Private Retro Minibus Tour of Warsaw's Old Town with Hotel Pickup

from $293

Duration

3 hours

Type

Guided, Private

Difficulty

Easy

Reviews

(3)

4.47 /5

Must-do sites in Warsaw - private tour by retro minibus with hotel pickup

This private Warsaw sightseeing tour is perfect for travelers who want to start their visit with a comprehensive overview of the city, while enjoying more flexibility and comfort than a standard walking tour. Your guide meets you at your hotel or apartment and welcomes you aboard a vintage Żuk minibus—an iconic Polish vehicle that adds character, mobility, and a unique historical atmosphere to the experience.

The drive toward Warsaw Old Town provides your first panoramic introduction to the city and an opportunity to get acquainted with your guide. The walking portion begins at Castle Square, as vehicle access is restricted within the Old Town. From the Middle Ages to modern times, you’ll explore Warsaw’s most important historic sites, including Castle Square, the Royal Castle, Old Town Market Square, St. John’s Archcathedral, the Barbican, and many smaller but meaningful details often missed by visitors.

Throughout the tour, learn about Warsaw’s destruction during World War II, its extraordinary postwar reconstruction, and the impact of the communist period on the city’s architecture and urban planning. As this is a private tour, the itinerary can be adjusted within the time limit to match your interests. Traveling by car allows you to cover more ground efficiently and include additional highlights whenever possible.

HIGHLIGHTS

Discover Warsaw’s most important tourist sites
Learn the city’s history from medieval times to the late 20th century
Ride in a classic Żuk retro minibus
Admire Warsaw’s historic and classical architecture
Relax and absorb the city’s stories while moving comfortably between locations

Inclusions

Hotel/apartment Pickup and drop-off within a 3 km radius of the city center
English speaking guide
Transport by retro communist minibus

Exclusions

Food and drinks
Tip or gratuity

Tour Plan

Hotel pickup
Guide picks you up from the hotel with an extraordinary vehicle - the Żuk. Once popular on Polish streets, it has become a rarity and collector's object of desire.

Old Town - Castle Square
After the transfer, you start to explore the Warsaw Old Town on foot (cars are not allowed to go there). The first part is Castle Square, where the guide introduces you to Poland and Warsaw; it’s actually the exact spot where the first settlement was built around 700 years ago.

Świętojańska street and St John’s Cathedral
After admiring the Royal Castle and Swedish king standing on top of a column, you move deeper into the Old Town. Try to focus on the details - Warsaw Old Town got destroyed in 1944, but some original elements were found in the rubble and placed back at their original locations. On Świętojańska street, you find St John’s Cathedral - it’s the first church in Warsaw and where the remains of the last king of Poland are buried. It’s an excellent place to tell one history of the first republic in Europe.

Kanonia and Gnojna Górka
Kanonia street, Gnojna Górka - these are just some of the many places you will visit on this tour.

Market Square
The most representative part of the Old Town is Market Square. Surrounded by colourful and prestigious tenement houses filled with restaurants: it’s an excellent place to slow down, take a breath and investigate the story of the Warsaw mermaid. If you’re lucky enough, you will meet a Warsaw barrel organ player and listen to (very) old top hits.

City Walls
Defence walls ring the Old Town, and the remaining gate is called Barbakan; this is the next part of this tour. On the way back to Żuk minibus guide shows you the remaining parts of the original city walls and tells you the story of the post-WWII reconstruction of Warsaw Old Town.

Piłsudskiego Square (pass by)
Back in the car, you see more of Classic Warsaw: a couple of monuments dedicated to the Warsaw Uprising; significant structures like the Garrison of Warsaw, National Opera House, and Piłsudski Square with prestigious hotels and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Your guide can arrange more stops and short walks if time is left.

Drop off
Guide drops you off at the place chosen by you, within the limits of the central city.

Itinerary

Expand All

Hotel pickup

Your guide picks you up from your hotel in the extraordinary Żuk minibus. Once a common sight on Polish streets, today it is a rare collector’s vehicle and an attraction in itself.

Old Town - Castle Square

After the transfer, you begin exploring Warsaw’s Old Town on foot. The tour starts at Castle Square, where Warsaw was founded over 700 years ago. Here, your guide introduces the early history of Poland and the city, with views of the Royal Castle and Sigismund’s Column, topped by the statue of a Swedish king who once ruled Poland.

