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10 of the World’s Most Significant World War Two Sites

Important, and often harrowing, reminders of world war two can be found in sites, museums and memorials across the globe. here are 10 of the most significant..

Harry Sherrin

07 sep 2021.

World War Two’s devastation can still be witnessed the world over. In the old cities of Europe, the conflict’s destruction is demonstrated by the hastily built post-war architecture. The millions of soldiers and civilians who lost their lives are remembered in cemeteries and memorials across the globe. And in the world’s museums, from Auschwitz to Hiroshima, the conflict’s relics can be seen and studied.

Here are 10 of the world’s most significant World War Two sites, where visitors can delve into the history of the conflict.

1. Bletchley Park

Bletchley Park is a country estate fifty miles north of London. In 1938 it was converted from a residential house into a British intelligence centre. It was there that the Government Code and Cypher School, aided by Alan Turing , deciphered the ‘Enigma’, the highly effective code encryption machines used by the Nazis.

Today, visitors can explore the history of Bletchley Park’s role during the war. With a visitor’s centre and an interactive multimedia guide, the museum promises visitors an engaging and informative tour through time.

2. Anne Frank’s House

Anne Frank’s house was the site where German Jewish teenager and Holocaust victim Anne Frank , her family, the van Pels family and later a man called Fritz Pfeffer went into hiding from the Nazis during World War Two. All 8 inhabitants lived in a secret annex in the attic hidden by a moveable bookcase. Tragically, the group’s whereabouts were eventually betrayed to the Nazis. Anne Frank died in Bergen-Belsen in March 1945, but her diary was later discovered by her father and published to worldwide acclaim.

Anne Frank’s House is now a museum, where visitors can see the moving bookcase, walk through the cramped secret annex and gain a true appreciation of the hardship this group endured in their fight for survival. Anne Frank’s original diary is also on display.

3. The Hiroshima Peace Memorial

On 6 August 1945, US forces dropped an atomic bomb on the Japanese city of Hiroshima . It was the first-ever use of the ‘A-bomb’, and it devastated the city. The destruction was so great that only one structure survived the blast. That sole surviving building now houses the Hiroshima Peace Memorial.

Originally constructed in 1915, the Hiroshima Peace Memorial building is a domed structure that once served as an office building. Today, the structure forms part of the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, which also includes a museum. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage site.

4. Cabinet War Rooms

Hidden away beneath the streets of Westminster are the Cabinet War Rooms. It was there, in an underground bunker complex, that Winston Churchill orchestrated Britain’s war effort during World War Two. The War Rooms were left untouched from 1945, when they were no longer needed, until the 1980s when they were restored and opened to the public.

Today, visitors can explore portions of the sprawling underground complex. Churchill’s office, his bedroom and the cabinet war room, where the British government’s war cabinet met, are among the rooms open to the public. Visitors should allow themselves at least 90 minutes to absorb the atmosphere of this iconic World War Two site.

5. The Holocaust Memorial - Berlin

The Holocaust Memorial in Berlin, also known as the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, is an installation commemorating the genocide of the Jewish people perpetrated under Adolf Hitler and the Nazis.

The memorial is devoted to the 6 million European Jews who died in the Holocaust . Made up of a vast dark granite maze and a subterranean information centre containing details about the victims, the Holocaust Memorial is a moving and important site.

6. HMS Belfast

HMS Belfast , a Royal Navy light cruiser ship, was one of the Britain’s most formidable vessels during World War Two and also its largest. In December 1943, during the Battle of the North Cape, the Belfast contributed to the sinking of the German battlecruiser Scharnhorst. She also played a significant role in ‘Operation Neptune’, the naval element of the Normandy landings of D-Day in 1944.

Today, HMS Belfast resides in London and is open to the public under the remit of the Imperial War Museum.

7. World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument

The World War Two Valor in the Pacific National Monument in Oahu, Hawaii, provides an all-encompassing insight into the Pacific theatre during World War Two. It covers everything from the attack on Pearl Harbor to the US entry into the war and beyond.

Visitors can see and experience several of the most important sites from this period, including the USS Arizona Memorial, Ford Island, USS Missouri, the USS Oklahoma Memorial and the Pacific Aviation Museum.

8. Yad Vashem

Yad Vashem in Jerusalem is a museum and a memorial of the Holocaust, in which over six million Jews, and at least five million from other ethnic groups, were murdered in an act of genocide perpetrated by the Nazis under Adolf Hitler.

Through exhibits including photographs, victims’ accounts, art installations and information panels, Yad Vashem offers a moving – and harrowing – account of the events of the Holocaust .

9. German Resistance Memorial Centre

On 20 July 1944, Claus Schenk Graf von Stauffenberg and his allies attempted to assassinate Adolf Hitler. The failed coup became known as the ‘July 20 Plot’, or Operation Valkyrie . It was planned in the former Bendler Block in Berlin’s Mitte district, once the diplomatic quarter.

Today, the site contains the German Resistance Memorial Centre, a monument and museum to those who fought against the Nazis before and during World War II. The courtyard of the German Resistance Memorial Centre, where the coup’s perpetrators were executed, contains a memorial statue of a man with bound hands.

10. Kranji War Memorial

The Kranji War Memorial is a monument in the northern Singapore region of Kranji in honour of the men and women who lost their lives defending Singapore from Japanese invasion during World War Two .

The Kranji War Memorial commemorates the three branches of the armies that fought for Singapore’s freedom. Its wing-shaped roof is an ode to the air force. The memorial’s twelve columns represent the formation in which the military marches. And its walls depict a periscope in dedication to the navy.

Road Trip Normandy WW2 Sites

Article written by Elisa - Travel Writer & Local in France This article may contain compensated links. Please read disclaimer for more info.

Exploring the Normandy Landing Beaches & Other Key WW2 Sites in France

The coast of  Normandy , in  Northern France , is a pilgrimage site for people interested in World War 2 and history in general. It is incredible to think that much of the chapter that shaped Western Europe as we know it today happened in this region in France. We are talking, of course, about the Landing on the Beaches of Normandy  and the battles that followed, one of the most momentous chapters in modern history that led to Western Europe’s liberation from the Nazis.

People visiting Normandy can still see the Normandy landing beaches and other key WW2 sites in France on a day trip or, even better, on a Normandy road trip. This trip to the D-day landing sites can be emotionally exhausting, but it is essential to keep this chapter of our history alive in our memories so it will never be repeated.

This 3-day Normandy road trip from Caen to Sainte-Mère-Église covers the landing beaches in Normandy and other important WW2 places to visit in France. This road trip to the Normandy WW2 sites, map included, is a good itinerary for those who love history, sightseeing, and natural sites.

This 3-day itinerary around the Normandy landing sites is one of the best road trips in France . Read more about road-tripping in France:

Road Trip Normandy Landing Sites Overview

• Start:  Caen
• Finish:  Sainte-Mère Église
• Duration:  3 days
• Suggested Route:  Caen – Bayeux – Sainte-Mère Église
• Total distance:  165 km, 3 hours drive in total
• Regions covered:  Normandy
• Best for:  history, nature, sightseeing

Road Trip Normandy WW2 Sites Map

Click here to view this WW2 Sites France Map on Google

Landing Beaches in Normandy – Road Trip Itinerary 3 Days

This Normandy road trip starts from Caen. If you want to visit Paris before taking a self-drive vacation to Normandy in a hire car, you can travel from Paris to Caen by train and pick up your rental car in Caen. Check out our best tips for car rental in France .

Click here to rent your car in Caen

Day 0 | Arrival in Caen

The first stop of this road trip to the WW2 sites Normandy is  Caen , where you will spend two nights. For your stay in Caen, we recommend the Hotel Best Western Plus Le Moderne , which is beautiful, comfortable, and very central. This hotel is located a few minutes walk from the Château Ducal and the Caen Abbey.

Click here to book your stay at Hotel Best Western Plus Le Moderne

Day 1 | Caen

Morning in Caen

Day 1 of this Normandy road trip visits Caen. On this day, you only need the car to travel to the Caen Memorial Museum, which is outside of the city center.

Caen  is the third-largest city in the region of Normandy, after Le Havre and Rouen. At only 2 hours from Paris and connected to England by the ferry line Caen – Portsmouth, its strategic position makes Caen a great place to start your Normandy WW2 sites road trip.

Caen is the city of William the Conqueror and the City of a Hundred Bell Towers . However, the city was badly damaged during the Battle of Caen in WW2, and many of these churches were destroyed.

At dawn on 6 June, the bombing of towns in Normandy began. The Allies’ objective was to destroy the towns to obliterate all communications and slow down German reinforcements. On the morning of 7 June, about ten of Lower Normandy’s towns, including Caen, Lisieux, Coutances, Saint-Lo, and Vire, had been wiped from the map.

Today the reconstructed Caen is a lively and vibrant city. There are many fun things to see and do in Caen, especially if you are interested in history and architecture.

Apart from the Caen Memorial Museum (more on this below), the list of must-sees in Caen includes:

• Caen’s Citadel, built by William the Conqueror in the 11th century
• Château Ducal
• Musée des Beaux-Arts
• Church of St. Pierre Caen
• Abbaye-aux-Hommes, in Norman style, was founded by William the Conqueror in the 11th century. It hosts King William’s tomb
• Abbaye-aux-Dames
• Beautiful traditional architecture, timbered houses built in the 15th century

Afternoon at Caen Memorial Museum

Caen’s Memorial Museum  is one of the musts of any Normandy WW2 Sites trip. If you decide to visit the   D-Day Sites on a day tour from Paris , this is usually the tour’s first stop.

This Memorial and ‘Museum for Peace’ displays a vast collection of objects and documents related to the Second World War, mainly focusing on French and European content. The museum was built above  General Richter’s command bunker , which is today restored and open, so visitors can also see how was the daily life of the German soldiers in the bunker during the occupation.

Among the different exhibition rooms, there’s one dedicated to D-Day and another one devoted to the invasion of Caen. There’s also a short documentary about the D-Day landings replayed every 30 minutes, which is interesting and, at the same time, heartbreaking.

Don’t miss the  three memorial gardens  dedicated to the three leading allied nations involved in liberating France. They are located at the back of the museum, in front of the German bunker entrance.

DAY 2 | D-Day Landing Sites

The Normandy Landing Sites are some of the most important World War 2 sites in France. There are four Normandy Landing Beaches (Juno, Omaha, Gold, and Sword) plus the landing site of Pointe du Hoc.

From Caen, drive along the D79 to  Courcelles-sur-Mer  to explore the tranquil sand dunes of Juno Beach. Juno Beach was the codename for one of the main Landing Beaches in Normandy that was stormed by Canadian troops.

Juno Beach was one of the best-fortified sites after Omaha Beach. The delay of the tanks and the bombardments, which had left most of the German positions intact, led to high Allied losses in the first waves of assault. By midday, the division had disembarked entirely and, early in the evening, controlled Saint-Aubin-Sur-Mer. The following evening, the Canadian forces (21,500 survivors) joined forces with the British troops who had captured Sword Beach.

Every day, from 1 April to 31 October, the on-site  Juno Beach Center  offers 45-minute guided visits by Canadian guides through this historic site. During the tour, visitors can see firsthand the evolution of the Atlantic Wall defenses throughout the early 1940s and, of course, Juno Beach. The guides also show and explain how these defenses were overcome by the Canadian soldiers who landed on 6 June 1944.

This guided tour is also the only way to visit the German Command Post and the Observation Bunker.

Arromanches-les-Bains and Mulberry Harbors

After Juno Beach, head west along the D514 to  Arromanches-les-Bains  to visit Gold Beach –  which the British attacked on D-Day – and the  Musée du Débarquement .

The  Musée du Débarquement  details how the artificial Mulberry Harbors (temporary ports for the offloading of cargo crucial to the invasion) were engineered. Dioramas, models, and two films explain the logistics and importance of the artificial harbor of Port Winston in Gold Beach.

A good alternative to the Musée du Débarquement is Arromanches 360 Circular Cinema , a nine-screen cinema covering a 360º field of vision. Inside, visitors can watch a film about the Battle of Normandy. The cinema is located on the Arromanches clifftops not far from the Liberators Museum – Normandy 1944 – Click here to buy your tickets now

Omaha Beach

Omaha Beach   is one of the Normandy Landing Beaches stormed by the American troops and the one where the soldiers suffered the worst losses on D-Day.

Before the landings, the bombardments proved ineffective in wiping out many German positions dotted along the slopes above the beaches beyond Colleville-sur-Mer, Saint-Laurent-sur-Mer, and Vierville-sur-Mer. Some 1,800 GIs died in the waves or on the sand mown down by German bullets and shells – hence the beach’s nickname  Bloody Omaha .

Almost 2,300 more soldiers had been more or less seriously wounded and were evacuated by an unceasing shuttle of landing craft between the beach and the ships offshore, where they were given initial treatment before being transferred to hospitals in Britain.

Despite heavy losses, small groups of Americans made it up the slopes and took German positions from behind, so some gains were made, if at a high human cost.

Omaha Beach is a long beach with many memorials along the shore. The memorial  Les Braves is is located in Omaha Beach, while the Wounded Soldier Memorial (pictured above) is located at Sector Charlie.

