Experience one of the top attractions during your visit to Bucharest, with a planned visit to the Parliament Palace. The Palace was ordered by Nicolae Ceaușescu, the dictator of Communist Romania and it was constructed between 1984-1997. Started during the darkest period of communism, Ceausescu's mad dream became the largest building in Europe and the 2nd largest building in the world. Start the tour by skipping the line with your fast-access ticket. Meet the Bucharest Parliament Official Guide, and begin your exploration of the building's interiors. Immerse yourself in the history and contemporary realities of this unique building during a captivating tour that covers 3 levels of the building.  Begin on the ground floor where the entrance is located. Learn an array of mesmerizing facts including how the Palace has a height of 84 meters (276 ft), a floor area of 365,000 square meters (3,930,000 sq ft), and how it is the heaviest building in the world. Then, head up to the 1st level where the main meeting rooms are located together with the Ballroom.  As you admire the interiors and architecture, find out about how the building contains almost 500 chandeliers, over 1400 mirrors and ceiling lights, 35 million cubic feet of marble, and 32 million cubic feet of wood together with carpets and other decorations make this building a place like no other. Listen to other mind-boggling facts including how the building has 8 underground levels, the last one being a nuclear bunker, linked to the main state institutions by 20 km of catacombs.

Once having arrived in front of the Villa, your staff member will take over. Your tour begins with the dictator's private office, followed by the chess room. Following that, stroll through the villa admiring the bedrooms, family dining room, and the relaxation table. Heading upstairs, encounter another set of bedrooms which belonged to the Ceasescu couple, before you move on to the green house which houses a recreated tropical climate. This climate allows the cultivation of exotic fruits such as bananas and pineapples, including many other fruits which are not indigenous to the country. The owner of the villa was a big fan of exotic birds, which is why the garden was populated by peacocks. Last but not the least, visit the indoor pool, a work which took months to complete. The pool is decorated entirely in blue mosaic and contains flower and animal themes which are reminiscent of those from Ancient Rome. Discover all of this, squeezed into just one house that was far from people eyes. It was a house a where a dictator's family was living the high life, as the rest of the population were starving.

Widely seen as one of the most promising party destinations in Europe, Bucharest is a great place to be partying and grabbing drinks with friends at very reasonable prices. Probably the most thorough experience of the nightlife in Bucharest, this pub crawl allows you to discover the best bars and clubs in the Old Town area with an experienced local guide. Over the course of at least 4 hours, after all the attendees meet up, the night will start with a warm-up bar, good for socializing and getting into the party vibe, followed by at least 3 more party venues, ideal for dancing, meeting locals and enjoying random events such as band performances or karaoke. Each of the spots has a different style, from alternative to fancy, in order to satisfy any kind of expectations and get a broader idea of the real nightlife in Bucharest. City hints and tips, free photos from the guide and various promotions are also included during the pub crawl and a party vibe is guaranteed.

This 3-hour tour reveals the conflict between two worlds: Bucharest under the communist regime and the relatively peaceful and prosperous Bucharest of the inter-war period. You’ll learn why Bucharest is such a striking mix of different architectural styles, how each regime left its mark on the city, how the city looked during the communist period and what it was like for people living in communist Romania. Your guide will help to bring to life the anti-communist revolution and the fall of the Iron Curtain. Learn about the violent beginnings of the communist regime and the nationalization and forced demolition of homes. See the impressive Palace of Parliament and hear all about the Ceausescu family and the bloody anti-communist revolution of 1989. You’ll visit lesser-known, charming inter-war neighborhoods saved from communist urban re-modelling, and see the remains of the Uranus neighborhood as well. The tour includes a short break at a café, where you can enjoy drinks or snacks (at your own expense).

If all the world’s a stage, then, for sure, Bucharest deserves its place in the spotlight! It has experienced it all: love, betrayal, Russian tzars, French Vaudeville, merchants of Venetian goods, Greek tragedies, and one or two great fires for good measure. Experience some of the most important sights in Bucharest and learn the stories behind them as you explore Romania’s capital on foot, alongside a local guide with insider knowledge of the city. Your Bucharest tour starts in the political center of the city, Revolution Square. Formerly known as Palace Square, this iconic spot has witnessed some of the most important events in Romanian history. It was from here in 1989 that dictator Nicolae Ceaușescu made his rallying speech to a crowd that quickly turned on him, instigating the Romanian revolution. This is also where you’ll discover several other notable landmarks, including the former Royal Palace, the beautiful Romanian Athenaeum (the city’s main concert hall) and the Athenee Palace Hilton (built in 1914 and formerly a favorite hangout for spies). Leaving the square, head filled with fascinating facts, you’ll go south along Victory Avenue, which was named for the victory of the new Romanian nation in the 1877 War of Independence. Soak up the history and significance of the street, we’ll also be passing by — and getting the stories behind — some other important buildings, including several palaces, museums and the beautiful Kretzulescu Church, one of the most famous churches in Bucharest. Next, explore the many sights of Bucharest’s Old Town. This is the heart of medieval Bucharest, the literal crossroads between East and West, where Ottoman pashas rubbed shoulders with Transylvanian princes. The winding, cobbled streets are filled with bars, cafés, shops and restaurants much-loved by locals and visitors alike. But if you need a dose of peace and quiet, you can find it in the calming courtyard of Stavropoleos Monastery, or the great wooden inn of Hanul Lui Manuc, which offers a captivating glimpse into an earlier time. Along the way, we’ll visit one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world, the stunning Carturesti Carusel and snack on traditional covrig (basically a soft pretzel), one of the most popular street foods in Romania. We will finish the tour in front of the ruins of the Old Princely Court, which dates to the 15th century. This is the former residence of one of the most famous individuals in history: Vlad Tepes, the inspiration for Dracula.

