Bucharest under communism tour: private city tour and Ceausescu mansion interior
Discover the legacy of communism: a deep dive into Romania’s past
Are you curious about Ceausescu, the infamous leader of Romania’s communist regime? Do you want to uncover the truth about "the instrument of terror" – The Securitate? Are you interested in
learning how people lived under oppression and shortages? Join us on a profound journey to explore what the communist regime meant for Romania and its people.
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Tour highlights
✔ Palace of the Parliament (People's Palace)
Begin your exploration with an outside visit to the Palace of the Parliament, a testament to Ceausescu’s megalomania. As the world’s second-largest administrative building (after the Pentagon),
this colossal structure symbolizes the excesses of the communist regime. Discover the story behind this monumental building, which Ceausescu never lived to see completed, and learn about its significance in Romania’s history.
✔ Spring Palace
Visit the private residence of Ceausescu and his family, known as Primaverii Palace. Recently opened to the public, this opulent house offers a rare glimpse into the luxurious lifestyle of the communist dictator.
Explore the extravagant interiors that reflect the stark contrast between Ceausescu’s lavish living conditions and the everyday struggles of ordinary Romanians.
✔ University Square and Revolution Square
Delve into the heart of the Romanian Revolution at University Square and Revolution Square. These historic sites mark the turning points of the 1989 uprising that led to the fall of communism. Stand in the very
place where the regime was overthrown and experience the atmosphere of the revolutionary moment.
✔ Communist Party headquarters and Ceausescu’s last speech balcony
Explore the Communist Party Headquarters and see the balcony where Ceausescu delivered his final, infamous speech before his downfall. This site provides insight into the dramatic events that led to the end of the communist era.
✔ State security headquarters
Visit the notorious headquarters of the Securitate, the state security agency responsible for surveillance, forced confessions, torture, and executions during the communist regime. Gain an understanding of the fear
and repression that characterized this dark period in Romania’s history.
✔ Historical context and video clips
Throughout the tour, watch video clips from the revolutionary days (December 21-23, 1989) and hear about the courage of those who fought for freedom, the terror inflicted by the regime, and the hope for a brighter
future. Our guide will provide in-depth commentary on the challenges faced by Romanians during this turbulent time and the resilience that led to the birth of democracy.
Why choose this tour?
• In-depth historical insight: gain a comprehensive understanding of Romania’s communist past, including key events and figures that shaped the era.
• Exclusive access: explore significant sites related to Ceausescu’s regime and the 1989 Revolution, offering a rare glimpse into Romania’s recent history.
• Emotional and educational experience: reflect on the courage of individuals who resisted oppression and the impact of these events on the country's journey toward democracy.
• Personalized experience: benefit from an engaging, guided tour that provides context, historical detail, and personal stories, making the past come alive.
Book your tour today and embark on a journey through Romania’s turbulent past, gaining a deeper understanding of the communist regime’s impact and the triumph of the human spirit.
Duration:
/ daily & flexible starting time, agreed with the traveler
Prices for a private tour:
1 person: euro per person
2 persons: euro per person
3-8 persons: euro per person
What's included:
English speaking professional guide
Private transportation with air-conditioned car / minibus
Pick-up & drop off from your hotel in Bucharest
What's excluded:
Entrance fee to dictator’s mansion “Spring Palace”
Client reviews: Bucharest Private Tours
Bucharest by foot walking tour
Georgiana from UK: Would highly recommend this experience! Toni Tatar is super knowledgeable, really nice and passionate about touring, as well as accommodating to our questions and interests I.e. we asked him to incorporate more
details about communism in the tour, which he gladly did and adapted the route as well to this request. Also we got lots of other recommendations from him regarding other spots of interest in Bucharest (including restaurants for
example) as well as for the rest of our trip within Romania. Really enjoyed it and would recommend it further for sure!
Alexander from Serbia: It was very Informative. The guide is friendly and precise. I recommend it for anyone. You should definitely try it when you come to Bucharest.
Jeroen from the Netherlands: „Great way to get to know Bucharest! hat a great way of walking through Bucharest. Manuela knows so many facts about the city and she takes the time to show them to you. We had a tour as a
couple and she answered all if our questions. Tips for restaurants, places to visit and shops to go to, she knows it all. We highly recommend this tour to all people who visit Bucharest and want an honest opinion about the city and his residents.”
Sarah from UK: „A fabulous experience. Manuela presented the tour in a really friendly and informative manner. We learnt so much from her about Bucharest and it's history. She was also incredibly thoughtful taking care of
my 83 year old father in the tour, incorporating small rest stops when needed and even joined us for a cup of tea. I would really recommend this tour as it leaves you feeling more connected to the city and it's wonderful culture.
Thank you so much.”
Panoramic Tour of Bucharest
Jonathan from USA: Toni Tatar was a great tour guide! We went to all the amazing spots in Bucharest. Toni had so much knowledge about the whole town. He even hung out with us after the tour in old town Bucharest.
Maria from Cyprus: Superb!! Very well known guidance. TONI Tatar is a very educated and friendly guide. We saw many important landmarks and learned a lot. I truly recommend it. You will not regret it!
Pat from USA: „The tour is designed specifically for your needs. The pick up time was adjusted when my flight was delayed and I was able to indicate my special interests. The guides humored me and let me have a drink in a
hookah bar because it was something I wanted to do.
When I showed interest in a topic they were very knowledgeable and expanded on it.”
Lou from Australia: „I took this driving tour with Toni Tatar to get an over-view of Bucharest. Toni has very good knowledge, is easy to communicate with in English and is very helpful. The tour was made very easy, pleasant and
informative. I would recommend this tour.”
The Fall of the Communism Tour
Linda D. from UK: „Myself and friend stayed at the Rembrandt hotel, were Toni Tatar very kindly organised two private tours one was a combined city tour with the Communist and the other to Bran castle, Pele's and Brasov,
both were excellent, got to see and do everything we wanted, was tailored to our needs and lovely personal service from both Toni and Marius. Would highly recommend this company.”
Carmen S. from Australia: „We had no idea what to expect, but what we got was one of the highlights of the trip. Picture a vicious megalomaniac with access to unlimited budget. Add a wife who was worse than he was. Then
follow their demise by starting at the place where he gave his final speech. Toni Tatar, our guide, brought a taping of the event and so standing where the protesters were made us feel like we were there. Next we saw their Spring
Palace, with a tour of the tackiest 50 room mansion, which was where they lived. Finally, we went to the second largest building in the world, which they were building to replace the mansion for some $8 billion: eight stories above ground,
six below of Stalinesque. It was so large, we couldn't get the entire building in our picture. Seeing the 1800 chandeliers (actually you only can see a fraction of them) the ballroom, their studies the size of basketball stadiums, and the
auditorium for operas and speeches, gave you enough of a taste for what was planned. Toni had arranged it, took us to the locations, and gave us a background so we could understand what happened. He also helped us get to and from the airport
and buy train tickets. We were impressed with his concern for the safety and well being of his clients. We give kudos to him and urge others to contact him if you want a top notch experience for a reasonable price.”
Relax & Wellness at Therme Spa Bucharest
Avengers74 from Naples: „A paradise! Fabulous place to spend a whole day in total relaxation away from the urban chaos. The outdoor swimming pool is beautiful, especially in winter because you could immerse yourself in
the hot water surrounded by snow. The restaurant service is also excellent, good food at a good price. Too bad that with children under 16 you cannot access all areas.”
