Formally known as the Paris of the East, Bucharest is a fascinating kaleidoscope of continuously changing realities. Without doubt Bucharest is a Palimpsest City that grew and expanded within a specific cultural context. It hides many stories behind its impressive architecture. A surprisingly charismatic Old Town with timeless landmarks along the way, cobbled streets to feed imagination and lively atmosphere.
- 9.00-13.30: The Old Town and The Palace of Parliament (option 1)
- 9.00-13.30: The Village Museum & The New Bucharest (option 2)
Tour 1: The Old Town and The Palace of Parliament (option 1) This is the perfect combination of old and new that highlights the essential sites Romanian Capital City is best known for: the Palace of the Parliament and the beautiful medieval architecture of The Old Princely Court.
Highlights:
- A perfect walk strolling along the winding streets of Bucharest’s historic Old Town to admire and explore its main landmarks, from the University Square towards National History Museum/ National Bank/ Villacrosse Passage/Victory Street/ First Commercial Bank in Romania/ The Beer Cart/ Stavropoleos Church/ The Old Princely Court/ The Inn of Manuc . This is the area one can visit the oldest building in town, step into one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world, stop by the former residence of Vlad Tepes, to mention very few.
- Step outside the medieval area straight into a typical communist urban planning space, Unirii Square from where directly via the Unirii Boulevard (formerly named the Victory of Socialism) into the Palace of Parliament. This area, also known Bucharest’s the Civic Centre is a unique” townscape” of hidden contrasts. The perfect stretch to visit Patriarchal Palace and Palace of Parliament.
Tour 2: The Village Museum & The New Bucharest (option 2)
This tour adds a new dimension to Bucharest by allowing visitors to get an unique insight into what life was like here under Communist rule. It is the perfect ”pocket crush course” on Romania’s most recent fascinating history, ending to its routes, the symbols of Romanian rural life. By walking from University Square to Village Museum via Revolution Square, Victory Avenue and Victory Square one can’t avoid the sense of this place where history is still alive.
Highlights:
• A calm stroll to set eyes on the National Theatre / (Sutu Palace/Coltea Hospital /) Intercontinental Hotel/University of Architecture/Military Assemble / Odeon Theatre/ Hotel Continental/ Kretulescu Church/ Ministry of Interior / Revolution Monument/ Royal Palace / Central University Library/ Romanian Athenaeum/ Athene Palace. Along this way on can admire grand palaces and Belle Époque architecture alongside soviet-style tower blocks and modern skyscrapers. Revolution Square is full of landmarks such as the former Royal Palace (now the National Museum of Art), the former headquarters of the Communist Party, and the Central University Library. Visit the Heroes of the Revolution memorial paying attention to hidden messages and finish by asking your guide to tell you how 1989 revolution ended the Communist regime in Romania.
• Hop on public transport and visit Victory Square to continue the communist saga and learn about very recent history. If history becomes little too much or too complicated take a break into Peasant Museum or Natural History Museum. They tell different stories. From here continue to Village Museum to learn and set eyes on where the nation comes from.