Balkan Travel Pt 2: [Romania] Bucharest Walking Tour

In Bucharest I stayed in K+K Hotel Elisabeta, a small hotel located along Strada Slănic which is a small lane not even wide enough for a 50-seater bus to go through. It was a little inconvenient to have to pull a big luggage from the nearest main road but this inconvenience is fortunately offset by the hotel's strategic location near the hub of downtown. In its vicinity you can find many historical monuments, buildings, and squares which form major landmarks of Bucharest. 

I stayed in Bucharest for two nights and did 2 very early morning walking tours on my own. At home I am a night bird who often wakes up at 9am or 10am but when the travel bugs bite, I would be wide awake by 5am and out exploring the city by the break of dawn. Eccentric... but that's just who I am. 

Another walking tour to Old Town happened by default as my tour bus broke down delaying the day's itinerary and the tour guide took us for a walk to the Old Town to kind of appease us.

I am sharing photos of the places I covered during these walking tours commencing from my  accommodation in K+K Hotel Elisabeta.

This is the lobby lounge of K+K Hotel Elisabeta which I stayed in.

1.University Square

University Square is located right in front of University of Bucharest. There are four statues in University Square depicting Ion Heliade Rădulescu (1879), Michael the Brave (1874), Gheorghe Lazăr (1889) and Spiru Haret (1932).

Fronting the University Square is University Of Bucharest

2.Coltea Park

This monument in Coltea Park is called Broken Violin Fountain. I wonder why it is called a fountain as no fountain is in sight, just a 7-ton violin cast in bronze.

This Coltea Hospital building is a 1888 structure which has been recently restored. It looks quite grand.

This  beautiful church near Coltea Park is known as Three Hierarchs Church.

This is another facade of Three Hierarchs Church.

3.Bucharest Old Town 
  (early morning view)

Unlike cities like Bangkok or Hanoi which would be bustling by 6am, Bucharest is still sleeping at 7am. The white classical building on the left is National Bank Of Romania.

The building with the beautiful dome in the background is CEC Palace. It is the  headquarters of Romanian Savings Bank.

Stavropoleos Church is a very old church, built in early 18th century.

Posing in front of Palatul Pinacotecii just after sunrise. I like morning walks like this as it makes me feel like I own the whole place.

3.Bucharest Old Town 
(late morning ambiance)

I am glad I did a second walking tour of Old Town. With more light shining on the historical buildings I was able to take better pictures of them. CEC Palace now sparkles like a gem.

The Stock Exchange Palace has very intricate designs on its facade.

Seen here is Monument to Eugeniu Carada in front of Museum of National Bank.

I am in love with all the historic buildings in the area. I can gawk at them for hours as I delight in beautiful architecture but time is never on my side when I am on a group tour and that's the reason I am taking so many photographs. This building seen here is The Central Electoral Bureau which oversees all local and national elections in the country.

  Many streets in Old Town are pedestrianized and Strada Smârdan is one of them         

Colorful chairs on a restaurant patio 

A narrow alley 

Souvenir display

Eye-catching red door

Quaint decor in a restaurant

4. Macca-Villacrosse Passage 
   @ Old Town

Located in Old Town, Macca-Villacrosse Passage is a glass covered street-passage with multiple shops and restaurants. It is a very charming place.

Ornate details of Macca-Villacrosse Passage

The dazzling glass dome of Macca-Villacrosse Passage

The winding passage lined with restaurants

Restaurants yet to be opened

5.The Ministry of Agriculture Palace

There was an agricultural cooperative fair in the compound of The Ministry of Agriculture Palace during my visit to Bucharest. I had an enlightening time looking at the local produce and food on display.

I wish I had another full day in Bucharest as there are still places which I wanted to see. I can't say "till my next trip" as I will probably not visit Bucharest again. 

Related Posts: Click To View
Balkan Travel Pt 1: [ Romania] Bucharest Sightseeing
Balkan Travel Pt 2: [Romania] Bucharest Walking Tour
Balkan Travel Pt 3: [Romania] Peles Castle , Dracula's Castle & Romanian Scenery
Balkan Travel Pt 4: Bulgaria Attractions
Balkan Travel Pt 5: [Bulgaria] Sofia Attractions
Balkan Travel Pt 6: [North Macedonia] Skopje A City Of Mutifarious Statues
Balkan Travel Pt 7: [North Macedonia] Memorable Moments In Skopje
Balkan Travel Pt 8: [North Macedonia] Ohrid Photo Gallery
Balkan Travel Pt 9: [Albania] Glimpses Of Albania and Its Capital City Tirana
Balkan Travel Pt 10: [Albania] Walking Tour Of Tirana
Balkan Travel Pt 11: Montenegro Scenic Drive
Balkan Travel Pt 12: The Charms Of Koto Montenegro
Balkan Travel Pt 13: [Montenegro] The Old Town Of Kotor Photo Gallery
Balkan Travel Part 14: [Croatia] The Charms Of Dubrovnik
Balkan Travel Pt 15: [Croatia] The Old Town Of Dubrovnik
Balkan Travel Part 16: [Croatia] The Elaphiti Islands Of Dubrovnik
Balkan Travel Part 17: [Croatia] Plitvice National Park Photo Gallery
Balkan Travel Part 18: [Croatia] Rastoke Villagel

Balkan Travel Part 19: Mostar and Beautiful Scenery of The Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina

Balkan Travel Part 20: Highlights Of Sarajevo, Bosnia & Herzegovina

Balkan Travel Part 21: Bihac, Bosnia And Herzegovina
Balkan Travel Part 22: Bled Castle And Lake Bled, Slovenia
Balkan Travel Part 23: Lake Bled And Bled Island, Slovenia

Balkan Travel Part 24: Postojna Cave Park, Slovenia

Balkan Travel Part 25: Getting To Know Ljubljana, Slovenia

Balkan Travel Part 26: [Croaria] Zagreb Walking Tour