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Hidden Gems Explore quaint little neighborhoods and Bucharest’s Architectures

Tour Snapshot

Come and explore the unseen side of the city on this tour that will take you on the picturesque back streets of Bucharest.

Beyond the historical center with its mainstream tourist attractions, Bucharest is made up of small neighborhoods (mahallas) full of gardens and delightful houses in architectural styles that talk about the history of the city and the aspirations of its inhabitants.

If this sounds good, then wait ’till you see the real deal. Until then, here are some highlights of this paticular tour:

  • discover Bucharest, outside the city center (but still pretty close to it)
  • enjoy a quiet walk through the low rise mahallas (neighborhoods) belonging to different ethnic groups
  • feast your eyes on the variety of interwar architecture and admire Eclectic, Neo Romanian, Art Deco and Modernist
  • see the oldest surviving house in Bucharest
  • see the (supposedly) haunted house and find out stories about Romanian ghouls and superstitions
  • visit an Orthodox church that was moved on rail tracks to escape Ceaușescu’s destructive urban planning
  • learn about city’s past and present from our knowledgeable, fun guides
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Language

English

Starting time

10:00

Duration

2 and a half hours

Meeting place

in front of National Theater of Bucharest

Group size

1 – 12

Distance

3.5 km

The Tour in Detail

Between the old city center and the neighborhoods built during the communist era lies a low-rise area dating back to the beginning of the 20th century, offering passers-by a glimpse into the life of interwar Bucharest. We begin the tour on the stairs of the National Theatre of Bucharest, from where we can see Piața Universității (The University Square), the geographical and symbolical heart of the city, as well as landmark buildings from various historical periods: The Ministry of Agriculture, the towers of Colțea Church, Șuțu Palace, The University of Bucharest (Universitatea București), „Ion Mincu” University of Architecture, Intercontinental Hotel (currently Grand Hotel Bucharest).

We then leave the boulevard and its large scale architecture and venture into the mahallas, on narrow streets bordered by two-three story buildings and houses with gardens. We will stop to admire the former building of the United States Embassy, an imposing Eclectic palace situated right across the street from the beautiful Art Deco palace that once hosted a Soviet Union organization. (It was said the spies from both countries only had to open their windows to listen in on each other.)

You will see Orthodox churches (every mahalla had one) and samples of exquisite architecture, some in international styles, such as French Eclecticism, Art Deco or Modernism, other in local styles such as Neo-Romanian. We will also talk about the communist expropriations, the partitions, the lengthy procommunist lawsuits and current trends regarding these buildings and neighborhoods.

In the former Armenian mahalla we will see the Armenian church and the oldest house in Bucharest, first mentioned in the 17th century. Then we will stop to admire the so-called Witch’s House and discuss Romanian funerary traditions and superstitions as we head for the Jewish neighborhood. Passing into the Potters’ mahala, we will see a church that had to be put on rail tracks and moved in order to escape the demolition required by Ceaușescu’s new urban planning in the 80s. The tour ends on a stretch of boulevard built during the 80s, where you will have a chance to see interwar Bucharest morphs into communist Bucharest.

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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 below the age of 6 are not permitted on this tour. Children over the age of 6 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

We can adapt the snack to dietary needs, such as vegan, gluten intolerant or others. Also, please notify us in advance whether you have any allergies or sensitivities. You can do so in the “Additional Information” box at checkout.
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