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Life Behind the Iron Curtain
5.0
24 Ratings
Warszawa
Discover Warsaw’s communist past on a 2.5-hour walking tour. Uncover absurdities, survival stories, and hidden gems from behind the Iron Curtain.
Discover Warsaw’s communist past on a 2.5-hour walking tour. Uncover absurdities, survival stories, and hidden gems from behind the Iron Curtain.
Duration:
2 hours, 30 minutes
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Plac Konstytucji - Let’s meet at Constitution Square, where we’ll start by exploring the square that was supposed to be the new city center of the Polish People’s Republic.
- Marszałkowska - From the Square, we’ll go along the wide Marszałkowska Street, which was used for parades and marches. On the way, we’ll see one of the most iconic places…
- Plac Konstytucji - Let’s meet at Constitution Square, where we’ll start by exploring the square that was supposed to be the new city center of the Polish People’s Republic.
- Marszałkowska - From the Square, we’ll go along the wide Marszałkowska Street, which was used for parades and marches. On the way, we’ll see one of the most iconic places of the Polish People’s Republic.
- Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development - The building of the Ministry of Agriculture is a perfect example of socialist realism. We’ll find out what characterizes this style and why the buildings were built this way.
- Mysia 3 - On Mysia Street we’ll see the Free Speech Memorial and talk about censorship and espionage.
- Central Department Store Cedet - One of the most challenging aspects of life during the times of the Polish People’s Republic was buying everyday things. Let’s find out why in front of the former Central Department Store.
- Dworzec Centralny w Warszawie - Let’s take a look at the Central Railway Station and Downtown Railway Station and talk about local, regional, and international travel during the times of the Polish People’s Republic.
- Palace of Culture and Science - We’ll finish in front on the Palace of Culture and Science where we’ll tell you everything you need to know about this symbolic, yet very controversial, building.
What's Included
- Full info pack about Warsaw prior to your tour (FAQ, useful links, and more!)
- Visual aids
- Recommendations about more places to visit, where to eat, drink, etc.
- Full info pack about Warsaw prior to your tour (FAQ, useful links, and more!)
- Visual aids
- Recommendations about more places to visit, where to eat, drink, etc.
What's Not Included
- Entry fee to the viewing terrace in the Palace of Culture and Science (38 PLN)
- Entry fee to the viewing terrace in the Palace of Culture and Science (38 PLN)
Additional Information
Of all the things you think you know about communism, there’s one thing you can never wrap your mind around: its absurdity.
On the outside it was a Cold War and the hammer and sickle, but to the average citizen it was just one ridiculous thing after another that made life difficult.
Learn how the Poles managed to survive nearly 40 years of communist…
Of all the things you think you know about communism, there’s one thing you can never wrap your mind around: its absurdity.
On the outside it was a Cold War and the hammer and sickle, but to the average citizen it was just one ridiculous thing after another that made life difficult.
Learn how the Poles managed to survive nearly 40 years of communist oppression with ingenuity, smarts, and a tractor full of humor.
Join this walking tour to hear about: the most controversial building in the entire city (and for more than one reason!), the smallest icon of communism that’s so cute you’ll want one of your own, how people were able to buy things at completely empty stores, why “what can I get you?” was one of the biggest jokes at the time, how the state made sure Poles didn’t travel too far, socialist realism and why you’ll probably think it looks nice, but Poles won’t agree
Don’t just visit Warsaw, discover it!
Tour duration: approx. 2,5h
Distance: approx. 3 km
- Not recommended for travelers who have problems with walking long distances
Location
Constitution Square
plac Konstytucji
We meet on the Constitution Square, in front of MDM Hotel . Look for a guide with a green and white umbrella
Cancellation Policy
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.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(24 Ratings)
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Jennifer_k
May 2, 2025
Great Insights - Olivia is excellent. We learned a lot from her. Sharing some about her family's experience really made this tour so much better and more relevant. She knows her subject from a lot of different perspectives.
Review provided by Viator
Peterbc7164wg
Apr 13, 2025
A peep behind the iron curtain to understand what life in Poland was like from 1945 to 1989 - This walk was excellent- informative, interesting and sometimes funny. Our guide showed us how different life was under the communist umbrella and what a challenge it was to change into a modern democratic society. I highly recommend it.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sharontz8164iz
Apr 11, 2025
The best guides in Warsaw - Oliwia is a brilliant tour guide. Every time we visit a new city on holiday, we go on a walking tour and Oliwia is one of the best (if not the best). She loves Warsaw and her passion for it is infectious. We went on 3 tours (Praga, Historic Heart and Life Behind the Iron Curtain) with her. The city has quite a history and a lot of character and each tour brought different aspects to life and helped us make sense of Poland and its people. She covers a lot as you walk and has an excellent knowledge of many different topics, answering our many questions. She has a personal connection to the city too which brings added relevance. She’s informative, fluent in English and also a lot of fun (with a dry wit) and can adapt, as we saw, to the variety of people who join her tours. We would definitely recommend her to anyone visiting the city and, based on our enjoyment of the city as a direct result of meeting Oliwia, we will definitely be back for more! Thank you.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Pieterwiek
Mar 26, 2025
Interesting Warsaw - Olivia, our guide, did a great job. She showed details you would never noticed by yourself. Her stories were hearttouching. Happy to be able to share this valuable insights. Dziekuje, Olivia!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
L6853obsuer
Mar 16, 2025
Amazing morning - Fabulous tour with Agneska who really brought the group together (6 people from 3 different countries and of ages 25 to 71) , encouraged questions and discussion, and as well as giving lots of information about Communism she also delved into Polish people's attitudes to it and how these have or are changing with different generations. And some background social history too. Fascinating and highly recommended.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Y3129ummaryk
Jan 30, 2025
Fantastic! - Our tour with Oliwia was just wonderful. It was so interesting to learn more about communism and the struggle for survival. I have a whole new appreciation for what they went through and their toughness. She was a real pro - balancing the history with humor. Highly recommend.
I took many other photos along her tour but I don’t want to spoil what she shared. Just go!
If you’re worried about understanding her English, don’t! It’s perfect!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Hd1351
Dec 2, 2024
Informative - Our guide was great. She really showed me what it was like back then. I wouldn’t have been able to live that way.
Review provided by Viator
Freesia-to-be
Nov 4, 2024
Excellent! - This is an excellent guided tour! We feel so lucky to have found Warsaw Undiscovered. Oliwia is an excellent guide, not only because she is a local with extended knowledge of the history and speaks native-level English, but also because she has an authentic way to narrate and can answer thoroughly all questions. Highly recommended and I would attend their other tours next time I would be in Warsaw. Dziekuje!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Almis
Oct 5, 2024
Most Engaging Tour in Warsaw - I took a number of tours over a week in Warsaw - and this one stands out as the best. Not only was Olivia extremely knowledgeable and entertaining, but I never would have appreciated the places we visited on my own, let alone found them. The Iron Curtain era in Poland is still very recent and many sites remain, although some are in altered forms. Understanding life behind the Iron Curtain helps understand Poland as it is today.
Review provided by Viator
Dreamer06473222573
Oct 4, 2024
Engaging Tour was Highlight of Trip to Warsaw - I’ve spent over a week in Warsaw and taken a number of tours, the “The Life Behind the Iron Curtain” walking tour was the highlight. Olivia was both knowledgeable and entertaining, and the sites were one’s I would never find, let alone appreciate, on my own. The tour covers an important era in Poland’s history that lets you better understand the country as it is today.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
