Essential Free Tour Bucharest

Feel amazed by the unbelievable magnitude of the Palace of Parliament and discover the dark history behind its construction.
Take a magical stroll down the heart of Bucharest’s enchanting old town.
See everything from sumptuous royal palaces to brutal Soviet-era buildings.

FAQ

Latest reviews

23/03/24

Laura is veery knowledgeable,funny and patient. Thanks Laura 😊

ALONA

02/03/24

Nice experience and good guide - Edward Always a pleasure exploring the city with local people

Maria

01/03/24

The trip was excellent! Interesting and fuuny.

Sharon

19/02/24

Super!

Sara

30/01/24

We loved the tour with Bianca, which gave us an initial understanding of Bucharest, its history, gastronomy and some Romanian myths. Bianca made the tour interesting and humorous and we left with ideas of what to eat, where to go and what the Romanians are like. We would definitely recommend.

Emma

22/01/24

A good experience. Nice guide with right blend of facts and humour.

William

06/01/24

Thank you to Edward, who was brilliant. So pleased I took the tour. It was easy to find and to join.

Andrew

31/12/23

Fun and interesting tour with Bogdan! Walking around Bucarest with a fully cultured guide, always realdy to give you perfect explanations, answer your question and give you advised regarding Bucarest life and what to do in the rest of your trip! Really well spent 3 hours! Fully recommended!

Paola

15/12/23

Mark

Bucharest is a place that has overcome years of hardship to emerge as a cosmopolitan and buzzing city. The Essential Free Tour of Bucharest is the perfect walk for those who want an engaging and informative introduction to the charms of Romania's capital. All free tours in Bucharest stop at the massive Palace of Parliament, the second largest administrative building in the world. Here your local guide will unveil the history of this Soviet-era building, and explain how its thoughtless construction required the demolition of much of Bucharest’s beloved historic district. Not far from here, guests will have the opportunity to visit the immense Union Square. Although nowadays it does not appear very historic, it was once the site of a huge market with traders coming from all over Romania to sell their wares.

Though Bucharest sadly lost much of its historic district through a combination of earthquakes, World War II and the Ceausescu dictatorship, what remains is delightful. Guests on the Essential Free Tour of Bucharest will be taken on a stroll around the historical center to see the main highlights of the city, superb squares and romantic cobbled streets. We recommend paying special attention to Lipscani Street, the most charming street in Bucharest, which also serves as the backbone for the old town. You’ll soon realize that the names of the streets reflect the trades that used to congregate here. Nowadays, this area is full of quaint artisan shops, typical restaurants, and architectural gems. One such gem is the superb Stavropoleos Monastery, known for its impressive choir and the largest collection of Byzantine music books in the world!

The Essential Free Tour will show guests some of the most beautiful buildings in Bucharest, including the breathtaking neoclassical architecture of the Romanian Athenaeum, which is enveloped by beautiful gardens. It’s truly a wonderful sight to behold. The University Square, the National History Museum, and Macca-Vilacrosse Passage are just some of the stunning landmarks that you’ll pass along the way. During the tour, guests will have the chance to learn about the dramatic transition of Romania from monarchy to communism, and how it became a young European democracy. If you have any questions during your tour, please feel free to ask your guide. And, of course, all participants on the tour will come away with a host of recommendations and tips on what to do and where to eat during the rest of their stay.