Warsaw
The capital is my home.
A phoenix city that rose from the ashes. Destroyed during the WW2 which concluded with the Warsaw Uprising, one of the most brutal and defining moments of the conflict. The city was left almost entirely in ruins - only to experience the decades of strict state control that shaped daily life, public space and the rhythm of the city. Yet even under a heavy regime, the spirit of the place refused to flatten.
Today, rebuilt with extraordinary determination, Warsaw is a vibrant capital full of opportunity. Excellent museums, lively neighbourhoods, green spaces, restaurants, and cultural venues sit alongside millions of personal histories.
Living here gives me the privilege of being part of a community still shaped by its past – a mix of grief and generational trauma, but also resilience, close-knit bonds, strong values, diversity of perspectives and a sharp sense of humour.
My tours in Warsaw
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Cold War and Spy Secrets
The topic of spies and counter-movement during Cold War affected all areas of life under the regime. From the international espionage to small acts of rebellion, city’s history of life under communism is still reflected in the architecture, culture, and even the lifestyle.
It’s a tour that covers various aspects of life under the regime, from how the Polish secret police dealt with resistance and how they tried to control their own people.
We start our tour at a classic example of Soviet realism, the Marszalkowska Residential District, complete with Soviet statues, mosaics and neon lights. We also visit the Palace of Culture and Science, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Free Speech Memorial and the old Communist Party HQ.
Two other major players in our tour that we talk about are the Catholic Church and the trade union Solidarity. We also go into more unusual topics like: how the secret service used airline stewards, book smuggling and of course some stories about some of the most famous spies during that period, including Ryszard Kukliński (Jack Strong).
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Designed for all budgets, this is a tip-based payment tour. At the end of the tour you will be able to pay in cash (any currency) or card. Please feel free to tip as appropriate, depending on the quality of your experience with our tour, and the size of your budget. We have no expectations or guidance around the typical amount, we trust our guests are best judges in this respect.
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This tour is typically 90-minutes, and it’s run daily at 10 AM start.
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The tour starts at Plac Konstytucji, where we talk about the Secret Service and the aftermath of WW2. We then move onto Plac Zbawiciela to talk about the often challenging relationship religion had with Secret Service. At Cafe Niespodzianka we talk about Solidarity and elections, before we make our way towards the Writers House and Ministry of Agriculture. Turning from Palace of Culture, where we talk about a spy master and the radio broadcasts that exposed inner workings of the Secret Service, we walk down to Orbis, Free Speech Memorial - to talk about CIA involvement - and conclude at the old Communist Party Headquarters with a fascinating story of Jack Strong.
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The route is flat and wheelchair-accessible, with the slight inconvenience of the traffic lights. We are happy to accommodate different disabilities by adjusting the pace, route and tweaking the content.
This tour deals with mature content, it may not be appropriate for young ages.
Secret Heroes of Second World War
There are lots of tours about World War Two in Warsaw, however I truly believe this one is unique. It tells a story from the perspective of ordinary people who became war heroes through various acts of courage - sometimes small everyday actions, sometimes huge and changing the course of history.
On the route we go from the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, through the old town, and then finally to the monument to the heroes of Monte Cassino. As we walk, I tell the stories of individuals who lived in Warsaw at that time, and aren’t necessarily known for their bravery - despite the fact that they’ve often shown courage beyond belief.
All sorts of city folk, from army commanders, women, men and children, teachers, museum curators - just ordinary people, who lived in Warsaw during the occupation and the uprising, who either had no choice than to be brave and endure one of the most horrific spectacles of conflict and cruelty, or the ones that had shown resilience and courage beyond belief through deliberate, planned actions.
We visit most of the major memorials and key remembrance sites around the city and some of the big old town sites too.
I can honestly say I was amazed how many of these names are unknown, even amongst my Polish friends, but I can promise - they are unforgettable once you hear their stories.
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Designed for all budgets, this is a tip-based payment tour. At the end of the tour you will be able to pay in cash (any currency) or card. Please feel free to tip as appropriate, depending on the quality of your experience with our tour, and the size of your budget. We have no expectations or guidance around the typical amount, we trust our guests are best judges in this respect.
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This tour is typically 90-minutes, and it’s run daily at 10 AM start.
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The tour starts at Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, where we talk about the Enigma code breakers. We then move onto Presidential Palace to talk about the assassination of the SS Officer. At the Royal Castle we talk about the battle of Warsaw and the role that the mayor Stefan Starzyński has played, as well as the art-saving effort of Stanisław Lorentz before we make our way towards Katyń memorial stone. Turning from the Little Insurgent, where we talk about the Grey Scouts (Szare Szeregi), we walk down to the Field Cathedral of the Polish Army and the Uprising Memorial. We then walk towards the Women of the Uprising memorial, followed by the Monte Cassino Memorial -which is our penultimate stop before reaching Metro Ratusz Arsenał, where the tour concludes.
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The route is flat and wheelchair-accessible, with the slight inconvenience of the traffic lights. We are happy to accommodate different disabilities by adjusting the pace, route and tweaking the content.
