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Bucharest Under Communism: Life, Terror & Hope

70 Reviews 4.96 out of 5 stars Based on 70 reviews collected by City Boat Tours and TripAdvisor | Recommended by 100% of reviewers |
Badge of Excellence |Badge of Excellence This experience is highly rated by travelers and has met our top quality standards.
Bucharest, Romania

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3 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
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Instant confirmation

Overview

Three decades have passed since the demise of communism. In spite of the tremendous growth Romania has experienced ever since, the remnants of this regime are still noticeable. That is why most aspects of everyday life were transformed by communism: from the political class to public health care to the urban architecture.
Find out the many shocking tales of what life was like under communism. Furthermore learn about the brutality with which this system was enforced in Romania. Get insight into the dictator Ceausescu’s fascinating life story, from his childhood to his execution.Lastly, understand the difficult transition from socialism to democracy that Romania experienced.
This is an immersive half-day tour around Bucharest that will take you to some of the main communist sights.

What's Included

  • Snacks Snacks popular in the Communist era
  • Tourist map of Bucharest
  • Local professional guide

    Meeting Location

    Meeting point

    Piaţa Sfântul Anton
    București 030167, Romania

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    Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.

    End point

    Piața Revoluției
    București, Romania

    The last stop on the tour is in the Revolution Square where the protests that brought the end of Communism happened in 1989. This square is 5 minutes away from the Old Town.

    What To Expect

    Piaka Unirii

    Located in the middle of the city, Unirii Square was designed during the last phase of Communism in Romania. Spectacular thanks to its splendid fountains, it also is crossed by the biggest avenue in Bucharest: the former Victory of Socialism Boulevard . Standing here and taking a stroll on the boulevard will reveal the megalomaniac vision that the Romanian dictator had in store for Bucharest.
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    30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

    Palace of Parliament

    The Palace of the Parliament is the second largest building in the world after the Pentagon and the most expensive administrative building. For this, vast amounts of money, materials and work effort were needed. What is more, this structure was made by subjecting the Romanian people to shortages of all kinds during the 1980's. You will hear the whole story of how this enormous building was made, what the locals think about it while having viewing it from different angles. Standing across the palace is the Academia Romana building, a large scale construction in a similar style. It was intended for the use of the dictator’s wife, Elena Ceausescu. However, like several other buildings from the 1980s, it was only half finished. Nowadays, a large section of it is left in ruins as a sore reminder of the dictator’s megalomaniac vision of Bucharest
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    1 hour • Admission Ticket Free

    Mihai Voda Monastery

    You find out how some churches were destroyed while others were saved in a shocking way during the Communist period. Churches hidden behind the utilitarian buildings are a curious sight that depict how the Communist Party dealt with religion. The Mihai Voda Churchh is a religious place from the Middle Ages which fortunately survived the demolition frenzy and is a testimony of how Bucharest looked before.
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    30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

    Piaka Revolukiei

    The Revolution Square is where the communist regime began and where it all ended with the people’s protests during the Revolution of 1989. You will see the building that housed Ceausescu's office, the balcony where the dictator had his last speech and the places that saw the first mass demonstration in Bucharest. Here you will understand what happened to those who demonstrated against totalitarianism, the story behind the monument dedicated to them and what happened in the aftermath of the Revolution.
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    1 hour • Admission Ticket Free

    University's Square

    The spot where the main protests against communism took place in 1989, with hundreds being massacred for their belief in a free society.
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    30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

    Show 3 more stops

    Additional Info

    • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
    • Service animals allowed
    • Public transportation options are available nearby
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
    • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
    • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers

    Frequently Asked Questions

    (7)

    Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Bucharest Under Communism: Life, Terror & Hope?

    A: You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund. For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (EEST). Read more Apr 2025

    Cancellation Policy

    You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

    Still have questions?

    We're here to help.
    Activity code: C-123044P4

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    Reviews

    4.96
    70 reviews

    Average 4.96 out of 5 stars based on 70 traveler reviews collected by City Boat Tours and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor

    5 stars
    67
    4 stars
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    3 stars
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    What's Included

    American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

    American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

    • SnacksSnacks popular in the Communist era
    • Tourist map of Bucharest
    • Local professional guide

    Additional Info

    American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

    American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

    • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
    • Service animals allowed
    • Public transportation options are available nearby
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
    • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
    • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers

    Report Product Issue

    American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

    American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

    Free Cancellation

    American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

    American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

    100% refund
    No refund

    You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

    • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
    • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
    • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
    • Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (EEST).
    • This tour requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

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    American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

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