Bucharest, also known as Little Paris or Paris of the East, is a city in transition. While it definitely looks more advanced in certain aspects compared to other Eastern European capitals, the truth is that it’s changing fast. The 20th century was tough for the city and World War II wounded it severely. So, after spending a couple of days there, I thought of writing a travel guide to Bucharest.
The city is vibrant, and due to its originality, it’s a photographer’s dream. In the following lines, you’ll find a thorough guide to Romania’s capital. Specifically, you’ll see where to stay in the city, the best things to do in Bucharest, the bars and restaurants I recommend, and several budgeting tips. Last but not least, for more photos and my impressions of the city, you can read my travelogue from Bucharest.
So, let’s start with the best things to do in Bucharest and my travel guide to this beautiful city.
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A travel guide to Bucharest, Romania
How to get to Bucharest
Bucharest is well connected with many European cities, and reaching it by airplane is easy. The biggest airport and currently the only one serving passenger flights is Henri Coandă International Airport. It’s located in Otopeni, and until the beginning of the 21st century, it was also called Otopeni Airport. So, if you see it written like this, don’t worry. The airport feels somewhat outdated, and to be honest, I didn’t expect it to be that big.
You can find the best flight deals here.
From Bucharest airport to the city by bus
Otopeni is a suburb, so it will take quite some time to reach the city center. The exact amount of time depends mainly on traffic. It might even take 1 hour and 15 minutes by bus during rush hour. However, you should be in downtown Bucharest in approximately 45 minutes with regular traffic.
The bus ticket is cheap, and it costs 0,80 euros. From the Henri Coandă International Airport, you’ll have to take the 783 bus. It’s reliable, runs several times per hour, and operates 24/7.
From Bucharest airport to the city by taxi
Another option is, of course, taking a taxi. Everybody advises against taking a taxi, though, because the rides often end up in rip-offs. The cab offers a faster option: you’ll be in the city in 20-25 minutes. A taxi from Henri Coandă International Airport to downtown Bucharest will cost you (normally) about 20 euros.
I took the 783 bus both from and to the airport. It was really cheap and reliable. If you prefer the taxi option, though, you’d better consider pre-booking one (for example, from here) or order one inside the airport from the dedicated machines.
Where to stay in Bucharest
For my stay in Bucharest, I chose the Hotel Concorde. I always search for a hotel located in the city’s heart because I always want to have some options at night. Sometimes I’m just too tired to search for places to eat; other times, I’m in the mood to have a drink in a nearby bar. So, after searching a bit online, I stumbled upon Hotel Concorde and decided to stay there.
It proved to be a great choice. Since I don’t like big hotels, Hotel Concorde pleased me also with its size. It’s a small hotel with just a few rooms. Its location is also prime: it’s on the edge of the Old Town of Bucharest, which means that you are close to restaurants (even mediocre ones), bars, and mini-markets. I had a superior room, which might sound fancier than it really was. The room was clean but not that big for a superior room. It did, however, come with a balcony, which was a pleasant addition. The wi-fi was reliable, and a breakfast buffet was included in the price.
I have to point out two things here. The first one is that the mattresses are firm. I mean, really firm. Therefore, if you enjoy sleeping on hard beds, look no further. But if you like soft or medium mattresses, then this isn’t a hotel for you. The second one is that the rooms facing the street have a river view, but they also come with a minus: noise. While the noise is not extreme, you might have issues if you are a light sleeper. The windows in my room were not that well isolated; therefore, I could hear the traffic. There are also rooms facing the backside, so it’s better to ask for one.
I don’t mind hard mattresses, and the noise doesn’t bother me. So, the Hotel Concorde in Bucharest was an excellent choice for my taste. The reception people are friendly, and I would definitely stay at Concorde whenever I revisit Bucharest. You can book your room at Hotel Concorde here.
Other hotels in Bucharest
Moxy Bucharest Old Town. Just 500 m away from Stavropoleos Church and close to Revolution Square, Moxy is a modern hotel featuring a fitness center and an evening bar. See prices and availability for Moxy here.
Lahovary Palace Hotel. Lahovary Palace is an excellent accommodation option located close to Bucharest National Theater. The Lahovary is in the heart of Bucharest and has allergy-free rooms decorated in traditional style. The prices are reasonable, and breakfast is included. See the Lahovary Palace here.
Athina Suites Hotel. Every room has a private balcony, and the reception is open 24/7. The hotel is conveniently located in the center of Bucharest and offers private parking. The rooms are stylish, breakfast is included, and reasonable prices. See the Athina Suites Hotel here.
For all other options in downtown Bucharest, please click here. Alternatively, use the interactive map of Bucharest below and find even more places to stay in the city.
Where to eat and drink in Bucharest
There are plenty of places to eat and drink in Bucharest. However, I must admit that I was somewhat disappointed by the food quality in Bucharest. I’m sure there are some decent places in the city, but I probably failed to visit them. There’s no other explanation of why the food was so bland. Of course, it’s normal not to enjoy every meal when visiting a foreign country. But in Bucharest, I didn’t enjoy the food at all.
