Communist Walking Tour: History, Megalomania & Hidden Sights

In front of the Palace of Parliament, Ceausescu's masterpiece

In front of the Palace of the Parliament

Dictator Nicolae Ceausescu, driven by megalomania and nationalistic ambitions, brutally changed Romanian society and the face of Bucharest. Let's go on a walking tour to find out how our capital was transformed, see major landmarks and hidden sights, find out how people lived during those times and how our society is still influenced today by its communist history!

What you need to know Moments to expect Guide Cancellation & refund policy Location details

What you need to know about this Bucharest communism walking tour

A walking tour of Bucharest. Starts daily at 11:00 AM and lasts 3h
Your English-speaking local guide (native of Bucharest) will take you on a walk to see landmarks representative for communist Bucharest and history
We will also talk about the 1989 revolution that violently overthrew Nicolae Ceausescu's regime and led to his execution
We will see Revolution Square, Palace of Parliament, Unirii Blvd. and 'hidden' churches moved by Ceausescu to make way for his landscaping plans
No visits included. Tour can be extended with a visit to the Communist Apartment Time Bubble Museum (extra 35 Euro/person)

Additional information

Lots of urban walking involved so please wear comfortable shoes.

You might want to bring a bottle of water, but we can pick up one along the way.

Starting location in the city centre. Exact address will be given after your booking is confirmed.

Moments to expect in the Bucharest communist tour:

Bucharest communist landmarks: Palace of Parliament and Unirii Blvd.

After the earthquake of 1977, Ceausescu decided to "rebuild" his capital. Learn how the 3rd largest building in the world was built and how architecture and city planning were used to change Bucharest and its people's minds and hearts.
Note: interior visit NOT included

Get behind the Communist "curtain"

Behind the tall apartment buildings, common to all cities in Romania and other Eastern European countries, there are still traces of Old Bucharest. See some landmarks from Old Bucharest and find out how churches were moved to make way for the regime's urbanisation plan.

Education, mass-media and religion vs communism

Ceausescu's regime had a strong personality cult, which influenced all aspects of Romanian society. I'll tell you how far the regime's reach extended, the massive parades that were organised and how pictures of Ceausescu were literally everywhere.

Revolution Square: the beginning of the end for the Ceausescu regime

In Revolution square lies the former Communist Party HQ and the balcony where Ceausescu gave his last speech. It is also where violence took place and people died. To remember those events, a weird but towering memorial was built and I will tell you more about it.

[Optional] Visit a typical communist appartment

Stories are nice, and I'm a good storyteller :) But the best way to understand communist Romania is to see how people lived. You can extend this tour to also include a visit to a typical apartment from communist Romania in the 1970s, preserved as if in a time bubble and now turned museum. You'll go in a typical 'worker's neighbourhood' and travel back in time once you enter this apartment where REAL people lived. This is a very local attraction few people know about!
[extra 35 Euro/person, +1h for the tour]

How to book?

Choose how many people and when
Request a booking and fill in your details
Flexible payment and cancelation
Guide answers in 24h
Children prices

2 x 35 Euro

How to book this tour?

Choose how many people and when
Request a booking and fill in your details
Flexible payment and cancelation
Guide answers in 24h
Children prices

Guide

Mara

As a local, I've been helping people discover the 'must-see-sights' of Bucharest since 2017. But I also like to add a delicious taste and an authentic experience of Romanian culture during my tours. Join me and my team to see for yourself!

I like: Travelling, meeting new people, food, eating desserts, history

I speak: english, romanian

Cancelation & refund policy

Easy

Sends us or the guide an email 24h before the tour informing us you can't make it and you'll get a full refund of your payment, no questions asked.

Location details

Starting point: Revolution Square next to the Rebirth Memorial (The patatoe)
Nearest airport: Bucharest Henri Coanda International Airport
Nearest train station: Bucharest North Railway Station
Landscape: Urban

See on the map

Reviews from travellers

Joseph H. on 27.08.2019

Elena was savvy and enthusiastic about learning and sharing Romanian communist history. Tour was a super interesting intro to Bucharest.

Andrea W. on 28.07.2017

Romanian Friend made it possible to book a tour in Bukarest for me and my two oscillating kids with only a few hours short notice! So we had a great time with our guide Elena to the important points of Communist Walking Tour of Bucharest in Bukarest! She shared all her accumulated background knowledge about the revolution in 1989 and the former communistic regime and answered patiently all our questions. Our tour through Bukarest was much longer than planned because of the interesting facts she told us. Thanks for supporting us in such an uncomplicated way!