Pointe du Hoc

La Pointe du Hoc  is the highest point between Omaha Beach to the east and Utah Beach to the west. La Pointe du Hoc was one of the key German fortified sites along the Normandy coast and was equipped, at that time, with extensive heavy artillery; that’s why Pointe du Hoc was considered the most dangerous mission of the D-Day Landings.

La Pointe du Hoc was the scene of a daring assault in the early hours of 6 June 1944. On that day, 225 US Army Rangers scaled the perilously steep 30m-high cliffs with the help of cords, ladders, and grappling irons to capture the site. Once they reached the top, the soldiers discovered the guns had been moved inland, so they set off to find and disable them while successfully enduring enemy counterattacks.

By the time the force was relieved on 8 June, only around 90 men had survived.

Today La Pointe du Hoc is a lovely place, even if the landscape remains scarred by the events of 1944. The hills and valleys that you can see in the picture above are holes and craters made by the bombs’ explosion. Amongst this particular landscape, visitors can still see the ruins of some German bunkers.

The First American War Cemetery Memorial in France

On the way back to Colleville-sur-Mer to visit the Normandy American Cemetery, take a short stop at Vierville-sur-Mer to see the Memorial of the  first American War Cemetery in France .

The text on the stone memorial reads:  “This marks the site of first American Cemetery in France World War II since moved to American Cemetery N:1

1st Infantry Division, 29th Infantry Division, 5th Engineer Special Brigade, 6th Engineer Special Brigade”

Normandy American War Cemetery and Memorial

The World War II Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial  is one of the most moving WW2 sites in France. It is situated on a cliff overlooking Omaha Beach and the English Channel in Colleville-sur-Mer, Normandy. Here, we are on American soil because the French government granted this land to the United States of America forever.

The cemetery contains the graves of 9,387 American military dead, most of whom gave their lives during the landings and ensuing operations of World War 2, and it is the most visited cemetery managed by the American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC).

On the walls of the semicircular garden on the east side of the memorial are inscribed the names of 1,557 Missing Americans who gave their lives in their country’s service but whose remains were not located or identified.

The memorial consists of a semicircular colonnade with a loggia at each end containing maps and narratives of the military operations. At the center is a bronze statue titled  ‘Spirit of American Youth.’ An orientation table overlooks the beach and depicts the landings at Normandy.

Day two of this road trip to the Normandy D-day sites ends at Bayeux, where you will spend one night. For your night in Bayeux, we recommend Clos de Bellefontaine B&B , a beautiful 19th-century private mansion set in a beautiful 2,000m2 park, with private parking on-site. Clos de Bellefontaine is located 200m from the Bayeux Tapestry.

Click here to book your stay at Clos de Bellefontaine B&B

Day 3 | Bayeux – Other Normandy WW2 Sites

Morning in Bayeux

Day 3 of this road trip explores Bayeux and other Normandy WW2 sites. Bayeux  was the first city to be liberated in mainland France. The city was very fortunate to avoid most of the destruction and tragedy that other towns in Normandy suffered following D-Day. For a very brief moment, Bayeux was the capital of Free France, and General Charles de Gaulle came to give a stirring speech here on 14 June 1944. Bayeux’s War Museum and the British Cemetery commemorate the sacrifices made in these parts.

Other interesting attractions in Bayeux include:

• Bayeux Cathedral, consecrated with the presence of William the Conqueror
• The Bayeux Tapestry

The  Bayeux Tapestry , a 70-meter-long and 50cm high embroidery, is an invaluable record of the conquest of England’s throne by William the Conqueror in the 11th century. It is listed in UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register. The incredible Bayeux Tapestry depicts the clothes, castles, ships, and living conditions in the 11th century.

Afternoon at German War Cemetery at La Cambe

On the way to Sainte Mère Église from Bayeux (N13), take a short stop at La Cambe to visit the  German War Cemetery . The Kriegsgräberstätte has 21,160 graves. The hill in the middle of the cemetery is a mass grave with 296 casualties.

La Cambe was originally the site of a battlefield cemetery created on 10 June 1944 during the Battle of Normandy. American and German soldiers, sailors, and airmen were buried in two adjacent fields.

Following the end of the war in Europe in May 1945, the American Battle Monuments Commission began exhuming the remains of American service members and transferring them to their final resting place in accordance with the wishes of their families. Two-thirds of the fallen soldiers were transferred from this site back to the United States, while the remainder were re-interred at the new American Cemetery and Memorial at Colleville-sur-Mer, overlooking the Omaha Beach landing site.

The sign in front of the cemetery reads: ‘ The German Cemetery at La Cambe: In the Same Soil of France.

Until 1947, this was an American cemetery. The remains were exhumed and shipped to the United States. It has been German since 1948 and contains over 21,000 graves. With its melancholy rigor, it is a graveyard for soldiers, not all of whom had chosen either the cause or the fight. They too have found rest in our soil of France.’

Afternoon at Sainte-Mère Église

The last stop of this road trip WW2 sites, France, is the town of  Sainte Mère Église , which gained a place in history on D-Day as one of the first towns to be liberated. This was achieved through the efforts of American paratroopers who were dropped into Sainte-Mère-Église on the night of 5 June 1944.

One of the paratroopers, an American named John Steele, got his parachute caught on the church steeple and remained suspended for several hours until he was cut down and taken prisoner by German troops. Days later, he managed to escape from the Germans, and he returned to his regiment and survived the war.

To commemorate this event and the liberation of the town, a paratrooper effigy remains hanging from its white parachute near the windows of the bell tower (see picture above).

In Sainte-Mère Église, don’t miss the Airborne Museum dedicated to the memory of paratroopers of the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions of the United States Army who parachuted into Normandy on the night of June 5–6, 1944.

This Normandy WW2 Sites road trip ends here. If you have some extra days in France, you can consider this Brittany road trip , which covers pretty medieval villages, natural sites, and world wonders.

D-Day Landing Sites – Historical Background

The Normandy Landing operation was the largest seaborne invasion in history. The invasion took place on Normandy’s beaches on Tuesday, 6 June 1944, by the Allies. The operation, known as D-Day , was the beginning of the liberation of German-occupied France (and later Europe) from Nazi control and laid the Allied victory foundations on the Western Front.

The planning of the Normandy invasion was begun in 1943 by the US, Canadian and British governments. The French resistance also had an essential role in this operation. The main constraints for this operation’s success were the weather, the tides, and the logistics (shipping of soldiers, machines, and guns from the US and Canada to the UK).

On the other side, the Germans were expecting an invasion from the sea, and of course, they were prepared. Adolf Hitler placed German Field Marshal Erwin Rommel in command of German forces. He was also in charge of developing fortifications along the  Atlantic Wall  in anticipation of an Allied invasion.

The first twenty-four hours of the invasion will be decisive. . . . [T]he fate of Germany depends on the outcome. For the Allies as well as Germany, it will be the longest day — Field Marshal Erwin Rommel, 22 April 1944

Your task will not be an easy one. Your enemy is well-trained, well-equipped, and battle-hardened. He will fight savagely. But this is the year 1944! The tide has turned! The freemen of the world are marching together to victory! I have full confidence in your courage, devotion to duty, and skill in battle.

We will accept nothing less than full victory! Good luck! And let us all beseech the blessing of Almighty God upon this great and noble undertaking. — Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower, Supreme Allied Commander, 6 June 1944

We have a sufficiency of troops; we have all the necessary tackle; we have an excellent plan. This is a perfectly normal operation which is certain of success. If anyone has any doubts in his mind, let him stay behind. — Gen. Bernard L. Montgomery, commanding Twenty-first Army Group.

The supreme battle is underway. It is, of course, the Battle of France and the Battle for France. For the sons of France, wherever they are, and whoever they are, the simple and sacred duty is to fight the enemy by all means at their disposal. — Gen. Charles de Gaulle, 6 June 1944

After many losses from both sides, the Normandy landing sites were all taken, and the Allied Forces connected on 12 June. Casualties were very high, and towns and cities were heavily destroyed. This was the price to pay in Normandy for our freedom.

Museums, memorials, war cemeteries, and other WW2 sites in France offer visitors a glimpse of this terrible chapter in our history. There’s a huge amount of documentation and collection of memories here, so we don’t forget.

So, what are you waiting for? Book this road trip to the D-Day Landing Sites today!

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Discover the European sites of World War II with this 10-day itinerary. Follow in the footsteps of the Allied forces, from the beaches of D-Day to the heart of Berlin, and into Poland to witness the destructiveness of the Nazi regime. 

Itinerary highlights

Visit World War II sites of great historic significance: the beaches of Normandy, the Anne Frank house, and the dreaded Auschwitz extermination camp.

Normandy, France

Operation Overlord: Start of the Allied invasion

On June 6 th 1944 (known as D-day), the Allied Forces launched a full scale assault on the beaches of Normandy.

Visit the impressive Utah Beach museum , built on the exact spot where the first American troops landed.

Check out the Airborne museum in Sainte-Mère-Église , the French village that was the first to be liberated by paratroopers.

Ardennes, Belgium

Battle of the Bulge: A cold counter offensive

On December 16 th 1944, the Nazis started their last great offensive in the Ardennes region in Belgium.

Check out the Mardasson Memorial in Bastogne , dedicated to the American troops who liberated the city.

Learn all about the Battle of the Bulge in the Bastogne War Museum.

Arnhem, the Netherlands

Operation Market Garden: A bridge too far

On September 17 th 1944, the Allies attempted to cross the Rhine, but failed to take the last bridge in Arnhem.

Follow the Liberation route to see the John Frost bridge and other battle sites in and around Arnhem.

Take a 1 hour trip to Amsterdam to visit the famous Anne Frank House and the Resistance Museum .

Berlin, Germany

The Battle of Berlin: Road to victory in Europe

On May 7 th 1945, World War II ended in Europe with the unconditional surrender of Nazi Germany.

Visit the Humboldthain Flak Tower , the last remaining anti-aircraft tower that was built to defend Berlin.

Walk through the blocks of the impressive Holocaust Memorial and take a trip to Sachsenhausen concentration camp.

Warsaw, Poland

Operation Tempest: The tragic fate of Warsaw

On August 1 st 1944, the Warsaw Uprising started. It would end with the near-obliteration of the city.

Visit the Warsaw Uprising Museum to learn more about the dramatic events that took place here.

Walk through the remains of the Warsaw Ghetto , which was burned down after the Jewish revolt of 1943.

Krakow, Poland

The Holocaust: The Nazis' final solution

On January 27 th 1945, Russian troops liberated Auschwitz, where over 1.1 million people were killed.

Take half a day to explore Auschwitz and learn about one of the darkest pages in history.

In Krakow, visit the factory of Oskar Schindler , who managed to save the lives of over 1,000 Jewish workers.

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10 World War II destinations in Europe

Never forget

10 World War II sites you should see in Europe

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What is worse than war? Oblivion.

Millions of people were killed by conflicts they had not provoked ; they were cannon fodders who had to fight to protect their moral values and freedoms. They were innocent civilians, families and children in both camps, professional soldiers, minorities, gypsies, Jews, handicapped people, homosexuals, freethinkers, freemasons…

Wars need not be commemorated, but let us never forget those who suffered and fought to the end  with a rifle or just the will to speak freely.

« The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it. »

Discover our selection of the Second World War sites you should see in Europe .

1. Anne Frank House

Amsterdam - The Netherlands

Life is terrible for Jewish people in Amsterdam during the second world war; they have to hide like rats in their house in order to survive.

A young Jewish girl called Anne Frank writes a book that she will never see published. Come visit the house Anne wrote her diary in, discover the living conditions, daily routine and the story of Jewish children at that time.

2. Holocaust Memorial

Berlin - Germany

Seeing this memorial on a photo you might say "Yes, ok, it's strange.", but once you are on the spot, in the heart of Berlin , you are overwhelmed with emotions ; you are lost, sad, ashamed of what was done to innocent people ; you are also aware of the enormous work done by the new generations of German people who condemn those acts and show the world that they will never forget.

3. Auschwitz

Some people persist in denying reality. Unfortunately, death camps are true and real; they show what  people inflicted to their fellow men.  Let us never forget.

4. Oskar Schindler Factory

Krakow - Poland

You have heard about Steven Spielberg's film " The Schindler’s List ". The German industrialist who saved more than 1000 people of Jewish origin during the Second World War ; he made them work in his factories.

Originally Oskar Shindler did so because the Jews, who were confined in a concentration camp next to his factory, were cheaper than the Poles, but he gradually commited to save their lives. He did more than that by sabotaging his own weapon factory so as not to slow down the arrival of the allies. The Schindler's factory is situated  in Krakow  Visit the place and let yourself be immersed by this incredible human story.

5. The Reichstag

The Reichtag was set on fire but do you know when, why  and the consequences? Setting fire to the Reichstag  allowed the nazis to pass appalling laws in order to get rid of communists, among others.

The centre of the building was used to put forward propaganda projects ; the building is now completely renovated; it houses the German parliament. Come discover this building by booking a Reichstag Dome tour .

6. American Cemetery

Colleville-sur-Mer - France

You will be moved to see the 10,000 crosses and thankful to the soldiers who came from the other side of the world to fight with us for ideas of liberty and against the nazi dictatorship that threatened Europe.

The American cemetery of Colleville-sur-Mer was offered to the USA. There is a small piece of American land in the heart of Normandy.

