BUCHAREST

Bucharest turned out to be a pleasant surprise, as I didn’t expect it to be so beautiful.

The capital of Romania is a large city with many attractions, museums and parks. In the spring I believe your trip will be even better, as the flowers and parks will be in bloom.

I visited Bucharest in February and I was lucky with the weather. It was sunny and the cold was bearable with just a jacket. Plus, February is not tourist season, so I had the opportunity to explore the city without it being crowded.

Bucharest is a good choice for a short getaway, since you can see all the sights in 2-3 days. It is also an economical destination. From Greece the flights are quite cheap and accommodation is quite affordable. Regarding the food, you can find restaurants for all budgets.

Transportation in Bucharest

From the airport to the hotel we took the bus and the ticket costs 3 lei (about 0.60€ per person).

For the airport from the hotel we used Uber and the ride cost 13€. For getting around the city you can get a day pass for about 5€ for all public transportations.

If you want to get individual tickets, each way costs 3 lei.

Accommodation in Bucharest

New Era Hotel

As I mentioned above, you can see Bucharest in 2-3 days. To do this though, make sure you stay in a central location. I stayed at the New Era Hotel and it was the best choice.

It is located in the heart of the city, close to most of the attractions, so we visited them by foot and only used the public transportations for a few places we wanted to see.

This saved us both time and money, as we didn’t have to travel by public transport except 2-3 times.

The hotel is also located on a pedestrian full of restaurants, so you have countless dining options within walking distance.

The room we stayed in was lovely, spacious and comfortable with the highest ceiling I’ve ever seen in a room! We also had a balcony, so if the weather permits it’s a great idea to enjoy your meal in your room while enjoying the view.

The staff were very polite and willing to help you with anything you needed. Now let’s move on to breakfast. You will find anything you like, as there are countless options. My favourites were the scrambled eggs, the butter and chocolate croissants – I have a particular love for them – and the sausages.

You’ll find lots of choices in eggs, cold cuts, sausages, cheeses, breads, juices, etc.

What to see in Bucharest

Palace of the Parliament

The Palace of the Parliament is the largest building in Europe and the second largest building in the world after the US Pentagon.

It began construction in 1984, at the behest of Romania’s communist president, Ceausescu. It has over 3,000 rooms, 14 floors and cost a total of $3.3 billion!

After the fall of Ceausescu, the Palace of the Parliament became the subject of intense debate as to what would become of it. Eventually the building was renamed the “Palace of Parliament”. Today it houses the Parliament and the Senate. Some rooms remain open to the public.

Across the street you will find the Clock Bucharest 1459, a clock with a long history. From there you have the best view to take a picture of the Palace of the Parliament.

Tickets prices start from 15 euros.

Arch of Triumph

The Arc de Triomphe is one of the reasons why Bucharest has been called the “Paris of the Balkans”.

Originally, Bucharest’s first arch was made of wood and dedicated to Romanian soldiers who fought in World War I. In 1936 it was reshaped in granite and designed by the architect Petre Antonescu to a height of 27 metres.

The arch is decorated with sculptures created by the most notable Romanian sculptors, including Ion Jalea and Dimitrie Paciurea.

Church Stavropoleos

Apart from being an Orthodox church, this is a monument of historical importance and is located in the city centre, two steps from the New Era Hotel where we stayed.

It was built in 1724 by a Greek monk and is a UNESCO protected museum. With its intricately carved entrance filled with columns, the church stands out in Bucharest.

Behind the church is a courtyard where you can enjoy the quiet and the monument.

Cărturești Carusel

Cărturești Carusel is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful and famous bookstores in the world.

You can buy books and already gift books, and on the top floor you will find a bistro to enjoy your coffee.

If you want to take a picture in the beautiful bookstore make sure to go at 10:00 when it opens, as it gets crowded after that.

Revolution Square

Revolution Square earned its name after it marked the final minute of Ceausescu’s rule in Romania on December 21, 1989.

You’ll find the National Museum of Art there, and there are other attractions nearby, including the Senate Palace and the Romanian Athenaeum, and the Athenee Palace Hilton Bucharest.

Revolution Square is also known for its dramatic Renaissance Monument. Erected in 2005, it includes the names of the 1,058 victims of the bloody revolution and a bronze statue of Julius Mani, the Romanian Prime Minister imprisoned by the Communist Party.

Romanian Athenaeum

In Bucharest you should definitely visit the Romanian Athenaeum. It is an impressive building, in neoclassical style with impressive details. The ticket costs 10 lei (about 2€).

