One of the largest cities in Eastern Europe, Bucharest is a modern, lively metropolis with an interesting mix of old and new architecture, affordable shopping, vibrant nightlife and cultural scene as well as plenty of museums and monuments to see. It is also the capital city, main transport hub and entry point into Romania.
The Romanian capital situated on the Wallachian plains in Southeast Romania, between the Danube River and the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains, Bucharest is a meeting point of Central and Eastern Europe and the Balkan Region. The local culture has elements from the ancient empire of Rome as well as Dacia. While not as rich in historic attractions as the cities and towns in Transylvania, Bucharest still has a lot of charm. It is not the most popular tourism destination in Romania, but nevertheless many foreigners visit Bucharest today.
Entertainment & culture. Nightlife in Bucharest is varied and lively, with many nightclubs, bars and cultural or live music venues available. Museums in Bucharest include an art museum in the former Royal Palace, the Old Court museum containing the ruins of an old Wallachian palace, Village Museum with its 300 traditional buildings, several history museums and a Peasant Museum concentrated on local folklore. The Parliament Palace also has a contemporary art museum. Shopping in Bucharest can be done in the many large shopping malls throughout the city or in the design boutiques of downtown. Bucharest also has several lovely parks that have little lakes with boat rental in the summer and ice-skating in the winter. There are also regular big concerts in Bucharest, several theaters, a golf academy and a golf course in Bucharest.
The Romanian capital situated on the Wallachian plains in Southeast Romania, between the Danube River and the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains, Bucharest is a meeting point of Central and Eastern Europe and the Balkan Region. The local culture has elements from the ancient empire of Rome as well as Dacia. While not as rich in historic attractions as the cities and towns in Transylvania, Bucharest still has a lot of charm. It is not the most popular tourism destination in Romania, but nevertheless many foreigners visit Bucharest today.
Sights and activities in Bucharest: monuments, shopping and nightlife
Plentiful museums, shopping centers, boutiques, cultural entertainment and nightlife are all parts of the busy Bucharest’s charm. Once known as the “Paris of the East”, Bucharest has lost a lot of its historic buildings in the Second World War and the following Communist era. However, a part of the old town still remains, and there are also beautiful historic churches and monasteries. The modern landmarks in Bucharest include the Parliament Palace, built in 1984, that is the second largest building in the world with its 3100 rooms, and the Revolution Square with a tall monument dedicated to the people died in the revolution in 1989. Longer and shorter sightseeing tours in Bucharest are available, arranged by local tour operators.Entertainment & culture. Nightlife in Bucharest is varied and lively, with many nightclubs, bars and cultural or live music venues available. Museums in Bucharest include an art museum in the former Royal Palace, the Old Court museum containing the ruins of an old Wallachian palace, Village Museum with its 300 traditional buildings, several history museums and a Peasant Museum concentrated on local folklore. The Parliament Palace also has a contemporary art museum. Shopping in Bucharest can be done in the many large shopping malls throughout the city or in the design boutiques of downtown. Bucharest also has several lovely parks that have little lakes with boat rental in the summer and ice-skating in the winter. There are also regular big concerts in Bucharest, several theaters, a golf academy and a golf course in Bucharest.
Bucharest travel information and practical tips
The climate in Bucharest is between temperate and continental, having four seasons, including hot and mostly dry summers and cold and windy winters. There is also a brief springtime in April and a longer autumn from October to early December. Bucharest receives most rainfall during spring and autumn, as well as some violent rainstorms in summer. In wintertime, there is possibility for snowfall.
Photo: kriskaer, used under Creative Commons License (By ND 2.0)
Traveling to Bucharest is quite easy from elsewhere in Europe. There are two international airports in the city, receiving flights to Bucharest from most big cities in Europe. Outside Europe, there are direct flights to the city from the USA and Turkey. Bucharest also has excellent railway connections, with intercity trains to the city from all the neighboring countries as well as many others, including Western Europe, Russia, Greece and Turkey. Bus connections to Bucharest also exist from many large cities around Europe.
Getting around. Bucharest has one of the most extensive and cheapest systems of public transport in Europe, with a four-line subway system, as well as buses, trolleybuses and trams. Taxis are also plentifully available. Car rental in Bucharest is a good way to get to know Romania outside the capital, but traffic in the city itself is congested and dangerous, with very little parking space.
Accommodation & dining. There is a large amount of hotels in Bucharest, ranging from five-star business hotels to cheap hotels and guesthouses. Restaurants in Bucharest offer the widest selection of cuisines in Romania and are also quite inexpensive. There are also plenty of nightlife options in the city. Many educated people and young people in Bucharest speak English.
Safety. Bucharest has relatively low crime rates, but petty crime such as pickpocketing and scams are still rather common, particularly in crowded places and in public transportation. Taking good care of your belongings and using common sense will keep you from losing your money. Crime is more evident in the poor southern districts of the city, that should only be visited by taxi. Walking around at night is not safe in some parts of Bucharest. Avoid also the ubiquitous stray dogs and taking rides from unofficial taxi drivers.
hint See also these nearby destinations: Brasov
