How to Plan Your Bucharest: City Highlights Guided Walking Tour

Planning a trip to Bucharest entails several details to ensure you don’t miss experiencing its captivating atmosphere. Bucharest is the capital of Romania and a city full of charismatic architecture, historical landmarks, and charming parks. One of the best ways to explore this beautiful city is on a guided walking tour. In this blog post, we will take you through the steps to plan your Bucharest: City Highlights guided walking tour.

Step 1: Choose a Tour Operator

The first step in planning your Bucharest: City Highlights guided walking tour is choosing a tour operator. An excellent place to start is by checking out reviews online from various websites, including TripAdvisor, GetYourGuide, or Viator. These platforms usually have reviews from other travelers who have already experienced the tour.

One tour provider we recommend is offered by GetYourGuide because of its highly-rated reviews and reputation for providing quality services. You can book the tour through their website using this link.

Step 2: Select a Date and Time

After choosing your tour operator, the next step is to select a date and time that suits you. Bucharest is known to have mild weather, but it can get hot in the summer. Ensure you check the weather forecast on the day of the tour to be appropriately dressed. The tour is available daily, except for Mondays, and starts at 10:30 am or 2:30 pm. It takes about 2.5 hours to complete, so plan accordingly.

Step 3: Make Travel Arrangements

Once you have your tour booked and your date set, the next thing is to make travel arrangements. If you’re coming from a different city, you can make arrangements through the available options such as Bus, Train, or Plane.

If you’re already staying in Bucharest, you can meet your guide in the Old Town of the city. Ensure you arrive at least 10 minutes before the start time to avoid being late.

Step 4: Pack for the Tour

As it is a walking tour, wear comfortable shoes and clothes. The tour offers approximately 3.5 km walking, so comfortable walking shoes are essential. Suppose you’re traveling during the summer months, ensure you bring plenty of water to stay hydrated due to the heat.

Step 5: Be Prepared for the Tour

On the day of the tour, ensure you’re well-rested and have had breakfast or lunch. The tour includes a walk through the Cismigiu Gardens, so taking snacks is also recommended.

Tour Description

The Bucharest: City Highlights Guided Walking Tour is a fun and exciting way to explore the city. Your local guide will take you through the history and culture of Bucharest from the old city center to the iconic Palace of Parliament.

It covers a distance of 3.5 km passing through several landmarks, including Revolution Square, the former financial district, and one of the oldest and well-preserved monasteries in Bucharest.

During the tour, you will experience a calm stroll through the Cismigiu Gardens, very popular with locals. You will also learn about the only three remaining caravanserais (inns) in Bucharest and their history.

The walking tour is complete with food and drinks, and your local guide will answer any questions you may have throughout the tour.

Conclusion

Booking the Bucharest: City Highlights Guided Walking Tour is an excellent way to ensure you don’t miss interesting places and history in Bucharest. Follow the steps detailed above to plan your tour and enjoy the city. Don’t forget to wear comfortable walking shoes, carry water, and arrive early to enjoy your tour.

Thanks for reading!

Insider’s Guide to Bucharest: City Highlights Guided Walking Tour

Bucharest is the capital of Romania and is often referred to as “The Paris of the East” because of its stunning architecture, rich history, and vibrant culture. A guided walking tour is one of the best ways to explore the city and get to know everything it has to offer. Here’s a comprehensive insider’s guide to planning your Bucharest tour.

Attractions

Bucharest is a city of contrasts and offers a wide range of attractions that will suit the taste of every tourist. Here are some must-see attractions that should be on the top of your list:

1. Palace of the Parliament – The second-largest administrative building in the world is a grandiose structure and a symbol of Romania’s history and power.
2. Old Town – Bucharest’s historic Old Town is the heart and soul of the city. The streets are lined with cafes, bars, restaurants, and vibrant street art.
3. Ceausescu’s Mansion – The former dictator’s private mansion is now open to the public. It’s a fascinating peek into Romania’s dark past.
4. Therme Bucharest – The largest wellness center in Europe is an oasis of relaxation in the heart of the city.

Local Dining Spots

Bucharest is a food lover’s paradise, with an array of local cuisine and international flavors to tantalize your taste buds. Here are some top recommended dining spots:

1. Caru cu Bere – A traditional Romanian restaurant that serves delicious soups, stews, and meat dishes. Don’t forget to try their homemade beer!
2. Pescarus – This seafood restaurant offers a cozy atmosphere and a wide variety of fish dishes sourced from the Black Sea.
3. Zavo – A trendy rooftop restaurant with breathtaking views of the city, offering an eclectic menu that blends local and international flavors.

Cultural Experiences

Bucharest has a rich cultural heritage, reflected in its architecture, art, literature, and music. Here are some recommendations to immerse yourself in Romania’s culture:

1. National Museum of Art – This museum is a treasure trove of Romanian art, from medieval to modern times.
2. Romanian Athenaeum – The iconic concert hall is home to Romania’s most prestigious classical music company. Catch a performance to experience the acoustics and grandeur of the space.
3. Village Museum – An open-air museum that showcases traditional architecture and lifestyle from all regions of Romania.

Local History

Romania has a complex and fascinating history, and Bucharest has many landmarks that bear witness to its past. Here are some suggestions to discover Bucharest’s history:

1. Revolution Square – The site of the 1989 revolution, where Romanians took to the streets to overthrow the communist regime.
2. Stavropoleos Monastery – A beautiful 18th-century Orthodox monastery that survived both fires and earthquakes.
3. Cotroceni Palace – The residence of Romania’s presidents, with a rich history dating back to the 17th century.

Off-the-Beaten-Path Suggestions

If you have the time and inclination, don’t miss exploring some lesser-known corners of Bucharest. Here are some off-the-beaten-path suggestions:

1. Bucharest Botanical Garden – A sprawling oasis of green, filled with exotic plants and flowers, a perfect place to relax and enjoy nature.
2. Bucharest’s hidden passages – Bucharest has many hidden passages that are easily missed but are worth exploring for their unique architecture and local shops.
3. Vacaresti Nature Park – The park is an unusual ecosystem, created after the fall of the communist regime when a plan for a large housing complex failed, leaving an abandoned area that has turned into a flourishing wetland.

Bucharest is a city that reveals itself with every step. So, put on your walking shoes, be open to new experiences, and discover the wonders of this beautiful city.