Bucharest in the 21st century is a great city to live in, with a trendy food and drink scene, hipster neighbourhoods, and impressive architecture that rivals the likes of Paris and Berlin. Yet in the late 1980s, Bucharest was a place of despair, in the grips of a mass uprising. Take a private tour with a local to find out what life was like here behind the iron curtain. See for yourself the impact that various occupiers have had over the years and re-live the emotion of the revolution and the fall of an egotistical dictator. This tour is priced for a minimum group size of two travellers. A solo traveller may still book this private experience but will be charged the base rate for two travellers. Experience the best travel stories for yourself. Join a local expert and uncover hidden gems on this city adventure hand-picked by the world's leading travel publisher. Lonely
Highlights
Local English-speaking guide, covrig street snack, tickets for public transport
Transportation to and from the meeting point, additional food and drinks, tips/gratuities for your guide
In Revolution Square in front of the Carol I statue. (It’s the only horse statue in the square)
Unirii Square
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before activity.
Travelers 18+ must show proof of COVID-19 vaccination. Children 6-17 must present a negative COVID-19 test (PCR or lateral flow) conducted a maximum of 72 hours prior, proof of recovery dated up to 9 months, or proof of vaccination. For further information, please review COVID-19 Health & Safety at https://intrepid-ua.ventrata.com/en/about-us/covid-19-customer-info.
This private tour is priced for a minimum group size of two travellers. A solo traveller may still book this private experience but will be charged the base rate for two travellers.
Your private afternoon tour starts at the infamous Revolution Square, with its many landmarks that tell the story of the city's turbulent past. There is much to be explored in this square, including the former Royal Palace (now the National Museum of Art), the Athenaeum, and the University of Bucharest Library. We'll head towards the Archives, a building that still bears the bullet holes of the 1989 revolution. We will continue our walk through the Old Town to see firsthand the effects of the nationalization process led by the Communist regime over the beautiful turn of the century architecture of Bucharest. Over to Constitution Square next, where we will see a stunning example of larger-than-life communist ideals at the Palace of the Parliament. The world's second-biggest administrative building after the Pentagon is quite overwhelming. Ceausescu ordered the destruction of historic neighbourhoods and the invaluable heritage of destroyed churches in order to construct this colossal, controversial complex, which he ironically named The People's House (Casa Poporului). A quick stop for refreshments will give you an opportunity to try Romania's favorite street food snack, a covrig, similar to a pretzel but arguably even more delicious! We will then venture behind the megalomaniac structures surrounding the Palace of the Parliament and find remnants of the former city. We'll also visit some of the famous moved churches of Bucharest (amazingly, entire historic churches were moved to avoid destruction under Communism). For a change of scenery, we will climb Patriarchy Hill to experience firsthand the massive changes the city underwent during the 70s and 80s. We then hop on the tram and ride to one of the communist neighborhoods of the city, erected to house the thousands of people relocated from the country to the capital to work on massive construction sites. See examples of true socialist architecture and feel how day-to-day life was unfolding for the average inhabitant of Bucharest during that time. Brace yourselves for a surprising turn into a green oasis of the city. Hidden among the concrete, find Carol Park and the former burial site of the first communist leaders. Cross the street to see the Heroes of the Revolution memorial and cemetery, and finish the tour with tales of the 1989 revolution that ended the Communist regime in Romania. Your private tour ends back at Unirii Square. Before you go, make sure to ask your local guide for tips on where to eat, drink, and shop in this hidden gem of a European capital city.