• Ateneul Roman - Bucharest, a city once called the Little Paris, a city that could have been much more if not for the communist era.

You will easily see this for yourself during this private walking tour, a tour marked by strong visual contrasts. You will visit two areas that perfectly reflect these contrasts: the beautifully restored Old Town with its Belle Époque perfume and the former Communist Civic Center. The tour is more than a visual experience, it’s a story that takes you through 45 years of communism, allowing you to see beyond the city’s colorful present.

The tour starts in front of the Romanian Athenaeum, a symbol of old Bucharest prior to the communist era. Here, you will learn about the tragic and brutal installment of communism (end of WW2), about Stalin and the enslavement of Eastern Europe, the genocide of the KGB’s Secret Police, the Siberian deportation of farmers who refused to “donate” their lands to the state, the eradication of culture, private property and free press.

• Revolution Square - Our 2nd major stop is at Revolution Square - the place where Ceausescu, the last European dictator, gave his last speech. Here you’ll learn more about that drastic changes Romania went through after being occupied by the soviets, about the country’s first communist leader and also about the first part of Ceausescu’s reign.
• University’s Square - The 3nd major stop is at University Square where most of the bloody events of the 1989 revolution took place. In this third chapter, you will learn about the second part of Ceausescu’s reign, specifically the time when he lost control and started doing regrettable things that ultimately lead to people rebelling against him. You’ll also learn about the revolution itself and its dual nature: the people’s protest against Ceausescu but also the machinations happening in the background.
• Old Town - Our 4th chapter is a stop in the restored Old Town, a much smaller area than it used to be before communism. You’ll be charmed by the gorgeous architecture of old palaces, Byzantine churches, bohemian cafes or 19th century houses. However, all of these historical treasures had to be rebuilt or restored to hide the marks of bullets and scars that have not yet healed even though almost three decades have passed since the fall of communism.
• Constitution Square - The 5th and last major stop is at the very heart of the former Communist Civic Center, in front of Constitution Square. Yes, we’re talking about the Palace of Parliament, the world’s second largest building after the Pentagon. The dark story behind it will fascinate it you, but this is not a time for spoilers. Just as a few facts, know that it has 7 floors underground, atomic bunkers and a network of roads beneath everything. After we see the Palace exterior, the tour ends and the guide can drop you off at the hotel or in the Old Town for lunch. If instead you wish to visit the palace interior, you can do so on your own (they have guides inside). Just make sure to let us know beforehand so that we can make a reservation for you.

• Private Walking Tour
• Professional Licensed Tour Guide
• Free Hotel pickup and drop-off

• Refreshments

Discover Bucharest and the remnants of the Communist Era: imposing buildings and lingering wounds. Travel back in time with a private walking tour of Bucharest, exploring 45 years of Communism and seeing beyond the city’s vibrant present. Witness the stark contrasts between the beautifully restored Old Town, with its 19th-century Belle Époque charm, and the vast, grey former Communist Civic Center.

During the tour, you’ll pass by landmarks such as the Romanian Athenaeum, Revolution Square, University Square, and Old Town. The tour culminates in front of the Palace of Parliament, the world’s second-largest building after the Pentagon. To enhance your experience, we’ll bring along old photographs: see how the streets once looked, how people dressed, worked, and lived. What was life like behind Stalin’s “Iron Curtain”? It wasn’t black or white. Nor grey. Just red. Soviet red…

• A moderate amount of walking is involved, up to 3 Km in total (less than 2 miles)
• Slow paced walking tour with several stops for photos, rest or refreshments

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.