Warsaw Behind the Scenes - small group tour by retro minibus
Overview
Discover the authentic Warsaw and feel the spark of the excitement thanks to the retro minibus on this 3 hours small group tour. From the early XXth Century, through WWII and communism to the present, Warsaw is a fascinating place if you give it a try!
Jump into a unique communist-made minibus called Żuk and experience the less touristy parts of Warsaw. Start with a quick historical briefing, then move deeper into the history of Warsaw. Learn about WWII times - Jewish Ghetto, two uprisings and the arrival of the Red Army in 1945; all this happens at Muranów district. Next, take a picturesque ride across the Vistula river to Praga, the only section of Warsaw that survived the apocalypse of the last World War. Compare the pre-WWII city with tremendous projects that the communist government brought into life between 1945 and 1989. Finally, see how the city has changed during the last 30 years of freedom and democracy, and get to know the real Warsaw.
Jump into a unique communist-made minibus called Żuk and experience the less touristy parts of Warsaw. Start with a quick historical briefing, then move deeper into the history of Warsaw. Learn about WWII times - Jewish Ghetto, two uprisings and the arrival of the Red Army in 1945; all this happens at Muranów district. Next, take a picturesque ride across the Vistula river to Praga, the only section of Warsaw that survived the apocalypse of the last World War. Compare the pre-WWII city with tremendous projects that the communist government brought into life between 1945 and 1989. Finally, see how the city has changed during the last 30 years of freedom and democracy, and get to know the real Warsaw.
Inclusions
- Communist retro minibus Żuk
- Professional local guide
What to expect
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Warsaw, Warsaw, Mazovia Province, Central Poland
After the hotel pick-up, your guide introduces you to Warsaw and Poland - this quick historical briefing helps you understand the present through interesting facts from the past.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Muranów, Warsaw, Poland
Next is the Muranów district - the witness of the tragedy of the Jewish Ghetto, created by Nazis in 1940. The first impression is that it is just a regular neighbourhood filled with squared blocks of flats. But there is much more from the past to be discovered with the help of your guide.
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: Chlodna Street, ul. Chlodna, Warsaw 00-000 Poland
Have you seen the Pianist movie? If yes, you must remember the place portrayed in the film: the wooden bridge built near the intersection of Chłodna and Żelazna streets to link two separated parts of the Ghetto. As we can see in photographs, it reached the third floor of the buildings, which allowed the “Aryan” trams, German military transports, and cars to pass beneath it. With the help of the guide and your imagination, find the remains of the scene and compare them with archival photographs.
Duration: 15 minutes
Stop At: Nowolipki, Warsaw, Poland
In the year 1943, when the last part of the Jewish community was about to be deported to the extermination camp, they created the underground resistance and started the insurrection aimed against their oppressors. This fight took three weeks and resulted in the complete demolition of the Jewish district in Warsaw. Today, the guide will uncover the covered layers from the past for you.
Duration: 15 minutes
Stop At: Bielańska, Warszawa, Poland
Later in World War II, an agreement was reached between the Western Allies and the dictator of the USSR, Stalin; as a result, post-war Poland was about to become a country subordinate to the Soviet Union. The last attempt to avoid this fate was the 1944 Warsaw Uprising, which resulted in the Nazis destroying 85% of Warsaw. Red Army captured the empty city three months after the fall of the insurrection, in January 1945.
Duration: 15 minutes
Stop At: Praga Polnoc, ul.Zabkowska, Warsaw Poland
The next part is the enigmatic Praga district, located on the Eastern side of the Vistula river. When the minibus crosses the river, one can see picturesque views of the wild riverside. Praga is the only district of Warsaw that survived the apocalypse of WWII - that's why it represents the picture of the pre-WWII city filled with belle-epoque buildings with small and noisy courtyards. Once neglected, it becomes a hip and artistic part of Warsaw, still not affected by commercial tourism.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Śródmieście, Warsaw, Poland
Back in the central district, your Żuk minibus parks near ex Polish Communist Party headquarters. This regime, settled up in 1945, had a challenging task to cope with - reconstructing Poland's capital city. What's more, since it seemed to be the only chance ever in time, architects decided to remodel Warsaw and make it a more comfortable place to live and work. But unfortunately, they had to cope with the Party, which opted for a Soviet-style city filled with overwhelming buildings and a happy proletariat. Did they make a compromise? Let's check it out!
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Warsaw, Warsaw, Mazovia Province, Central Poland
When workers from "Solidarność" and John Paul II kicked out the communist regime from Poland in 1989, we stepped into the new era of our history - democracy and capitalism. Life has changed completely, and so did the city. Is it possible to link the past and the future? We hope that thanks to our trip you will form your own opinion.
Duration: 15 minutes
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Warsaw, Warsaw, Mazovia Province, Central Poland
After the hotel pick-up, your guide introduces you to Warsaw and Poland - this quick historical briefing helps you understand the present through interesting facts from the past.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Muranów, Warsaw, Poland
Next is the Muranów district - the witness of the tragedy of the Jewish Ghetto, created by Nazis in 1940. The first impression is that it is just a regular neighbourhood filled with squared blocks of flats. But there is much more from the past to be discovered with the help of your guide.
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: Chlodna Street, ul. Chlodna, Warsaw 00-000 Poland
Have you seen the Pianist movie? If yes, you must remember the place portrayed in the film: the wooden bridge built near the intersection of Chłodna and Żelazna streets to link two separated parts of the Ghetto. As we can see in photographs, it reached the third floor of the buildings, which allowed the “Aryan” trams, German military transports, and cars to pass beneath it. With the help of the guide and your imagination, find the remains of the scene and compare them with archival photographs.
