Visiting a European capital is something everybody wants, but most of the time, the thing that stops them from doing this is money. Transportation, hotels, food, everything can amount to a large sum of money that not everybody can afford. On top of that, in order to make sure that you visit all the greatest places, you also need a guide, which amounts to extra money.
In Bucharest, you can enjoy a tour of the greatest places to visit without spending any money. There are free tours organized all around the city which you can use to visit the greatest tourist attractions in the Romanian capital. Here are some you should consider if you want to make the most out of your trip to Bucharest.
Bucharest Center 100+ Free Tours
These are tours that last 120-180 minutes and they cover the central part of Bucharest with the most important monuments here. Usually, the tours begin in the morning, after breakfast and all those who wish to participate have to present themselves at The Old Court entrance, also known as Dracula’s Fortress. They are designed for families or small groups, as well as independent people. The tours can also be organized in the afternoon, provided that you call and ask about the guides’ availability for that particular time of the day.
Here are some of the tours they provide:
- Old Town free tour
The Old Town of Bucharest is one of the most beautiful places one can visit in the capital. The tour focuses on displaying the huge differences in terms of architecture between the Old Town and the newer part of the city. The guides can present the tour in multiple languages, including English, Romanian, Italian, French and Spanish. If you would like someone who speaks a particular language, make sure you message the agency and book a tour ahead of time.
The tour is designed to be a walking tour and can include up to twenty people, although larger groups are also accepted. For additional information, contact the agency at http://bestofromania.eu/bucharest-free-tours/
- Calea Victoriei free tour
This tour is designed specifically for the palaces on Calea Victoriei. The departure point is Victoria Square, at the metro station exit near the Victoria Palace. As the name suggests, this tour focuses on presenting the palaces that can be found on Calea Victoriei.
The tour usually starts at 9 AM in the morning and finishes at 12. For afternoon tours, you will have to call the agency ahead of time. The groups accepted for this tour include up to 20 people, but larger groups are also accepted. For additional information, contact the agency at http://bestofromania.eu/cvtour/
- Bucharest Squares free tour
This tour focuses on the Bucharest Squares and it takes about 120-180 minutes to complete. The guides speak multiple languages and like the other ones, it typically starts in the morning, after breakfast. The departure point for everybody is Unirea Shopping Center. From there, the guide will take you to visit some of the most impressive monuments that Bucharest has to offer.
Although the official page states that this tour is in English and Romanian only, if you call ahead, the agency can book you a guide who speaks your native language.
Why choose a free tour?
- They are free, obviously. The only thing the agency asks from the participants is promotion. You are free to tip the guides for a job well done, but other than that, there are no expenses involved.
- You can meet other likeminded tourists who are also in the process of discovering Bucharest and you can hang out together.
- The tours are short and the guides speak multiple languages. You can call the agency a couple of days in advance and you will be able to book a guide who speaks your native language. This will make the tour much more enjoyable and much more interesting.
- The guides are regular people who want to help you uncover the hidden beauties of Bucharest. These tours will not be rigid and professional, but will seem more like a trip among friends. You can enjoy them much more than you would if you would pay an agency to show you around the town.
- You can save the money you would normally spend on a tour for something else – a cocktail, a beer in the Old Town or a traditional dish cooked at a restaurant in Bucharest.
In conclusion, the Bucharest free tours are the best option if you want to visit the Romanian capital, but you don’t feel like spending a ton of money on guides and tourist agencies. You can also have a lot of fun, enjoy the inner beauty of Bucharest, all without having to spend an entire month’s salary.
