during the war. 

Unfortunately, the person who planted the poppies in Flanders Field is unrecorded or unknown. 

Poppies are disappearing from Flanders Fields because of the changing plant life in the area. Some native plants to the area are close to extinction while invasive, more diverse ones are appearing. 

There are many cemeteries in Flanders Field. There are more than 300 soldiers who were buried in Flanders Field American Cemetery alone.  

YPRES BATTLEFIELD TOURS

So, are Ypres Battlefield Tours Worth It?

Visiting Ypres battlefields does not only mean being in significant places but also immersing yourself and learning about the sad history that deserves remembering.  

Especially if you’re a history enthusiast, joining at least one of the WW1 Battlefield tours from Ypres is worth it! These are well-structured, comprehensive, and most of the time, tailored to you.

Also, if you’re not bringing a car, I highly recommend participating in one for the best experience because everything will be laid out for you! 🙂

🏆We recommend the Private 4-hour Tour of the Ypres Battlefield as the best one available!

BELGIUM TRAVEL PLANNING RESOURCES  

Getting to Belgium : Fly into one of the main international airports : Brussels Airport (BRU) or Charleroi Brussels South Airport (CRL). Take an international train to Brussels South Station. Or take a ferry to Dover or The Netherlands, then drive or take the train to Belgium.

Getting Around : For the major destinations, the train is by far the best option. You can book your train tickets here . If you’d like to visit smaller places, the most convenient way would be to rent a car. We always use Discover cars , they compare all the rental companies and give you the best rates.

Accommodation : Booking.com is the most popular accommodation platform in Belgium. It’s what I use every single time.

Guided tours : Use Get Your Guide or Viator to find fun tours in Brussels, Bruges, Ghent and Antwerp. Or Guruwalk to find free walking tours in multiple destinations.

Babs Rodrigus is a travel addict at heart and loves to explore her home country Belgium and the rest of the world – preferably with her wife and kids. She’s all about showing you the most mesmerising spots in this tiny European country and making you see how great it truly is.

When she’s not travelling, Babs loves to read, write, eat chocolate (hey, Belgian remember) and sing Frozen songs with her daughter.

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World war battlefields, historical monuments & moving memorials

It is said that those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it. We preserve the memory of some of the world’s most well-known historic events on our battlefields tours, from the American Civil War to the battles of the World Wars.

See the battlefields of WWI and WWII

Our World War I and World War II battlefields tours take you to the most horrific frontlines. We’ll gain a deep insight as we journey to the D-Day Normandy Landing Beaches, Vimy Ridge, Dunkirk, Fromelles, Gallipoli, the Somme and the Ypres battlefields. Your Local Specialist Guides and Travel Directors will share incredible stories as we pay tribute to the millions of brave souls who lost their lives in the World Wars.

Discover the battlefields of Europe

We’ll take you on a moving journey around Europe’s most historic battlefields, where the terrors of war are immortalised in the memorials, museums and cemeteries dotting the European countrysides. Walk the infamous Red Square of Moscow, see the tragic battlefield of Culloden in Scotland, or visit Anzac Cove and take a war grave tour of Lone Pine Cemetery to commemorate the lives lost.

Explore the battlefields of the United States

Our historical travel tours take you to the battlefields of the United States, where you’ll discover the dark history of the American Civil War. Explore the museums and memorials of Washington, D.C, then experience the real thing with the “Siege of Yorktown” and the bloody battlefields of Gettysburg. Discover the devastation of the civil war and see where Abraham Lincoln called for "a new birth of freedom".

All you need to know about Battlefield Tours

How many wars has europe had.

Europe has been involved in hundreds of wars over the years, including more than 100 wars in the 20th and 21st centuries alone. Two of the most horrific wars include WWI in which an estimated 37 million people perished, and WWII where the number of estimated deaths ranges from 60 to 80 million people, including military and civilian casualties.

What was the last religious war in Europe?

