Communist Walking Tour of Sofia: Discover Life on the Eastern Side of the Iron Curtain
4.9
478 Ratings
Sofia

Experience what life was like behind the Iron Curtain by participating in our Communist tour. This comprehensive tour, lasting approximately 3-3.5 hours, covers a 45-year epoch, including the events that shaped it and its repercussions. Our main objective is to provide an unbiased, enlightening portrayal of this contentious era in history.

Duration: 3 hours, 30 minutes
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Sofia Court House - The first stop of the Sofia Communist Tour.
  • 365 Association Sofia Tours - The Palace of Justice in Sofia is the starting point of the Sofia Communist Tour.
  • Ancient Orthodox Church Saint Parascheva - the Old “St. Petka” - A hidden church. Religion during the Communist period.
  • The Presidency Building - The arrival of the Soviet Army in Bulgaria.
  • Former Bulgarian Communist Party Headquarters - The Largo Complex in the heart of Sofia. Story of the Red Star and Statue of Lenin.
  • City Garden - The story of the Mausoleum
  • National Art Gallery - The building of the Former Royal Palace during the early communist days.
  • Soviet Army Monument - Sofia’s most controversial monument and graffiti art. Early uprisings against the communist regime.
  • National Palace of Culture (NDK) - Sofia’s biggest communist landmark and a famous cultural hub.
  • Berlin Wall - Final stop of the tour. The story of how it all ended.
What's Included
  • Local guide
  • Professional guide
What's Not Included
  • Gratuities
Additional Information
  • Children must be accompanied by an adult
Location
Sofia City Court
bulevard "Vitosha"
Outside the Palace of Justice, at the corner of Vistosha Boulevard and Alabin Street
Cancellation Policy

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

Customer Ratings
4.9
(478 Ratings)
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Alini_c
Mar 24, 2024
Dino is an amazing guide, tour is 100% worth it - Our guide, Dino, was energetic, enthusiastic and very knowledgeable. He was able to manage a mid size group on a 3 hour tour which involved a fair amount of walking which he paced carefully to accommodate everyone from a 5 year old child to several retirees and everything in between. The tour moves chronologically which is the easiest way to absorb information, helping us understand the rise, fall and transition of Bulgarian communism. Included are lots of interesting facts, figures, monuments and pictures of what they looked like in communist times. We don’t need to hold on to the past but if we don’t know where we’ve been, we won’t know where we’re going. This tour is not pro or against communism, it lays out the facts and presents both perspectives. A fun day. Well worth the time and money. I took the tour in English and Dino’s English was flawless so no issues there. Commendably, he was also able to provide the POV of his friends and family of their experiences with the communist party.
Review provided by Viator
Michele_b
Mar 19, 2024
A great tour a must do - Our guide Nicolas was very knowledgeable and welcoming . We learnt a lot of the communist history. Very educational made for all . Being an evening walk the monuments where all lite up. We would recommend this to friends.
Review provided by Viator
Myronk178
Mar 18, 2024
Nic tour - Nice tour with a mixture Sofia topics centered around the theme of Comunist history. Nice tour with a mix of history and culture.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Danirihuete
Mar 17, 2024
Great experience to know Sofia quickly - It was very interesting and our guide (Georgi) provided us with all the necessary info to a good understanding of the city history
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sumanth_n
Mar 10, 2024
Highly recommended walking tour in Sofia. - Was one of the best decisions to do this tour as it was freshly insightful and objective about too know story of communism in Blugaria and the history of it. Vasco was a really amazing guide who made the walking tour insightful with stories and explanations at all time keeping the tour emgaging with the audience. Highly recommend to anyone interested about history of communism in Bulgaria.
Review provided by Viator
Pip2246
Mar 9, 2024
3 hours went by in a flash - This has to be one of the best walking tours I have been on. Nikola was amazing, witty informative and clearly has a passion for the subject. Good sized group not too big and learnt so much about Bulgaria that I never would have known otherwise. These things always come down to the guide and he was so engaging, thanks for a great afternoon
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Cel
Mar 4, 2024
A Walking Tour Not To Be Missed - Nikola the guide was super knowledgeable. He made the tour very interesting and easy to understand. Whilst we met a couple of passer-bys who were naysayers of the tour (harmless random raising of voices ), Nikolai provided us the heads up right from the get-go so it was fine. Was truly a priceless experience and would highly recommend it to visitors visiting Sofia!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Elmer_p
Mar 3, 2024
Excellent tour - It was a delightful experience having Nikola be our guide. As a retired Physician I can state that this young nan has ab astounding knowledge of Bulgarian history. He was charismatic and a great facilitator of his knowledge. All of of us gave him an outstanding ovation at the end of the tour.
Review provided by Viator
Madiancgn
Mar 2, 2024
Interesting tour with a great guide - It was a very interesting tour. Vasco our guide was extremely knowledgeable and had lots to say about every place we visited during the walk. We learned so many thinks you can not read anywhere.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Wilf
Feb 27, 2024
Perspective and insights into recent history - In depth tour of the recent history of socialist Bulgaria from the ww2 to the fall of the regime. Vasco took his time, was very knowledgeable and keen to engage in discussions. I really enjoyed the three hours. Only for the committed
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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up to 15 guests
1 Adult
May 2024
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