7. Oradour-sur-Glane

Berlin was completely destroyed at the end of World War II while many towns and villages in Europe were bombed by the nazis during five years of war. Oradour sur Glane was one of them.

According to the desire of the French President and in memory of the atrocities perpetrated by the nazis, the village was not rebuilt after the shelling on 10 June 1944 and the massacre of its 600 inhabitants. 

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World War II affected many countries in and outside Europe. One of the most beautiful cities in Europe, Warsaw was not saved : more than 200,000 inhabitants were killed and almost all the monuments and buildings of the city were destroyed by the nazis.

Commemorating plaques testify those tragic events in different parts of the old town.

9. Omaha Beach

"Omaha beach" is famous around the world ; the name sounds very exotic in Normandy ; That code name was given by the American soldiers to talk about the beaches they would land on to free Europe from the nazi regime.

You can stay in Caen, the biggest town near the beach  or in Saint-Laurent-sur-Mer facing Omaha beach.

The Yalta Conference was held in February 1945 with the Heads of State of the United States, the United Kingdom and the Soviet Union. Its  aim was to discuss Europe's post-war reorganization.

The conference was held at the Livadia Palace, not far from the Swallow Nest on this photo ; it was ranked among the best castles in Europe . Yalta became a subject of intense controversy. To some extent, it has remained controversial. 

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The best World War II sites in Western Europe

In London, shrapnel damage still pocks the walls of the Victoria & Albert Museum, and in Normandy, whole fields remain scalloped by craters from the D-Day invasion. In ways large and small, World War II has left its mark on the people, countries and landscapes of Western Europe.

Whether you want to add a few war-related sites to your trip or plan an entire itinerary based around military history, we’ve created a guide to some of Western Europe’s most impressive World War II sites for you. In addition to blockbuster sites like Churchill’s War Rooms and the Normandy beaches, we’ve also included smaller, lesser-known options like the Bourbon Tunnels in Naples.

Submarines and secrets in Liverpool, UK

Though it’s best known for its musical history, Liverpool played an essential role in the war’s naval areas. The island nation was dependent upon convoys bringing in supplies from the Atlantic and those ships were protected by the massive, complex operation at the Western Approaches.

Left almost exactly as they were when the office closed in August 1945, the museum’s Map Room includes a huge world map, marked in white gridlines. Here, personnel plotted out the movement of ships like a huge, high-stakes game of Battleship, with real lives at risk. A visit here gives you a glimpse into the beating bureaucratic heart of the Allied operations during the Battle of the Atlantic.

This HQ played a complicated game of hide and seek with the many U-boats that prowled the Atlantic, hunting convoys in so called ‘wolf packs’. At the U-Boat Experience, located across the River Mersey from the museum, you can also look inside U-534, one of just four surviving German submarines that’s been preserved. Its rust-streaked exterior hints at the cramped, grim conditions that sailors on both sides had to contend with.

Churchill’s War Rooms and the Imperial War Museum, London

Even in a teeming metropolis like London, you can still see the scars of the war. On the Victoria & Albert Museum, for example, shrapnel from the Blitz took big bites out of the stone walls — the marks are carefully preserved and annotated with a plaque.

But the inarguable highlight of any World War II-themed trip to London is Churchill’s War Rooms. Technically part of the Imperial War Museum, it carefully preserves the underground complex that housed British command during the war, including those deadly months during the Blitz.

These spartan, joyless rooms, left as they were at the war’s end, might seem familiar because they’ve been reproduced endlessly in movies and television, down to the gleaming black Bakelite phone that Churchill used. However, a private guide can provide a fresh perspective on the headquarters.

Look for the special ‘noiseless’ typewriters that Churchill had imported from the States because he preferred a quiet working environment. You can also see a weather indicator sign, intended to convey the conditions upstairs to the isolated workers toiling away in the bunker. During particularly heavy bombing days, George Rance (an official of the Office of Works) would set it to ‘windy’.

Churchill located his command facility near Saint James Park, close to 10 Downing St, but the main bulk of the Imperial War Museum is located on the other side of the river. Set in what was once Bedlam Hospital, the museum focuses on 20th-century conflicts and the British and Commonwealth troops who fought and died in them.

The World War II exhibits here are comprehensive and often harrowing. You’ll see a German V2 Rocket and a gleaming silver Spitfire that survived the Battle of Britain, its sleek silhouette easy to pick out among the sharp angles of the atrium’s ceiling.  

The museum goes well beyond the basic weapons, delving deep into the human cost of the war. One exhibit follows a real family throughout the duration of the war, and another looks at the strange-but-true aspects of espionage and counterintelligence. Perhaps the most gut-wrenching is the Holocaust exhibition, which documents the atrocities of the genocide through photos, film and objects.

Castle, cliffs and tunnels in Dover, UK

Imposing Dover Castle stands sentinel over the white cliffs that mark the narrowest point in the English Channel. Parts of this square-shouldered fortress date to the 12th century, though there have been fortifications here since the Romans.

Underneath the castle complex, carved out of the soft chalk, you’ll find a network of no-longer secret tunnels that were first created during the Napoleonic Wars. They were converted into an air raid shelter in 1939 and expanded the next year to include a secure underground hospital and Combined Operations Headquarters. Churchill himself stood on a balcony, overlooking the strait, during the Battle of Britain.

The tunnels can seem tight and very dark, the gloom barely pierced by the period-accurate lighting and, in a few places, some parsimonious windows. A tour focuses on Operation Dynamo, the rescue operation to save the soldiers stranded at Dunkirk. With immersive sound effects, projectors throwing light, and the appearance of flames on the tunnel walls, it’s a compelling tour that can be overwhelming for some.

The beaches at Normandy

Even though the landings at Normandy have been depicted in films, it’s very different to see it in person. Standing there, on the wide golden sands at Omaha or looking down at the sheer cliffs of Pointe-du-Hoc, can give you a visceral understanding of the odds the Allied forces faced during this pivotal battle.

Plan for at least three days to see everything associated with the war, including the museums, the cemeteries, the artificial ports and the American, British and Canadian landing sites.

A private driver-guide is imperative in Normandy. The narrow roads are confusing, so simply navigating the area is a challenge without one. What’s more, a guide can put what you’re seeing into context, offering small details that don’t come from a guidebook or museum. Many of our guides are local to the area and can speak about their parents’ or grandparents’ personal wartime stories.

Paris, home of the French Resistance

The war is everywhere and nowhere in Paris . After the occupation, Parisians worked hard to erase the remnants of the war from their capital city, so you won’t find many scars from bombing or other obvious signs. However, in a city of 130 museums and countless monuments, you’ll find several dedicated to different facets of World War II.

Musée de l’Armée at Les Invalides examines all of France’s military conflicts with a large, permanent exhibit dedicated to World War II. The sheer size and scope of the museum can be overwhelming, so we suggest a private guide to help you navigate the collection and put the exhibit into context, drawing out details that even those familiar with the history may not know.

Located mostly underground, on the site of a former morgue behind Notre Dame, the Mémorial des Martyrs de la Déportation commemorates the 200,000 French citizens who were deported to concentration camps. For a museum focused specifically on the Jewish experience in France during the war, Mémorial de la Shoah is located in Le Marais, an area that had a large Jewish population in the years before the war.

Away from the formal exhibits, Paris remains much as it was during the war — a city devoted to pleasure. High ranking Nazi officials certainly indulged when they were here, and German command tried to get every soldier a stint in Paris, treating the city as if it was a theme park to boost morale.   The military governor of Paris, General von Choltitz, set up his HQ in the elegant palace hotel Le Meurice  on the Rue de Rivoli. He also refused Hitler’s command to raze the city in the waning days of the war, seduced by the city’s beauty.

Paris was also the hub of the Resistance and a hotbed of espionage and guerrilla action. On the streets, you’ll occasionally see small, sober plaques commemorating the places where some of those fighters died as they fought for the city’s liberation in August 1944.

Today, you can attend a performance at the Paris Opera House, which was once festooned with swastikas, or take a seat at the Moulin Rouge, which remained open during the war and was popular with soldiers. You can also linger over an espresso at Café de Flore, where Picasso spent much of his time during the war. He not only created busts and paintings, but also wrote a play and sold postcards of his anti-war masterpiece Guernica .

Guernica in Madrid

World War II’s dress-rehearsal, the Spanish Civil War left still-gaping wounds both in Madrid and across Spain as a whole. In the Cuidad Universitaria, where the main fighting in Madrid took place, you can still see bullet holes in the buildings along the main avenues and battered Francoist bunkers dotting the forests. Because Franco only died in the 1970s, the war remains fresh in Madrileños’ minds and talking about it is still frowned upon.

Despite that, Madrid is home to one of the era’s most important artworks: the massive and moving Guernica. Painted in 1937, it depicts one of Hitler’s earliest acts of international brutality — the indiscriminate bombardment by the German Condor Legion of the Basque town that shares the painting’s name. The grim, gray-scale work depicts the town’s wholesale slaughter in jagged angles and fractured figures.

The artist himself insisted that the piece not return to his home country until the Spanish people once again enjoyed democracy, a condition that wasn’t fulfilled until 1981. Today, you can see it hanging in grave solitude in a gallery at the Reina Sofía.

Bourbon bomb shelters and vintage cars, Naples, Italy

In the mid-1800s, King Ferdinand II of Bourbon ordered a secret escape tunnel to be built from his Naples palace to a military barracks, in case his fractious subjects rioted. However, the king died before the tunnel was completed.

It was rediscovered in the 1930s, when officials used it as a storage space for impounded cars. Then, once the war began, locals took shelter here from aerial bombardment and parts of the space were expanded and converted to a hospital. After the war, the space became a dumping ground for wartime rubble and fascist monuments.

Today, you can visit the tunnels, which are dark and close, and see the items that have been left here over the years. You’ll see objects left behind by sheltering Neapolitans, including toys and a hairbrush. Ranks of vintage cars slowly moulder into rust, broken bicycle skeletons have turned ghostly pale with dust, and a cracked, nose-less statue of fascist leader Aurelio Padovani leans against a wall, staring off into the darkness.

Read more about trips to Europe

Highlights of Germany self-drive

13 days from $4,250pp

Classic Paris & the Normandy D-Day beaches

9 days from $6,995pp

Madrid, San Sebastián & La Rioja tour

7 days from $8,920pp

Start thinking about your experience. These itineraries are simply suggestions for how you could enjoy some of the same experiences as our specialists. They’re just for inspiration, because your trip will be created around your particular tastes.

Further reading

• Historic England: exploring London, Oxford and Bath
• Introducing Normandy: from the D-Day Beaches to the Bayeux Tapestry
• In and around Madrid: our highlights
• Unlocking Italy’s key Roman sites of Rome, Pompeii & Herculaneum

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DESTINATION: WWII

A World War II Travel Blog

Welcome to Destination: WWII  – Your online resource for visiting World War II battlefields, museums, monuments, and memorials around the world.

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Hi, I’m Ashley! I’m a full-time travel writer, tour guide, and World War II historian based in Boston, MA who’s traveled to 32 countries on 5 continents. I formed Destination: WWII from a desire to encourage and help travelers visit WWII sites around the world.

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27 Meaningful Places to See World War II Sites in Berlin

This post contains links which earn me a small commission at no cost to you.

Ali Garland, Berlin expert & long term resident What to Do

World War II shaped Berlin’s and Germany’s history, and the horrible things that occurred are never forgotten. If you’re interested in World War II history, this extensive list of places to see World War II sites in Berlin is for you.

Berlin has many World War II sites and attractions that are worth visiting to learn about this history and to remember the many victims.

Since many of the atrocities that took place actually happened before the war started, I’ve included memorials and museums that cover the time period leading up to the war.

In this list of Berlin World War 2 attractions , you’ll find museums, memorials, and other sights that have ties to the war, the Holocaust, and the events in the years before war broke out.

Please visit these places with respect. Many of these sites honor tragic events and deceased victims.

What you'll find here

Tours that focus on World War II in Berlin

Taking a tour can be a great way to see several World War II sights in Berlin while also learning the history from an expert guide. Here are a few we recommend.

• Berlin Small Group Third Reich and Cold War Walking Tour
• Berlin World War II & Third Reich Tour
• Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp Half-Day Tour From Berlin
• Third Reich Berlin Walking Tour – Hitler and WWII
• Berlin Jewish History Walking Tour

Where to stay in Berlin

Berlin has lots of great neighborhoods for you to stay in and explore. If you’re visiting Berlin for the first time, it might be best for you stay somewhere central.

Many of the attractions are in Mitte or easily connected to Mitte by Berlin’s public transport , so you should stay somewhere in that region. Here are a few hotels we recommend.

BUDGET: Circus Hostel Popular hostel with a bar/brewery downstairs

MIDRANGE: Circus Hotel Centrally located near restaurants & transport

UPSCALE: Westin Grand Centrally located, can chisel off your own piece of the Berlin Wall

UPSCALE: Westin Grand Luxury hotel where you can chisel off your own piece of the Berlin Wall

APARTMENT: Adina Apartment Hotel Kitchenette; near grocery stores, shopping, Museum Island

For a more detailed look at the different neighborhoods and our hotel recommendations, check out our guide to where to stay in Berlin .

Or read my full review of the 25Hours Hotel in Charlottenburg with fantastic views of the Zoo and Tiergarten.

