Communist Budapest: Life and Politics in the Soviet Block

Today, Budapest enjoys a lot of the same luxuries of most modern cities in Europe; however, remnants and relics of communism are still heavily dispersed around the city, offering up a unique and eye-opening perspective of life under a communist regime.

From Stalin’s rise and fall to the Hungarian revolution of 1956 to Kadar’s soft dictatorship, this tour escorts you through the city to uncover these critical events in the city’s history, visiting important sites such as Bambi Eszpresszó, Bem Jószef Square, Freedom Square, the former People’s Stadium and outside the House of Terror.

During your tour, you’ll gain in-depth knowledge of the day-to-day life of the Hungarian people while standing in the same spot as revolutionaries and protestors that helped change the face of the country.

Discover the meaning of “goulash communism”, and find out why Hungary was once called, “the happiest barrack on the Soviet bloc”. Through old photos, your guide will show you the stark contrast between the city’s current-day topography and what it once looked like under communist regime.