This tour deals with mature content, it may not be appropriate for young ages.
Communism on Tap: Politics, Culture & Life in Warsaw’s Bars
Explore Warsaw’s Cold War history through three carefully selected bars that each highlight a different aspect of life under communism: politics, everyday survival, and culture.
The tour begins at Freedom Lounge (Świetlica Wolności), located in the former Communist Party Headquarters. Here, you’ll learn about the structure of the Polish People’s Republic, including how the party elite operated, how propaganda shaped public perception, and how the secret police monitored dissent. The setting, cracked pillars and remnants of party décor, adds context to the discussion.
Next, you’ll visit a modern day version of a traditional vodka bar, where you’ll be served classic snacks like smalec (lard), beef tartare and herring. This stop focuses on daily life under communism: how ration cards worked, how people navigated shortages, and how informal networks and black-market exchanges helped families get by. It’s a chance to understand the social dynamics of the time in a relaxed, authentic environment.
The final stop is Café Kulturalna, inside the Palace of Culture and Science. Here, the focus shifts to cultural life, how the state used theatre, art, and music for propaganda, and how artists found ways to resist censorship through underground jazz and creative expression. This is a guided, educational experience, not a pub crawl, and offers a unique way to learn about Warsaw’s communist past through its social spaces.
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This tour is a pre-paid tour, available at a price of 300 PLN (equivalent of approx. 80 USD / 70 EUR). The price includes pre-selected, authentic snacks and it does not include drinks - which are available for purchase during the tour.
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This tour is typically 2h, and it’s run weekends - or weekdays upon request. It starts at 5:15pm.
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The tour starts at Charles De Gaulle roundabout, where we initially meet and make our way to the first bar: The Freedom Lounge, located in the old Communist Party headquarters. We talk politics of the PRL era, which sets the scene for our next stop, and a bar, Hopster. We try authentic snacks served the modern way - which inspires much more trust but delivers the same flavour as if it was served the old school / PRL way - with a slice of a lemon and a leaf of parsley, alongside a shot of vodka. That said, the food and vodka are not mandatory, the stories alone will transport you to 50s through to 80s Warsaw and the day to day reality of living in a capital city of a communist state. At the infamous Palace of Culture and Science - the generous gift from Stalin, we will visit Kulturalna bar to talk about films, architecture, art and how culture shaped the society of that time.
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The route isn’t wheelchair-accessible. We will be happy to select different venues, if you wish to book a private tour - which will provide similar experience.
The snacks we usually sample are all meat-based, please let us know about your dietary restrictions ahead of the tour.
We are also happy to accommodate different disabilities by adjusting the pace, route and tweaking the content.
Please book in advance and make us aware of adjustments you require.
Given the tour environment and content, this tour will not be appropriate for young ages.
Tour of the Old Town
Join us on a journey through Warsaw’s Old Town, a place that rose from complete destruction after World War II, rebuilt with incredible precision using 18th-century paintings. This monumental effort, led by a united and heroic people, earned it UNESCO World Heritage status in 1980.
Travel back in time as we explore Poland’s rich history: from its origins in the 10th century, through its golden age as the largest country in Europe in the 16th century, to its partitions, wartime devastation, and remarkable rebirth. Warsaw today stands as a proud symbol of resilience and national spirit.
On our tour, you'll see the Royal Castle, St. John’s Archcathedral, the Market Square with the iconic Mermaid of Warsaw, medieval city walls and the Barbican, scenic views of the Vistula River, the Wishing Bell and much more.
This is more than just a walk, it's an inspiring story of survival, pride, and transformation. Come and discover the spirit of Warsaw with us!
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Designed for all budgets, this is a tip-based payment tour. At the end of the tour you will be able to pay in cash (any currency) or card. Please feel free to tip as appropriate, depending on the quality of your experience with our tour, and the size of your budget. We have no expectations or guidance around the typical amount, we trust our guests are best judges in this respect.
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This tour is typically 90-minutes, and it’s run daily at 12:30 start.
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The tour starts at Presidential Palace, with a fascinating story of the roundtable agreement, we then move onto Adam Mickiewicz statue to talk about culture, including Chopin. At the Bellotto painting we talk about the post-war reconstruction before we make our way towards Zygmunt’s column and the castle square. Turning from the Cathedral, we go to Kanonia square and the wishing bell. We then proceed to one of the hills that offers nice view of the river, and to the market square. At the Little Insurgent statue we talk about Warsaw Uprising - the heartbreaking stories of children and most vulnerable during one of the most tragic conflicts, which left the city and its population decimated. We conclude at Marie Curie’s childhood home.
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This route is wheelchair accessible but it may present challenges due to uneven surfaces, cobblestones and slopes. We are happy to accommodate different disabilities by adjusting the pace, route and tweaking the content.
This tour deals with mature content of war and conflict, it may not be appropriate for very young ages.
Tours in other cities
Kraków
Tours start this summer
Poznań
Tours start this summer
Wrocław
Tours start this summer
Gdańsk
Tours start this summer