Where to find World War II sites in Berlin

From the well known memorials and museums to the ones you may not have heard about, this list of places to see World War II sites in Berlin is a great way to explore the city’s dark history.

Also, check out our list of the best World War II and Cold War sites in Berlin .

Map of Berlin WWII attractions

All the memorials, museums, and other WWII sites I mention in this article are on this map, except the Stolpersteine since there are so many locations of them throughout the city.

Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe

The Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, often referred to as the Berlin Holocaust Memorial , honors the large number of Jewish people who died at the hands of the Nazis. This is one of the most important World War II sights in Berlin, and it’s probably already on your Berlin bucket list .

The memorial consists of 2,711 concrete blocks of varying heights, and the ground they sit on is an uneven slope similar to a wave. It’s supposed to make you feel uneasy.

The information center is inside and showcases letters, diaries, photographs, and biographies of the victims to help personalize the experience.

Entrance is free. The outside section is open 24/7, but check opening times for the information center. Photography is allowed (no flash inside) but please be respectful.

Do not sit on or climb on the cement slabs or take selfies. This is a place to reflect and remember those who were murdered.

Location: Cora-Berliner-Straße 1, 10117 Berlin

A small but powerful memorial sits in the middle of Bebelplatz along Unter den Linden , an important sightseeing area that’s probably already on your Berlin itinerary . If you don’t look down, you might miss it.

It’s a square glass panel, and when you look down, you’ll see empty shelves. This is a sight that remembers what was lost on May 10, 1933 when the Nazis burned approximately 20,000 books whose stories they didn’t want told.

Location: Bebelpl. 1, 10117 Berlin

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Topography of Terror

The Topography of Terror Museum is one of the more interesting things to do in Berlin because it sits on the location that was the headquarters of the Gestapo and the SS between 1933 and 1945. This is where persecution and killings of Nazi opponents were organized, and where the genocide of Jews, Roma, and Sinti was coordinated.

This powerful museum now serves as a place to remember history and warn us from repeating the terrors of the past. The exhibits here use photographs and documentation to tell visitors about the crimes that were organized here, plus there are excavation sites you can view through glass windows.

Topography of Terror is definitely one to add to your list of places to see World War II sites in Berlin. Read my full guide to visiting Topography of Terror for more information and tips.

Location: Niederkirchnerstraße 8, 10963 Berlin

Stolpersteine

Every so often when you’re walking around Berlin, glance down at the sidewalk below you. You might see Stolpersteine, which are small brass squares that honor victims of the Nazis.

These “stumbling stones” sit in front of the victims’ last known address before they were taken away. Their name, date of birth, date of death if known, and where they were taken are among the details listed on these humble but meaningful memorials.

Nazi Forced Labor Documentation Center

Managed by the Topography of Terror Foundation, the Nazi Forced Labor Documentation Center in the Schöneweide neighborhood is the location of a former forced labor camp. This is just one of over 3,000 that once existed in the Berlin area.

In the exhibition spaces and in the air raid shelter, you can view inscriptions, letters, and biographies of the people who were imprisoned at this labor camp. You can also tour some of the barracks, view the living conditions, and learn about the every day lives of the prisoners. This is one of many free museums in Berlin .

Location: Britzer Str. 5, 12439 Berlin

Reichstag Building

The Reichstag Building is the current seat of the German Parliament and one of the most historic landmarks in Germany . It also has quite a history with both World War II and the Cold War.

It was used by the German government until 1933 when a fire greatly damaged the building. Marking the end of the Weimar Republic and the strengthening of the Nazi dictatorship, the building was neglected and suffered more damage during WWII.

After the war, when Berlin was divided into East and West, the Reichstag Building sat in the West just steps from the Berlin Wall. The seat of the German government has moved to Bonn, and though the building was somewhat repaired, it was seldom used.

After reunification, the building was redesigned and restored. It opened in 1999, and the German Parliament returned here once again.

Today you can take a free tour of the Reichstag Building , but you must register well ahead of time. It’s one of the most popular free things to do in Berlin .

Location: Platz der Republik 1, 11011 Berlin

Jewish Museum

The Berlin Jewish Museum tells the stories of Jewish people in Germany from the Middle Ages to present day. The whole museum, inside and out, is designed to be part of the experience of learning about the diverse Jewish culture and the gaps made by the Holocaust.

You can explore three different sections of the museum that teach about different aspects of Jewish life, culture, and history in Germany. The museum uses a lot of symbolism, which makes this creative space more impactful. For example, in one area, uneven ground conveys a feeling of uncertainty.

This is a fantastic museum to visit if you’re interested in the history of the Jewish people in Germany.

Location: Lindenstraße 9-14, 10969 Berlin

Platform 17 Memorial

At the Grunewald S-Bahn station in the southwest corner of Berlin, you can see the Platform 17 Memorial. This station was used by the Nazis in the early 1940s to transport Jews to concentration camps.

Since it’s not centrally located, it was easier for the Nazis to make sure their prisoners weren’t seen while lining up to board the train. Today this memorial honors those who left from this station and were taken to horrible places where they were most likely killed.

The memorial was sponsored by Deutsche Bahn, Germany’s railway company, and track 17 is no longer used by any trains. The Platform 17 Memorial doesn’t take long to visit and is a 25 minute Sbahn ride from the Alexanderplatz station.

Location: Am Bahnhof Grunewald, 14193 Berlin

>>Check out these unique things to do in Berlin .

Anhalter Bahnhof

A little south of Potsdamer Platz is Anhalter Bahnhof, the remains of a train station. It was once one of the most important train stations in Berlin, and part of Berlin’s World War II history.

Unfortunately during the Nazi era, it was one of three stations in Berlin used to deport Jews to concentration camps. The station was damaged during WWII, but was still operational for several more years.

Anhalter Bahnhof is located in the former East. When the Soviets started using Ostbahnhof as the main train station in the East, Anhalter Bahnhof was no longer needed, and operations ceased in 1952.

Location: Askanischer Pl. 6, 10963 Berlin

>>Read: 13 Places to See the Berlin Wall + 9 Other Wall Attractions

Olympic Stadium

The Olympic Stadium in Berlin is another World War II site to visit. Built by renowned architect Werner March, this geometric masterpiece can hold up to 100,000 people.

But it has a dark history. During the Nazi regime, the Olympic Stadium was used to host propaganda events.

Today it’s an open-air venue used for concerts and other large events. If you visit the stadium on an event-free day, you can take a tour of the stadium and learn about its role during the Second World War.

Location: Olympischer Platz 3, 14053 Berlin

>>Read: 17 Top Sights in Berlin From a Local Who Knows

Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church

This famous Berlin landmark is one of the most important churches in Berlin. The original church was built here in the 1890s, but was damaged in WWII air raids in 1943.

Interestingly, the church was not rebuilt and instead has been left much as it was after World War II. Its been nicknamed by Berliners as Der Hohle Zahn—literally “The Hollow Tooth”.

This church is a stark reminder of the destruction of war and an interesting World War II site in Berlin.

Location: Breitscheidplatz, 10789 Berlin

Soviet War Memorial in Treptow Park

Located in Berlin’s Treptow Park in the southern part of the city, the Soviet War Memorial commemorates 7,000 of the 80,000 soldiers of the Red Army who lost their lives in the Battle of Berlin in 1945.

Part memorial, part cemetery, this is one of several Soviet War Memorials in Berlin, and was inaugurated in 1949, four years after the war. It’s an impressive example of a soaring Soviet monument.

Location: Puschkinallee, 12435 Berlin

Soviet War Memorial in Tiergarten

The Soviet War Memorial in Tiergarten Park is the other well known one in Berlin. It’s large and even includes a tank.

The memorial’s location was strategic – it’s within the park along Strasse des 17 Juni, not far from the Victory Column, the Reichstag Building, and Brandenburg Gate . Of all the Soviet War Memorials in and near Berlin, this is the only one that was built in the former West.

There are several other Soviet War Memorials in and near Berlin, but these are the two that are most central.

Location: Str. des 17. Juni 4, 10557 Berlin

Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp

One of the more popular day trips from Berlin , the Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp is located just outside the city limits, reachable on public transport with a ticket that includes zone C.

Not only did tens of thousands of people die here, but this concentration camp was the headquarters of the whole concentration camp system. Even after the Nazis were defeated and World War II ended, the Soviets used Sachsenhausen as a camp for their own political enemies, and thousands more died over the next five years.

Though this is a somber site, it’s important to learn about those who suffered and died here. Read more about how to get to Sachsenhausen from Berlin .

Entrance is free, but consider taking a guided tour like this one to enrich your experience: Sachsenhausen Memorial Half-Day Tour From Berlin .

Location: Str. d. Nationen 22, 16515 Oranienburg

Silent Heroes Memorial Center

This memorial center remembers the Jewish people who resisted persecution before and during World War II and those who helped them. The exhibit shows the plight of those who faced deportation and worse, and how they decided to go underground in order to resist.

Learn about their living conditions and how people tried to help them, including both successful and failed attempts.

The Silent Heroes Memorial is actually part of a bigger memorial center called the German Resistance Memorial Center, which honors many who resisted the Nazi rule.

The center’s location is also significant as it is the historic site of the attempted coup of July 20, 1944.

Location: Stauffenbergstraße 13-14, 10785 Berlin

Flak Tower in Humboldthain Park

From 1940-41, the Nazis built bunkers and set up an anti-aircraft gun tower in Humboldthain Park. After the war, the bunkers were mostly filled in, and nature began to reclaim the area.

Today not much is visible of its past, but it’s an interesting World War II site to see. And from the viewing platform at the top of the hill, you’ll be rewarded with some excellent views of Berlin .

The bunkers are now home to bats during the winter, but in the summer, Berliner Unterwelten offers tours of some of the underground sections of the demolished flak tower.

Location: Hochstraße 5, 13357 Berlin

Berlin Story Bunker

Near Anhalter Bahnhof is the Berlin Story Bunker museum, which is a bunker from World War I, not II. It tells the history of Berlin over 800 years.

One of the most interesting exhibits is about Hitler, how he came to power, why so many voted for him, and other questions and answers about the Nazi regime and the events leading to and during World War II.

If you’ve ever wondered how it all happened, this is an excellent museum to visit.

Location: Schöneberger Str. 23A, 10963 Berlin

Memorial SA Prison Papestrasse

This former SA prison is the only place remaining with traces of the terrors of the Nazis from as early as 1933. For much of 1933, it was a concentration camp run by the SA Field Police.

Here the SA (Sturmabteilung, or Storm Troopers) imprisoned, interrogated, and tortured political opponents, Jews and other groups persecuted by the Nazi regime. The names of almost 500 prisoners are known, but it is believed that the number is much higher.

At this museum, you can see exhibits documenting the history of this former prison. It also serves as a memorial to those who suffered here.

Location: Werner-Voß-Damm 54A, 12101 Berlin

Museum Berlin-Karlshorst

This museum documents World War II on the eastern front, but its location is also quite significant. The building is where Germany signed their unconditional surrender in front of representatives of Russia, the US, the UK, and France on the night of May 8-9, 1945.

This was the ceremonial recognition of complete defeat and victory over Hilter’s regime. The Museum Berlin-Karlshorst (formerly called the German Russian Museum) isn’t so centrally located, but it’s a significant place to visit for World War II history in Berlin.

Location: Zwieseler Str. 4, 10318 Berlin

Anne Frank Center

The story of Anne Frank and her diary is well known around the world, and if you’re ever in Amsterdam, the Anne Frank House is excellent. But Berlin also honors her memory and legacy with the Anne Frank Center.

At this museum, you can learn about Anne Frank and the history of National Socialism. It’s also an interactive museum that’s great for all ages.

Though there is a small entrance fee, this is one of many excellent cheap activities in Berlin .

Location: Rosenthaler Str. 39, 10178 Berlin

Museum Blindenwekstatt Otto Weidt

During World War II, Otto Weidt ran a workshop making brooms and brushes, and many of his employees were blind and deaf Jews. When they were in danger, he used his shop to help keep them hidden from persecution and deportation.

This museum tells the story of Otto Weidt and his workshop, and it’s another interesting and free World War 2 attraction in Berlin.

Memorial to Homosexuals Persecuted Under Nazism

Though Jews were the biggest group that suffered under the Nazi regime, they weren’t the only victims. In the southeast corner of Tiergarten, you’ll find the Memorial to Homosexuals Persecuted Under Nazism.

This memorial uses a video to tell the history of how gays were arrested, tortured, castrated, and killed under Nazi rule. The intention is to encourage tolerance and acceptance while remembering the past.

Location: Ebertstraße, 10785 Berlin, across the street from the Holocaust Memorial

Memorial to the Victims of the Nazi Euthanasia Murders

Under Nazi rule, tens of thousands of patients from sanatoriums and nursing homes as well as people who were deemed to be racially and socially undesirable were murdered. This horrific crime is considered a precursor to the mass murder of European Jews.

Today the memorial is at the location where the euthanasia murder program was planned, developed, and carried out.

Location: Tiergartenstraße 4, 10785 Berlin

Memorial to European Sinti and Roma Murdered Under Nazism

On the eastern edge of Tiergarten, you can see the Memorial to European Sinti and Roma Murdered Under Nazism. This memorial honors the memory of the many Sinti and Roma people, formerly called “gypsies”, who were killed under the Nazi regime.

