top of page

Soviet Stories of Vilnius

Duration

Departure Time

3 hours

You choose

Activity Type

Activity theme

Walking

History, Personal stories, Tasting

average rating is 4.8 out of 5

From:

€170
This tour is priced for minimum of 2 guests. Any other guest + 35 €

Tour Snapshot

From a local expert find out what life was like in Vilnius and whole Lithuania during the Soviet occupation.
Learn the meaning of the Soviet-era saying, “It is better to have 100 friends than 100 rubles.”
Find out why it’s said that there was no sex during Soviet times.
Enjoy a Soviet-style lunch in a typical Soviet-time cafe.
Get introduced to important Soviet-era sites like the wedding palace, the former KGB headquarters and other buildings.
Listen to sad, funny and even absurd stories of the weird reality that was the era of the Cold War.

Unforgettable Experience

Life Behind the Iron Curtain

Get a look at life behind the Iron Curtain on this Vilnius time traveling tour that digs deep into the city’s Soviet past. Learn about ‘Homo Sovieticus’ and all the incredible and funny stories that shouldn’t be forgotten. Visit a local market, taste Soviet-era dishes, see the Soviet blocks that still stand, find out what life was like for the “happiest people in the world,” why there was no sex in USSR and learn why the entire Soviet empire collapsed.

Full Itinerary

Exploring the Soviet past in Vilnius means diving into its quirks and absurdities, the funny and sad stories, and the harsh realities about life in ‘the best country in the world.’ On this Vilnius tour, you’ll learn about Stalin’s horrors, as well as the struggles, resistance, and drive for freedom that destroyed the Soviet empire.

For 50 years, Lithuania was a Soviet republic and this period left many visible marks. This is a country where partisan war lasted for nine years, where almost every family has someone who perished in Gulags, where unarmed people protected their country from Soviet tanks, and where the collapse of the Soviet Union began.

We’ll meet for our Vilnius walking tour at the Town Hall, then walk toward the Jewish quarter and visit the local market, where not many things have changed, except the prices. Here we will try a Lithuanian specialty: salted and smoked bacon and “black bread,” which helped people to survive through both good and bad times. Then we’ll walk toward the former railway workers’ union house — a unique place that’s now converted into a nightclub and skating park, and decorated with modern art. You’ll learn why workers needed a palace and why some factories had no address, only a mailbox.

Next, we’ll head to the Soviet block apartment district. We’ll talk about what life was like in those apartments and what it felt like to be a citizen during that era. What was it like to live in the “best country in the world”? We’ll discuss all the details and rituals of daily life, like what locals ate for breakfast, and find out why good friends were more important than money. Your guide will even throw in a few jokes from Soviet times — the same jokes that used to once risk sending you to prison.

Next up on this Vilnius tour, it’s time to explore cuisine à la Soviet! Find out why kitchens in Soviet blocks were limited to nine square meters in size, and why canned green peas and mayonnaise were top products at that time. We’ll then pop into a Soviet-inspired restaurant to taste very special ‘delicacies’ from Soviet times. Don’t be afraid — they’re actually surprisingly tasty! We’re talking about deep-fried pastry with minced meat and onion filling, which would only be prepared for special occasions. We’ll also try some Lithuanian soup because Lithuanians can’t imagine lunch without it! And a glass of beer too, of course.

We’ll then do as the locals do and hop aboard public transit to the wedding palace, where we’ll tell you all about wedding traditions from Soviet times. Find out why only civil registration could guarantee the happiness of your marriage, how taxi drivers created new wedding traditions, and why there was no sex in the Soviet Union! We’ll also walk to a trade unions’ palace, built on a cemetery, where there are other Soviet secrets to share. We’ll hear about the importance of connections and the meaning of a Soviet saying, “It is better to have 100 friends than 100 rubles.”

From here, we’ll take in the sweeping view — including spying the legendary TV tower and the most popular pub in Soviet Lithuania. It is said that beer flew through the pipes here directly from the brewery, and people could talk freely here, as it was too noisy for the KGB to spy on them.

Our final stop will be where the Soviet era both started and ended: the former KGB headquarters, now a famous museum. It used to be said that one could see Siberia from there. Across the street, there used to be the biggest monument to Lenin in Lithuania — and here you will find out what happened to him when the Soviet era ended.

Additional information
Inclusions: Local English-speaking guide, food tasting and snack, glass of beer.

Exclusions: Additional food and drinks (beer, mead, wine, and kvass are available), entrance to the KGB museum (EUR 4 per person), public transport ticket (EUR 1 per person), tips/gratuities for your guide.

Confirmation of booking: If you have received your voucher, your booking is confirmed. We’ll see you at the start point. Get in touch if you have any concerns or require more information via the email address or phone number (business hours only) on your voucher.

Local contact
P: +370 616 20002 or +370 616 20007
E: info@privatebaltics.com

Schedule Details

Meeting point: by the steps into Vilnius City Hall.
Suggested starting time: 2.00 PM
Ending point: Gedimino Avenue, Lukiškių Square, next to the KGB Museum.

Customer Reviews

Post a Review
Rate UsDon’t love itNot greatGoodGreatLove itRate Us
Submit Review
ALL FIELDS ARE REQUIRED
bottom of page
Book Now