Discover the most historic areas of central Bucharest with a private, 2.5-hour walking tour. Visit all of the city's best-known sights and some hidden ones off the usual tourist track! Your tour starts at Unirii Square for a view of the colossal Palace of the Parliament, the second-largest building in the world. From here, visit St. Anthony's Church, the oldest in the city, followed by the ruins of the former Royal Court. The route will take you past the medieval Old Town, today transformed into Bucharest's bustling downtown. Jumping forward to the 18th and 19th centuries, admire the beautiful French-style buildings on Calea Victoriei Street and discover why Bucharest was once known as Little Paris. The tour ends close to Revolution Square, where you'll have the chance to talk to your guide about what Communist rule meant for Romania and Bucharest and how the country changed after the 1989 revolution.

You will experience a 3 hours walking tour which will guide you though Romania’s and Romanians life during the Communist regime. In the first stop, the Patriarchal Cathedral, you will not only learn about Religion during Communism, but also about the historical events that led to the beginning of Communist regime in this country! We will continue through a nearby neighbourhood where we will see the results of Nationalisation! Then we will have a great view over the famous House of People, currently the Parliament building. This is where I will offer you an insight about the construction of this symbol of Communism and megalomania of Romanian dictator: Nicolae Ceausescu. Going further on the streets of Bucharest, we will discover some of the buildings that were moved, in order to be saved from destruction. One of them being the beautiful Antim Monastery. Exploring the Communist years would not be so meaningful without also learning about people's experiences in the day to day life. After we have relaxed in a short break, we will have the chance to find out more about the well-being of people in front of an old Alimentara (Grocery Store). The last part of the tour will be a walk in a normal pace on Calea Victoriei Boulevard, one of the most beautiful streets in the city. Here we will also see some of the Communists symbols, including what used to be a center used by the Secret Police for torturing people. The tour will end in the Revolution Square, where you will be told the story about the end of the Communist regime, in 1989, and the beginning of Democracy. The entire story is meant to offer you a thorough understanding of how Communism impacted Romanian life and country, but also of how it still continues to have an important print in nowadays life.

Enjoy a walk with a local friend during this guided tour to discover the highlights of Bucharest. Get an introduction to the city, while exploring popular sights, hidden corners, and historic squares. Make your way from the old city center to the iconic Palace of Parliament. Starting in the old city center, begin by visiting the oldest witnesses of Bucharest’s birth and development: Old Princely Court, Manuc's Inn, and Stravopoleos Church. Then, visit the most famous boulevard of Bucharest, Calea Victoriei, with its one-of-a-kind architecture and grandiose buildings like the National Military Circle, Telephone Palace, the Royal Palace of Bucharest, the Romanian Atheneum, and more. Take a break from the city sights and get the opportunity to relax and cool down into the lush Cismigiu Gardens, where you’ll also find Bucharest City Hall at the end. The Cismigiu Gardens is the oldest park in Bucharest. Pass into the 20th century and the Communist era by seeing the grandiose Ceausescu's Palace and Union Boulevard, which was designed to be longer and wider than Champs Elysee. End your visit at the Palace of the Parliament, the second largest and the heaviest building in the world.

We will start our tour with a gentle stroll to one of the most well-known mahalas (neighborhoods) in the city, Batistei. Mahalas usually rose up around a religious building and were inhabited by groups of people from the same ethnic, social, or religious groups. As the city grew, so did these areas, suffering through waves of modernization, earthquakes, wars, and Nicolae Ceausescu's numerous demolition projects. Batistei is still a vibrant and exciting neighborhood to explore; visit the 18th-century stone church, listed as a historic monument by Romania’s Ministry of Culture and Religious Affairs and hear stories about what it was like to live here before the Communist regime took over. The Armenian neighborhood houses one of the best preserved Orthodox churches in the city and that is where we will head next. Built in the early 20th century for the once burgeoning (now diminishing) Armenian population, the church is an exact replica of a cathedral in the Armenian city of Ecmiazin. Next on the agenda is the city’s oldest home, a fascinating example of a traditional Wallachian peasant house with its high cellar and glass-covered veranda. Casa Melik, as it is known, hides a mass of secrets including a striking art collection. Legend has it that a series of underground tunnels connect the house with local masonic lodges. Snack time! We will make a pit stop to try one of Romania’s favorite historic street food snacks, the covrig. It was originally thought that Greek merchants introduced covrig, a salty snack similar to a pretzel, in the 19th century to encourage increased consumption of their wine, but it’s remarkable similarity to German pretzels, suggests Romanians may have been eating these long before that. Our next stop is one of the prettiest areas in Bucharest: Mantuleasa street. It was originally a mahala for rich merchants. Elegant architecture can be found here that combines neoclassical, Romanian, and modernist styles. This was also Mircea Eliade’s favorite part of the city. Here we will stop to learn more about the life and work of Romania’s most revered writer and philosopher, who was a professor at the University of Chicago until his death in 1986. Your tour ends with a visit to the breathtakingly beautiful Ioanid block and Icoanei mahalla but be sure to ask your local guides for tips on where else to visit in beautiful Bucharest and where the best places to eat and drink can be found.  

Explore Bucharest from a unique point of view. On this 3-hour tour of alternative Bucharest you won’t be hearing about the typical tourist attractions, but will learn about different social and cultural realities. Start the tour in front of the Izvor Metro Station and see the first signs showing the freedom of expression. Continue strolling to an hidden areas where graffiti and street art make their homes, and begin to understand the link between street art and activism. From libraries and bars to open movie areas or independent theatres, there are a lot of places that welcomed street artists and are now hosting murals and other art installations by young artists in town. End the tour at a local market, a relaxed area where you can choose to combine a good beer with a good meal while admiring one of the most special murals in Romania.