You can learn about the history of this group and what happened to them, and there’s a fountain where a flower is placed every day.

Location: Simsonweg, 10117 Berlin

Memorial to the Murdered Members of the Reichstag

Political leaders in Germany were also victims of the Nazis. The Memorial to the Murdered Members of the Reichstag honors the 96 known members of Parliament who died at the hands of the Nazis before and during World War II.

You can see this memorial in Platz der Republik, in front of the Reichstag Building. It’s near the trailer type buildings where you enter for a booked free tour.

Honestly, it’s a little cramped here, almost like the memorial was inconveniencing the people who set up the trailer looking buildings. I feel like they could’ve set those trailers back a little farther to give a little space to the memorial.

Location: Scheidemannstraße 5, 10557 Berlin

House of the Wannsee Conference

This luxury villa was the location of the infamous Wannsee Conference in 1942. Nazi government officials met to discuss the so-called “Final Solution to the Jewish Question” here.

Today this location serves as a museum documenting this awful meeting and how their plan was put into action. It’s also a Holocaust memorial where you can learn about the genocide of the Jewish population.

This World War II site isn’t centrally located, but it’s a historically important attraction to visit.

Location: Am Großen Wannsee 56-58, 14109 Berlin

Cecilienhof Palace

Cecilienhof Palace was built from 1914 to 1917 in the style of an English Tudor manor house, and it was the last palace built by the Hohenzollern family. They ruled the Kingdom of Prussia and German Empire until the end of World War I.

This palace is also famous for being the location of the Potsdam conference from July 17 to August 2, 1945, when the Allies met to discuss and decide how to handle post war Europe and Asia. This meeting is seen as the end of World War II and the beginning of the Cold War.

This Cold War site is a great place to include on a day trip to Potsdam .

>>Read: How to Get to Potsdam From Berlin by Train

Location: Im Neuen Garten, 14469 Potsdam

Berlin World War II Tours

Consider taking a tour to see several World War II sights in Berlin while also learning the history from an expert guide. Here are a few we recommend.

Berlin Travel Resources

I want you to have the best trip to Berlin, and hopefully this list of World War II sites in Berlin is helpful. But there are lots more tips on the site!

• 101 Best Things to do in Berlin
• 23 Impressive Castles in Berlin (And Nearby)
• 27 Best World War II & Cold War Sights in Berlin
• 29 Fun Day Trips From Berlin
• 75 Things to Know Before Visiting Berlin: Essential Berlin Travel Tips
• What to Wear & What to Pack for Berlin, Germany: Your Ultimate Berlin Packing List
• How to Get Around in Berlin: An Easy Guide to Berlin Public Transportation

Check out my favorite travel planning sites and resources

These are the sites I like for travel planning, plus items I like to travel with.

Planning Booking.com : Find a Berlin hotel here.

Rick Steves and Lonely Planet : My favorite guidebook resources.

Tours, Activities, Tickets Viator : Great site for finding tours and other activities.

GetYourGuide : Another good option for tours and activities.

Transport Welcome Pickups : No stress option for airport pickups.

Discover Cars : Find a rental car for Germany road trips.

Deutsche Bahn and FlixBus : Best options for getting around Germany.

Packing Orange SIM & eSIM : Great option for SIM & eSIM cards for German & EU.

Collapsible water bottle , plug adapter , and stuff bag : Small things that will make your trip a little easier.

Packing Orange SIM & eSIM : Great option for SIM & eSIM cards for Germany & EU.

Book a local photographer Flytographer : Hire an amazing local photographer anywhere in the world. Use code BERLINTRAVEL to get $25 off your first photo shoot.

Related Posts

What to do in Berlin on Monday: 25+ Museums & More

What to do in Berlin on Sunday: 15+ Ideas

Best Berlin Hop On Hop Off Bus Tours

You could also add the Georg Elser memorial at Wilhelmstrasse, Berlin.

Good one, thanks!

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U-boat Type XXI ‘Wilhelm Bauer’ (U-2540) Kriegsmarine Submarine

The Grave of Generalfeldmarschall Erich von Manstein – Friedhof Dorfmark – Fallingbostel, Germany

U-Boat Biber, a Kriegsmarine Midget Submarine

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• 7 unmissable World War II sites to visit near Rome
• Places and Tours

Here is where you can see World War II sites in region of Lazio , 7 war landmarks from Rome to Cassino.

June 4th, 1944.

It's a Sunday and the sky is clear over  Rome .

General Clark proudly leads the American troops in the liberation of Rome , reaching the Vittoriano  buildingat the very heart of the city ,the symbolic place of Mussolini's gatherings. The Roman citizens take to the streets to celebrate the Allies .

The Germans of Field Marshal Albert Kesselring are  retreating north , saving further devastation in Rome and Lazio. The Second World War is almost over .

If you've ever wondered where to see World War II sites near Rome, you've come to the right place. We have selected 7 historical sites in Rome and Lazio  showing the brutality of the conflict in this part of Italy.

Seven stages for an ideal journey to remember the absurdity of war and to see the scars it left in the Lazio region.

War tourism in the sites of World War II grew a lot in recent years. It should not be considered like a simple recreational activity: war tourism is a moment of study and reflection on an historical period whose consequences still echo strongly today.

The lively harbour of Anzio.

The Anglo-American troops chose the pretty port towns of Anzio and Nettuno for their landing , at the time united in a single municipality called Nettunia.

The troops landed in January 1944 on the beaches north of Anzio: the Levante beach (codenamed X-Ray and reserved to the Americans) and the coastline that goes from Tor Caldara to Tor San Lorenzo ( Peter Beach , attacked by the English).

The Anzio Beachhead Museum (“Museo dello Sbarco di Anzio”) provides an interesting reconstruction of the landing and the fierce fighting that followed, through unique objects , weapons, vehicles, prints and uniforms. Many of these objects have been fished out few hundreds meter from Anzio's port.

The museum is hosted in the halls of the beautiful Villa Adele , about 400 meters from the train station, and is divided into four sections (English, American, Italian and German). Admission is free and it is possible to book guided tours .

The Paradise on the Sea in Anzio (“Paradiso sul Mare”) is a wonderful Art Nouveau building, born as a casino. It was later chosen by General Mark Clark as the headquarters of the allied command. After the war, the Paradiso was used as a film set for masterpieces such as Fellini's “Amarcord” and Alberto Sordi's “Polvere di stelle”.

Anzio is mentioned in a song by Pink Floyd , "When the tiger broke free", dedicated to Roger Water's father , killed near Anzio in the hours following the troops landing.

Anzio and Nettuno are well connected by train to Roma Termini (1-hour journey, around €5), making it a great day trip for history and sea lovers - there's plenty of fish restaurants too.

Il American Cemetery in Nettuno (PH: Stephen Sommerhalter - Own work, CC BY 3.0)

Nettuno is quite a popular tourist destination near Rome, boosting a well-preserved medieval town centre (the Borgo Medievale), with cobbled streets, a fort on the sea and a lively atmosphere .

The Sicily – Rome American Cemetery and Memorial (“Cimitero Americano di Nettuno”) attracts crowds of US and British tourists, mostly war veterans and their families, who gather to commemorate the war years and the fallen comrades. The cemetery is surrounded by trees and it's really well-kept, with thousands of white crosses perfectly aligned along the avenue, making the visit an emotional experience.

The cemetery is the resting place for the bodies of nearly 9,000 soldiers who fell in the various battles of the Italian campaign: an ode to the absurdity of war .

American Presidents Bush and Clinton also visited the cemetery on various Memorial Days.

Anzio and Nettuno are well connected by train from Roma Termini (1-hour journey, around €5), making them a perfect day trip from the capital for sea and history lovers.

5. Bunker of Monte Soratte

The entrance of the bunker of Monte Soratte.

The Bunker Soratte was built in 1937 by order of Benito Mussolini and remained secret for many years. It has recently been turned into a museum, an historical landmark reminding us of World War II and the Cold War . 

Over 4 km of complex bunker tunnels were dug inside the southern slope of Mount Soratte, near the municipality of Sant’Oreste (50 km north of Rome).

The bunker has had different functions over the years: before the war, it was an air-raid shelter for high government officials, and in 1943 Field Marshal Kesselring transformed it into the center for the Supreme Southern Command of the German forces in Italy. After the war it became an Army warehouse and then a nuclear shelter.

The guided tour takes visitors through this maze of concrete tunnels at a depth of 300 meters , using materials patiently recovered from the bunker, making the visit very engaging.

The War Room is not to be missed: it was used by NATO and the Air Force as an operations center, this was the room from where Italy would manage its survival following a  nuclear attack .

The bunker can only be visited with a booked guided tour at a cost of €10 per person (thanks to the volunteer association called "Bunker Soratte"). The village of Sant’Oreste, the perfect base for a visit, is about an hour's drive from Rome, but it can also be reached from the capital by bus or train, passing through Viterbo.

4. Museum of Piana delle Orme in Latina

The entrance of Piana delle Orme (PH: Giorgio Pietrocola - Opera propria, CC BY-SA 4.0).

Piana delle Orme is a museum featuring 60,000 local artefacts from the recovery of the Pontine marshes through the World War II and the liberation of Rome.

The gem of the museum is the American M4 Sherman tank , used for the 1944 landing, rescued in the sea nearAnzio in 2002. Roberto Benigni borrowed the tank to shoot the famous final scene of his famous 1997 film Life is Beautiful .

The museum is located in Borgo Faiti (a few minutes drive from Latina) within a farmhouse and was founded in 1997, starting from the private collection of Mariano De Pasquale.

Piana delle Orme is divided into a War Path and a Peace Path. The pavilions are mainly devoted to the display of objects from World War II: military vehicles , dioramas, recordings and sound effects depict how Italy became involved in the war following Mussolini’s declaration of war , the North African campaigns, the amphibian landing of the Allied troops near Anzio and the battle for Montecassino.

The Peace Path focuses on peasant life and the recovery of the Pontine marshes in the 1930s. Not to be missed is the fantastic pavilion dedicated to vintage toys .

The museum is also suitable for children and the ticket costs 13€ pp: ideal time visit is 3-4 hours. After the visit, you can buy vintage gadgets from the museum shop or have lunch at the farmhouse restaurant.

3. Montecassino Abbey

The cloister of the abbey with its scenic view.

Perched at 516 metres, the abbey of Montecassino is a Benedictine monastery founded in 529 a.C. from Saint Benedict himself.

Montecassino is the second oldest monastery in Italy (after Santa Scolastica in Norcia). Located near Cassino , south of Lazio region, this majestic abbey boasts a museum, a cathedral, an elegant Renaissance cloister and a spectacular panoramic view . 

In mediaeval times, Montecassino was an important religious and cultural landmark . The abbey experienced many turbulent events , including looting (from the Lombards and Saracens) and earthquakes, before becoming the museum we know today.

In 1944, the abbey also witnessed one of the most terrible battles of the Italian front.

The Allies mistakenly believed that German troops were entrenched behind the mighty walls of the abbey, and so they mercilessly bombed the building, razing it to the ground and killing many civilians refugees there. In the useless attack to conquer the abbey, thousands of American soldiers were killed.

The ancient codices  of the abbey have been saved from destruction, even though it is thought that some of them found their way to Herman Göring as a birthday gitf.

The abbey was fully rebuilt from its ashes in the aftermath of WWII. Today, Benedictine monks still live in the monastery and visitors can still see them around.

If you have a car , you can reach Cassino in about 2 hours from both Rome and Napoli. Taking the train is also a good option. The admission to the cloister and the cathedral is free , while the entry for the museum is only 5€.

2. The Liberation Museum and the Ghetto of Rome.

The Great Synagogue of Rome on the river Tiber.

Every corner of Rome is a window on a different time o f history: the years of World War II left deep scars , both in the urban planning and in the soul of the Capital.

Best site to start knowing more about WWII in Rome is the Museo della Liberazione ("Liberation Museum"). The museum is open every day and it's free of charge: you can find it at the famous address of Via Tasso 145. This building is sadly known as the place where the Roman anti-fascists were detained by the Nazis.

The Liberation Museum is the perfect place to keep the knowledge of these tragic memories alive for the new generations , thanks to its collection of original documents and the restoration of the cells used by the Germans for tortures .

The district of San Lorenzo is close to the museum and it's the area of Rome that suffered the most from the bombings of July '43 . The many victims of those days are commemorated in the “Parco Caduti" (or "Park for the Fallen of 19 July 1943").

In the Sant’Angelo district, on the other hand, visitors can find the Ghetto of Rome , the second oldest ghetto in Italy. This area of ​​the capital is appreciated by tourists and locals alike for its cultural vitality and for its original restaurants offering Roman-Jewish cuisine (try the famous Giudia artichokes  if you are around).

You should visit the Great Synagogue of Rome ("Tempio Maggiore") a wonderful synagogue facing the river Tiber. It's a landmark for the local Jewish community, also housing the  Jewish Museum of Rome. If you walk through the streets of the Ghetto, keep your eyes open for the so called pietre d'inciampo (or " tumbling blocks "), small blocks that recall the name of the citizens deported to lagers by the Nazi-fascist forces.

1. Via Rasella and the Fosse Ardeatine Memorial in Rome

Entrance to the monument for the Ardeatine cave massacre (PH: By antmoose - Flickr, CC BY 2.0).

