Bucharest: Old Town & City Center History Tour
Introduction to Bucharest, its history and culture. We trace the city’s story from Vlad the Impaler to the 1989 Revolution, walking through the Old Town and central boulevards — especially Victory Boulevard — and visiting Stavropoleos Monastery, St. Anthony Church, the Macca-Vilacrosse Passage, CEC Palace, and the Palace of the Parliament.
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Basic Information
Total time
2h 45m
Language
English, Spanish, Italian (check the calendar for availability)
Price
Our “Pay What You Wish” tours don’t have a fixed price — you decide how much the experience was worth. At the end of the tour, please make a fair contribution that reflects your satisfaction and appreciation for your guide’s work. Most guests give between €10 and €50 per person.
Meeting point
Roma Square, by the statue of the Lupa Capitolina Nearest public transport: Piața Unirii 2 (M1, M2) metro station; Metrou Piața Unirii metro station
Additional info
☂︎ This tour is organised by Bucharest Walkabout guides. Look for the guide with the orange outfit or orange umbrella.
Booking rules
Booking is obligatory. Our “Pay What You Wish” tours are meant for individual travellers and small groups. Large groups (6 or more people) cannot join these tours, as they significantly affect the experience for others and the guide. For school trips, organised tours, or groups of friends, please arrange a Private Tour. For more information or to schedule a group visit, please contact us directly.
About the tour
Romania is usually associated only with Transylvania and the bloody Vlad the Impaler, the prototype of Dracula from Bram Stoker’s Gothic novel. The sound of the city’s name, however, should be associated with something completely different… Rome!!! Much of southern Romania was once under Roman rule, and although millennia have passed since then, it can still be heard today in the beautiful Romanian language, and Romania calls itself a Latin island surrounded by a Slavic sea. It is also a country at an eternal crossroads, with each historical part gravitating toward different cultures. Situated in the south, Wallachia gravitates toward the Balkans, Transylvania follows the west, and eastern Moldova looks fearfully to the east… Bucharest is at the very centre of this unusual mix.
Our tour will be a wonderful introduction to the history of the “Paris of the East,” as its residents proudly call the city. Bucharest can resemble Frankenstein’s monster in some places – beautiful 19th century palaces stand here right next to colossal communist edifices, silent witnesses of 20th century history. The city has been constantly changing over the centuries, which has been “facilitated” by numerous fires and earthquakes. After the catastrophic earthquake in 1977, much of Bucharest had to be built from scratch. An indelible mark was left here by the hubris and megalomania of dictator Nicolae Ceaușescu, who ordered the demolition of thousands of buildings in order to build a new communist city.
Take a walk with us to explore 500 years of the city’s history, starting with its founding in the 15th century and the reign of Vlad the Impaler, ending with the Romanian Revolution and the fall of the communist dictatorship. We will experience the rich cultural heritage and dynamic spirit that define Bucharest today, including its architecture, history, and vibrant culinary scene.
Highlights
- 1
Palace of the Parliament
A colossal communist edifice, the world's second-largest administrative building, a testament to Ceaușescu's megalomania.
- 2
Romanian Revolution
Explore key sites of the violent 1989 revolution that overthrew Romania's communist dictatorship.
- 3
Vlad the Impaler
Discover the history of the Wallachian prince and city founder, the real-life inspiration for Bram Stoker's Dracula.
- 4
Stavropoleos Monastery
An Eastern Orthodox monastery for nuns, known for its unique Brâncovenesc style and beautiful, peaceful courtyard.
- 5
Victory Boulevard
Stroll down Bucharest’s "Champs-Élysées," a prestigious avenue lined with grand palaces, museums, and landmarks.
- 6
Manuc's Inn
Visit Bucharest's oldest operating hotel, a beautifully preserved historic inn that has witnessed centuries of local history.
- 7
Macca-Vilacrosse Passage
Walk through a beautiful, fork-shaped, yellow glass-covered arcade full of charming cafes and unique shops.
Map
Roma Square, by the statue of the Lupa Capitolina Nearest public transport: Piața Unirii 2 (M1, M2) metro station; Metrou Piața Unirii metro station
Our customers said about us
Bucharest
5.0Brilliant
Brilliant tour! Our tour guide Elena was lovely and very entertaining, we had a great time and learnt a lot. Will definitely be using orange umbrella again.
Bucharest
5.0Aashika
We loved our tour with Julian. Warm, funny, and full of interesting insight, he instantly put us at ease and we had a wonderful time.
Bucharest
5.0Luis Malte
Tour with Daniel
Great and interesting Tour.
Bucharest
5.0Uroš
Elena rocks
Greste overview of all monumental events in Romanian history, and also a fun and entertaining approach grom Elena's side. Thanks you Elena for na amazing tour.
Bucharest
5.0Rareș Abby
Amazing tour by Maria 10/10
Maria was very good, used a mic and speaker in loud areas. Maria shares interesting stories and keeps the tour wanting to find out more. After the tour you will want to do the Communist Bucharest one (we didn't have time).
Bucharest
5.0Sylwia
Thank You very much Daniel for all interesting informations. I had a great time !
Bucharest
5.0Janny Hartog
Enjoying Bucharest
We had a great walking tour with Elena. She had a lot of information about this city and we enjoyed listening to her!
Bucharest
5.0Carol
Fabulous Bucharest! Or was it Budapest! 😂
Excellent walking tour by Elena today. A great mix of information and entertainment. Not to be missed, thoroughly recommend 10/10
Bucharest
5.0Sean L
Thank you Elena!
We had Elena who led the tour and she was very lovely, charismatic and very engaged with the tour participants. Glad to have met her and her running the show.
Bucharest
5.0Butterworth
Elena general tour
Great tour, joyfully and full of humour. Great start for your Bucharest trip, you will get all the tips and basic knowledge you need to enjoy your stay and make the most of it.
