Bucharest Essential Tour: Old Town, Calea Victoriei & Communism
Description
Discover from a passionate local guide Bucharest’s amazing journey from a medieval fortification into a Belle Epoque city and how it was then mutilated by a gruesome dictatorship. On this 2.5-hour small group walking tour, you will go to the main landmarks in Bucharest and hear its amazing tales. Learn about the gory times when Dracula was roaming the streets of Bucharest to the devastating communist regime led by the dictator Nicolae Ceausescu.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Find out about the most beautiful building in Bucharest
See the statue of Romania's first king, Carol I, the former Royal Palace and the impressive University Library and find out all about the incredible story of monarchy in this country.
In the imposing Revolution Square you will understand the harsh communism oppression and how much control the totalitarian regime exercised over the locals’ lives. Tales of incredible evolution and achievements, but also about hunger and food rations will be told, topped by images from those times, for a more dramatic effect. Here you will also hear the story of the bloody revolution in December 1989 and the ultimate downfall of the Dictator Nicolae Ceaușescu, witnessing the birth of the democratic Romania.
Afterwards we will walk on the avenue where kings had their daily strolls - the romantic Calea Victoriei. Superb Belle Epoque structures like the CEC Palace, Grand Hôtel du Boulevard or the University Library can be admired.
At the beginning of the tour we will walk in the Old Town of Bucharest, on the steps of the most gruesome character in history – Vlad Dracula and discover his forgotten fortress. In the nearby caravanserai, Manuc’s Inn, an impressive former commercial settlement, learn how Bucharest evolved at the merger between two different worlds: the East and the West. Later, we will take you to find an eclectic mix of buildings like the National Bank of Romania, the Stavropoleos Monastery and the Villacrosse Passage and you will surely be charmed by the lively atmosphere in this quarter.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(174)
Free tour (with a final tip) of the historic center of Bucharest. Excellent experience. Adriana was a perfect guide, helping us discover everything essential to start exploring Romania and its capital! Top.
Adriana is a fantastic guide and speaks italian very well!! She also, gave us a lot of advices about monuments and food and we really appreciated :)
The Bucharest Essential Tour was a great way to walk around and see some of the city’s highlights, learn about the history of the city, get tips into what other things one can do during our time in Bucharest, and receive suggestions on what local foods to try. Thank you Stefanía for a wonderful tour!
Stefania exceeded our expectations! I have never had such a good tour where the tour guide was so attentive to the needs of the participants. And it is truly not always easy with us ...
Stephane was an absolutely outstanding guide. Her English was exceptional, his knowledge of the subject was impressive, and his storytelling was truly captivating. On top of that, she was incredibly warm and friendly throughout the experience. We wholeheartedly recommend her to everyone.
I had a tour of Bucharest with Stefania. She was friendly, attentive and knowledgeable. She shared fascinating historical facts and stories about Bucharest and Romania, making the tour informative and interesting. Highly recommended!
The tour was very interesting and informative! We visited many beautiful places and included detailed information about them. The tour guide Stefania conducted the tour at a very pleasant pace, with many interesting facts and in a relaxed atmosphere. We felt very comfortable, and she was able to answer all our questions. I can only recommend the tour. Especially at the beginning of a stay in Bucharest, it is very sensible because you visit many beautiful places and receive all the information you need. The final lunch was also very delicious and in a very nice restaurant with a beer garden! Andree
A huge thank you to Beatrice! It was interesting, interactive, and really well thought out! I highly recommend it if you want to discover more about the history of Bucarest, Romania, and with lots of interesting facts about the building around you, and good recommendations for the rest of your stay (restaurant, museum, hikes, …)!
Stefan did a great job of introducing us to Bucharest. Alongside the references to important historical figures and places Stefan also discussed the impact personalities and politics had on the everyday life of ordinary citizens. He answered our questions , and gave us tips on places to visit, and foods and drinks to try later. Thanks Stefan
I really enjoyed the tour, Stefan knew a lot history and funny facts about the city! Highly recommend