First of all, I found the food to be mediocre everywhere in and around the Old Town. Visiting 7-8 restaurants and not getting good food is bizarre. No, I didn’t get food poison or something. But no matter where I ate, the food was indifferent. Maybe I had high expectations because eating in Eastern Europe is always a pleasure for me. In Bucharest, though, the food was mediocre. It felt as if it was straight from a cantine. Anyway, here you will read about where I ate and had a drink in the city.
Bound. Located in the heart of the Old Town, Bound is a bar/club that also offers a couple of dishes. While you will find mainly burgers on the menu, there are also a couple of other options. There is even a small selection of pasta, and I ordered the tortelloni. Without being remarkable, the dish was decent. Together with a glass of red wine, I paid 50 lei, which equals 10 euros. There’s also an outdoor terrace, covered and heated, where you can sit (and smoke) even on the coldest winter nights.
Xclusive. One more bar/club in the Old Town of Bucharest. However, the service is impolite, almost rude, and the food indifferent. I had lunch there, and I only found the coffee decent. Meanwhile, I was informed twice (!) that the tip is not included in the bill. I wouldn’t revisit it.
Medieval Feast Dracula. A restaurant with a relatively bizarre name in the Old Town of Bucharest. Polite personnel, but the food is once again uninspiring. The main dish, a salad and a glass of wine cost me 50 lei.
Grand Cafe Van Gogh. Of all the places I visited in Bucharest, that’s the one I enjoyed the most. I actually visited it twice in the last two days of my stay. I wish I have found it earlier, though. Why? Well, first of all, it’s one of the very few places in the Old Town of Bucharest where pushy guys and girls won’t greet you to check the menu. But apart from that, the Van Gogh has good service, tasty dishes, and delicious smoothies. Plus, as the name betrays, it is a tribute to Vincent Van Gogh. That’s actually the only place I can really recommend in the Old Town of Bucharest. Croque Madame and smoothie for 55 lei.
Storage room. One more bar restaurant in the heart of the Old Town. Nothing to remember, just acceptable. All these options in the Old Town are generally of fast-food quality.
El Torito. This is a nice Mexican restaurant with a big terrace on a quiet side street close to Parliamentary Place. The food is okay, and the prices are normal.
Pact. One more bar restaurant in the Old Town. Decent, uninspiring, etc…
The best things to do in Bucharest
As I wrote at the beginning of this post, Bucharest is a city in transition. While it has a long way to go until it reaches other European capitals’ standards, the city seems to be in an orbit of transformation. On such occasions, there are always traps, and the most dangerous of them all is losing its soul.
Yes, it might sound dramatic, but the cities have souls, and sometimes they are in danger. For example, the Old Town is on the verge of becoming an unpleasant place in Bucharest. Strip clubs, annoying guys, and girls forcing you to see a menu. All these are not compatible with historic areas.
But apart from that fact, there are plenty of things to do in Bucharest, and the city is safe. What you will read here are my proposals for sightseeing in the city. In the next section, you will also see a few selected tours for activities in Bucharest and beyond. For the time being, let’s start with the best things to do in Bucharest.
The Palace of the Parliament
Bucharest is one of these places where History is omnipresent. The Parliamentary Palace (or House of the People) was Nicolae Ceauşescu’s dream building. Nicolae Ceauşescu was the general secretary of the Communist Party (i.e., the leader) until 1989 when he was executed. He’s just another dictator for some people, but to this day, one can see the Palace of the Parliament, the world’s heaviest building.
It’s in downtown Bucharest, and there are several tours available. I have written an extensive post with all the facts about it and how to visit it. Make sure to check it out and watch the video above as well.
Stavropoleos Monastery
You will usually come across it as Stavropoleos church. That’s an Eastern Orthodox monastery for nuns. It’s built according to the Brâncovenesc style, which in architectural terms is the Romanian Rennaisance. The patrons of the church are Archangels Michael and Gabriel. You can, of course, enter the church and see its interior. Stavropoleos Church is one of Bucharest’s landmarks and, despite its small size, is a really impressive building. You can’t miss it, it’s in the Old Town.
Dimitrie Gusti National Village Museum
That’s a big outdoor museum occupying the west side of Herăstrău Park. It consists of 270 authentic buildings that have been dismantled and rebuilt on this very spot. There is plenty of information on-site, available also in English. Plus, strolling through Herastrau Park is an absolute pleasure. Find more info about the National Village Museum here.
Romanian Athenaeum
That’s one of the top things to do in Bucharest. Apart from being an impressive building, the Romanian Athenaeum is also a fantastic venue and home of the George Enescu Philharmonic Orchestra. The prices for the live concerts are really affordable and the performances high-class. Try to combine your visit to Bucharest with a night of classical music at the Athenaeum. If you are visiting Bucharest in September, check the schedule of the annual George Enescu Festival.
The Old Town
Even though I raised my concerns about its future, Bucharest’s Old Town is a highlight. While the so-called Lipscani offers a good view of old Bucharest, its current condition is not pleasing to the eye. A historic area sold completely to strips and nightclubs is something that always irritates me (the same happened in Krakow). However, it’s a pity to miss a walk through the Old Town’s cobblestoned streets and see some beautiful architecture in decay.
