Sofia Communist Tour

Includes

Private Transfer to Sofia’s surroundings
Licensed tour guide 

Excludes

Food and drinks
Tips and gratuities: Although not mandatory, tipping is customary and greatly appreciated for excellent service. We recommend leaving a gratuity as a token of appreciation for your guide’s knowledge and hospitality.
Entrance fees: The cost of entrance tickets to the Solviet Art museum and the Red flat will be calculated based on the number of people in your group. These fees will be payable on-site.
Personal expenses

Benefits

Flexible Meeting Time and Place, tailored to fit your schedule.
Private tour for a more personalized experience
Photo and Coffee Breaks at your leisure
Special Requests Welcome: Have a specific Communist landmark or a unique local spot in mind? Just let your guide know, and we’ll adjust the tour to include your preferences.
Family-Friendly: This tour is suitable for families. We can adapt the itinerary to accommodate travelers of all ages, with plenty of opportunities for rest stops, snacks, and photo opportunities.

Good to Know

Wear Comfortable Clothing and Footwear: Expect some walking as you explore Sofia’s Communist-era landmarks. Comfortable shoes and weather-appropriate clothing are recommended for a pleasant experience.
Working hours: The Soviet Art Museum is closed on Mondays
Weather Considerations: The tour runs year-round. Check the weather forecast before heading out—sunscreen and a hat are advisable in summer, while layers and a warm jacket are essential in colder months.
Stay Hydrated: Bring a bottle of water, especially in warmer months, to stay refreshed throughout the tour.
Tour Pace: You set the pace for the tour. Feel free to request breaks for coffee, snacks, or rest as needed. Your guide is happy to accommodate your needs.

Tour Itinerary

Start the communist tour of Sofia at the National Palace of Culture – the largest congress hall in the Balkans, which today still holds the annual congress of the Socialist Party.

Then continue to the outskirts of Sofia and the Museum of Soviet Art and learn about the life of the artist during the communist regime. The museum is divided into two distinct sections: an interior exhibition featuring Socialist realist artworks and propaganda from Bulgaria and other communist nations, and an outdoor sculpture park displaying statues from the Communist period scattered across the country.

Our Soviet Sofia tour continues with a visit to the Bell Park at the foot of Vitosha mountain, built in 1979 for all the children in the world with the support of the daughter of the leader Todor Zhivkov – Ljudmila Zhivkova.

Next, visit to the purpose-built “Druzhba” neighborhood. See residential blocks and learn about the ideology and logic of communist living.

Continue to the city center of Sofia and the government district. See the Communist Party’s former headquarters, the Presidency, and the old Central Representative Store for the communist elite. Learn about the life of communist leaders and functionaries.

Visit the site of a bombing by the communist party in 1925 at St Nedelya church and proceed to the final location of our walking part of the communist tour of Sofia – the Red Flat (a unique museum that offers an exceptional glimpse into everyday life during the Communist era. Through its thoughtfully curated exhibits, you’ll gain a compelling and educational perspective on this significant period in Bulgaria’s history.)

Learn about the influence and relations with the Soviet Union and the spreading of Soviet Propaganda into every aspect of Bulgarian life.

Info about Sofia

Since Bulgaria acceded to the EU, its capital Sofia has further soared in prominence, with EU institutions branches and easy access, without border formalities, from any part of the European Union countries. Being the capital of an EU member country is just one of the attractive features of Sofia. It is famed for its rich and centuries-long past, as a thriving center in the borders of the Roman empire, and during all subsequent periods, as trade and tourist routes enabled more and more travelers to get to know and appreciate it.

For all kinds of tourism, there is a wealth of spots and activities awaiting visitors. Sports facilities abound as there are a host of sports clubs. Football is the most avidly watched and practiced sport, and volleyball is the second most popular one. Mountain hiking tracks entice in the surrounding mountains. Historical monuments include internationally renowned sites.

More for you

If you are interested in communism history check out our Day trip to Buzludzha Monument – the most bizarre monument in Europe that ranks 10^th on the list of Most Beautiful Abandoned Places.

Other tours of Sofia we provide:

• Sofia walking tour
• Half-day tour of Sofia and Boyana church