The Bosnian War lasted from 1992 until 1995 and was one of the last ethnically-rooted wars in Europe. It began when fighting broke out between the multiethnic population of the former republic of Yugoslavia. Around 100,000 soldiers and civilians died in the war, and it led to the genocide of at least 25,000 Bosnian Muslims, known as Bosniaks.

What were the major battles in Europe during WW2?

The Second World War was one of the deadliest events in human history, with hundreds of battles that claimed millions of lives. Some of the most major battles in Europe during WWII were the Battle of the Bulge in Belgium, the Battle of Berlin, the Battle of Britain, Operation Barbarossa, and the Battle of Stalingrad in Russia.

Which European country has had the most battles?

Known as the ‘Battlefield of Europe’, Belgium has had more battles than any other country in Europe. Almost every big power of Europe has fought on its land since the Roman Empire, with historic battles such as the Battle of Waterloo, and the battles of WWI and WWII, including the Battle of the Bulge and the Battles of Ypres.

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WWI history school trip to Ypres & the Belgium battlefields

Bring a real-life context to WW1 with a visit to the battlefields and memorials of the Ypres Salient and participate in the moving Last Post Ceremony at Menin Gate to pay tribute to fallen soldiers with no known grave. 

• Key stage 2 – 16+
• History Curriculum

Learn about WW1 on a school trip to Ypres & the Belgium battlefields

Fresh with ideas and visits from a recent research trip to Ypres, we have updated our sample itinerary and have added a wider range of excursions and visits to our battlefields school trip in Belgium. Each of these has been chosen to support WWI aspects of the History curriculum including military tactics, trench warfare and key battles.

Give your students the opportunity to experience first-hand the battlefields and memorials of the Great War.  Visit sites of significant tactical warfare, such as Hill 60, and key battles such as Passchendaele.  Experience preserved and reconstructed trench systems and vast collections of militaria as your group explores the world on the Western Front.  Take in the vast, poignant memorials to lives lost and observe, or participate in, the moving tribute: the Last Post ceremony at the Menin Gate.

All of our tours can be customised to suit your syllabus and students' needs. This WW1 tour can be organised as a short history trip, or combined with a tour of the  Somme  battlefields in France for another in-depth exploration of the Western Front.

Feel your group is too small?  Team up with your French department and include a day trip to the Ypres Salient from our 3*  Moulin aux Draps centre in Northern France .  

Sample 3-day/2-night itinerary

This is a suggested itinerary, please contact us if you would like to change visits to suit your learning and curriculum.

Arrive by coach in Ypres and visit the In Flanders fields Museum in the town centre, a great starting point from which to capture the students’ attention from the outset.

Check into accommodation

Evening meal

Day 2 - Passchendaele

Start your day early, have breakfast and collect packed lunches.

Tyne Cot Cemetery is the largest Commonwealth war cemetery in the world and includes the servicemen who died in the Battle of Passchendaele.

Passchendaele Museum 1917 - Focussing on one of the bloodiest battles of WWI, this museum offers a fully immersive student experience. 

Evening meal at local restaurant 

Last Post Ceremony - This poignant tribute to Unknown Soldiers takes place every day at 8pm.

Day 3 -  Ypres 

Breakfast and collect packed lunches.

Yorkshire Trenches and Dugout - A section of original WWI trench, carefully excavated, preserved and restored by archaeologists.

Travel back to school

We have a long-standing relationship with local hotels and hostels who will do their best to sort out all your particular requirements like special diets, disabled facilities or single rooms. 

We tend to recommend Menin Gate Group Accommodation centres in Ypres for our school groups as their team is experienced at looking after our school groups and their hotels are well located. 

• Poppies 1 is a historic building that sleeps 71 guests across 17 rooms. Rebuilt after WWI Poppies 1 has a cosy dining room, table football, billiards, table tennis and a courtyard
• The more modern Poppies 2 has been renovated to accommodate groups of up to 57 students in ensuite single or bunk rooms. Poppies 2 boasts a large dining room and games area and offers separate classrooms  
• Both Poppies 1 and 2 hotels are ideally situated in the historic centre of Ypres and the properties can be connected to accommodate large groups

Excursions available for your battlefields school trip

Beaumont-Hamel Newfoundland Memorial

This WWI memorial is on the site where the British Army suffered their worst ever casualties in a single day. A bronze Caribou monument stands as the emblem of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment.

