Your Ultimate Guide to Exploring Bucharest

The capital of Romania, Bucharest, is by no means the most popular tourist destination in Europe. But it has a unique charm that, while hard to describe, has made me revisit twice since I first visited four years ago.  You will find the modern buildings and western comforts you expect in any major European city, but you don’t have to venture off too far from the city center to find a place being run by folks with a traditional Balkan worldview. It is a city of complicated histories, reflected in its architecture that is a blend of everything between Austro-Hungarian, French, and communist-brutalist styles.

Famously dubbed the ‘Paris of the East’, Bucharest hosts impressive historical landmarks worthy of a European metropolis and has a sprawling nightlife that can compete with any city in Europe. You may be a street food enthusiast, a connoisseur of Nouveau French-esque art, or a wretched romantic for idyllic parks and lakes – make no mistake, there is something for everyone in Bucharest. Now, let’s get into how you can make the most out of your trip.

Planning Your Trip

When exploring a megacity like Bucharest, proper planning can be the difference between having the time of your life or a very stressful time. Let’s discuss some key-points that will make your planning easier.

Best Time to Visit Bucharest

Bucharest loses its vibrancy during summer or autumn. The heat can produce sweat in buckets. And Autumn is the harbinger of the gloom. In winter, well, it gets chilly, and unsympathetic, since the day is short and a few tourist attractions don’t operate late and get closed early. Many attractions don’t operate at all in the winter, and you will certainly have less guided tours to choose from.

If possible, make arrangements in the months of April to June and in September and early October. Like all other European cities I have been to (except maybe the ones known for ski resorts), it is better to visit in summer when the days are longer and the weather is more suitable for outdoor exploration.

Visa Requirement & Travel Arrangements

If you are an EU national, you don’t need a Visa to visit Romania. If you are traveling from elsewhere, check the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Website for comprehensive guidelines. People from certain countries, for example mine (Bangladesh), often need a sticker visa that you have to physically obtain from a Romanian embassy. But this requirement can be overcome by having a valid Schengen visa, etc. (please check the government site linked above for details)

Flying is the easiest way to get to Bucharest. Tarom, the national aircraft carrier of Romania carries passengers from and to most important cities around the world. Other options, including budget airlines in the likes of Ryan Air, Wizz Air etc. also can take you to the city.

Conversely, you can go to Bucharest by train and by bus if you are in a nearby country. They may be time-consuming but will usually cost you less. It can be quite a hassle though in certain routes, because Romanian connecting-trains are notorious for having multiple-hour delays. The first time I came in Romania was on a private van transfer from Belgrade to Timisoara. What followed was a “nine-hour-journey” to Brasov which actually became a sixteen hour journey due to train delays in the middle of the night. Needless to say, I flew in the next time, to avoid such issues.

Accommodation in Bucharest

For accommodation, Bucharest offers international hotel chains, boutique hotels, hostels, apartments for rent for Airbnbs etc. If you are willing, you can get all the luxuries. Or if you simply want to spend the bare minimum for the night overhaul, you can get away with a cheap hostel. I have personally only stayed in hostels previously, and recently in Airbnbs as I was trying to have a quite home-like space where I could relax and get the research work done needed to prep for my Romania travel video series.

Here is a list of the best hostels in Bucharest in my opinion

• First Hotel Bucur 21
• Kretan Hotel
• Vila 11

If you are not on a budget, and want more privacy you could also check these hotels:

• Moxy Bucharest Old Town
• The Marmorosch Bucharest
• Europa Royal Bucharest

Getting Around

Bucharest, like most European capitals, has a public transport system that can get you anywhere you need to go. One cool new improvement to Bucharest public transport is that you can now pay simply by tapping your contactless credit card in buses, trams and the metro gates, removing the need to carry excessive cash in confusing foreign currency and having to figure out how to buy paper tickets on antiquated machines (like I had to in 2019). If you want, you can get a day pass, weekly pass, monthly pass or pay-as-you-go pass. You can get tickets at the station, kiosks or vending machines. Have a look at the different fares before planning your journey.