National Museum of Art of Romania
Hosted in an impressive building, the National Museum of Art of Romania is definitely a must for art lovers. There’s El Greco, and there’s Tintoretto, there’s Rubens, and, of course, Monet. Check the museum’s website here for up-to-date information on contemporary art exhibitions.
Grigore Antipa National Museum of Natural History
The Natural History Museum of Bucharest is named after Grigore Antipa, who was in charge for over half a century. It reopened in 2011 and has loads of exhibits. See their current program here.
Other places of interest in Bucharest
Now, apart from the spots mentioned above that request quite some time to visit, there are also a few other places worth mentioning.
First of all, Revolution Square, where the unrest of 1989 took place. Close to the square and down the legendary Calea Victoriei avenue, you will also come across the Passajul Vilacrosse, a beautiful passage covered in yellow glass. Close to it, you’ll also find the umbrella-covered Pasajul Victoria, which is pleasing to the eye and attracts many people.
Then, slightly off the city center, you’ll find the Arcul de Triumf, Bucharest’s Arch of Triumph. While it’s not like the one in Paris, try to see it if you can.
Last but not least, if you are searching for Instagram spots in Bucharest, make sure not to miss Carturesti Carusel. This is one of the most beautiful bookstores I’ve ever seen, and it has loads of motifs for the photographers among us. It’s also in the heart of the Old Town and stays open until 20:00. Find it at Strada Lipscani 55.
Selected tours and activities in Bucharest and beyond
Bucharest has numerous things to see, and if you feel you can’t see everything on your own, local operators offer tours. If you have a week or more in Bucharest, you won’t probably need one, but if you have just two or three days, it might be easier to have someone show you around. Therefore, I’m adding some of the best tours currently available in Bucharest and beyond.
3-hour guided tour of Communist Bucharest. For the history lovers among us, that’s a great tour that will walk you all around the communist past of the city. It lasts 3 hours, and you will get loads of information, including the nationalization and the demolition of thousands of houses. Book the Communist Bucharest tour here.
Visit the Palace of the Parliament. There are various tours if you want to visit the Palace of the Parliament. You can read my guide to the Parliamentary Palace. Book your tour to the Palace of the Parliament here.
A day trip to Transylvania. A day tour to the beautiful medieval town of Brasov and the castles of Peles and Bran. The latter is supposedly Dracula’s Castle. That’s one of the most beautiful and compact day trips you can have from Bucharest. Therefore, if you have enough days in the city, don’t miss it. Check the prices for the Transylvania tour here.
Bucharest private walking tour. As the name suggests, that’s a private walking tour around Bucharest. You will see hidden gems and places full of history for two and a half hours. Check the prices for the Bucharest private tour here.
How to budget for Bucharest
Bucharest is not expensive. On the contrary, it is a relatively cheap city even though it feels more advanced than other Eastern European cities. As I wrote earlier, the food is nothing memorable in Bucharest, but at least it doesn’t come at a high price. I never paid more than 10-12 euros in the Old Town but also out of it. For the main dish and a drink of your choice, that’s a pretty fair price.
Public transport is also cheap in Bucharest. The ticket costs less than one euro (about 80 cents to be more precise), and the network is really reliable. I have to mention here that you should also include bottled water in your daily budget. I was advised not to drink the tap water, so I bought 1-2 big water bottles per day. There are always international brands like Evian, but local brands also offer bottled water. I always go for the latter option, not because they are cheaper, but as a tiny contribution to the local economy.
Overall, Bucharest is cheap. I paid 52 euros for my accommodation and had dinner for 10-12 euros. So together with the water plus a snack for lunch, I stayed beneath 75 euros per day. If it’s your first time on this blog, the 75 euros is my upper limit for calling a city cheap. This includes all daily expenses: accommodation, lunch break, dinner, transportation, museums, and little extras. So while Bucharest is not as cheap as Kyiv, it’s an affordable city.
Bucharest Q&A
In the final section of this Bucharest travel guide, you’ll find some commonly asked questions. I replied to each of them, and you can use them as a reference when planning your trip.
How many days in Bucharest is enough?
Bucharest is a city in transition, and you’ll need at least 4 days to explore everything the city offers. Ideally, you should stay a week in Bucharest and take a day trip to admire the Romanian landscape.
Is it worth visiting Bucharest on a city break?
A Bucharest city break is a great idea. If you spend four days in the city, you’ll get a good impression of its looks and dynamics. Moreover, you can have a half-day trip to Brasov or any other place of interest.
Is Bucharest safe?
Bucharest is a very safe city, and you won’t have any issues. Its Old Town, despite being crowded, is perfectly safe even late at night. Of course, use common sense in crowded areas and keep your belongings safe.
So, that’s it with my Bucharest travel guide. I hope you enjoyed reading this long article and that you’ve found many things to do in Bucharest. Let me know in the comments below if you have more questions about Romania’s capital.
More about Bucharest: A travelogue about Bucharest, The Palace of the Parliament, Street photography
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Last Updated on July 11, 2022 by George Pavlopoulos