Step back in time and explore the former Polish communist state on a private tour in Warsaw. Ride in a retro minibus, hear stories about the black market, and discover relics from those days.
Step back in time and explore the former Polish communist state on a private tour in Warsaw. Ride in a retro minibus, hear stories about the black market, and discover relics from those days.
- Palace of Culture and Science - The first stop is a monumental Palace of Culture and Science, the undisputed symbol of Warsaw. It was built in 1952-1955 as a gift from the Soviet Union to the people of Poland. Varsovians still commonly use nicknames to refer to the Palace, notably “Beijing”, “clown”, and “nightmarish dream of a drunk…
- Palace of Culture and Science - The first stop is a monumental Palace of Culture and Science, the undisputed symbol of Warsaw. It was built in 1952-1955 as a gift from the Soviet Union to the people of Poland. Varsovians still commonly use nicknames to refer to the Palace, notably “Beijing”, “clown”, and “nightmarish dream of a drunk confectioner”.
- Muranów - Warsaw, before WWII, was a typical European city shaped by capitalism. Thousands of victorian era tenement houses covered the city centre, pushing the proletariat out of the central districts. So when those people got power in 1945, they wanted an act of revenge. So did the modernist architects. One of their first achievements is the Muranów district, a green and spacious neighbourhood built in the late 1940s.
- Old Town - One of the most impressive achievements of the post-war reconstruction of Warsaw is the Old Town, with the speedway passing under it through the tunnel. This hi-tech piece of engineering came into being with the help of constructors of the Moscow underground rail system. You pass it on the way to Praga district.
- Praga Polnoc - Praga district brings one into the post-WWII gloomy reality of neglected buildings and suspicious businesses made behind dark gates. Unfortunately, the government did not want to invest a penny in refurbishing the post-bourgeoisie architecture, so Praga rolled into its slow decline until the new shiny blocks of flats were about to be built on its ashes. Surprisingly, this fate became an excellent opportunity to carry on outlawed activities like money exchange, distribution of \
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Professional English-speaking local guide
- Transport by retro communist minibus
- All fees and taxes included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Professional English-speaking local guide
- Transport by retro communist minibus
- All fees and taxes included
- Food and drinks
- Tip or gratuity
- Food and drinks
- Tip or gratuity
Experience the atmosphere of Poland’s past communist state on this private three-hour journey. Our guide’s narratives about the underground marketplace, the concept of Warsaw’s garden city and the fresh communist doctrine will be enhanced by a communist-era vehicle, bringing history to life once again.
Our guide will pick you up at your hotel in a…
Experience the atmosphere of Poland’s past communist state on this private three-hour journey. Our guide’s narratives about the underground marketplace, the concept of Warsaw’s garden city and the fresh communist doctrine will be enhanced by a communist-era vehicle, bringing history to life once again.
Our guide will pick you up at your hotel in a distinctive retro minibus known as the Żuk (or beetle), which boasts fuel efficiency of ten miles per gallon, a wooden flooring, and origins in communist Poland. This vehicle adds a crucial element of authenticity to your journey. Each stopping point on our tour illuminates distinct periods of communist Polish history, from the end of WW2 and the post-war rebuilding of Warsaw, through the turbulent ‘60s and ‘70s, to the initial democratic elections on June 4th, 1989. Uncover the mysteries of Poland under communism, understand how its citizens navigated life in a centrally planned economy, and discover remnants of that era in Warsaw.
Key locations include the Palace of Culture and Science, Constitution Square, the previous Communist Party Headquarters and various other places imprinted with red stars.
- This tour can be booked instantly online for adults and children over 150 centimetres (4,9 ft). However, if you want to book a tour for a shorter child, please contact the tour operator to check the availability of seat boosters, which are obligatory in Poland.
- Cars are used mainly for transfers between locations where guests walk with their guide - please wear proper clothing.
- Classic vintage minibuses are not equipped with air conditioning, and some are not equipped with seat belts (which is legal with classic vintage cars). However, they have a heating system for the winter.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.