To complete our journey, we recommend visiting   two   Roman war landmarks:  Via Rasella and the Memorial and the Museum of the Fosse Ardeatine .

Via Rasella is the site of one of the most important partisan  actions, a bomb that exploded at number 139 hitting a Nazi-Fascist unit on March 24, 1944. On the walls between via del Boccaccio and via Rasella, you can still see the marks of the German machine guns firing in response to the attack.

The Nazis reaction was the retaliation of the Fosse Ardeatine , where 335 innocent citizens were killed in the quarries named "Fosse Ardeatine", later blown up with dynamite to cover their tracks.

This shrine was built in 1949 and includes the massacre caves and the mausoleum where the bodies are buried. The visit to the Fosse Ardeatine is a touching and highly educational experience , to keep alive the memory of the war.

We recommend

Guide to Operation Dynamo Sites in Dunkirk

The planned mass evacuation of May 1940, known as Operation Dynamo, was both a disaster and a triumph. With the Germans bombing Dunkirk and the nearby beaches from May 18, the flotilla of vessels—including the immensely courageous crews of the 336 Little Ships—managed the excavation of 338,226 allied soldiers, including 123,069 French and 16,816 Belgian soldiers.

There are a significant number of sites in and around Dunkirk that are important to the evacuation operation and it is possible for enthusiasts to visit these places to trace historical events . You can walk to some of these places, but you will probably need a car or some form of transport to get to the Dynamo Museum on the Digue des Bains and to the Military Cemetery.

Central Dunkirk

Everything in Dunkirk circles around Jean Bart, the famous French privateer who saved the French from starvation in 1694 by capturing 130 ships full of wheat. His statue stands in the eponymous central Place, the heart of Dunkirk. The statue was not hit during the massive German attacks in May and June 1940 and remained intact during further destruction in the German occupation to the end of the war. It’s a good place for shopping with individual food shops, and it’s also near the Centre Marine which has 23 shops.

Getting There and Tourism Resources

You can travel to France from the UK by ferry . DFDS Seaways have regular sailings daily throughout the year for cars and passengers. The trip takes two hours.

The Dunkirk tourism office is a good place to learn about special events and get more information.

Dunkerque Tourist Office 4 Place Charles Valenti 59140 Dunkerque Tel.: 00 33 (0)3 28 66 79 21

Bassin de Commerce

From Place Jean Bart, it’s a short stroll to the Bassin du Commerce , which suffered during the bombing raids, although the port went on unloading munitions as it could. It was also used to evacuate the British troops, attracting serious German pounding.

The British paddle steamer, the Princess Elisabeth was built in 1927 for the Southampton to Cowes run. In 1939, she was taken over by the Admiralty and converted into a minesweeper. A year later, she was sent to Dunkirk to help clear the mines in the channel off the beaches. She survived, though other ships, including the Brighton Belle, the Devonia, and Gracie Fields were sunk.

All the minesweepers were then used to take the soldiers off the shore for the duration of the evacuation, the Princess Elisabeth making 4 journeys and rescuing 1,673 soldiers.

After the war she became an excursion boat again, then a floating casino, then a restaurant on the Thames in London. In 1988, bought by a French company, she made her way to the Seine just outside Paris. She arrived in Dunkirk in 1999 and today is used for exhibitions and events.

Walk along the Quaie des Hollandais through Place du Minck, along rue Leughenaer to the Colonne de la Victoire in Place de la Victoire. Turn left along rue des Chantiers de France, past the sculpture garden and the modern art museum up to the bunkers that line Bastion 32.

The Operation Dynamo Museum

The Operation Dynamo Museum (Mémorial du Souvenir) is a small museum devoted to the Battle of Dunkirk and Operation Dynamo. This is one of the most interesting places to visit. Start with the 15-minute film whose jerky black-and-white sequences put you right into the heart of the action. 

Photographs, lots of informative maps showing the movement of the war, unformed models, Vichy propaganda, a motorbike which is rare as the majority were taken to the Eastern front and blown up or abandoned, a flag used during the evacuation, and a whole lot more. Everything is in French and English and it’s manned by an enthusiastic group of volunteers who will happily answer any questions you might have. At the end, there’s a large plaque to the Czechs who liberated the town on May 9, 1945, making Dunkirk the last town to be set free.

From here take the Pont Lefol onto rue Marcel Sailly and turn left to the western end of the Digue des Alliés, the long stretch of seafront that goes all the way to Malo-les-Bains for the next memorial.

Memorial to the Allies

The Mémorial des Alliés (Memorial to the Allies) is made from paving stones from the harbor quayside. It commemorates the courage of the Allied troops during the Dynamo operation.

Dunkirk Cemetary

The Dunkirk Cemetery is along the roué de Furnes, to the south of the town. Two stone pillars guard the entrance to the Dunkirk Memorial, the entrance to the British War Graves section, opened in 1957 by the Queen Mother. There are 4,506 soldiers of the British Army and 6 from the Indian Army from 110 different units commemorated here, including those who died in captivity and those captured during Operation Dynamo and have no known grave. 

The Cemetery has also 793 World War II burials, and also Czech, Norwegian and Polish war graves.

Guide to Dunkirk

France Border Travel From the North to Spain

9 Places for Jewish History in Paris, From Museums to Memorials

The Nord-Pas-de-Calais Region: North France

Top Normandy D-Day Landing Beaches and World War II Sites

Dover Castle: The Complete Guide

North Coast of France: The Ultimate Road Trip From Dieppe to Calais

The Top 15 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in France

Visiting Limoux and Drinking Wine

Nantes: Jewel of the Loire Valley

Top 15 Monuments and Historic Sites in Paris

A Tour of West France

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Top French Wine Tours, Regions and Wine Routes

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Top Gardens of France

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10 Significant World War II Sites to Visit in Germany

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If you’re a World War II aficionado or history buff in general, there’s no other trip quite like seeing the sights left behind by the Third Reich and Nazi Germany. Some were bombed into obsolescence, others were destroyed to cover over the reminder of the atrocities of war, but many significant spots remain accessible to the public today. Here are 10 historically significant WWII sites to see in Germany:

1. Vorbunker/Führerbunker -Berlin

Vorbunker and Führerbunker were once the places where Adolf Hitler took shelter and eventually lived. The elaborate underground concrete bunker complex was designed to be a temporary air-raid shelter for Hitler, his family and his guards. While the site has been redeveloped into the current residential housing that stands today, this remains an important place of WWII significance as it was in the Führerbunker that Hitler committed suicide. Today a commemorative sign can be seen explaining the layout and significance of the bunker complex.

2. Dachau Memorial and Museum -Dachau

Dachau was the first of many Nazi concentration camps opened in Germany and was designed to hold political prisoners from Germany and Austria as well as Jewish prisoners. It was also open the longest, from March 1933 to April 1945 spanning nearly all 12 years of the Nazi regime. Today the site of the former concentration camp is home to a memorial as well as a museum and can be visited by the public.

3. Nazi Party Rally Grounds -Nuremberg

The rally grounds of the Nazi party covered about 11 square kilometers in Nuremberg’s southeast and were the site of six Nazi rallies between 1933-1938. While not all of the historic buildings remain, many are preserved and can be visited by the public as the entire site is now a memorial.

4. Holocaust Memorial -Berlin

This 4.7 acre site in Berlin was designed by architect Peter Eisenman and engineer Buro Happold and serves as a tribute to Jewish victims of the Holocaust. The site is covered with 2,711 concrete slabs known as ‘stelae’ and includes a Place of Information on the site’s eastern edge which lists the names of all known Jewish Holocaust victims.

5. St. Nicholas’ Church -Hamburg

This Gothic Revival church was once the tallest building in the world from 1874-1876 and played an important role in WWII. During the extensive air raids on the city of Hamburg, the church tower served as a goal and visual orientation marker for the Allied Air Forces. Unfortunately, on July 28, 1943 the church was severely damaged by bombing and was reduced to the only remaining tower which can still be seen today.

6. Kehlsteinhaus (Eagle’s Nest) – Obersalzberg

The Kehlsteinhaus or ‘Eagle’s Nest’ as it’s known in English speaking countries is a Third Reich-area complex that was given to Adolf Hitler for his 50th birthday as a retreat to entertain friends and guests. The Kehlsteinhaus sits on a rocky outcrop known as Obersalzberg near the town of Berchtesgaden.  Today the Eagle’s Next can still be visited by the public as it houses a restaurant, beer garden and tourist site.

7. Colditz Castle -Colditz

Colditz is a Renaissance castle located in Germany’s Saxony state. During WWII the castle was converted and used as a high security prisoner-of-war camp for officers who were particularly dangerous or were regarded as escape risks. The German’s believed the castle’s location on a rocky outcrop above the River Mulde made it an excellent spot for a high security prison, however Colditz POW camp had one of the highest records of successful escape attempts during WWII.

8. Mittelbau-Dora Memorial -Nordhausen

Mittelbau-Dora was a WWII Nazi concentration camp located near Nordhausen in the German state of Thuringia. This camp was notorious for its extreme cruelty towards prisoners and roughly 1 in 3 of the 60,000 prisoners sent here did not survive. Today the site is home to a memorial and history museum and serves as a place of mourning and commemoration of the victims of this concentration camp.

Photo by: Buchewald and Mittelbau-Dora Memorials Foundation

9. Soviet War Memorial -Berlin

The Soviet War Memorial is located in Berlin’s Treptower Park and was build to commemorate the Soviet soldiers who fell during the Battle of Berlin in 1945. The main feature of the memorial is a 12-m tall statue of a Soviet soldier with a sword holding a German child, standing over a broken swastika. The central area before the monument is lined with 16 stone sarcophagi, one for each of the 16 Soviet Republics. Each of the sarcophagi are adorned with carvings of military scenes and quotations from Joseph Stalin in both Russian and German languages.

10. Besseringen B-Werk -Merzig

The Besseringen B-Werk is the only completely preserved fortification bunker located in the Siegfried Line; a 630 kilometer defensive system built between 19 and featured more than 18,000 bunkers, tunnels and tank traps. 32 bunkers in the Seigfried Line were built to construction standards or thickness ‘B’ hence the term B-Werk. Post-war, the site was used as a rubbish dump but it was restored and opened in 2005 as a museum which can be visited by the public today.

Like this? Check out  15 Must See World War II Sites in Europe

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10 World War II Sites To Visit In Poland

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Poland is a country few of us know much about, and it’s no wonder. Up until 1989, Poland sat behind the communist iron curtain. It was a closed country: Travel in and out was near impossible for the curious traveler.

This shroud of secrecy meant that the key to understanding some of the most impactful recent world events, namely World War II, were out of reach save for interpretations in history books and movies.

But Poland is once again accessible and this proud nation isn’t shy about allowing visitors to contemplate the atrocities of WWII that occurred within its borders.

For history buffs, Poland offers a treasure trove of intrigue, mystery and, most importantly, answers.

To learn about these sites prior to your trip, I’ve included the titles of some movies you may like to watch ahead of time. I guarantee this will enhance your experience.

During our eight weeks touring this vast country, we visited many of its WWII sites and I share our top list of must-see spots below. These are listed in order of a suggested itinerary.

agsaz / Shutterstock

1. Oskar Schindler’s Enamel Factory

This world-class museum in Krakow is a tribute to Oskar Schindler, the solitary, wealthy German businessman who saved over 1,000 Jews from certain death in WWII by purchasing and running his ammunition shells factory using Jewish labor.

This museum is part of the Krakow Historical Museum, which provides an emotive, interactive, visually impressive exhibition on the Nazi occupation of Krakow.

Booking ahead is absolutely essential. Tickets are under $7 USD and a guide is recommended.

My Movie Recommendation: Schindler’s List , 1993, starring Liam Neeson

Taiftin / Shutterstock

2. Auschwitz-Birkenau

Probably one of Poland’s most visited WWII tourist destinations, Auschwitz-Birkenau is also one of the saddest places most people will visit in Poland.

At Auschwitz, you will see the atrocious Jewish living conditions, the wall against which thousands were lined up and shot, the gallows where mass hangings took place in front of the assembled prisoners, ruptured gas canisters and mountains of shoes, spectacles, and human hair.

The vast Birkenau site, located just over a mile away, is the associated mass extermination camp.

Auschwitz and Birkenau can be visited from Krakow for a day trip. To get there, you can take the train or bus, hire a car and private driver, or join a tour.

The best time for a visit is in the shoulder season (May and June or September and October), not because there are fewer crowds — it’s always busy — but because of the heat. If it’s too hot, the tour will be cut short around Birkenau due to lack of shade.

With over 2 million visitors each year, this place books out quickly and daily numbers are restricted. You can enter for free before 10 a.m. and after 4 p.m. with a previously reserved time slot. I recommend booking a guided tour online, in advance, for about $30 for two people.

My Movie Recommendation: Auschwitz , 2011, starring Steffen Mennekes

Pavel Stasevich / Shutterstock

3. Warsaw Uprising Museum

Opened in 2004 and voted one of Poland’s best museums, this Warsaw museum is a must visit.

Here, you will find numerous interactive displays, video footage, and photographs depicting what Warsaw’s occupants were fighting against when Nazi Germany occupied the capital city in 1944.

