×

Contrasts of Bucharest: Multicultural Heritage Free Tour

Duration: 2h and 30min
Languages: English
Guru: Stefan
Registered on February 02, 2022

InterRail and El Camino alumnus who works in Education and Journalism. The best combo to explore and explain the city's secrets. Let me turn off Bucharest's gray filter so you can discover its true colors!

Show more
  • No minimum number of attendees
    No minimum number of attendees is required for the tour
  • Free booking and cancellation
    Free payment tour, no set price, booking and cancellation are free
  • Accepts electronic payment
    This tour allows payment by electronic means or credit card

Tour description

Bucharest’s charm lies in eclecticism, different styles and influences that blend to make it unique.

Contrasts lie at every corner, whether it's between bookstores, between churches, between palaces, between passages or between its art and its street art.

We will explore this melting pot of a city, focusing on the cultural connections that have shaped it the way it is today.

Discover a mishmash of architectural styles by visiting multicultural central areas, both on and off the beaten track. From French architects to Greek, Ottoman and Jewish heritage, we’ve got it all.

Find out how foreign perception of Vlad the Impaler created the myth of Dracula. Learn about our monarchs' blood ties with European Royalty.

And through this all, you will understand what it means to be Romanian and how we came to be a Latinized island in a sea of Balkans and Slavs.


The main experience normally lasts a bit over 2 hours and 30 mins but most days we can do an optional extra 30 mins for those who are free and interested!

Whatever culture you come from, you are always welcome on this multicultural heritage tour - as long as you book your spot, that is!

Show more
Highlights

What will we visit on this tour?

  • Meeting point:
    Pasajul Nicolae Bălcescu, București, ...
    Pasajul Nicolae Bălcescu, București, Romania
    View on map

    Find me in the middle of the Underground Passage at Universitate, pink hat on my shoulder! (Passage entrances in every corner of the square, marked with a large M)

  • 1
    Outside visit
    National Theatre

    How a playwright popularised a famous beverage

  • 2
    Outside visit
    University of Architecture

    Local and Ottoman traditions blended into a unique style

  • 3
    Outside visit
    Old Town (partial visit)

    Short incursion into the former bank district and an old inn

  • 4
    Outside visit
    The Russian Church

    Uniquely stunning church showcasing a rocky relationship

  • 5
    Outside visit
    New & Old Building + Potato on a stake

    The Revolution's most bizzare landmarks

  • 6
    Outside visit
    Romanian Athenaeum

    Neoclassical concert hall next to the Royal Palace

  • 7
    Outside visit
    Piața Romană

    Famous actors have filmed here!

  • 8
    Free admission
    Cărturești Verona Bookstore

    Carusel's bohemian sister

  • 9
    Outside visit
    Street Delivery Festival

    Street Art hotspot that will help you learn Romanian words

  • 10
    Outside visit
    Anglican Church

    Gift from the Brits, but where are the Ottoman mosques?

How much does this tour cost?

Free tours do not have a set price, instead, each person gives the guru at the end of the tour the amount that he or she considers appropriate (these usually range from €10 to $50 depending on satisfaction with the tour).

Tour opinions

124 ratings
5.0
By category
Professionalism
4.95
Fun
4.91
Expression
4.94
Quality
4.95
Route
4.94
Generic
5 stars
121
4 stars
3
3 stars
0
2 stars
0
1 star
0
Rachel 25 Apr 2024
Stafford

Verified booking
Travelled in couple - Apr 2024
We booked our tour with Stefan as a last minute decision, and we are so glad that we did! We were lucky enough to have a private tour with just the two of us (probably because of the rain!), but this didn’t dampen Stefan’s spirits. From the beginning of the tour he told us lots of interesting information about the city, explaining Bucharest’s varied history as well as pointing out some lesser known points of interest. He made the tour really engaging and fun, and tailored it to our interests. Stefan also made the tour longer than expected, taking the time to fully immerse us in the ‘contrasts’ of Bucharest. We would fully recommend this tour to anyone visiting the city, especially for the first day of your trip as Stefan gave us some great recommendations for the rest of our holiday.
Marissa 24 Apr 2024
New York

Verified booking
Travelled alone - Apr 2024
Stefan was great. He did the tour just for me and was full of facts and family history. He asked what other tours I was doing to make sure we didn't hit any places I had already been. Highly recommend
Isabel 18 Apr 2024

Verified booking
Travelled in couple - Apr 2024
One of the best free walking tours we’ve ever joined! Our guide, Stefan was very knowledgeable and shared lots of interesting information about the places we’ve visited. We had done another walking tour earlier and I was afraid that it’ll be repetitive. I have to say this is truly a contrast (as the name implies) from the other tour. Stefan’s thoughtful explanation about each place showed us another angle of the city. He took his time explaining and answering our questions and didn’t rush us while we took pictures. We visited two of the most beautiful bookstores in the city. At the end, Stefan gave us recommendations on foods to try and places to eat. I highly recommend the “Contrasts of Bucharest: Multicultural Heritage” with Stefan!!
Laura 18 Apr 2024
Barcelona

Verified booking
Travelled alone - Apr 2024
This tour was amazing! Stefan showed me a lot of hidden beautiful architecture, bookshops, art places and we even got to see two museums on the way. We stopped by a delicious pastry shop for a break, I got to try local drinks that Stefan brought for the Tour and I learned a lot about Romania’s history! Thank you so much, I highly recommend this tour to everyone visiting Bucharest! You will have an amazing time!
Moon 18 Apr 2024
Henderson

Verified booking
Travelled alone - Apr 2024
Stephan is a very delightful person. His passion for helping people understand the culture and history is very well received by the group. He spent extra time to show us the secret places in the city. It’s a lot of fun and we really enjoyed.
Show 124 reviews

Who is this tour for?

Accessibility
Suitable for people with reduced mobility.
Groups
Does not accept large group reservations.
Pets
Suitable for carrying pets.

What should you know?

Minimum of attendees
There is no minimum number of people required for the tour.
Additional costs:
The tour does not require the payment of entrance fees or additional expenses.
Free cancellation
If you will not be able to attend the tour, please cancel your booking, otherwise the guide will be waiting for you.
Payment methods
Electronic or credit card payment is accepted.
When do you want to go?
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Show more
See availability
Explore
Bookings
Messages