Metro

Bucharest Metro Lines are 79 km long covering 63 stations. Right now there are five lines – Line M1, Line M2, Line M3, Line M4 and LineM5. Line M1 encompasses the city in a circular route, Line M2 connects the north and the south of the city, Line M3 will take you from the eastern tip to western end and Line M4 gets you to the north end from the city center. M5 is the newest addition and runs from Eroilor to Râul Doamnei, and continues to Valea Lalomiței. Metro starts running from 5 am and keep running until 11 pm. You can get a metro to hop on every 3 to 5 minutes during the rush hour. You have to wait 5 or 6 six minutes more when you do not travel in rush hour.

Buses and Trams

Bucharest bus and tram service can get you almost anywhere within the city limits, and beyond. Whether you can get to your destination in time is another question. Travelling over land during rush hour in downtown, like most major cities, is not a good idea if you need to get somewhere fast. The local buses cover more than 130 stops, have 85 different lines, run from early hours until midnight. More than a dozen or so bus lines conduct services all night long.

The Bucharest Transport Company that runs bus services uses cashless card services to collect bus fares. You can get two types of card – Activ and Multiplu – that load trips and minutes at the following fares. You can also pay by SMS-directly from your mobile, using the free 24Pay App or contactless bank card. Trams can also move you around the city. They are infrequent compared to bus or metro services and fares are charged through Activ or Multiplu cards, in similar way. Note that you can pay for a trip at any point using just your credit card on the tap-machines inside a vehicle.

Ridesharing

The few places you may not be able to go by Metro or by bus, ridesharing services like Uber, Yango, or Bolt and local taxi services can take you there. I have had no bad experiences in Romania, but as a tourist I always prefer using ridesharing apps over hailing taxis. Ridesharing fares are much cheaper than anyone used to western prices. If I was filming in a rush (and if metro wasn’t the fastest option) or if I was traveling long distances with my backpacks (when going in or out of the city), I would always opt for an Uber or a Bolt (often cheaper than Uber). I will suggest getting both apps and comparing prices and wait-times (as they can vary significantly based on ride availability) before requesting a driver.

Exploring the City on Foot

If you are ready to shed a few calories while enjoying the city, start walking around. There are a number of guided tours to choose from, including my personal favorite, free-walking-tours (where it is expected that you leave a tip for the guide if you enjoyed the tour). Or do some research like reading blogs and watching informative travel vlogs, and embark on a self-guided tour, at your own pace, for completely free. You will discover Bucharest is a lovely place to walk around. In my opinion, after visiting every Balkan country, it has the prettiest old town in the Balkans and may be one of the prettiest cities I have seen in all of Eastern Europe along with Budapest and Krakow. The roads are spacious with designated sidewalks for walking. There are tunnels to cross the main intersections in the center which have their own eco-system of shops underneath. Just make sure you are getting out of the right tunnel exit or you will have to go back down and come up another set of stairs, like I had to repeatedly for not paying attention.

Must-See Landmarks

Palace of the Parliament

Bucharest’s Palace of Parliament is one of the most unique buildings in the world. It is the second largest government building anywhere in the world after the Pentagon. But the history of the building is far from admirable and it’s called the most “evil” building on earth by some. It was the defining project of the country’s former, brutal dictator, Nicolae Ceaușescu, who spent billions on destroying homes and a central part of the historic old town to build it as a symbol of his reign. You should still go see it, and it’s honestly quite hard to miss if you are in the vicinity of it. There are also plenty of guided tours (that you can find from a quick google search) that tell you the story of the building while showcasing the interesting aspects of it. On a side note, I would also strongly recommend taking a communist-history related walking tour to understand the recent history of the country until 1989 and the lives of modern day Romanians.

Old Town

The Old Town lies in the dead center of the city. Vlad the Impaler’s court-turned-open air museum, the National Museum of Romanian History, Cărturești Carusel-the beautiful bookshop etc. are only a few of the many historical attractions you will find there. Bucharest was mentioned way back in 1459 as the temporary residence of Vlad Dracula as he fought Ottomans in the south. Since then, a lot has happened, and the old town has witnessed everythingfrom construction to destruction to renovation. The big fire, earthquakes, imperial subjugation and finally the regime of Nicolae Ceaușescu – the old town has seen it all. But the communist dictator’s unrestrained impulses probably caused the most havoc. The intention was to make way for the Palace of the Parliament and the surrounding Civic Center. And thus the destruction of numerous priceless architectural buildings, churches, etc. ensued. Interestingly, dozens of buildings including historic churches and synagogues were saved by the city’s heroic architects who figured out how to move them from their original locations to new ones, hundreds of meters away, by excavating entire buildings and moving them on tracks resembling train tracks. One such building that you can visit that was transported in this manner is the “Michael the Voivode” Orthodox Church.

