Communist Era

Find out what it was like on the eastern side of the Iron Curtain by joining our Communist tour. A 45-year-long period compressed in about 3 hours, including the factors that led to it, its aftermath and how it affects present-day Bulgaria. The main goal is to present this controversial period of Bulgarian history in an objective and informative way. Topics include World War 2, education, healthcare, industry, housing, economics, and culture.

The Real Tour of Communism will take you through all of the major aspects regarding the life under communist rule in Romania which lasted officially from 1948 to 1989. The Communism era was marked by the dictator Nicolae Ceausescu who ruled Romania for most of this period (1965-1989). We will discover the landmarks of the Communist era to understand how the city's architecture was influenced and changed for ever. But also the former locations of the Secret Police where Romanians were interrogated and tortured too. The tour ends in the Revolution Square where Nicolae Ceausescu had his last speech on Dec 21st 1989 few days before he was executed together with his wife.

Enjoy a 3 hour, information rich, private tour of Bucharest centre concentrating on the recent history of this great city, including the Palace of Parliament, Unirii Square and fountains, the former Communist Party headquarters, and Revolution Square, where the famous revolution of Christmas 1989 began. Hear my own story, of life under under Nicolae Ceausescu, how I was sworn in allegiance to the great leader and his tyrannical wife, as one of Romania's 'Pioneers', taught to load and fire an AK-74 assault rifle, (while at high school), and lived only a few miles from the heart of the uprising in Revolution Square…

Explore the turbulent 20th century in Croatia in a entertaining way combining historical facts and personal experiences. You will find out more about Croatia’s relations with neighbouring countries and being a part of five different regimes, going through three brutal wars, all explained in an easy-to-understand fashion! • Visit the WWII tunnels and hear dark stories of the Croatian fascist state • Learn about communist Yugoslavia and its leader Tito • Visit a multimedia exhibition on Croatian Homeland War • Understand the relationships between former Yugoslavia states in the past and nowadays

In this 3-hour walking tour about communism, you'll discover the major landmarks and events of the communist period of history in Bucharest: the violent beginnings of the communist regime, the nationalization and forced demolition of thousands of houses, the Palace of the Parliament, the Ceausescu family and the anti-communist revolution of 1989.

Your comrade, our guide, will be your host on the walking tour which portrays the most contradictory era of Serbia covering the period from World War II to 2000-s. Conspiracy theories and urban legends from the 2nd half of the 20th century will take you through the rise and reign of Communism in Yugoslavia. Places will tell you how Communist Yugoslavia was conceived, why the ritual of the pioneer oath was mandatory, the lifestyle rules of a common Yugoslav, and much more. A symbol of public transportation, the trolley, will bring you to the Museum of Yugoslavia devoted overall to the life and deeds of Josip Broz Tito. A lot of anecdotes from the life of The President will make you feel that he was a celebrity and somehow you will feel the need to show him respect in the House of Flowers, his mausoleum. Hopefully, we will bring you back safely to reality from the time when life was inspired by Brotherhood and Unity, and tailored by the size of the ordinary man.

This Tirana City Tour is truly unique for several reasons, offering a rare and comprehensive blend of historical landmarks, cultural insights, and modern-day experiences in one exciting package. Diverse Historical Journey: The tour spans centuries of history, from ancient sites like the Byzantine-era Fortress of Justinian to Communist-era landmarks like the House of Leaves and BunkArt 2, providing a multi-dimensional exploration of Albania’s past. Religious and Cultural Diversity: Visitors get to explore Albania’s diverse religious heritage, from the Ottoman Et'hem Bey Mosque, Great Mosque of Tirana to the modern Orthodox Resurrection Cathedral and the Roman Catholic Saint Paul Cathedral. Architectural Wonders: From the Clock Tower to the Piramida and the stunning National Historical Museum. This is more than just a tour of historical sites—it’s a journey through Albania’s diverse heritage, giving visitors a rich understanding of the country’s evolution, culture, and spirit.

