Contrasts of Communism - Small Group Walking Tour in Bucharest
Description
You will discover the story of the rise to power of the Romanian communist party and the unparalleled cult of personality of dictator Nicolae Ceausescu, standing in front of his iconic balcony. You will learn how Ceausescu’s craving for applause led to his overturn in the most violent anti-communist revolution of 1989. You will go off the beaten path and take advantage of Bucharest's great public transportation to get to the Memorial Cemetery of the Heroes of 1989 and a unique Monument for the leaders of the communist party. On a tour full of contrasts you will learn about day-to-day life during communism, the economy, the propaganda, the relationship with religion, the fear of the secret police. You will also explore the Civic Center and the exterior of the Palace of Parliament and learn about the achievements of architects, but also the sacrifices for the local community, the demolitions during the 1980s. You will finish the walk on Unirii Boulevard, near Parliament and old town.
Tour Options
Itinerary
You will stand in the place where Nicolae Ceausescu held his last speech in 1989 and hear the story of the rise and fall of the communist dictatorship.
You will stand at KM0 of Romanian freedom of speech, where the first heroes died for liberty in Bucharest on the 21st of December 1989, and unpack the current political climate in Romania.
You will travel off the beaten by public transportation to explore a typical working-class neighbourhood and see how the 1970s grey communist blocks are getting reinvented thanks to colorful street art.
You will walk around the quiet paths of the Memorial Cemetery dedicated to the Heroes killed in the revolution of 1989 and learn their personal stories.
You will get a unique view from one of the highest hills in Bucharest and discover the Monument of the Heroes for the Freedom of the Motherland , built in honor of the communist party leaders.
You will return to the city center and stand in front of the Palace of Parliament, the second-largest administrative building in the world, the last whim of Nicolae Ceausescu
You will end the tour near the dancing fountains on Unirii Boulevard, designed as a ''home-court advantage" to humble world leaders.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Reviews(45)
Elena was an excellent tour guide, she was very knowledgeable and friendly and provided a lot of good insight into what she showed us.
Thank you for choosing my tour. I am very happy to know you enjoyed our conversations. Best wishes for the New Year! Elena
It was interesting to learn more about history, espescialy concerning the kommunism. Interesting to see relevant sites and have a reflective dialog.
Thank you for choosing my tour. Kind regards, Elena
To be guided by Elena was a strong and perfect introduction to Bucharest and Românian history from the beginning of the Second World War to the present. Elena is very well educated and a very pleasant person. I can highly recommend this trip together with Elena.
Thank you for sharing your precious time in Bucharest with me🫶 Elena
Elena was very knowledgeable and took us to places we would have never seen by ourselves. She answered all of my questions and provided behind the scenes information, which made my visit to Bucharest much more meaningful. I highly recommend this tour.
Thank you, Frances, for being a very kind visitor. And of course, thank you for choosing my tour for your time in Bucharest. Elena
We had a very informative tour with Elena. She took us to various sites around Bucharest and helped us understand the history of communism in Romania. She is very knowledgeable and friendly.
Thank you for the interesting conversation.
Elena is an outstanding tour guide—knowledgeable, engaging, and full of passion for the places she shows. She took me to fascinating spots I wouldn’t have discovered on my own, sharing interesting stories that brought everything to life. Highly recommend this tour for anyone looking to explore with a local expert!
Thank you for your interest in this subject of history. Kind regards, Elena
Fantastic time! My first morning in Romania I spent 3 hours walking with Elena, learning her nation’s history. We walked, took the subway & a public bus, seeing different parts of this great city, and learning its history along the way. By the time we parted ways, I had developed feelings for the this country. Its contemporary story felt real. My respect for its people grew. Walking and talking with a well versed guide like Elena was a gift. Feet on the ground was, for me, a step up from a ride-by experience. Thank you!!!
Thank you! Elena
It‘s a tour where you also visit some places outside of the city center, I really enjoyed it, learned a lot about comunism and the revolution of 89
Thank you. Kind regards. Elena
This was a great tour! I learned a lot about the 1989 revolution which added a lot of context to my time in Bucharest. I highly recommend this tour.
Thank you for your interest in this part of history relevant to the present. And thank you for taking the time to write your review. Best wishes, Elena
Elena is an absolutely amazing guide. She personalized our tour to my research interests and I highly recommend booking with her for your time in Bucharest. She even added an extra couple of stops based off our conversations and sent an email with information to follow up on a few of the (many!) questions I had. She is incredibly knowledgeable, kind, and intentional. I can not recommend her enough! Thank you for such a wonderful time Elena!
Thank you for your kind words. Happy to go overtime whenever I can and have an interested traveler as you. Kind regards, Elena