Village Museum

The Village Museum is an ethnographic museum displaying the village life of traditional Romania. It’s an open-air museum showcasing more than a hundred peasant villages, a total of 363 monuments and more than 50,000 artefacts found from a period over 300 years, ranging from 17^th to 20^th century. The ancient remains are collected from Banat, Dobrogea, Oltenia, Moldova, Maramures, Transylvania and Muntenia. The National Museum is open seven days a week

Herastrau Park – Relaxation by the Lake

Besides fascinating architecture, Bucharest also has domesticated forests to breathe fresh oxygen. But Herastrau Park stands out tall. A lake by the same name is surrounded by the park which adds an extra layer of refreshing sceneries to enjoy. The 187 acres is well designed for everyone – it’s perfect for a romantic stroll, a robust family gathering for a picnic, a day in the outdoors with colleagues – you name it and the park has it. And as icing on the cake, the lake provides the opportunity for some leisurely water sports.

Cultural Experiences

Romania is a place with a rich and diverse history of multicultural influence and affluence. And Bucharest stayed at the center of it all. Roman, Ottoman, Dacian and Hungarian cultures all have left their marks and Bucharest portrays them beautifully for the world to enjoy.

National Museum of Art: Masterpieces in Bucharest

If you love paintings, then visiting The National Museum of Art (located in the former Royal Palace) is a must for you. The museum has three categories: Old Romanian Art Gallery, Modern Romanian Art Gallery and European Art Gallery. As the names suggest, you can choose what you like. Or if you have an entire afternoon, visit all of them and see immortal works by the likes of Tintoretto, Rubens, Constantine Brancusi, Rembrandt, Monet among many others.

 Attend A Traditional Romanian Folk Performance

Bucharest is the perfect blend of traditions and modernity, showcased throughout the year by a number of cultural events. The most popular of them would be the Bucharest International Folklore Festival. For two days, artists from all around the country gather and showcase their artistry. It is worth timing your summer trip to coincide with the event if this excites you. But if you can’t make it then, there are a lot of cultural performances happening both indoors and outdoors throughout the year. Among them Harvest Fare, Bucharest of Old, Maiden’s Fair, National Easter Egg Festival, National Trout Festival, Rock The City Concerts, and Festival of the Heart are the major events that will give the taste of true Romanian cultures.

 Bucharest’s Concert Halls and Theaters  

If you choose to spend an afternoon enjoying music in the grandest manner, the Romanian Athenaeum will be the place for you. The sheer brilliance in the architecture of the establishment is mind-boggling.

Sala Radio and Sala Palatului also attract a number of tourists. These three places will stand out among 40 or more places to enjoy live music. Bucharest is also rich in live showcasing of performance arts. The National Theater of Bucharest is the portrayal of theatre excellence not only in Bucharest, but also in Romania. With a history of 170 years of performance arts, the institute averages 50 performances in a month.

Culinary Delights

Must-Try Traditional Romanian Cuisine

Due to its history of multicultural influence, Romanians have top-notch like almost everywhere else in the Balkans. Here are some traditional dishes to look for:

Sarmale: sarmale is the national dish of Romania. It is stuffed cabbage rolls made with the mixture of ground pork and rice, and cooked in tomato sauce.

Mici: this is Romanian sausage made with the mixture of 1 portion of of ground beef and pork with 1/2 portion of lamb, best served with fries and mustard dipping.

Papanasi: this traditional Romanian pastry has the shape of a doughnut and blueberries and sour cream are used as toppings.

Ciulama de Pui ( creamed chicken):  after the chunks of chicken are roasted, they are cooked in a creamy sauce with mushroom and soured cream.

