Bucharest · BUCHAREST HIDDEN GEMS AND ALTERNATIVE TOURS
Past the palace and the old town, the city gets stranger and better: courtyards, ruined villas, street art and blocks with their own myths. These 9 go there, priced, with group sizes and how much walking each involves.
Spend three hours walking central Bucharest with a local artist guide such as Elena, Alexandra, Stefan, or Alessandro. See the Athenaeum, Revolution Square, old passages, churches, cafés, and Palace of Parliament while hearing clear stories about Romania’s culture and difficult 20th-century past.
“guide was very knowledgeable. being led by such a beautiful woman was great”
Start at the Romanian Athenaeum and walk with Cristi Radu or another local guide along Calea Victoriei, Revolution Square, Liberty Boulevard, and Constitution Square. Expect a private, history-focused tour with old photos, urban stories, and close attention to your group’s questions.
“This tour was the very first thing we did when we arrived in Bucharest and it really helped shape our experience and enjoyment of the city. Radu is a fabulous guide, and person. It makes a difference when the guide really cares about the city and wants to provide the best experience, Radu was patient in answering all the questions we had. We would see what seemed like a beautiful building, then Radu would explain the history, and then show us pictures of how that building looked in the past, and why, truly fascinating! Because of this tour, it helped us understand the different influences at play over time and…”
Walk beyond Bucharest’s main avenues with a local guide such as Ioana, Mircea, or Andreea. Explore Batiștei, Armenian, Mantuleasa, Olari, Ioanid, and Icoanei, learn how Ottoman influence, earthquakes, war, and communism shaped the city, and pause for snacks or a café drink.
“This is in my husband's name, but I am the one who took the tour. : We had a rocky start, because we didn't spot each other outside my hotel at first, so we started 30 minutes late. And in order to take the tour I had to pay for two people, even though I was alone. Once we got going, this was a really interesting and educational walk through three lesser unknown neighborhoods. My tour guide was super knowledgeable and very willing to stop along the way for me to take photos or visit homes or buildings that were not scheduled. She paid attention to the fact that I…”
Start at Revolution Square and follow an English-speaking guide through Bucharest’s alternative art scene, local stories, and street art. You’ll visit Memorialul Renasterii and finish near the I.C. Brătianu statue, linked to the city’s early graffiti movement.
“Wer einen interessanten Teil vom alternativ kreativen Bukarest kennenlernen möchte, dem ist dieser Stadtrundgang sehr zu empfehlen. Trotz knapp 4 Stunden Dauer mit Zwischenpause wurde es nicht langweilig. Nach der Führung sind etliche geschichtliche Zusammenhänge deutlicher und die Wahrnehmung für Verborgenes in dieser hochinteressanten Stadt erweitert worden. Wir würden diese Führung gerne mit weiteren Streetartentdeckungen wiederholen. Vielen Dank und viel Erfolg den intellektuellen Streetartkünstlern.”
Join a small group of up to 10 people for a 2 to 3 hour walk through Bucharest’s creative side. Guide Elena may lead you from Izvor Park to murals, abandoned theaters, coffee spots, and the famous Dracula mural, ending at Food Hood.
“Elena's passion and enthusiasm for the street art of Bucharest was an utter joy. What a lovely guide, who helped to bring the tour to life. We got lucky and managed to see some extras which were unexpected but delightful. You never know, it may happen to you too!”
Start at University Square and walk into Bucharest’s Old Town with an English-speaking local guide. See moved churches, Ottoman and French influences, Covaci Street, a theatre inside a hospital, and the History Museum from an unusual angle. A covrigi tasting and local food tips are included.
“Stephania was wonderful! Very informative and engaging - knowledgable and friendly. As I was the only one booked, it was basically a private tour.”
Walk Bucharest’s Batistei, Armenian, Mantuleasa, and Icoanei neighborhoods with an English-speaking local guide. See an 18th-century church, Casa Melik, elegant old streets, and Ioanid block, while tasting a traditional covrig. Guides such as Elena, Andrei, and Livia bring the city’s stories to life.
“Andrei gave a great tour that I really enjoyed. I would highly recommend to go on this tour. From the friendly smile and greeting us with freshly baked bagels and a bottle of drinking water at the beginning, to explaining to us exactly where we were and where to walk to get to places at the end of the tour, Andrei was caring , attentive and full of interesting facts and information. It was a great tour, thank you Andrei for showing me around your city.”
Spend 3.5 hours with a local guide such as Sebastian, Catalin, Valerica, or Bogdan, visiting Ferentari and Rahova before seeing Roma palaces in Sintești. Most of the tour is by vehicle, with walks through markets and residential areas. Dress plainly and leave valuables behind.
“The trip shows various levels of gypsy existence in Bucharest. Guides Sebastian and Matthew were knowledgeable about gypsy life and led us into areas where we would definitely not be welcome otherwise. If you would like a taste of reality in Bucharest that you would not get on a normal tour, you should consider this one.”
Walk Bucharest’s Old Town with an English-speaking guide in a group of up to 12. See the Russian Church, Wolf Statue, St. George Old Church, medieval ruins, Comedy Theatre, and History Museum, with a traditional covrig included.
“We enjoyed with Anita knowing the places where the Jewish community flourished in Bucharest. We appreciate Anita's knowledge and general culture. He also introduced us to the particular architecture of Bucharest. French style building and communist style. We also enjoy her sympathy and intelligence. At the end, she indicated some very peculiar points of interest within the city. that helped us to enjoy our visit in Bucharest.”
Pick a street, a castle or a cellar.
