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

Step back in time and explore life on the eastern side of the Iron Curtain with our Communist Walking Tour of Sofia. Discover the factors that led to this controversial period and its lasting impact on the city. Join us for an objective and informative journey through history.

Duration: 3 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
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…
What's Included
  • Local guide
  • Professional guide
What's Not Included
  • Gratuities
Additional Information

Discover the experience of life on the eastern side of the Iron Curtain by participating in our Communist tour. This tour condenses a 45-year era into approximately 3 hours, covering the causes, consequences, and its impact on modern-day Bulgaria. The primary aim is to provide an objective and informative overview of this contentious period in Bulgarian…

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
(559 Ratings)
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Razvanc566
Feb 14, 2025
History, walking, having fun - The tour guide, Stefan, was really nice and funny, he engaged the discussion pretty well, all the history presented was interesting and we acknowledged a lot of Bulgarian communist era
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Joe_t
Feb 12, 2025
A Perfect Walking Tour - It was a very informative tour and guide. I thought 3 hours would be too much, especially in winter, but actually it wasn't. It was nicely balanced with stories, facts and politics. I highly recommend the tour.
Review provided by Viator
Rhackxzs
Jan 23, 2025
Worth joining 👌🏼 - Glad i joined this tour the last minute. I learned a LOT from Martin. From Bulagaria's history to his own family experieneces during the Communist era. We tackled different topics from the past, visited significant sites, and learned a lot from a historian!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Helen_m
Jan 18, 2025
Great tour - highly recommend - Great tour - informative - entertaining - Stefan was a knowledgable guide who brought to life the past under the communist regime
Review provided by Viator
Gordonwu7386tk
Jan 18, 2025
Excellent tour - Extremely engaging and knowledgeable guide. Very Informative and interesting tour despite the perishingly cold weather. Highly recommended for anyone who likes history (with amusing and surprising anecdotes). Thank you so much, Stefan.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
816mattstar
Jan 1, 2025
Must do experience! (so much fun!) - Vasil met us on a freezing new years eve 4pm walking tour & was fantastic! He was both personable with everyone in our group, handled the NYE music & events chaos with grace, & showed his expertise & passion at every stop. He welcomed questions, asked for our input to the tour plan, & we now understand so much about the capital, people & country. We had locals & nationals, Japanese, Germans, Chinese & Aussies in our group which made it a lot of fun. Vasil loves what he does as we learnt so much, got all perspectives & enjoyed ourselves. An amazing experience! 🙂
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Theodora_t
Dec 31, 2024
A Fantastic Communist Tour Experience - I had the opportunity to do the Communist tour for the second time, and I must say, it was even better than my first experience back in 2019! This time, the atmosphere was much more engaging, and Vasko, our guide, made the whole experience truly unforgettable. He was friendly, knowledgeable, and passionate, which made it easy to connect with the history of the time and enjoy the tour. The entire team had a blast, and we all appreciated how Vasko created such a welcoming and interactive environment. His ability to bring the past to life, combined with his great sense of humor and storytelling, made this tour an experience I won’t forget. If you’re considering taking this tour, I highly recommend it, especially with Vasko leading the way — you won’t be disappointed!
Review provided by Viator
Londoner5869
Dec 28, 2024
Fascinating Insight into Sofia’s Communist Past - This walking tour was an eye-opening experience and an absolute must for anyone interested in history. Sofia is full of monuments and landmarks from Bulgaria’s communist era, but this tour went far beyond the obvious sites. The guide took us to some hidden spots that I’d never have found on my own, and every location came with fascinating stories and insights that brought the history to life. What made this tour so special was the guide’s in-depth knowledge and passion for the subject. He shared not only the historical facts but also personal anecdotes and vivid descriptions of what daily life was like under Bulgaria’s communist government from his own family’s experiences and stories. It added a level of understanding you just can’t get by sightseeing on your own. Exploring on foot made the experience even better and you also get a tour of Sofia city centre. We ventured into areas that larger tours or vehicles can’t access, which gave us a more intimate view of the city. It felt like we were uncovering a side of Sofia that may be only available to locals. Whether you’re a history enthusiast or just curious about the era, this tour offers a fantastic balance of famous landmarks and hidden gems, all delivered with insight and care. I highly recommend it for anyone visiting Sofia!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Markellav2020
Dec 25, 2024
Professional work and unique experience on the basis of history - Undoubtedly, it was the strongest point of the journey. An incredible match of the tour for a story that is considered taboo and is not going to be told to you. Beyond the historical monuments, the amazing guide Stefan in impeccable English spoke to you objectively about the historical points of the time, the events, the symbolisms, the mausoleum that was torn down, the pros and cons, coming to the present and trying to guess a puzzle in the present. An amazing journey for a story that no one will ever tell you in Bulgaria. Three hours without the word fatigue. Of the best European I've ever seen. Well done, kids.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Robin
Jan 9, 2025
Walking tour - Vasco told enthusiastically and extensively, possibly answered all our questions. You walk through the city past all the places that were important during communist times
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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up to 15 guests
1 Adult
February 2025
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