Make sure to see the thought-provoking film City of Ruins . It’s a 5-minute aerial look at the desolation of Warsaw after the war, showing that very few buildings were left standing.

You will also find an exact replica of a B24 Allied plane, the model used to make supply drops over the besieged city.

Entrance to the museum is free on Sundays, otherwise you will pay under $10 USD per person. Allow at least two hours to wander around and learn about the Uprising.

My Movie Recommendation: Warsaw Uprising , 2014, starring Jozef Pawlowski

posztos / Shutterstock

4. Museum Of The History Of Polish Jews

Named the European Museum of the Year in 2016, this Warsaw museum, while not technically about WWII alone, gives an understanding of the Jewish population in Poland leading up to the Holocaust.

The Museum, which depicts a thousand years of the history of the Polish Jews, explains in an interactive way how the Jewish people were revered by society, how they were integrated into significant positions in the community, and how their skill set was used to bolster the economy of Poland.

Learn how the Holocaust drastically impacted the Jews of Poland. Also hear about the Jewish community revival after the Second World War.

The museum is closed on Tuesdays. Tickets are just over $7 USD.

My Movie Recommendation: The Pianist , 2002, set in Warsaw

Wikimedia Commons ( CC BY-SA 3.0 )

5. Palmiry National Memorial And Museum

Located in the Kampinos National Park, a 30-minute drive from Warsaw, this became the site of 21 separate mass executions during the war. These were performed by German soldiers against 1,700 Poles and Jews, many of whom were academic and cultural figures.

Inside the museum you will find excellent information boards, photographs, and records of the atrocities of war. You will see exhumed items from the deceased, donated to the museum by relatives of the victims, in a number of glass cases.

Outside is a large, perfectly manicured cemetery of marked and unmarked crosses.

Entry to the museum is free of charge. It is closed on Mondays.

ASkwarczynski / Shutterstock

6. Treblinka Concentration Camp

Treblinka was the second-biggest Nazi death camp in occupied Poland.

Built away from prying eyes, two camps were set up by the Germans: a forced labor camp and an extermination camp. A despicable mass extermination of between 800,000 and 920,000 Jews took place here during World War II.

Although the buildings were burnt to conceal these war crimes, today Treblinka is the site of a small museum and an open-air memorial providing space for reflection and thought.

Located fewer than 70 miles from Poland’s capital, Warsaw, Treblinka is certainly a worthy site to put on your list.

The cost of Treblinka Museum admission for two people is under $10 USD.

My Movie Recommendation: Treblinka’s Last Witness , 2016, documentary

Karolis Kavolelis / Shutterstock

7. Wolf’s Lair, Hitler’s Bunker In Poland

Did you know Hitler had his headquarters in Poland, and spent 800 days there?

Famous for the failed attempt by Claus Schenk Count von Stauffenberg on Hitler’s life, the Wolf’s Lair is a series of bunkers hidden in the forest that even housed a casino to entertain the guards.

Today, you will find a small museum , informative storyboards, and the bunker ruins overrun by Mother Nature. Don’t expect, however, to be walking inside the bunkers, as they are off-limits.

My Movie Recommendation: Valkyrie , 2008, starring Tom Cruise

Wojciech Dziadosz / Shutterstock

8. Museum Of The Second World War

This was, without a doubt, one of the best museums in Poland, in my humble opinion. Not only will you learn about WWII from Poland’s perspective, but this Gdansk museum also expands into an exploration of the Japanese side of the war.

The museum tells the story of the war in terms of politics, ideology, and civil population. It shows the lives and fates of civilians and soldiers, not just in Poland but in other European countries as well.

Admission is under $20 USD for two people and includes a recommended audio guide.

dies-irae / Shutterstock

9. Westerplatte

It was at Westerplatte that Poland was first attacked on September 1, 1939. The Polish garrison in Westerplatte held out for seven days before surrendering.

Today, you can enjoy a comprehensive outdoor museum in the form of signboards that tell the story leading up to the war.

Then visit the memorial, an 80-foot granite statue made up of 236 blocks and known as Coast Defenders .

One of the guardhouses is a small museum , while the others are left in ruin for visitors to contemplate the fate of those at ground zero.

My Movie Recommendation: 1939 Battle of Westerplatte , 2013, starring Robert Zoledziewski

Yanek / fotopolska.eu / Wikimedia Commons ( CC BY-SA 3.0 )

The Battle of Hel was one of the longest battles in Poland at the start of WWII. At Poland’s naval site, construction was still being undertaken when war broke out. Germany attacked by air, and while 2,800 soldiers fought bravely to stave off the enemy, Poland capitulated just 20 days later.

Today, you will see the tank embankments, a camouflaged tank, gun emplacements, and evidence of underground bunkers.

You can arrive at Hel by train from Gdansk and enjoy the modern seaside boardwalks that follow the ocean curvature. It is free to wander around.

Whatever sights you choose to visit in Poland, there are plenty of opportunities to fill your history cup to overflowing. Every town happily provides an opportunity to delve into its history, whether it’s a little or a lot. Poland’s efforts to provide a broader understanding of WWII will benefit anyone willing to visit its sites.

Touring the country? Here’s how to spend a day in Warsaw , seven beautiful places in Krakow , and a case for visiting the mysterious twisted trees of Poland before you leave.

Ruth is a Kiwi (New Zealander), traveling with her husband Alan through Europe full-time in their motorhome named “Betsy.“ After 30 months on the road, they have visited 30 countries, and have written over 80 articles on their blog Travel-Cook-Eat . At this stage they have no intention of an end date to their travels and look forward to learning and writing more interesting content.

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War News | Military History | Military News

Nine essential places in france for war history enthusiasts to visit.

• World War 2
• World War 1

The top countries in Europe offer a variety of post-war sites to see, whether your interest lies in World War II, World War I or one of the many historic wars that have taken place on the continent. France is a great destination for anyone already living on the European continent, or those who are taking a short trip to Europe in the fall. However, don’t just stick with the normal tourist sites.

Check out some of the best war-related sites to see when you visit France below.

Arc de Triomphe

The Arc de Triomphe is situated right in the heart of Paris. It’s also one of the most iconic Parisian landmarks and is one that’s probably on your travel bucket list already. It was built in 1806 by Napoleon, to commemorate the French soldiers who had fallen during the Napoleonic Wars.

Completed in 1836, its design includes various military victories, soldiers’ names and various artistic touches. The arch is also the site of the French Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, honoring those who fell in both world wars. If you have friends, families or other traveling companions who don’t quite share your love for war history, this is one site that you’ll easily be able to drag them along to, as the beautiful surroundings and easy location make it a great spot to visit.

Schoenenbourg Maginot Line Fort

The Schoenenbourg Maginot Line fort was one of several forts built on the border of Germany and France. The partially underground forts were meant to protect the French from German invasions after World War I. This particular fort out of the entire series of Maginot forts was the largest and was created and designed to be entirely usable during extreme disasters.

With its own water source, plenty of food stocks, weapons and a small medic station, it was a totally fortified bunker that could support parties for an extended amount of time. Visitors can explore the fort for themselves, and all its underground twists and turns. It’s said that to see it all takes about two hours.

Somme Battlefields

While seemingly beautiful, the Somme Battlefields are the sites of major loss and destruction. During the battles, the plan was, the British would destroy German trenches, and then British and French troops would cross no man’s land to capture the German soldiers.

Unfortunately, the Germans were alerted to their efforts, and were prepared, and suffered very little damage to their trenches. An exceptional number of Allie casualties occurred, with more than one million on both sides killed or wounded over the months-long endeavor. Today, you can visit the large area on your own, or you can take a tour. There are even cycling tours in the area that will show you the history of the region.

Vel D’Hiv Monument

During the early days of World War II, the French police herded up Jewish families and held them in the Velodrome, which was at one time an indoor cycling track. There, more than 13,000 French Jews endured horrific living conditions, with no bathrooms, water or food, before being sent to various concentration camps.

The memorial stands for those who suffered at the hands of the French government, which has since issues an official apology for their actions during the war.

Oradour-Sur-Glane

This French village also suffered during World War II, as many villages did, but to an extreme extent.

The Nazis committed heinous crimes in this western French location, killing a large majority of the population in 1944. In addition to much of the village being completely destroyed, more than 600 individuals were killed at the hands of the German soldiers.

After the war, the village was rebuilt a few miles away, but the original site still stands, untouched and legally protected, as a remembrance of the horrors of war.

Musee de la Reddition

It was here that the Germans met with Allied troops to end World War II. On May 7, 1945, German high officers signed a document committing to unconditional surrender.

The document was signed in the Map Room, and that same room has been preserved behind glass, in perfect condition for visitors to see, when they also take a look at the museum.

Of course, the most important war site to visit when traveling to France is Normandy. This all-important destination was where the war turned its course, and the Allies began to gain considerable forward ground.

Just about any individual in the modern world can tell you what happened on D-Day, when the Allied forces landed successfully on the beaches. Today, there are a handful of memorials there on the beaches that you can visit and learn more about the day and surroundings as you pay your respects.

The German and American Cemeteries in Normandy

Both Germany and the United States have cemeteries in Normandy. The American cemetery in Coleville-Sur-Mer is graced with bright, white crosses and views of the sea – a somber, yet beautiful place to remember the fallen. However, a short distance away is the German cemetery at La Cambe, where rows of dark, flat grave markers solemnly mark the fallen, and a mass grave mound at the center of the cemetery drives the point home.

The significant differences between the two spots are saddening, but a necessary reality of war and the contrasting sides.

Memorial of the Martyrs of the Deportation

Near Notre Dame, this memorial in Paris honors those who more than 200,000 French citizens who were hauled off to the Nazi concentration camps during World War II.

The dark, underground, yet beautifully designed monument features a haunting inscription – forgive, but never forget.

Canadian military to destroy 11,000 Second World War-era pistols

The move comes as the Canadian Forces confirmed it has received the final deliveries of a new 9-mm pistol as part of a $19.4-million project.

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The Canadian military plans to destroy 11,000 of its Second World War-era pistols by the end of this year.

The military purchased the Sig Sauer P320, which is being distributed to units. It replaces the Browning Hi-Power pistol that has been used by the Canadian Forces for decades.

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National Defence spokesperson Cheryl Forrest said all military units would send their Browning handguns to Canadian Forces supply depots in Quebec and Alberta for disposal.

“The pistols have not yet been destroyed,” she said in an email. “We anticipate the pistols will be disposed of by the end of 2024.”

Forrest said approximately 150 Browning Hi-Power handguns would be kept for museums, but at this point none had been distributed to those organizations.

In addition, the Canadian Army is determining if a small amount of the Brownings should be kept for special purposes or specific training, she added.

“The Canadian Army keeps a small stock of older small arms and small arms in service in other countries to assist with training for emergency situations and for recognition,” Forrest said. “The Browning may also retain some training value as a simulation/training tool.”

But no final decision on that has been made, she added.

More than a million Browning Hi-Power pistols were manufactured since the Second World War and the gun has been used by dozens of militaries and police forces.

The Canadian Forces previously removed another group of older weapons from its inventory when it provided modern rifles to the Canadian Rangers. That group had been using Lee Enfield rifles also from the Second World War era.

Around 9,500 Lee Enfields were transferred to military cadets, mostly as non-functional rifles, for use in drills or training. Approximately 5,000 of the rifles were gifted to serving Canadian Rangers.

Another 50 rifles were offered to museums affiliated with the Canadian Forces or military units as display artifacts, National Defence said.

After that, around 1,500 Lee Enfields remained and they were destroyed as the military ruled out sale of the surplus rifles to the general public.

The Canadian Forces announced it had received the final deliveries of the new P320s on March 6. The delivery involved 16,500 of what are being called C22 pistols. Those are being used by the army, navy and air force.

Another 3,200 new pistols, to be called the C24, were sent to military police units.

The federal government announced the awarding of the Sig Sauer P320 contract in October 2022. It was awarded to M.D. Charlton Co. Ltd. of Victoria, B.C.

The Sig Sauer P320 is in use with multiple militaries around the world including Denmark, France, and the United States. The Pentagon selected the P320 in 2017 and Sig Sauer is providing the U.S. military with 420,000 of those guns.

The Canadian military had been trying for years to replace its Browning Hi-Power pistols as it was running out of parts for the weapons.

The acquisition project was stalled for years after small arms firms rejected in 2011 the federal government requirement that the new guns be built at Colt Canada in Kitchener, Ont. In addition, the companies balked at a stipulation that they had to turn over proprietary firearms information to Colt, a firm some saw as a competitor.

David Pugliese is an award-winning journalist covering Canadian Forces and military issues in Canada. To support his work, including exclusive content for subscribers only, sign up here:   ottawacitizen.com/subscribe

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Money latest: The 'German classic' that's a healthier and cheaper alternative to crisps

Crisps are on the menu as we see where you can make healthier choices for the best value. Elsewhere, the boss of Sainsbury's has insisted customers like self-checkouts - do you agree? Leave your thoughts in the box below.

Friday 26 April 2024 19:45, UK

• New research reveals cost of having children
• Sainsbury's boss insists customers like self-checkouts
• FTSE 100 hits another record high
• Halifax hikes mortgage rates - as entire market moves upwards

Essential reads

• Do smart meters actually save you money?
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• Money Problem : I have a mortgage offer - will it change now rates are rising?
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The family home where Captain Sir Tom Moore walked 100 laps to raise nearly £40m for the NHS during the first COVID lockdown is up for sale for £2.25m.

