For half of the twentieth century Belgrade was the capital of socialist Yugoslavia, a country that stood between East and West, led the Non-Aligned Movement and then broke apart in the wars of the 1990s. That story is everywhere in the city once you know how to read it, and this well-reviewed tour on Viator is the most entertaining way to learn. Over about four hours, a local guide leads you through post-war Belgrade, from the monumental buildings of the centre to the residential district of Dedinje, travelling part of the way by trolleybus, as Belgraders do. The highlight is the Museum of Yugoslavia, which tells the story of the country through objects, gifts and propaganda, and includes the House of Flowers, the winter garden where Josip Broz Tito is buried beside his wife, Jovanka, and a remarkable collection of relay batons carried for his birthday. The guide shares family stories and jokes from the era.
How to visit: the tour lasts about four hours, starting in central Belgrade and including a ride on public transport and a visit to the Museum of Yugoslavia complex. Check on the booking page whether the museum ticket is included and which days the tour runs, as the museum is usually closed on Mondays. Book through the link on this page; the listing is among the most popular history tours in Belgrade and free cancellation applies up to the usual cutoff.
What to expect: a mixture of walking, public transport and museum time. In the centre, the guide explains the buildings of the socialist era and the ideas behind them; at the museum, you see the exhibition on Yugoslav history, the House of Flowers with Tito’s marble tomb, and the batons from the annual Youth Day relay. The tone is informative and often funny, and guides are happy to talk about what life was like for their parents and grandparents, as well as the difficult years of the 1990s.
Making the most of it: if you have time afterwards, take a taxi across the river to New Belgrade to see the brutalist apartment blocks and the former Federal Executive Council building, now the Palace of Serbia. History buffs should combine this tour with the underground tour for the full sweep of the city’s twentieth century.
What to expect
The experience
A guided half-day tour on foot and by trolleybus through socialist-era Belgrade to the Museum of Yugoslavia and the House of Flowers.
Best time
Tuesday to Sunday, as the museum is usually closed on Mondays, and any season.
How long
About four hours.
Tips
Check whether the museum ticket is included, and bring small change for public transport if it is not covered.
Quick picks
- Best for
- History buffs and anyone curious about Tito, Yugoslavia and the Cold War.
- Families
- Teenagers studying modern history will find it fascinating; younger children may be bored.
- Couples
- A thought-provoking half day that pairs with dinner in Vračar or Dorćol.
- Pair with
- The underground tour, which ends in a Cold War bunker.
- Time needed
- Half a day.
Good questions
Where is Tito buried?+
Josip Broz Tito is buried in the House of Flowers, part of the Museum of Yugoslavia in the Dedinje district. His wife Jovanka lies beside him.
Does the Red Belgrade tour include the Museum of Yugoslavia?+
Yes, the tour visits the Museum of Yugoslavia. Check the booking page to see whether the entry ticket is included in the price.
How long is the communist tour?+
It lasts about four hours, including walking, a trolleybus ride and time at the museum.
Is the Museum of Yugoslavia open every day?+
It is usually closed on Mondays, so plan the tour for another day. Hours can change for holidays.
Is the tour political?+
Guides present the history of Yugoslavia from several angles, with personal and family stories. The tone is informative and often light-hearted.
