The truest face of Communism

18 Reviews |

Recommended by 100% of reviewers

Badge of Excellence | Tirana, Albania

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4 to 5 hours (approx.)

Hotel pickup offered

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Overview

This tour will take you to the frightening communist regime in Albania, which consists of presenting you the lifestyle, the old dictator’s Enver Hoxha crimes, bunkers built to survive the dangers of a nuclear war which existed only in the leader’s imagination, the Historical Museum and lots more.

What's Included

Tea and coffee Coffee and/or Tea
Alcoholic beverages Have you heard of 'Rakia'?It's one of the most alchoolic beverages in the world and an old traditional drink here in our country. Be careful though, don't drink too much, it's stronger than you think.
All Fees and Taxes
Air-conditioned vehicle
Hotel pick up

Lunch

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Meeting and Pickup

Pickup point

Pickup details

We pick travelers at their chosen place of staying/hotel/hostel/a departure point in Tirana agreed before the trip.

Meeting point

Sheshi Skënderbej
Tiranë, Albania

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

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

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

What To Expect

Skanderbeg Square

The first thing we will explore is the main square of Tirana which is composed of the Et'hem Bey Mosque, the Clock Tower of Tirana, the National Theater of Opera and Ballet (in which the first brick was put by the ex. President of Soviet Union Nikita Khrushchev), the National Bank of Albania, one of the oldest hotels, iconic in Tirana, the Tirana International Hotel and more.

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Enver Hoxha Pyramid

One of the most famous buildings in Tirana, the Pyramid stands at the main boulevard as a sign of the communist non-sensical regime. It was first built as a museum dedicated to Hoxha, the leader of the Communist Party, First Secretary of the Party of Labor from ’44-’85 to his day of death and the head-architect of the communism crimes. The Enver Hoxha mausoleum was opened three years later, in ’88 and it was co-designed by Hoxha’s daughter. After the fall of Communism in Albania, it has served as a cultural center, as a National Television office, and has survived a project to be destroyed but still stands as a symbol of notorious communism and mostly as a touristic attraction.

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Postbllok - Checkpoint Monument

The ‘Postbllok’ is a Memorial to the Communist Isolation and deed and was built by the former regime dissident Fatos Lubonja and the artist Ardian Isufi. It consists of three main elements: a concrete defensive bunker (the dictatorship built thousands of them, one for each family, in case of a nuclear or world war), several concrete supports from the mine at the notorious Spaç labor camp where thousands of political prisoners suffered between 1968 and 1990 and a brightly painted section of the Berlin Wall from Postdamer Platz that once split Germany in two.

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Blloku

During our trip, we will pass at the notorious Block area, an area that used to serve as a living and leisure neighborhood only to the political communist bureau and that even maps used to miss. Nowadays it’s the heart of Tirana, full of fancy boutiques, colorful coffee shops, cocktails bars and pubs, and creative street-art. Here also lies the former villa of Hoxha, left untouched and unused (just like the pyramid), but still, as a sign of the luxurious life lived by the dictator. We can only see it from the outside since it’s not allowed to enter. We offer traditional food and rakija in a restaurant near the area and here we will make a shortstop.

50 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Bunk'Art 1

The museum is a new addition to the city of Tirana and it's filled with different rooms that would serve as shelters and rooms for the elite in case of an attack from the outer world...something that never happened. Nowadays the rooms are turned into museum rooms that contain fragments of the communist history of our country. It is almost 3000 m. square of underground rooms, corridors, and container rooms, spread over several floors The bunker was built in the '70 and remained a secret for much of its existence. It was designed to survive nuclear attacks, with walls made of double concrete and enough space to host more than 100 people. The labyrinthic style of the underground resort is exciting and the history will leave you speechless.

1 hour • Admission Ticket Included

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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

Frequently Asked Questions

(7)

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the The truest face of Communism?

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 (CEST). Read more Apr 2025