On a personal note, I really enjoyed Brasoveanca Cu Ciuperci, a mushroom-based cheesy appetizer, although it was quite heavy. Mici is the one Romanian dish that I ate regularly because I loved it so much. If you want to move away from Romanian traditional food that is still popular in Bucharest, I would highly recommend getting a Shawarma in the old-town and saving some space for that meal as one portion seemed like the size of my head.

Food Market

Bucharest locals love their food markets. They serve as the socializing spot between the city dwellers and the farmers from the outskirts of the capital. Bucharest doesn’t boast of having mega antique and flea markets but the food markets in Bucharest make up for it with their design, fresh supply of produces like vegetable, fruits etc.

Piaţa Obor is the most famous of them. It is Romania’s largest, richest, and best-equipped market to supply food all over the country. It is probably the oldest among Romanian markets, dating back hundreds of years. The market is spread over more than 26000 square meters.

Trendy Cafes and Restaurants

The cafe-scene in Bucharest is well worthy of a major European capital. Here are some cafes to check out on your next trip:

Zexe: the uniqueness of this restaurant is their menu – there are a few items that you may not find elsewhere. And if you consider the challenge of trying the unknown, head over there.

Beca’s Kitchen: if you want a break from Romanian cuisine, this place is for you – the atmosphere is cozy, the staff friendly and the food is awesome.

Lacrimi Si Sfinți: situated at the edge of Old Town, Lacrimi Si Sfinți serves classic Romanian dishes – each component is sourced locally, and the traditional dishes are infused with modern ingredients where necessary.

Day Trips From Bucharest

If you have enough time to go out of Bucharest to explore the country more but not enough time to spend couple or more days, then these day trips are for you.

Bran Castle

Even though this Transylvanian castle is not the real Dracula castle (former residence of Vlad Dracula) as some once claimed, it is still rich with history without any fictional connection to the Wallachian ruler. The Transylvanian nature surrounding it is breathtaking and for the backdrop alone, it is my favorite castle I have ever seen. There is a small (five-minute-long) hike you can do to get to the viewpoint to the image, but make sure you don’t stay there past dark. You probably won’t meet Dracula, but are more likely to get a visit from brown bears past sunset. Also if it’s rainy or muddy, be ready to get your shoes and clothes muddy on this hike. You could get to Bran Castle from Bucharest with train-bus combo via Brasov (expect 3.5-4 hours each way), or by signing up for a private group tour that takes you Bran castle along with other nearby attractions. Note that if you do have time for more than a day-trip, I highly recommend going to Transylvania, if only to see the gorgeous city of Brasov.

Pele’s Castle

A breathtaking retreat in the Carpathians with refreshing scenic naturally beauty that houses the castle. The work of of its craftsmen from the past will leave you speechless. The distance is 140 kilometers from Bucharest, and this can be easily reached by trains.

Snagov Monastery

A car ride towards north from the city will take about 45 minutes to get Snagov Monastery. Legend has it that this was the last resting place for Vlad the Impaler. The placid lake and serenity of the nature that surrounds the monastery are enough to make you forget Vlad Dracula’s brutality

Nightlife And Entertainment

Bucharest seems to have it all when it comes to nightlife and it’s one of my favorite aspects of the city. Rooftop bars, beer gardens, deafening techno clubs – there is something available to meet the need for every creature of the night. I have spent quite a few nights in the last few years exploring different bars in the Old Town and beyond. For people looking into electronic music, I would recommend Control Club as the safest bet since even before COVID days. If you want a more relaxed out-door venue for drinks (and even dinner), Grādina Eden is one of my favorite spots for a relaxed evening. If you want anything with an energetic vibe, I would suggest walking around the old town, and asking friendly locals at bars what is good for that night. Pro-tip: if the security staff at a venue are trying to coerce you into the place, avoid it!

Final Words

Hope you found the info provided helpful. I have been around the globe, but very few cities have left me wanting to return like Bucharest did. If you want to see someone exploring a lot of these places and taking a deep dive into the city’s interesting stories, feel free to check out my travel vlog (more like a mini-documentary) from Bucharest. If you are exploring around Romania, check out my list of Top Things to do in Transylvania.