The Dark Side of Bucharest
Bucharest, Romania
From EUR 47.00
Office phone number: +40 722 629 540
The Dark Side of Bucharest
Bucharest, Romania
Culture shock rating
Worried we’re going to shock your senses? Relax! We believe part of the fun of travel is immersing yourself in the destination and its culture, meeting the people, and learning what makes the place tick. We’ve got a wide range of tours with something for everybody. The cultural shock rating ranks how different the experience is from most Western cultures. But no matter the level, don’t worry, you’ll have a local, in-the-know guide with you every step of the way.
Low
Consider these tours your 101 intro to a place. Transportation might be private or a very comfortable public option, and the activities are usually visits to iconic sites and locations that are familiar to most Western cultures – but that will still give you fantastic insight into a destination.
Medium
Expect to rough it for parts of this tour, whether that’s on a packed public bus or in a local market off the tourist trail. There might be a few language barriers or unfamiliar cultural customs, and you’ll get an experience different from what you're used to at home.
High
You're out there in the global community! We’re going to take you down streets you’d rarely explore on your own, introduce you to local customs and languages, and take you for a ride in whatever transport is available. Get ready to take it as it comes, whatever comes. There might be a shock, but oh man, it’s worth it.
Physical rating
Worried our tours are too tough? Relax! From leisurely strolls to muscle-burning treks, we’ve got a wide range of tours with something for everybody. The physical grading gives you an idea of how much huffing and puffing you can expect on the tour.
Low
Slow and steady is all you need here. These tours have very limited physical activity, such as walking relatively flat streets, sites, or markets, and climbing in and out of the transport provided.
Medium
Not too hard, not too soft, these tours are just right! You can expect a bit of physical activity, but nothing overly challenging – perhaps walking up and down hills, riding a bike for up to 30 kilometers along mostly flat terrain, or jumping in a kayak for a gentle paddle on flat water.
High
Get ready for a workout! These tours are our most challenging and involve intense walking, hiking, kayaking, swimming, or bike riding. You could be making steep climbs by foot or pedal, or working your core in the water. We recommend you have a good level of fitness to join this tour.
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Tour snapshot
Every city has a dark side and Bucharest is no exception. On this tour that delves into the city’s intriguing history, you’ll learn all about the deepest, darkest secrets of Romania’s colourful capital. This is not your average history lesson and what you learn on this tour won’t likely be in your guidebook — so get ready to be shocked, awed, and entertained.
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Highlights
- Step back in time and discover the darker side of Bucharest’s past
- Learn about Bucharest’s very own Jack the Ripper, who terrorised the city between 1970 and 1971
- Visit one of the most beautiful cemeteries in Romania
- Hear the stories and legends of the famous prostitutes who stole the hearts of many men
- Get a better sense of the events that helped shape the Romania we know today
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Schedule details
- Duration: 3 hours
- Meeting point:
In front of the KFC Piata Romana, near Boulevard General Gheorghe Magheru 28-39, Bucuresti 010336
View on Google Maps.
- Find the exact meeting point with what3words:
- Starting time: 3.00 PM
- Ending point:
Revolution Square.
Language: English
Inclusions: Inclusions: Local English-speaking guide, metro tickets, refreshment (bottle of water in the summer and coffee or hot chocolate in the winter), traditional covrig street snack.
Exclusions: Additional food and drinks, souvenirs and personal shopping, tips/gratuities for your guide.
It’s not every day that you get a peek into the seedier side of a city’s past, but that’s just what you’ll do on this exciting tour through Bucharest’s fascinating history. And let’s face it, no city is without its secrets. Start your adventure in the city centre and travel back in time to the beginning of the 20th century, to discover all about the scandalous eras that Bucharest had before the communist regime, and about some of the dark times that followed.
Our Bucharest tour starts with a subway ride from Romana Square to beautiful Bellu Cemetery, the largest and most prestigious cemetery in Bucharest. This is where just about every great Romanian of note is buried, from writers and musicians to academics and poets. As you can imagine, this is a place filled with unique stories, some of which we’ll learn about when we visit the historic resting place.
After Bellu Cemetery we’ll stop at another noteworthy resting place, the Heroes of the Revolution Cemetery. Here we’ll delve into the events of the 1989 revolution and the many casualties suffered by the locals during that time, most of whom are buried here.
Next, we’ll make a short stop in a typical communist neighbourhood to learn what life was like during communist times.
After a quick subway ride we’ll find ourselves at University Square, where we’ll visit an area made famous for the violent anti-communist movements that occurred here in 1990. You’ll have the chance to see pictures from the protests and hear stories from those turbulent times.
Then, we’ll make our way to a former brothel to get a taste of yet another side of Bucharest’s colourful past. You might not know this, but in the late 1920s there were close to 12,000 prostitutes and escorts working in Romania, including famous ladies of the night like the beautiful gypsy dancer, Zaraza. On the tour, you’ll learn all about how she and others like her broke the hearts of many men all over Bucharest and beyond.
Along our way, we’ll stop to refuel with a traditional corvig, Romania’s version of a soft pretzel and one of the most popular street snacks in the city.
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Additional information
Inclusions: Inclusions: Local English-speaking guide, metro tickets, refreshment (bottle of water in the summer and coffee or hot chocolate in the winter), traditional covrig street snack.
Exclusions: Additional food and drinks, souvenirs and personal shopping, tips/gratuities for your guide.
Your Trip: For your Urban Adventure you will be in a small group of a maximum of 12 people.
Confirmation of booking: If you have your voucher, your booking is confirmed. We'll see you at the start point. Get in touch if you have any concerns or require more information via the email address or phone number (business hours only) on your voucher.
Child Policy: Travellers under 16 years of age are not permitted to join this tour.
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Local contact
Office phone number: +40 722 629 540
Email address: info@bucharesturbanadventures.com
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