Walk the Wall. Hear the Spies. Feel the Divide. Step into Cold War Berlin with us on this eye-opening 2-hour free walking tour that dives deep into one of the most dramatic chapters in modern history. From spy games to secret police, from brave escapes to brutal crackdowns, this isn’t your average history lesson — it’s the real, raw story of a city once split in two. We’ll take you from the Brandenburg Gate to the haunting Palace of Tears, exploring key landmarks that shaped life behind (and beyond) the Iron Curtain. Stand at the Berlin Wall Memorial, where stories of hope, courage, and heartbreak still echo. Whether you’re a history buff or just curious about Berlin’s divided past, you’ll leave this tour with a powerful new perspective on the people who lived it — and the city that rose from it.

Insightful, off the beaten track journey in a legendary 1970-1990’s Czechoslovak Škoda car (or a modern van by 4+ guests) with our local guide to the most intriguing spots of the Cold War era Bratislava. Explore a vast concrete housing estate, the Soviet monument Slavín, post-industrial developments, the Iron Curtain border zone and loads of communist-era architecture. The tour brings alive the fascinating story of Bratislava in the turbulent 20th century. What can you expect? Cool drive and quirky stops to see and understand: – the first prefabricated apartment block in Slovakia as well as the largest socialist housing project, Petržalka – communist-era architecture (inverted pyramid of Slovak Radio, rocket-shape TV tower Kamzík, Freedom Square) – political objects: Soviet memorial Slavín, diplomatic 1970’s hotel, 1980’s parliament, villas of former communist leaders – controversial ufo-like SNP bridge, causing destruction of the Jewish district former Iron Curtain area

Feel the spirit of communist Warsaw during this private tour in an iconic retro automobile of the 1970’s and 80’s – the Fiat 125p. You will be chauffeured by a professional driver-guide who will introduce you to Warsaw and its communist history, showing you the most important landmarks such as the Palace of Culture and Science, the House of The Polish Communist Party and the communist housing districts. Hop in the car and learn about the era of monumental, massive architecture, empty store shelves and never-ending queues. The route might be changed a bit accordingly to current traffic situation. Please note that groups over 4 people will be driven around in blue vintage minivan – check it out in our photos.

Your insightful local guide will make this 3 to 4-hour tour unforgettable for you as he knows inside out the communist heritage in Sofia and in Bulgaria. You will be lead also to a lot of off-the-beaten path sights for which you could only read in some of the most professional travel blogs. You would uncover the secrets of the Bulgarian capital and its communist heritage in buildings, sights, stories and museum. Get ready, that's the most in-depth communist tour of Sofia! Choose between privately-guided and self-guided tour.

Explore the Nowa Huta district, a utopian communist enclave in Krakow, by riding a classic Trabant or Soviet Lada car with the renowned Crazy Guides team, featured by the BBC and other international media. We prioritize treating our customers like close friends, ensuring each one of you feels valued and important. Our personalized approach blends fascinating facts with humour to create an unforgettable experience. Discover compelling stories of life in Communist Poland as you visit key locations and hear personal accounts from behind the Iron Curtain. You can choose between the Standard 2.5-hour Nowa Huta sightseeing option or the upgraded 3.5-hour Deluxe option, which includes a guided visit to the abandoned Lenin Steelworks and a Pierogi lunch. – Discover Nowa Huta, a district in Krakow that symbolizes the communist utopian vision. – Enjoy the focused attention of your local, humorous, private Crazy Guide. – Explore more sights in less time while riding in a Trabant or Lada car.

In December 1989 the communist Romania could be considered as a mental-hospital where the lunatics were running the asylum and the “internees” were punished for their sanity. How did we get to have one of the most symbolic dictatorship regimes in the modern history? What and who are to be blamed for this tragic condition? And not the last, how did courageous people stood-up and repudiated the evil leaders?   The Grand Tour of Communist Ages is trying to provide answers to these complex questions, and not only.

