Essential Walking Tour of Bucharest: Old Town & Revolution Square

Moments to expect in the Walking Tour of Bucharest

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  Romanian Monarchy & Communist Revolution

  Revolution Square, formerly known as Palace Square, is the political center of the city and has witnessed many important events in Romanian history. Here dictator Nicolae Ceausescu made his last, ill-advised speech to a crowd that turned on him, starting the Romanian revolution of 1989. All over the square, there are major landmarks including some that were at the heart of Western espionage and intrigue interwar years.

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  Victory Avenue & French vibe

  Leaving the square we'll continue on Victory Avenue - and I'll tell you about its name. It's also the city's main boulevard, shopping avenue and part of the reason for Bucharest's 'Little Paris' nickname. Some famous landmarks from the inter-war period we'll see here are the 'Telephone Palace', Military Circle, former National Theatre and Kretulescu church, one of the most famous in Bucharest.

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  The secrets of Old Town

  Time to learn about one of the oldest - and most popular - parts of Bucharest: Old Town. This is where Ottoman Pashas rubbed shoulders with Transylvanian Princes and where the city's mosaic of cultures, religions and historic influences can be seen. Mosques, merchants, inns, restaurants, churches - all here. Major sights in the area include the National Bank, Stavropoleos Church, Caru' cu Bere.

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  Romania's most legendary figures

  The Old Princely Court was the former residence of Wallachian rulers, including for Vlad Tepes (aka Dracula) whose statue is somewhere in these parts. We'll finish the tour at Manuc's Inn, the most popular stop for everyone in Bucharest's history.