Świętojańska street and St John’s Cathedral

As you move deeper into the Old Town, your guide draws attention to architectural details and original elements recovered from the rubble after the city’s destruction in 1944 and carefully restored to their original locations. On Świętojańska Street, visit St. John’s Archcathedral, Warsaw’s oldest church and the burial place of Poland’s last king—a perfect setting to discuss the history of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth.

Kanonia and Gnojna Górka

You’ll also visit charming corners such as Kanonia Street and Gnojna Górka, before reaching the heart of the Old Town at Market Square. Surrounded by colorful historic townhouses and restaurants, this is an ideal place to pause and hear the legend of the Warsaw Mermaid. With a bit of luck, you may encounter a traditional barrel organ player performing old melodies.

Market Square

The most representative part of the Old Town is Market Square. Surrounded by colourful and prestigious tenement houses filled with restaurants: it’s an excellent place to slow down, take a breath and investigate the story of the Warsaw mermaid. If you’re lucky enough, you will meet a Warsaw barrel organ player and listen to (very) old top hits.

City Walls

The Old Town is encircled by defensive walls, including the remaining gate known as the Barbican, which you’ll see next. On the way back to the minibus, your guide points out preserved fragments of the original city walls and explains how the Old Town was reconstructed after World War II.

Pomnik Powstania Warszawskiego

Travel outside the Old Town to Krasiński Square to see the powerful Warsaw Uprising Monument. Learn about the 1944 uprising against Nazi occupation and the immense sacrifices made by the city’s residents.

Piłsudskiego Square (pass by)

The tour concludes at Piłsudski Square with the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, one of Poland’s most important national memorials. This solemn site honors fallen soldiers and provides a moment to reflect on Warsaw’s turbulent history and resilience.

Drop off

Guide drops you off at the place chosen by you, within the limits of the central city.

Meeting / Pickup

Pick-up only: Customers must be picked up from selected pick-up locations.

Know Before You Go

Public transportation nearby

What to Bring

Clothes suitable for actual weather

Please Note

This tour can be booked instantly online for adults and children over 150 cm (4 ft 9 in). If you wish to book the tour for a child under 150 cm, please contact the tour operator in advance to check the availability of seat boosters, which are mandatory under Polish law.
Each minibus accommodates up to 8 passengers, and a fleet of 5 minibuses is available.
The vehicles are used primarily for transfers between locations, with walking segments at each stop. Please wear comfortable clothing and suitable footwear.
Please note that classic vintage minibuses are not equipped with air conditioning, and some do not have seat belts (which is permitted for historic vehicles). All vehicles are equipped with heating for the winter season.

Cancellation Policy

We will charge a cancellation fee of 100% if booking is cancelled 1 day or less before the event

Destinations

Warsaw

Language

English

Operator

Warsaw Behind the Scenes

Reviews

4.47/5

Wonderful

3 verified reviews

Location (4/5)

Amenities (4.33/5)

Services (4.33/5)

Price (5/5)

Rooms (4.67/5)

3 Comments

B. Petrov July 5, 2023
4.2
- Location
- Amenities
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- Price
- Rooms
Exploring Warsaw’s Old Town in a private retro minibus was a delightful way to immerse ourselves in the city’s rich history, especially while admiring the stunning architecture. We particularly loved the guided walk at the Market Square, although an extra stop to grab local snacks would have made it even better.
M. Rivers October 19, 2023
4.4
- Location
- Amenities
- Services
- Price
- Rooms
Our family had a fantastic time exploring the charming streets in a retro minibus, making the experience feel cozy and unique. The hotel pickup was seamless, though we wished for a little more time at certain spots to soak in the atmosphere.
Mei Strong December 14, 2023
4.8
- Location
- Amenities
- Services
- Price
- Rooms
Being picked up from my hotel in a charming retro minibus set the tone for a delightful exploration of the old town. The private tour allowed me to soak in the rich history and stunning architecture without feeling rushed, making it easy to connect with the stories behind the vibrant streets. I particularly appreciated the guide’s insights while I strolled through the cobblestones, as they brought the past to life with engaging anecdotes. One suggestion would be to include a short stop for a local treat; I found myself wishing for a taste of the traditional pastries I had heard so much about. Overall, it was a fantastic way to immerse myself in the culture and beauty of the area without the crowds.