Antwerp bike tour: Both World Wars in 2.5 hours

Ride through Antwerp's wartime past on a guided bike tour

A 2.5-hour bike tour of Antwerp exploring key sites and stories from both World Wars, led by a licensed guide in English or Dutch. The route covers WWI headquarters, the first civilian air raid location, Churchill's 1914 visit, Big Bertha and V-rocket damage, the fate of Belgium's largest Jewish community, and war-inspired art and buildings that rose from the ruins.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Antwerp's World War history

• See the building
• Visit WOI headquarters
• Learn story of tower linked to WOI bombing
• Visit Royal palace of Antwerp
• See V-bomb damage
• Hear WOII stories

The experience

The tour starts with a licensed guide and covers six major stops across Antwerp on bike. You'll see the building that served as WWI headquarters, the tower linked to the first bombing of civilians in wartime, the Royal Palace, sites marked by V-bomb damage, and locations tied to WWII. The route connects these locations through the city itself, so you move between stops on the bike rather than standing in one place.

Antwerp's role in both wars shaped the city's layout and architecture in ways a walking tour would miss. As Belgium's largest port and briefly the nation's capital during WWI when the king and government took refuge there, the city was strategic ground. The guide explains what each site meant during the wars: the stories behind Churchill's 1914 visit, the impact of Big Bertha, the V1 and V2 rockets that fell on the city, and the tragic history of Belgium's largest Jewish community. War-inspired art and monumental buildings that rose from the ruins are part of the route, so you see how the city rebuilt itself.

The tour runs 2.5 hours and suits anyone interested in World War history, whether your focus is WWI or WWII. All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible, and the route works for all fitness levels. If you don't have a car or are staying elsewhere in the city, public transportation options are available nearby to reach the starting point.

What’s included

• Licensed guide in English or Dutch.
• bike tour of six major World War sites across Antwerp.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day21 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 18:00

Book up to2d before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Dutch

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Prices and times updated 5 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Taste the City

Is this one for you?The tour starts from a central point with public transportation nearby, so if you're staying in Antwerp without a car, you can reach it easily and spend 2.5 hours on bike rather than walking between distant wartime sites across the city.

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Dutch.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What exactly do I see on this Antwerp bike tour?

The tour covers six major stops: WWI headquarters, the tower linked to the first civilian air raid, the Royal Palace, sites with V-bomb damage, and locations tied to WWII stories. You also see war-inspired art and buildings that were rebuilt after the wars.

How long is the bike tour and what's the pace like?

The tour runs 2.5 hours total and is suitable for all physical fitness levels. You move between stops on the bike, so the pace is set by the group and the guide's route through the city.

Is this tour accessible if I use a wheelchair?

Yes, all areas and surfaces on the tour are wheelchair accessible, and infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller. Service animals are also allowed.

What happened in Antwerp during the World Wars?

Antwerp was Belgium's strategic heart in both wars. During WWI, it briefly served as the nation's capital when the king and government took refuge there, and it experienced the first civilian air raid in wartime. In WWII, the city suffered V-bomb damage and lost Belgium's largest Jewish community. As Belgium's largest port with swift access to the North Sea, the city was crucial ground in both conflicts.

How do I get to the starting point if I don't have a car?

Public transportation options are available nearby to reach the tour's starting point, so you can reach it easily from your hotel or elsewhere in Antwerp without needing a car.