The tour is approximately 2 hours long and features an iconic classic car called a Trabant. The object of the tour is to take you back in time and make you feel what life was like for people living in Bulgaria during the communist era. Our focus is not to put you to sleep with statistics but rather show you what kind of challenges people had to deal with both during and after the communist times.

With the help of a historian, this 3 hour walking tour allows you to grasp the “goulash communism” of Budapest’s decades under totalitarianism, the soft dictatorship in which Hungarians had certain liberties in exchange for obedience on major issues. Learn why, for all the suffering of Budapest’s citizens under the communist regime, Hungary was called “the happiest barrack in the Soviet Bloc.”

Immerse yourself in the Communist past of Bulgaria with this informative and enlightening walking and wine-tasting tour of Varna. This shipping city on the Black Sea is known for its monument socialist-era monuments. Visit the Retro Museum, a space dedicated to the Communist period from 1944 to 1989 and includes intriguing artifacts from the period. Then discuss it all over a few glasses of local wine. All with a local and professional guide. Choose between privately-guided or self-guided tour.

Take an all-encompassing and unique roundtrip of communist Budapest and get to know Hungary's amazing capital city from a completely different angle! This one-day private tour includes over 20 stops with hidden gems of Hungary's communist past, as well as important venues of the 1956 revolution against communist rule, where no other tour operator is likely to take you. Beyond the regular communist round of the inner city, you'll explore lesser-known yet fascinating architectural gems of the era and then venture to the suburbs where communism truly thrived. Tour the communist housing estates, and explore the Csepel Iron and Metal Works, a crucial communist industrial stronghold. The tour culminates at Memento Park, an open-air museum preserving Budapest's iconic communist statues, offering a powerful reflection on Hungary's turbulent past. This dynamic experience can be tailored to the weather, ensuring an immersive journey through Hungary's communist legacy, no matter the conditions.

This private walking tour (for up to 6 guests) offers the perfect mix of history, hidden communist-era stories, traditional Albanian food, and a fun cultural photo experience — all led by a local expert. Slow-paced Walking Tour “Designed for travelers who want to explore at a relaxed pace” ️ Lunch at New Bazaar “Dine like a local at the vibrant Pazari i Ri” ️ House of Leaves Access “Enter Albania’s most secretive building – included in price" Free Gift Souvenir “Take home a piece of Albania – FREE souvenir included!”

Step into the shadows of history and uncover Bucharest’s communist past—towering monuments, hidden scars, and a revolution that changed everything. This private walking tour takes you beyond the city’s colorful present, tracing 45 years of Communism, from WWII to 1989. Walk through a city of contrasts, where Belle Époque palaces stand beside the stark structures of the former Communist Civic Center. Explore key landmarks like the Romanian Athenaeum, Revolution Square, and University Square before standing in the shadow of the colossal Palace of Parliament—the world’s second-largest administrative building. Unlike generic city tours, this immersive experience is designed for travelers who want to see Bucharest beyond the postcards. No rush, no crowds—just a fascinating journey through the city's past and present, at your pace. Go back in time and discover the realities of life behind the Iron Curtain. Under Stalin’s shadow, life wasn’t black or white. Nor grey. Just red. Soviet red.

Step back in time to the days of life behind the Iron Curtain on this private tour of Budapest. Learn the story behind the Hungarian Revolution of 1956 and how it was tragically crushed. Visit the Citadella where the story of communism in Hungary began, see the monumental Soviet statues in Memento Park, the memorials of the victims near to the Hungarian Parliament, and the House of Terror. Inside visit of House of Terror Budapest is not included! As a more joyful memory of the era visit the Retro Museum Budapest, a newly opened interactive exhibition wish tells how ordinary lifa was behind the Iron Curtain, in the most merry barrack, Hungary!