This tour will take you on a trip through the city’s history and its layers: the Ottoman period, the Little Paris era, the modern sophistication of the interwar metropolis, the communist years, and the present. Discover and understand Bucharest beyond the facades of its buildings.
Bucharest Discovery A classical tour offering a new perspective
Tour Snapshot
Situated at the meeting point between East and West, Bucharest is a city of many contrasts.
If this sounds good, then wait ’till you see the real deal. Until then, here are some highlights of this paticular tour:
The Tour in Detail
The tour starts in front of “Carol I” University Foundation (Fundația Universitară „Carol I”), near the equestrian statue of King Carol I, the first king from the last royal dynasty of Romania. Across the street, there is the imposing building of the former Royal Palace, currently the National Museum of Art. This was the heart of interwar Bucharest, known at the time as Little Paris.
From here you can see other landmarks of the period, such as the Atheneum and the very posh Athéné Palace (now InterContinental Hotel). Continuing down Calea Victoriei (The Victory Way), the backbone of the historical city, we get to Piața Revoluției (The Revolution Square) and jump in time to the communist period. Here you can see the headquarters of the Communist Party, an office of Securitate (Romania’s KGB) and the square where the Revolution in 1989 started, putting an end to Romania’s last dictator, Nicolae Ceaușescu.
Continuing along Calea Victoriei towards the old city centre, you will see history parade by as buildings: churches dating back to the Ottoman period, beautiful Frech Eclectic buildings, Art Deco towers, communist block of flats. The old city centre, the oldest part of Bucharest, bears traces of the Ottoman period in the form of three ancient inns. You will also visit Stavropoleos monastery, which has one of the oldest and most picturesque churches, as well as a beautiful hidden garden. Don’t miss the oldest restaurant in town, which keeps its original German design, Carul cu Bere (The Cart with Beer).
The tour ends close to the Parliament Building, formerly known as Casa Poporului (The House of the People), the second-largest administrative building in the world after the Pentagon and Ceaușescu’s megalomaniac dream. If you want to see Bucharest and understand its history in just two and a half hours, there’s no better tour.
Additional Information
Inclusions: Local English-speaking guide, a traditionally Romanian snack.
Exclusions: Additional food and drinks, souvenirs and personal shopping from the market, tips/gratuities for your guide.
Child Policy: Children of all ages are permitted on this tour at the rate listed above. Please select ‘child’ above when booking.
Additional: We reserve the right to make changes to the route or the locations included in the tour in order to ensure the safety and quality of your experience.
Dietary Notes