The Grade II-listed Old Rectory is described as a "magnificent seven-bedroom property" by estate agents Fine & Country.

In a video tour of the house, a sculpture of Captain Tom with his walking frame can be seen in the hallway, while a photo of the fundraising hero being knighted by the Queen is on a wall in the separate coach house building.

Introducing the property, an estate agent says in the tour video: "I'm sure you'll recognise this iconic and very famous driveway behind me as it was home to the late Captain Sir Tom Moore who walked 100 laps of his garden, raising over £37m for NHS charities."

It comes less than three months after the demolition of an unauthorised spa pool block in the grounds of the property in Marston Moretaine, Bedfordshire.

Speaking at an appeal hearing over that spa, Scott Stemp, representing Captain Tom's daughter Hannah Ingram-Moore and her husband, said the foundation named after the fundraising hero "is to be closed down" following a Charity Commission probe launched amid concerns about its management.

For the full story, click here ...

"Status symbol" pets are being given up by owners who get scared as they grow up, an animal charity has said, with the cost of living possibly paying a part in a rise in separations.

The Exotic Pet Refuge, which homes parrots, monkeys, snakes and alligators among others, says it receives referrals across the country, including from zoos and the RSPCA.

"They're a status symbol. People will say, 'OK, I'll have an alligator or a 10ft boa constrictor'," co-owner Pam Mansfield told the BBC.

"But when the animal gets big, they will get too frightened to handle them, and then the pet has to go."

She added people who want to get rid of the pets sometimes call zoos for help, which then call on her charity.

In some cases, owners don't have licences to own dangerous animals, she says, blaming a "lack of understanding" for what she says is a rise in the number of exotic animals needing to be rehomed.

She says people "just don't have the space" for some snakes, for example, with some growing to as much as 12ft and needing their own room.

The cost of living crisis has also forced owners to give their pets away, she says.

Her charity has also been affected by those increased costs, with the electricity bill rising to £10,000 a month at their highest, to fund things like heated pools for alligators.

Private car parks are accused of "confusing drivers" after introducing a new code of conduct - despite "doing all they can" to prevent an official government version.

The code of practice launched by two industry bodies - British Parking Association and the International Parking Community - includes a ten-minute grace period for motorists to leave a car park after the parking period they paid for ends.

It also features requirements for consistent signage, a single set of rules for operators on private land and an "appeals charter".

Private parking businesses have been accused of using misleading and confusing signs, aggressive debt collection and unreasonable fees.

That comes after a government-backed code of conduct was withdrawn in June 2022, after a legal challenges by parking companies.

RAC head of policy Simon Williams said: "We're flabbergasted that the BPA and the IPC have suddenly announced plans to introduce their own private parking code after doing all they can over the last five years to prevent the official government code created by an act of Parliament coming into force.

"While there are clearly some positive elements to what the private parking industry is proposing, it conveniently avoids some of the biggest issues around caps on penalty charges and debt recovery fees which badly need to be addressed to prevent drivers being taken advantage of."

BPA chief executive Andrew Pester said: "This is a crucial milestone as we work closely with government, consumer bodies and others to deliver fairer and more consistent parking standards for motorists."

IPC chief executive Will Hurley said: "The single code will benefit all compliant motorists and will present clear consequences for those who decide to break the rules."

Sky News has learnt the owner of Superdry's flagship store is weighing up a legal challenge to a rescue plan launched by the struggling fashion retailer.

M&G, the London-listed asset manager, has engaged lawyers from Hogan Lovells to scrutinise the restructuring plan.

The move by M&G, which owns the fashion retailer's 32,000 square foot Oxford Street store, will not necessarily result in a formal legal challenge - but sources say it's possible.

Read City editor Mark Kleinman 's story here...

NatWest says its mortgage lending nearly halved at the start of the year as it retreated from parts of the market when competition among lenders stepped up.

New mortgage lending totalled £5.2bn in the first three months of 2024, the banking group has revealed, down from £9.9bn the previous year.

The group, which includes Royal Bank of Scotland and Coutts, also reported an operating pre-tax profit of £1.3bn for the first quarter, down 27% from £1.8bn the previous year.

An unexplained flow of British luxury cars into states neighbouring Russia continued into February, new data shows.

About £26m worth of British cars were exported to Azerbaijan, making the former Soviet country the 17th biggest destination for UK cars - bigger than long-established export markets such as Ireland, Portugal and Qatar.

Azerbaijan's ascent has coincided almost to the month with the imposition of sanctions on the export of cars to Russia.

Read the rest of economics and data editor Ed Conway 's analysis here...

Rishi Sunak has hailed the arrival of pay day with a reminder his government's additional National Insurance tax cut kicks in this month for the first time.

At last month's budget, the chancellor announced NI will be cut by a further 2p - so some workers will pay 8% of their earnings instead of the 12% if was before autumn.

The prime minister has repeated his claim this will be worth £900 for someone on the average UK salary.

While this additional cut - on top of the previous 2p cut in January - does equate to £900 for those on average full-time earnings of £35,000, there are two key issues with Mr Sunak's claim:

• Once the effect of all income tax changes since 2021 are taken into account, the Institute for Fiscal Studies reports an average earner will benefit from a tax cut of £340 - far less than £900;
• Moreover, anyone earning less than £26,000 or between £55,000-£131,000 will ultimately be worse off.

In short, this is because NI cuts are more than offset by other tax rises.

We explain below how this is the case...

Tax thresholds

This is partly down to tax thresholds - the amount you are allowed to earn before you start paying tax (and national insurance) and before you start paying the higher rate of tax - will remain frozen. 

This means people end up paying more tax than they otherwise would, when their pay rises with inflation but the thresholds don't keep up. 

This phenomenon is known as "fiscal drag" and it's often called a stealth tax because it's not as noticeable immediately in your pay packet.

That low threshold of £12,570 has been in place since April 2021. 

The Office for Budget Responsibility says if it had increased with inflation it would be set at £15,220 for 2024/25.

If that were the case, workers could earn an extra £2,650 tax-free each year.

Less give, more take

Sky News analysis shows someone on £16,000 a year will pay £607 more in total - equivalent to more than three months of average household spending on food. 

Their income level means national insurance savings are limited but they are paying 20% in income tax on an additional £2,650 of earnings.

In its analysis , the IFS states: "In aggregate the NICs cuts just serve to give back a portion of the money that is being taken away through other income tax and NICs changes - in particular, multi-year freezes to tax thresholds at a time of high inflation."

Overall, according to the institute, for every £1 given back to workers by the National Insurance cuts, £1.30 will have been taken away due to threshold changes between 2021 and 2024.

This rises to £1.90 in 2027.

The UK could face a shortage of cava due to a drought in the sparkling wine's Spanish heartlands.

The Penedes area of Catalonia is dealing with its worst drought on record, with vineyards across the region so parched the roots of 30-year-old vines have died.

It's left shrivelled red and green grapes languishing under intense sun, fuelled by fossil-fuel driven climate change.

Cava is an increasingly popular drink in the UK, with 17.8 million bottles sold in 2023 - an increase of 5% from the previous year, when Britons stocked up on 16.8 million bottles, according to the Cava Regulatory Board.

That makes the UK the fourth-biggest buyer, behind only the US, Belgium and Germany.

Workforce slashed

The problems have been compounded after Catalonia-based cava producer Freixenet announced it will temporarily lay off 615 workers, almost 80% of its workforce.

Under Spanish law, companies facing exceptional circumstances can lay off staff or reduce working hours.

This measure is expected to take effect from May and it is not known how long it will last.

Price rises

One industry source told retail publication The Grocer  that cava shortages would push up prices "certainly for next year" if there isn't enough supply.

This could last for years if the drought persists, they added.

Consumer expert Helen Dewdney told MailOnline the staff cuts at Freixenet can only mean one thing - price rises.

However, she added, supermarkets say they are not experiencing any issues right now.

Parents are being hammered by rising childcare costs, according to a new study that suggests they may spend more than £160,000 raising their child to the age of 18.

Research by Hargreaves Lansdown has found that parents with children pay £6,969 a year more than couples without.

Over 18 years and assuming an annual inflation rate of 3%, that amounts to a whopping £163,175, the investment platform said.

Its study also found that parents were less likely to have money left at the end of the month.

Single parents carry the biggest burden, with the research suggesting they have just £85 left on average compared to £365 for couples with children.

Hargreaves Lansdown also found just 23% of single parents reported having enough emergency savings to cover at least three months' worth of essential expenses, compared to 63% of couples with children.

Parents are also at a slight disadvantage when it comes to pensions, the research found, with only 43% of couples with children on track for a moderate retirement income, compared to 47% without. Only 17% of single parents have a decent projected pension fund.

Sarah Coles, head of personal finance at the firm, said "having children is one of the most expensive decisions a person can make".

She adds that as a result of having a child, "financial resilience suffers across the board", and added: "For single parents, life is even tougher, and they face far lower resilience on almost every measure.

"It means we need all the help we can get."

By Daniel Binns, business reporter

One of the top stories shaking up the markets this morning is that UK-based mining company Anglo American has rejected a major $38.8bn (£31bn) takeover bid.

Details of the attempted buyout by Australian rival BHP emerged yesterday  - sending Anglo American shares soaring.

The deal would have created the world's biggest copper mining company - with the news coming as the price of the metal hit record highs this week.

However, Anglo American has now dismissed the proposal as "opportunistic" and said BHP had undervalued the company.

Anglo's shares are slightly down by 0.8% this morning - suggesting investors may not have given up hopes that a deal could eventually be agreed.

However, overall the FTSE 100 is up around 0.4% this morning, buoyed by strong reported earnings from US tech giants Microsoft and Google owner Alphabet.

It's helped the index, of the London Stock Exchange's 100 most valuable companies, hit yet another intraday (during the day) record of 8,136 points this morning.

The winning streak comes after a week of all-time highs on the index - including a record close of 8,078 points yesterday. The score is based on a calculation of the total value of the shares on the index.

Among the companies doing well this morning is NatWest - despite the bank reporting a fall in pre-tax profits of nearly 28% for the first quarter of the year.

Shares in the lender are up more than 3% after its results were better than expected by analysts.

On the currency markets, £1 buys $1.25 US or €1.16, almost on a par with yesterday.

Meanwhile, the price of a barrel of Brent crude oil has crept up slightly to $89 (£71).

Self-checkouts - they're like marmite, people seem to either love them or hate them.

But the boss of Sainsbury's has claimed that his customers do  enjoy using self-checkouts, despite criticism that that machines don't always provide the convenience promised.

Simon Roberts told The Telegraph that there are more of them in Sainsbury's stores "than a number of years ago" as shoppers like the "speedy checkout".

But despite this, he said there won't be a time when they'll replace cashiers completely.

"Over the last year, where we've put more self-checkouts in, we're always making sure that the traditional kind of belted checkout is there," he said.

His comments come after northern supermarket Booths ditched self-checkouts at all but two of its sites after customer feedback. 

Walmart and Costco in the US have also scaled back on the systems.

Let us know in the comments - do you love or hate self-checkouts?

We've all heard consumer advice that's repeated so often it almost becomes cliché. So, every Friday the Money team will get to the bottom of a different "fact" and decide whether it's a myth or must.

This week it is...

'Smart meters save you money'

For this one, we've enlisted the help of Dr Steve Buckley, also known as the Energy Doctor and head of data science at Loop...

So do smart meters help you save? 

"The short answer is both yes and no," Steve says.

"Installing a smart meter by itself won't magically reduce your energy consumption. But, by giving you easy access to your energy usage data, smart meters pave the way for savings that you couldn't achieve otherwise."

Before smart meters, most households only found out how much energy they had used when the bill arrived. 

By that stage it's too late to address wasteful usage, leading to what's known as "bill shock". 

"With a smart meter, you can see your usage and costs in real-time through an in-home display or an app provided by your supplier," Steve says. 

"This immediate feedback encourages you to use less energy. If you measure it, you can control it."

In 2022, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero found that homes with smart meters used about 3.4% less electricity and 3% less gas. 

"This might not seem like a lot, but it adds up to a saving of over £50 per household annually," Steve says.  

If all homes in the UK made similar cuts, that would amount to savings of around £1.5bn and a potential reduction in CO2 emissions by about 2.7m tonnes each year. 

"Good for individual households but also great for the planet," Steve says. 

Smart meters are often installed at no extra cost to the consumer - it's effectively free data for households. 

Limitations

Smart meters are more or less what you make of them - a simple, free tool that allows you to see headline figures. 

However, "without detailed analysis, it's tough to identify and eliminate" where you could be wasting money, Steve says. 

Apps like Utrack, Loop and Hugo Energy can help you work out where you might be losing money by offering a more detailed breakdown if connected to your smart meter. 

Those tools are often free, but you may need to register your card details as proof of address. 

The tools give a number of useful insights, including looking at consumption in other households of similar size or monitoring where chunks of your money are going, such as to a faulty boiler or the "phantom load" (energy wasted by devices left on unnecessarily).

Myth or must?

Although smart meters alone don't reduce energy bills, they are a vital tool to help energy efficiency and cost savings. 

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