This is The Untold Story of Bucharest

Nicknamed Little Paris, Bucharest is the energetic and vibrant capital of Romania. Continuing to rebuild itself after the fall of the communist regime in ’89, Bucharest is embracing modernism and evolving at a fast pace. Emerging from its darker times, Bucharest is now dotted with opulent malls, countless shopping centres and a myriad of fashion boutiques. Around its centre, the restoration of several charming baroque houses, history museums and art galleries has been completed. Just like Paris, Bucharest has a terrific café culture, as well as its newest tea craze taking over the city. But don’t just take my word for it, check out the best things to do in Bucharest.

Rising like a Phoenix from its ashes, many bars and clubs are currently undertaking major works after the Colectiv tragedy. The Romanian spirit has always been of unity, solidarity and kindness, and nowhere in Europe the voices of the youth have screamed louder in hope for change.

Bucharest Architecture

What to visit in Bucharest

From hipster bars to luxurious rooftop restaurants, from art museums to summer festivals, Bucharest will surprise you by how versatile and amazing it really is. There are many attractions to check in Bucharest and I honestly think you will love every moment spent in this capital city. Together with some of Europe’s friendliest people, you are guaranteed to have an epic time in the Romanian capital.

The Palace of Parliament – Casa Poporului (literally meaning the People’s House) is the second largest administrative building in the world and the largest in Europe. Although its exterior is quite simple from an architectural point of view, the interior of The Palace of Parliament is perhaps as opulent as a French castle. Only 400 rooms are in use out of 1100. This building features 8 underground levels and 20 km of catacombs. The interior of the bunker is made of 1.5 m thick concrete which cannot be penetrated by radiation.

University Square – There are several reasons why I believe you should visit the University Square. Firstly, because it is in downtown Bucharest, at the km 0 mark. Secondly, because it features one of the oldest Universities in Bucharest, the National Theatre, the Coltea Hospital (an architectural gem), an old orthodox church called The Three Hierarch and the Intercontinental. When I was young, I used to spend most of my afternoon and evenings by the National Theatre, partly because as teens, we were art enthusiasts and partly because it had a roof bar with top views, cheap beer and awesome live bands.

Bucharest Snow

Natural History Museum – Recently renovated, the Antipa Museum is one of the best ways to spend an afternoon in Bucharest. It’s home to an incredible collection of animals, insects and birds from Romania as well as from around the world. There are many interactive activities for adults and children alike and plenty of information in Romanian as well as in English. Because I love sea creatures so much, it was great to see some rare specimens from the depths of the Black Sea.

Herastrau Park – This is Bucharest’s largest park surrounding the Lake Herastrau. There is evidence this place was inhabited from the Paleolithic, due to traces found in the lake and associated with the Neanderthals. This beautiful park, features several plant species, Japanese gardens, a tree walk, and beautiful aquariums. Many come here to have a Sunday stroll, roller skate or simply chill under the summer sunshine. On the lake, there are plenty of old boats which have been converted into bars and restaurants. You could spend a day in this Park without discovering all its secrets.

The Romanian National Art Museum – I spent countless hours walking around this museum, learning its secrets and understanding its magical history. The museum is in the former Royal Palace, completed in the early 19th century. Most of its contents have been acquired by the Romanian Royal Family and now available for all to be marvel at. It features Romanian and International artists and its entry fee is a modest £3.

Good to know: The entry to this museum is free for all on the first Wednesday of every month.

Art Museum Bucharest

Cismigiu Park – Located right in the heart of Bucharest, Cismigiu is a park long associated with the thinkers of old eras. Writers and artists used to meet here, share ideas and held debates. Nowadays, it’s a peaceful park dotted with chess tables for the elderly, blooming flowers for the keen photographers and an old ruin where youngsters meet to play their guitars.

The Opera House – Built in 1953, The Romanian Opera House is an absolute must for opera and ballet lovers. It was in this very building where I have seen my first ballet performance “Romeo and Juliette”. Featuring a beautiful interior and over 900 seats, the National Opera House hosts many international shows.

Good to know: The Opera House holds a free open air show which takes place at the beginning of each season. It is called “Promenada Operei” which translates to the Opera Stroll.

Calea Victoriei – No better way to retrace the steps of Royalties then strolling on Calea Victoriei (The Way of Victory). This is an old street dotted with theatres, exquisite hotels, brand boutiques and quintessential patisseries. Calea Victoriei also leads you towards the Old Town, where you can enjoy an evening out, sipping craft beer in the company of friendly locals.

