Soviet Times in Vilnius - Private Walking Tour with Lunch

5.0 (4 reviews) 3 hours Free cancellation Private tour

out of 5

4 reviews

5.0

Soviet Times in Vilnius - Private Walking Tour with Lunch — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

Soviet Times in Vilnius - Private Walking Tour with Lunch, photo 2 — Photos: the activity supplier, via Viator

About this activity

As it is a private tour you will get personal attention from a local expert guide.

Discover history of the city and whole country along with personal stories of the life behind Iron Curtain while observing architecture and trying dishes from Soviet era in former Soviet style canteen (it will cost ~18 Eur/person to experience formerly cheap food/drink).

Find out why kitchens in Soviet blocks were limited to 9 square meters in size, why canned green peas and mayonnaise were top products at that time and why only civil registration of marriage could guarantee the happiness in your marriage, how taxi drivers created new wedding traditions, and why there was no sex in the Soviet Union!

Have 15 Eur on hands for a brunch in Soviet style canteen that will make you satiated and temporary happy.

Learn about many oddities, quirky rules, misleading propaganda, state lies and real deprivation.

Expect to get much more than from a regular join-in tour, get an unbiased advise and make a new friend.

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At a glance

Duration: 3 hours
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Your group only
People per booking: 1–6
Guide: English
Operated by: Private Baltics

Ages: Adults (16–99 years)

What is included

Included

Included: Public transportation ticket

Not included

Not included: Soviet style lunch
Not included: Ticket to KGB Museum

Itinerary

Town Hall (Rotuse)

15 min

Meet your Comrade guide on the steps into Vilnius Town Hall, next to the Tourism Information Office.

Hear the introduction into historical context of USSR creation, stages of planned economy according the eras of Communist party leaders Stalin, Khrushchev and Brezhnev.
Stop 2

15 min

Beginning our walking tour at the beginning of Vokiečių (Germans) street and finding out how this once main but still narrow street (9 m wide) of Vilnius Old Town as was widened 4 times to meet the criteria of avenues of Soviet ideology. Entering the biggest backyard of the street to discover more of Stalin’s Soviet ideology – why all nations and people are equal but some are more equal than others and Cold War bomb shelters for those “more equals”.
Stop 3

15 min

Rudininkai Square – Here you will get introduced to painful history of Ghettos, Holocaust and deportations to Siberia. Find out what targets Soviets have reached by systematically deporting and relocating whole nations.
Stop 4

10 min

Hear the story how Church was separated from the state and the belief in the Party substituted belief in God and how Lithuanians resisted this replacement and cancellation of Christmas celebration. Stay in constant “Wow!” listening about the culture of cues by grocery shops, lack of food and household products, reflected in the stories of personal experiences.
Stop 5

Passing by

While passing St. Stephen’s street observe the buildings and discover the principles of Soviet communal housing – its peculiarities and “culture”, decades-long cues to get the tiny apartment from the state and how we have raised our children and grandchildren while waiting.
Stop 6

45 min

Lunch in Soviet-style café-canteen – now, Comrades, let’s have a lunch and experience Soviet service. Hear the stories of food chain in USSR.

P.S. Food is edible and goes better with shot of vodka or pint of beer (in fact Soviet era dishes are quite delicious :)
Stop 7

15 min

The Hook (former Palace of Railway Workers)

Get hooked on the absurdities of Soviet regime - various “palaces”/public spaces where Homo Sovieticus had to spend his/her leisure time participating in various workshops and classes, watching Soviet movies and attending propaganda-filled meetings.
Loftas

Passing by

We will continue strolling on Kaunas street, observing Soviet architecture and approaching industrial district where factories were producing mix of civil/military products.

We unveil to you some secrets and classified facts.
Stop 9

Passing by

Trolley bus ride – unforgettable experience first time in the life for many of you.
Stop 10

15 min

Palace of Marriages – another “palace” with its odd traditions and purpose to lead you not to the happiness but to regulated family life – for many - pure survival in order to advance in the cue for state housing. Find out why there was no sex in USSR.
Tauras Hill

15 min

Enjoy mesmerizing panoramic views to the City from Taurus Hill and discover another “palace” – The Palace of Unions, hear the stories about purpose and function of unions in Soviet Union. Observe the KGB eavesdrop free pub, KGB eavesdrop full hotel, TV Tower, Parliament. Find out more about Perestroika and Lithuania’s Way of Freedom, Singing Revolution and Declaration of Independence.
Museum of Occupations and Freedom Struggles

10 min Admission not included

We conclude our tour by this gloomy building with the darkest history and let you go to spend time on your own in one of most visited museums in Lithuania.

Farewell Friends!