Walking Tours Bucharest

Exploring Bucharest on Foot: A Guide to Self-Guided Walking Tours

Welcome to Bucharest, the vibrant capital of Romania! Known as “Little Paris”, this city offers a unique blend of ancient history, communist-era architecture, and modern developments. Here’s a handy guide for self-guided walking tours to help you explore the best of Bucharest on foot.

  1. Old Town (Centrul Vechi) Tour

    • Start your journey from Union Square (Piata Unirii). Admire the beautiful architecture, including the National Bank of Romania and the stunning Stavropoleos Church.
    • Head to Manuc’s Inn, the oldest inn in Bucharest, dating back to 1808. Continue through narrow, winding streets lined with colorful houses, boutiques, and restaurants.
    • Visit the Lipscani Church, a beautiful Orthodox church with a unique Baroque style. Don’t forget to peek inside for a stunning interior!
    • End your Old Town tour at Curtea Veche, the old Princely Court where Vlad the Impaler once ruled.

  2. Palace Tour

    • Start from the Revolution Square (Piata Revolutiei), home to the People’s House (Casa Poporului) and the Royal Palace. These monumental buildings were designed by the French architect Albert Galleron and are stunning examples of Neo-Classical architecture.
    • Cross the Mihai Voda Bridge to reach the Village Museum (Muzeul Satului Dimitrie Gusti). Explore traditional Romanian rural life exhibits spread across a large outdoor area.
    • Head to Calea Victoriei, Bucharest’s main street, where you can find the Atheneum, Romanian Academy, and the National Art Museum.
    • Visit the Cantacuzino Palace, now home to the National Military Circle Museum, showcasing Romania’s military history.

  3. Communist Tour

    • Start from the House of the People (Casa Poporului), the largest administrative building in Europe and a symbol of communist power.
    • Walk towards the former Central Committee of the Romanian Communist Party headquarters, now the National Art Museum.
    • Head to the Revolution Square again, where the anti-communist revolution took place in 1989. Visit the Memorial of Rebellion, which commemorates the event.
    • Explore Bucurestiul Nou (New Bucharest), a district built during communism and home to impressive concrete structures like the House of the Free Press (Casa Presei Libere) and the National Library.

  4. Arcul de Triumf and Herastrau Park Tour

    • Start at Arcul de Triumf, an impressive arch similar to Paris’ Arc de Triomphe. It commemorates Romania’s contribution to World War I.
    • Enter Herastrau Park, a beautiful urban park that surrounds the Herastrau Lake. Rent a rowboat or simply walk and enjoy the scenery.
    • Visit the Village Museum Annex inside the park, showcasing traditional Romanian rural life exhibits similar to those in the main Village Museum.
    • End your tour at the National Art Museum, located on the edge of the park. It houses an extensive collection of Romanian and European art.