Bucharest Museum

Good to Know: Although Romanian people drink when out with their friends, Bucharest doesn’t have a culture of drunkenness. People go out to socialise over a cold beer or a delicious cocktail. Some even have coffee during the evenings or alcohol-free beverages. Although local drinks are relatively cheap, the youth have other ways to party and very rarely you will see them drunk through the streets of Bucharest.

What to eat and drink in Bucharest

Romania is well known for some seriously delicious food. The most authentic dish is called “sarmale”: a combination of mince and rice wrapped in pickled cabbage stewed for a few hours in a special spiced tomato sauce. Usually, this comes with a portion of polenta, traditional pickles and a side of salad. You can opt-in for some amazing homemade lamb sausages, dried and cured meat or soup served in a bowl made of bread. Make sure you leave enough room for dessert so you can try sweet cheese pies, chocolate biscuit cake and my personal favourite: plum dumplings.

Traditional Food Romania

Hanul Lui Manuc – This is a traditional restaurant which serves authentic Romanian food. The look and feel are very rustic and because I visited during winter, in January, the inner courtyard and garden were all full of snow. It all looked beautiful. The restaurant offers well-priced dishes and exceptional food quality. I would recommend this place with all my heart.

The Front Room – ‘Camera din Fata’ or the Front Room as per its literal translation, is the coolest tea and coffee house in the whole of Bucharest. The place itself is super small, tastefully decorated and has amazing customer service. I travelled my way around the world, and I must say their Blue Mountain coffee was the real deal. I also tried their Sencha tea and it was as delicious as the one I had in Kyoto.

Tea at Green Tea – My second favourite tea house in Bucharest is Green Tea. What sets it apart from the rest is that each room is tastefully decorated to resemble a different theme. For example, you can have your tea in the Japanese room, where you will be served tea from Asian dishes. Alternatively, you can enjoy the front garden, the Indian room or have a cuppa in the attic which is full of books. With an extraordinary variety of teas, it’s no surprise I used to spend many summer afternoons here, reading books, daydreaming and making plans of travelling the world.

Tea House Bucharest

Cakes at Hotel Capsa – For a royal treatment, make your way to Calea Victoriei and enter the old and majestic Hotel Capsa. Ask for a table and indulge yourself in some of the most delicious cakes you will ever try outside of Paris. Dare I say, they were even better! The service here is excellent, the lobby and the restaurant look incredibly extravagant.

Lounge 18 – For a more exquisite dinner, head over to 18. This is a rooftop restaurant which offers picture-perfect food, and those beautiful views over Bucharest we so love to see. The view and quality come with a relatively high price tag in comparison to other restaurants in Bucharest, although on average a meal is around £15 and a cocktail is £4.

How to Travel around Bucharest

The infrastructure in Bucharest is well defined, yet the traffic can be daunting, especially during peak times. To save yourself frustration, I recommend travelling by subway. It’s very cheap and easy to navigate through. Most subway stations, especially around the centre, have been renovated and new trains have been introduced. Avoid taking a cab unless strictly necessary, as usually, they tend to charge you more if you are a tourist. Even so, rest assured the prices are incredibly low for cabs (in comparison to the Bristol). Perhaps try an uber, at least you know what you pay for.

Cory Bucharest

Must know before you go

Romania are still recovering from communism and nowhere this is more obvious than in Bucharest. Yet, the young generations are hopeful, ambitious and determined to change the country for the better.

Although believed otherwise, Romanian people are actually incredibly friendly, welcoming and really keen to help out.

Subway Bucharest

Romanian people are always trying to accommodate others and you will notice that people will try to speak English to you. This is just to make you feel comfortable.

Most Romanian people speak better English than you think. Although the older generations are shy in this regards, I don’t think I met many youngsters not speaking English, French or some other languages.

If you stay in a Romanian house, you will be treated as an honoured guest. People will go out of their way to feed you lots, show you around and change their habits so you have a great time. If you are invited to a Romanian home, note that it is customary to bring some food or a bottle of wine.

Romanian Language Tips

As I already mentioned, Romanians speak English, especially the younger generations in Bucharest. However, if can say a couple of things in their language, it will bring smiles and joy. Why not make someone’s day better by learning these key sentence:

Hello: Bunā

Goodbye: La Revedere

Thank you: Mulţumesc

How are you: Ce faci?

