Total Bucharest: Full Day Discovery Bohemian Small-Group Tour

Your Total Bucharest Tour leads you first through the political centre of the city, Revolution Square. Formerly known as Palace Square, this iconic spot has witnessed some of the most important events in Romanian history. Leaving the square, you’ll go south along Victory Avenue, named for 1877 War of Independence. Along the way, you’ll pass by palaces, museums, and the beautiful Kretzulescu Church, one of the most famous churches in Bucharest. 

Next, it’s time to 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. Along the way, we’ll get to visit one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world, the stunning Carturesti Carusel, and snack on traditional covrig (basically a soft pretzel). We’ll finish off the Old Town portion of the tour at the ruins of the Old Princely Court, and the former residence of Vlad Tepes, the inspiration for Dracula. 

No doubt hungry from all that history (and walking!), we’ll visit an exquisite turn-of-the-century townhouse to sample a selection of Romanian entrees (gustari), including goat cheese, cured meat, spring onions, homemade bread, and locally brewed craft beers. To help us digest all that food, we’ll then make our way to the Armenian quarter, with its spectacular architectural styles, and the Jewish quarter, home to one of the most beautiful and peaceful areas of the city: Mantuleasa. 

After exploring 19th-century and inter-war Bucharest, we’ll stop for an ice-cold Romanian weissbier before experiencing the quintessential Bucharest public transport: a short ride on a tram. Rattling along the famous Mosilor Street, you’ll enter into Communist Bucharest as you make your way to the famous Obor Market, the largest and most famous of all the peasant markets in Bucharest. We’ll stop for a sip of traditional Romanian palinca (brandy) before entering the indoor market to sample a range of Romanian cheeses: cow, sheep, and goat. After that, it’s on to the vegetable market, amid a riot of colours and textures, to taste and photograph the fresh local produce. Probably the most famous and typical of Romanian foods is called mici, which translates as 'little.' A kind of skinless sausage, these are served with mustard and cold beer. And finally, because your gastronomic adventure would not be complete without a dessert, we’ll grab a sweet Wallachian doughnut, served piping hot, before sending you happily on your way home.