Duration: 15 minutes
Stop At: Nowolipki, Warsaw, Poland
In the year 1943, when the last part of the Jewish community was about to be deported to the extermination camp, they created the underground resistance and started the insurrection aimed against their oppressors. This fight took three weeks and resulted in the complete demolition of the Jewish district in Warsaw. Today, the guide will uncover the covered layers from the past for you.
Duration: 15 minutes
Stop At: Bielańska, Warszawa, Poland
Later in World War II, an agreement was reached between the Western Allies and the dictator of the USSR, Stalin; as a result, post-war Poland was about to become a country subordinate to the Soviet Union. The last attempt to avoid this fate was the 1944 Warsaw Uprising, which resulted in the Nazis destroying 85% of Warsaw. Red Army captured the empty city three months after the fall of the insurrection, in January 1945.
Duration: 15 minutes
Stop At: Praga Polnoc, ul.Zabkowska, Warsaw Poland
The next part is the enigmatic Praga district, located on the Eastern side of the Vistula river. When the minibus crosses the river, one can see picturesque views of the wild riverside. Praga is the only district of Warsaw that survived the apocalypse of WWII - that's why it represents the picture of the pre-WWII city filled with belle-epoque buildings with small and noisy courtyards. Once neglected, it becomes a hip and artistic part of Warsaw, still not affected by commercial tourism.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Śródmieście, Warsaw, Poland
Back in the central district, your Żuk minibus parks near ex Polish Communist Party headquarters. This regime, settled up in 1945, had a challenging task to cope with - reconstructing Poland's capital city. What's more, since it seemed to be the only chance ever in time, architects decided to remodel Warsaw and make it a more comfortable place to live and work. But unfortunately, they had to cope with the Party, which opted for a Soviet-style city filled with overwhelming buildings and a happy proletariat. Did they make a compromise? Let's check it out!
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Warsaw, Warsaw, Mazovia Province, Central Poland
When workers from "Solidarność" and John Paul II kicked out the communist regime from Poland in 1989, we stepped into the new era of our history - democracy and capitalism. Life has changed completely, and so did the city. Is it possible to link the past and the future? We hope that thanks to our trip you will form your own opinion.
Duration: 15 minutes
Additional information
- The minimum number of persons needed to launch the tour is 2. A single traveler can join the tour if another booking for at least 2 persons exists.
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Tours with retro minibuses are available only for persons taller than 150 cm (4, 9 ft).
- Cars are used mainly for transfers between locations where guests have walks with their guide.
- Retro minibuses are not equipped with air conditioning, they are equipped with an efficient heating system for wintertime.
- Some of the retro minibuses are not equipped with seatbelts (which is legal with classic vintage cars).
- Near public transportation
- Please contact us before booking the tour if you have health issues such as mobility limitations.
- Most travelers can participate
- Face masks required for travelers indoors and in the car
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 39 travelers
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Ticket delivery
You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start time of the experience.
IlanaW315
October 2023
Really amazing tour, if you’re on limited time in Warsaw, definitely do this tour. Very knowledgeable tour guide, you won’t regret it.
Really amazing tour, if you’re on limited time in Warsaw, definitely do this tour. Very knowledgeable tour guide, you won’t regret it.Hasthisonegone
October 2023
Excellent experience. The retro van is a really fun way to soak up the atmosphere & Marek is a brilliant guide with a huge amount of knowledge and information. He made our tour interesting & fun. We will be leaving Warsaw knowing much more than we otherwise would have done - thanks Marek
Excellent experience. The retro van is a really fun way to soak up the atmosphere & Marek is a brilliant guide with a huge amount of knowledge and information. He made our tour interesting & fun. We will be leaving Warsaw knowing much more than we otherwise would have done - thanks MarekkevinlC1015GN
July 2023
The tour was very informative, insightful, and engaging! The tour guide (Marcin) was extremely knowledgeable about the history of Poland and WWII. If you’re interested in seeing the city and understanding the history of Poland, I recommend you book a tour.
The tour was very informative, insightful, and engaging! The tour guide (Marcin) was extremely knowledgeable about the history of Poland and WWII. If you’re interested in seeing the city and understanding the history of Poland, I recommend you book a tour.W9474UJnatalieb
June 2023
We did 3 amazing tours with this company- Best of Warsaw, WWII Warsaw, and Warsaw under Communism. Each of the super knowledgeable guides gave us their unique perspective on Warsaw's interesting culture and history. There's so much to learn on these tours- way better than anything on the History ...
We did 3 amazing tours with this company- Best of Warsaw, WWII Warsaw, and Warsaw under Communism. Each of the super knowledgeable guides gave us their unique perspective on Warsaw's interesting culture and history. There's so much to learn on these tours- way better than anything on the History Channel! Highly recommend this tour operator for a great time and a deeper understanding of Poland. If you're a history buff, these tours will not disappoint :DLouis_M
May 2023
Arthur was extremely knowledgeable about the history of Warsaw. He also showed photographs of Warsaw before the war and after the war.
Arthur was extremely knowledgeable about the history of Warsaw. He also showed photographs of Warsaw before the war and after the war.teuvom261
May 2023
Tour clearly exceeded our expectations. Guide was professional and knew lots of history of Warsaw and explained it in a very interesting way. Interactions with the guide were smooth and easygoing. We can fully recommend this tour.
Tour clearly exceeded our expectations. Guide was professional and knew lots of history of Warsaw and explained it in a very interesting way. Interactions with the guide were smooth and easygoing. We can fully recommend this tour.