Excuse me: Pardon

Sorry: Scuze

Romania House Of Parliament

What do you love most about Bucharest? Leave your tips and recommendations in the comments section below.

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Cory from You Could Travel entering Senso-ji in Tokyo, Japan

Cory Varga – Cory is a published travel writer and award-winning photographer. She travels full time with her husband and is passionate about creating in-depth travel guides. Cory published her first book on Japanese customs and manners because she’s obsessed with everything Japan. She has visited hundreds of destinations and has lived in 7 different countries. Cory is multilingual and an alumna from The University of Manchester.

Comments

8 responses to “This is The Untold Story of Bucharest”

  1. Bucharest is the most beautiful city in Romania. That is why it is the capital of the country 🙂 I am in love with this country and the small and historical streets. I ate the most delicious food there and even today I’m thinking of papanasi 🙂 They were the best! Every corner is full of stories,people are kind and the attractions (museums, theatre) are so great and imposing.

  2. Akintomiwa Obisanya Avatar
    Akintomiwa Obisanya

    Bucharest is friendly and cosy as you said studied in Bucharest in the 70ies and still love the romantic aspect of PETIT PARIS.

  3. Jeffrey Clark Avatar
    Jeffrey Clark

    I love the article. I CANNOT get enough of Bucuresti. It is, indeed, my home from another life it seems as my heart is constantly pulled that way. Although I may never see it with my own eyes, I see it with my heart and soul with every picture or video I see. I am truly envious of the citizens of Bucuresti. Thank you for the wonderful read.

  4. Thank you Cory for the great article, you are spot-on in your descriptions. Also traveled to most European countries and many in Asia and North/South America, I’ve visited Bucharest at least a dozen times since meeting friends there online in 2006 with road trips to Brasov, Sibiu, Hunadoara, Sighisoara, Iasi, Piatra Neamt, Bicaz and other places along the way. My favorite area to stay in Bucharest is Lipscani (romantic old town), about halfway between Unirii and Universitea plazas on the West side of the main street between, usually in apartment flats or boutique hotels (recommended) although I stayed at the Intercontinental and Novotel each once early on. The capital and other cities are as spectacular as the natural beauty of the pristine countryside, the last place where the European Bison roam free, but for me the best part is the Romanian people who are generally warm, friendly, kind, generous, very smart and resourceful. I had a spiritually cathartic moment alone in Nature at Dreptu (a small village nestled in the Eastern Carpathian mountains) one October a few years back. My friends and their extended family there are more like family to me now and the youngest ones call me Bunicu (Grandpa). I’ll likely retire there to be with them. Every place has its issues, but the place, people and culture of Romania are a great combo.

  5. Hi! I have a plan to visit Bucharest this summer if Corona allows me to. I am looking at hotels already and I don’t know what neighbourhood to select? I see on hartabucuresti website that there are only “Sectors” from 1 to 8. Can someone recommend quiet and save neighbourhood to stay in?

    1. Hi Rebeka, to be fair, Bucharest is not the quietest city in Europe. Because most people live in blocks of flats, you never know how quiet your neighbours are going to be. It’s a hit and miss.
      I’d say position yourself in Sector 1 or 3 so you can be right in the city centre.

  6. Draga Cory, iti multumesc mult, mult, mult pentru acest blog despre Romania. Am vazut Romania cu sufletul tau plin de iubire pentru tot ceea ce este tara unde ne-am nascut si am trait o parte din viata noastra. Este o “scrisoare de dragoste” a unei fete care nu uita niciodata prima iubire. Ai colindat planeta albastra, dar sunt incantata ca esti fidela tarii noastre. Cu mult drag, si sa stii ca in seara aceasta am facut mucenicii dupa reteta ta de la Yuzu. ♥♥♥

    1. Draga Iana,
      Iti multumesc frumos pentru acest mesaj, cald. Iubesc tara noastra si ma gandesc serios sa ma intorc. Uneori imi este asa un dor de capitala, de munti, de mare…o tara superba cu oameni buni, frumosi.

      Astept cu nerabdare feedback pentru mucenici. Si noi facem astazi, abia astept. Imi amintesc de copilarie si casa mamei cu miros de vanilie si nuci <3

      P.S. m-am apucat sa scriu mai mult despre Romania. Mi se pare corect, fiindca este o tara superba, trebuie sa stie si strainii de ea. 😉 speram sa “o punem pe harta” sa zic asa. Toate bune! Cory

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