National Museum of Art – Royal Palace

In the former Royal Palace, the National Museum of Art is Romania’s leading museum that houses the most comprehensive collection of Romanian art, including medieval and contemporary art.

You’ll find it on Revolution Square and it’s definitely worth a visit.

Palace of the Deposits and Consignments

The CEC Palace in Bucharest, the headquarters of the CEC Bank, was built between 1897 and 1900 and is located on Calea Victoriei opposite the National Museum of Romanian History. The imposing building stands out and is a perfect spot for photos.

Biserica Zlătari

The small Orthodox church Biserica Zlătari is a few meters away from the Monastery Stavropoleos and is dedicated to the birth of the Virgin Mary.

University Square

University Square is located in the centre of Bucharest, close to the University of Bucharest and around it you will find several shops such as bakeries and restaurants.

Nation’s Heroes Memorial

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is a monument located in Bucharest and is dedicated to the soldiers who died fighting for Romania. It was built in 1923 to honour the memory of Romanians who died during the First World War.

It can be found on the hill where Carol I Park begins and is open to the public some days of the year.

Carol I Park

Carol I Park is probably the most famous park in Bucharest and is named after King Carol I of Romania.

It overlooks the Monument of the Unknown Soldier and is a nice choice for a relaxing walk among the trees and flowers. You’ll also find a duck pond in the beautiful park, and it’s just a 15-minute walk from Unirii Square and the Palace of the Parliament.

Therme Bucharest

Therme Bucharest is a heaven on earth in Bucharest – and the largest spa in Europe. It is a wellness, relaxation and fun park where it is based on the thermal waters of the region.

It has not only thermal water pools, but also the largest indoor and outdoor garden in Romania.

The garden consists of over 800,000 plants and hundreds of tree species, including the largest area of real palm trees in Europe, creating a tropical holiday atmosphere within a stone’s throw from the centre of Bucharest.

In addition to the thermal water pools, you’ll find a fantastic park with waterslides, sauna areas, hamams and restaurants with countless options to choose from.

The Therme is divided into three areas, each with a specific theme. The Palm, as the name suggests, is an area dedicated to relaxation among 500 palm trees, the largest garden of its kind in Europe.

The Elysium area is designed as a spa with saunas and for those who would like to enjoy a nice massage. The third area is the entertainment centre. Here you can have fun in the pool with artificial waves or play on the water slides.

It is the ultimate destination for relaxation and fun, so if you visit Bucharest you should definitely not miss it.

Food in Bucharest

Caru’ cu Bere

Caru’ cu bere is the most famous restaurant in the city and has been around for more than 130 years. It has been operating since 1879 and is the oldest beer house in the city.

The interior is quite impressive, wood panelling and attention to detail. The restaurant is huge, but you should make a reservation because it’s a favorite choice of foreigners and locals.

The food is delicious and the service is very fast. We chose one of the chef’s specialties with pork and a platter of meat weighing 1.1kg arrived at our table! The outside was crispy and the meat on the inside was so soft and it melted in your mouth. Undoubtedly one of the best dishes I have ever tasted.

If you travel to Bucharest a visit to Caru’ cu Bere is a must!

Linea Closer to the Moon

In the heart of the city you will find one of the nicest restaurants in Bucharest with impressive igloos on the rooftop. The view is great especially during sunset.

You can go for coffee, drinks or food. We chose the third option. We tried their delicious Alfredo pasta and amazing gnocchi with tomato sauce and pancetta.

If you want to visit, I suggest you make a reservation, via their website – as we did.

Terasa Obor

If you want to eat like the locals you should go to Terasa Obor, a canteen in an open market. It only sells mici, which are like little traditional Romanian kebabs, bread, beer and soft drinks. Nothing else.

For two people we got 8 mici – which were delicious – three breads and a soft drink and cost about 10€ in total. It’s a pretty cheap option, as in the tourist restaurants you should expect to pay about 15€ per person at least.

Luca

Luca bakeries were my obsession Bucharest. They have delicious options at very affordable prices. We tried one of their classic pierogies with sausage and a hot bun filled with Nutella. Each option costs about 0.70€-1€.

Definitely an extremely affordable option for those planning a budget trip.

Dristor Kebab

Last but not least, we visited Dristor Kebab for doner which is one of my favorite foods when I travel. It’s another budget option, as a doner sandwich costs around 4€ and a peridot of fries costs 2€.

The ultimate guide for Bucharest, the capital of Romania