In the morning, the tour guide will collect guests from their hotel or a specified location in Bucharest. The day begins with a visit to several metro stations constructed during the Communist era, offering insights into the architectural style of that time and the vision Nicolae Ceausescu had for Bucharest.

Before exploring the Palace of the Parliament, the tour will venture into a local neighborhood designed for the working class, providing a glimpse into the everyday lives of people under the regime. The Palace of the Parliament, one of the largest buildings globally, is often seen as the pinnacle of Ceausescu’s dictatorship. Also referred to as the House of the People, this impressive structure was part of “Project Bucharest,” inspired by Ceausescu’s 1971 visit to Pyongyang, North Korea, which motivated him to transform Bucharest into a city befitting a dictator.

The final stop is the Ceausescu Residential Palace, also known as the Palace of Spring (Palatul Primăverii), where the Ceausescu family resided for most of their lives. Constructed between 1964 and 1965 in a Neo-Classical/Neo-Late Renaissance style, the palace features opulent furnishings. After the end of Ceausescu’s regime, it served as a VIP residence for official delegations and foreign presidents until it was converted into a museum in 2016.

Points of Interest

• Palace of Parliament

• Ceausescu Mansion

• Private transportation
• Entrance fees for the Palace of the Parliament and Ceausescu Residence
• Hotel pick-up and drop off
• Professional English-speaking guide

• Photography fee for the Palace of the Parliament
• Lunch (approx. €13/person)
• Personal expenses

During the communist era, which fanatics referred to as the Golden Era, Bucharest underwent drastic changes. These included the demolition of buildings within a 6 square kilometer (4 miles) area in the city’s core, the removal of statues representing Romanian royalty, and the erasure of their engraved images from the Arch of Triomphe.

Even though Nicolae Ceausescu, one of the last European dictators, was stripped of his power over three decades ago, the influence of the communist regime can still be distinctly seen throughout the Eastern Bloc and particularly in Bucharest.

You can get a glimpse of the impact of the Communist era on Romania by going on a historic tour of Bucharest. The tour takes you to mass transit stops and residential buildings from that time, providing insight into the daily lives of those who lived under Ceausescu’s rule. Included in the tour are visits to significant landmarks like the Parliament Palace and Ceausescu’s Residential Palace.

• Minimum age is 12 years
• May be operated by a multi-lingual guide
• Children must be accompanied by an adult
• Reservations for the Bucharest tour are made at least 48 hours in advance
• Pick-up point: in front of your hotel
• Departure: 10:00 AM

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