Warsaw at War: Walking Tour of WWII, the Ghetto & 1944 Uprising
We trace Warsaw’s WWII history—occupation, the Ghetto, and the 1944 Uprising—across the Old Town and city centre: Zygmunt’s Column, Monument of the Little Insurgent, Warsaw Uprising Monument, Ghetto boundary markers, and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Basic Information
Total time
2h
Language
English, Spanish (check the calendar for availability)
Price
Our “Pay What You Wish” tours don’t have a fixed price — you decide how much the experience was worth. At the end of the tour, please make a fair contribution that reflects your satisfaction and appreciation for your guide’s work. Most guests give between €10 and €50 per person.
Meeting point
Zygmunt’s Column, Castle Square Nearest public transport: Stare Miasto 02 tram stop; Stare Miasto 01 tram stop
Additional info
☂︎ This tour is organised by Walkative Warsaw guides. Look for the guide with the yellow umbrella.
♿️ Tour suitable for people with reduced mobility and strollers
❗Our tours run in all weather conditions. High or low temperatures, rain, or snow are never a reason for us to cancel. We’re always here for you! The only reasons for cancellation are extreme weather conditions (such as heavy storms), a guide’s sudden illness, or if there are fewer than 5 registered participants. In such cases, we will always notify you using the contact information you provided when booking the tour.Booking rules
Booking is obligatory. Our “Pay What You Wish” tours are meant for individual travellers and small groups. Large groups (8 or more people) cannot join these tours, as they significantly affect the experience for others and the guide. For school trips, organised tours, or groups of friends, please book our paid option (18€ per person) or arrange a Private Tour. For more information or to schedule a group visit, please contact us directly.
About the tour
Imagine a city that had almost 1.4 million people before World War II. Six years later, its ruins were inhabited by only several thousand survivors. Imagine a city that fought against the occupiers from the very first till the very last day. Imagine a city where every street, every corner, every courtyard has a wartime story to tell.
First, there was 1939 and the German and Soviet invasions. Then, years of occupation. In 1940, the Germans created the largest ghetto in occupied Europe here, which was razed to the ground in 1943 after the crushing of the Jewish uprising. A year later, the city was again in flames – this time because of the Polish national uprising of 1944. After 63 days of heavy urban fighting, it was crushed while the Red Army stood idle on the other side of the Vistula River. When they finally crossed over, the city and its people were no more.
Enter a world of unimaginable terror and brutality. Understand people’s eagerness to fight back. Feel the grave meaning of the decisions they had to make. Listen to stories of bravery and cowardice, loyalty and betrayal, but also of daily life under the occupation. Enter a different world – the world of Warsaw at war.
The exact tour route can vary depending on the guide.
Highlights
- 1
Zygmunt's Column
Iconic city landmark that was toppled during the 1944 Uprising and later rebuilt.
- 2
Little Insurgent Monument
A moving tribute to the child soldiers who fought and died during the Warsaw Uprising.
- 3
Warsaw Ghetto
Site of the largest Jewish ghetto in occupied Europe, destroyed after the 1943 uprising.
- 4
Warsaw Uprising 1944
The heroic 63-day struggle by the Polish resistance to liberate Warsaw from German occupation.
- 5
Warsaw Uprising Monument
A dramatic monument dedicated to the heroes and victims of the city-wide 1944 rebellion.
6Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
A national monument honoring the unidentified soldiers who have died fighting for Poland's freedom.
Map
Zygmunt’s Column, Castle Square Nearest public transport: Stare Miasto 02 tram stop; Stare Miasto 01 tram stop
Our customers said about us
Warsaw
5.0Gorka Jiménez
Free tour centro histórico
Hicimos el tour con Manuel, afincado en Varsovia desde hace 33 años y un gran conocedor de la historia. Hizo el tour muy amena.
Warsaw
5.0Gorka Jiménez
Tour de la guerra con Christoff
Hicimos tour de la guerra con Christoff y estuvo fenomenal. Nada mejor que un chico nativo con un perfecto español te cuente la historia vivida en Varsovia por sus antepasados.
Warsaw
5.0Antonio
Muy recomendable
Imprescindible si te gusta la historia; gracias a las magnificas explicaciones de Manuel te sitúas en el contexto histórico de una época convulsa y dramática que sufrieron los habitantes de Varsovia durante los dos meses que duro el alzamiento contra el invasor nazi...muchas gracias Manuel!!
Warsaw
5.0Claudia
Tour muy ameno y súper interesante!
Manuel fue un guía estupendo para conocer el pasado que ha tenido la ciudad y como esto influye en lo que se ha convertido tras la guerra. Un paseo muy ameno, con unas explicaciones claras e interesantes. Muy recomendable!
Warsaw
5.0Laura
Amazing tour
This tour was great. Olivia, our guide, explained the 2WW from the point of view of Warsaw. She brought us in several spots in the center and explained in a detailed way the story connected to them, while also giving us some personal stories that made it even more touching. Olivia was prepared and open to answer all questions. Much recommended!
Warsaw
5.0Christian
Very informative and enjoyable
Andrzej was a great guide! He delivered the tour in an engaging way and answered all of our questions.
Warsaw
5.0Jaime
Increíble
Un tour apasionante y lleno de historia gracias a Manuel (el guía)
Warsaw
5.0Eero
Excellent and entertaining tour by Andrzej
I found the tour very interesting! Andrzej was very knowledgeable about the topic and made it easy to follow. He presented the topics in entertaining and engaging way. I’d highly recommend to anyone visiting Warsaw:)
Warsaw
5.0Kirsten Chesnut
Very interesting WW2 history lesson
I attend all Walkative tours, I can fit into my travels. The WW2 Warsaw tour by Lukasz (September 28th 2024) was impressive, due to his wealth of knowledge, excellent humor and fabulous story telling skills. Will be back in Warsaw later this year, and hope to run into another walking tour conducted by Lukasz.
Warsaw
5.0Harewit
Tour Varsovia en guerra
Tour realizado con Andrés, en el cual aporta todos los datos necesarios durante los años vividos en Varsovia entre el 39 al 45 y toda la pasión que le pone por la experiencia vivida de familiares y amigos. Sin duda te mantiene atento al tour.