© David Nicholls

Thiepval Memorial

The largest British war memorial in the world is known as the "Memorial to the Missing". A moving tribute to the 72,000+ servicemen who died in the Battles of the Somme in WWI.

© Timothy Shawn Hack

Vimy Ridge Memorial

The striking Canadian National Vimy Memorial is dedicated to the memory of the Canadian servicemen who lost their lives in WWI—particularly in the Battle of Vimy Ridge.

© Tristram Biggs

Wellington Quarry

At The Carrière Wellington museum in Arras, students can walk the same network of WWI tunnels which were utilised by the British troops in a surprise attack on the Germans.

In Flanders Fields Museum

Explore WWI as it happened while you journey through the museum in chronological order. A range of immersive films, artefacts, scriptures and photographs help to bring history to life.

Sanctuary Wood

Visit this British Frontline museum and walk through a series of well-preserved trenches. Discover how casualties were tended to during the first battle of Ypres.

Jules Destrooper Visitor Centre

At the biscuit manufacturer, Jules Destrooper, you’ll see—and taste—everything! From the old family recipes from 1886 to the latest production processes, you're sure to enjoy this tantalising tour.

Bellewaerde

Boasting, among other things, the highest water chute in Europe, Bellewaerde Park is just outside Ypres, close to the French-Belgian border. Enjoy thrilling rides, marvel at exotic animals and explore the park.

Hill 60 and Caterpillar Crater

A site of a great tactical significance for both the Allies and German forces, with hellish mine battles taking place here over the course of WWI.

Hooge Crater Museum

An expansive private collection of WWI militaria, including an original ambulance and true to size reconstructions, gathered by passionate local residents. Developed with education in mind, the museum and its experts offer a range of options for school groups.

Tyne Cot Cemetery

The largest Commonwealth war cemetery in the world, with 11,961 servicemen from the First world War buried or commemorated here.

Yorkshire Trenches and Dugout

A section of original WWI trench, carefully excavated, preserved and restored by archaeologists in the 1990s. The narrow and oppressing trenches offer a grim reminder of the conditions servicemen faced during their arduous battles.

Passchendaele Museum

Focussing on one of the bloodiest battles of WWI, this museum offers an impressive collection of artillery, reconstructed trenches and dug out for an immersive student experience. New for 2024 is a 360° cinema experience: Passchendaele 1917.

The Last Post Ceremony

This poignant tribute to Unknown Soldiers takes place every day at 8pm at the Menin Gate. With prior confirmation, your students can participate in the ceremony.

Talbot House, Poperinge

The 'Every Man's Club' was established to provide British Soldiers with a little home comfort away from the battlefields. Here, rank was of no importance - all men entered as humans, not soldiers.

Our Ypres WWI battlefields school trips include:

• Board and lodging as specified in your itinerary
• A detailed itinerary with pre-booked excursions
• Your choice of return travel; coach travel, with ferry crossing, applicable tolls and taxes included, or return flights and overseas transfers
• Free teacher to student ratio approx 1:8 (coach trips) / approx 1:10 (air groups)
• 24-hour emergency support
• Comprehensive travel insurance
• Assistance with inspection visits

Extras to budget for:

• School to airport transfers and meals en route (if required)
• Supplements for small parties, single rooms and additional adults
• Local tourist taxes which can only be paid in cash to the hotel
• Entrances other than those specified in your itinerary
• Hotel damage deposits

Ready-made resources to get your trip off the ground

These ready-made trip resources are designed to reduce your admin and help speed up the process of planning, promoting and getting approval for your Paris trip:

• WWI Battlefields trip letter to send to parents
• WWI Battlefields poster to promote the trip to students
• WWI Battlefields school trip presentation for parents' evening (Download)
• Your guide to planning a school trip to the WWI Battlefields
• Read our WWI Battlefields trip diary

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WWII history school trip to Auschwitz & Kraków

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