Todays Bucharest is the modern capital of Romania, and also Romania’s single largest city with more than two million inhabitants. The city is located in the southern part of the country and has been nicknamed “Little Paris ” by many of its visitors throughout history. That is mainly due to the cozy small-town atmosphere that it possesses despite the fact that it is a multimillion city.
Bucharest was started to be mentioned in the history books around 1400AD, and then after a turbulent history and brutal wars the city Bucharest was set on fire and burned to the ground dozens of times. From the 17th century onwards, Bucharest played an important role in several major wars and the control of the city has shifted from time to time. As you explore Romanian capital you will see that it’s something that left its clear track in the unique architecture and culture.
Activities and Attractions
A place with top-notch party options with the lowest cost possible, that is how thousands of satisfied bachelors described now famous Bucharest bachelor parties. Famous sights in Bucharest include the Arcul de Triumf and the parliament building, one of the world’s largest buildings, found at Piaţa Unirii. A walk in the old town is also often appreciated by visitors.
The Old Town is the only part of the city that has not been damaged or destroyed by war or fires, and here everything from five hundred-year-old churches to royal palaces can be found. Among the museums, the Art Museum Calea Victoriei deserves special mention, which offers an outstanding collection of Romanian art from all eras, including present-day masterpieces. Many visitors with younger family members would like to visit the idyllic Cişmigiu Garden, located in the heart of Bucharest, a visit that is of course only complete with a relaxing boat cruise.
Most visitors that travel to Bucharest arrive to eat and drink well, relax in cozy and medieval environments and maybe shop a little. Bucharest can, however, offer much more than that. Visitors can visit a variety of museums and malls, experience a vibrant nightlife or enjoy Romanian nature close by. The climate is also inviting, with temperatures from around 0 in the winter and up to 25 – 30 degrees in the summer months.
Travel and Accommodation
Visitors usually arrive by airplane and then to Henri Coandă International Airport which is just over a mile away from the center of Bucharest. From there you can easily get on by bus or taxi. The express train Henri Coandă Express also departs regularly, but the train station is just over a mile from the airport. The buses depart from the airport every hour during the day but not during the early morning hours – then a taxi is the best choice.
The range of hotels is large in Bucharest, and the quality, as well as the price, varies greatly. It’s usually easy to find accommodation, but it can be difficult to find an affordable hotel in a central location if you don’t make the reservation in advance. Many prestigious hotels are at a good level, but if you are looking for the very cheapest accommodation, it is a good idea to choose among the more newly built hotels.
Food and Drinks
There are many restaurants in Bucharest, both traditional Romanian and international. Since the Romanian food is regarded as home cooking, most of the restaurants are of the international kind. Particularly Turkish, French and Italian food is popular right now. Those looking for tasty traditional food can visit Rossetya at Dimitrie Bolintineanu or Caru’cu bere at Stavropoleos Street.
Bucharest’s best Indian food can be found on the Taj a stone’s throw from the Marriott in Bucharest, the Red Lion Café on the Strada Academiei is considered to have some of the city’s best pizzas and Shark at Strada Buzeşti offers spicy Turkish delights.
Anyone who wants to enjoy a refreshing drink during hot summer evenings can benefit from visiting Becker Brau on Turturelelor Street, which brews its own beer. If instead, you look for well-filled dance floors, the Control Club, Bamboo or Underworld should be your option.
