Communist Walking Tour of Sofia

Highlights

Explore with a guide to see famous sights plus easy-to-miss places
See the National Palace of Culture and secret police headquarters
Hear about daily life during 1946-1989 from direct anecdotes
Gain insight into communist dogma not provided on standard city tours

Summary

Meet your guide in central Sofia and set off on foot to learn about the 45 years Bulgaria spent as a Soviet state. Your guide presents the facts and talks through the theories behind communism and the ideologies of Marxism and Leninism. Pass some of Sofia’s key attractions from other eras en route, and stop to view communist-era landmarks including the former Bulgarian Communist Party headquarters, the Secret Police Investigation Facility, and the destroyed Georgi Dimitrov Mausoleum. Plus, see the Soviet Army Monument and National Palace of Culture as you hear the history of each. While you walk, hear fascinating anecdotes about life under communist rule, discovering the pros and many cons of the system, and the relation between the government, religion, and people’s ordinary daily lives. Your tour concludes at a central point in Sofia.

Tour info

Duration

3 hours

Why take this tour?

Sofia is filled with famous monuments from Bulgaria’s communist era, but there are also many secluded places that are easy to miss on your own. Ensure you see the recognizable and hidden sights, and learn about their backstories on this walking tour. Exploring by foot grants you access to place inaccessible by traditional tour vehicles. Plus, discover the realities of daily life under Bulgaria’s 1946-1989 government from a guide—insight you wouldn’t get if sightseeing independently.

What’s included?

Local guide
Professional guide
Gratuities

Things to know

Before you book

Duration: 3h 30m
Mobile tickets accepted
Instant confirmation

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.

Operator Website

Operated by:

365 Association Sofia Tours

About operator:

"Free Sofia Tour” - The daily Sofia free English language sightseeing walking tours around the main landmarks in the city - Every day at 11am & 6pm! Free Tours in Spanish - every Sat & Sun at 11am. Sofia Communist Tour - every Thu, Sat & Sun at 4pm. All tours start in front of the Palace of Justice in Sofia. All other tours (Sofia Culture Tour, Sofia Jewish Tour, Sofia Alternative Tour, etc) are currently offered on demand. We'll expand our schedule as soon as international travel resumes. Our tours run 365 days a year (incl weekends, national holidays, Christmas, Easter, etc). No reservation or booking in advance is needed. Just show up! If you are an organized group of ten people (10+), need flexibility, or just feel like having a custom-made tour in Sofia, please contact us at least 24 hrs in advance to get information on our private tours policy.