Is Bucharest Worth Visiting? Everything You Need to Know
Bucharest is the fascinating, captivating capital of Romania – and many ask if it’s worth a trip. As the country’s economic, cultural and industrial hub, Bucharest is a thriving and vibrant city, offering a unique blend of Eastern European spirit and modernity. Here, you’ll find spectacular architecture, stunning natural beauty, delicious cuisine, and a burgeoning craft beer and street food scene. What more could you want from a holiday destination?
As far as places to visit in Eastern Europe go, Bucharest should certainly be on your bucket list. Here’s everything you need to know about this fascinating city.
The History, Architecture and Culture of Bucharest
Cited as one of the most beautiful capitals in Europe, Bucharest has a thriving culture, vibrant history and fascinating architecture. Established first during the 4th century BC as a trading post, it has since seen incredible accomplishments in the development of its gorgeous Baroque architecture right through to present-day establishments.
In the span of a few centuries, the city has flourished through occupation as well as its unflagging support for cultural achievements in art and science. From educational establishments to monuments and churches, the cityscape of Bucharest is one of great historical significance. It has seen major influence from its past rulers, most notably the Romanians under King Carol I and the Ottomans during their short reign in the region.
Calea Victoriei
One of the most popular places for site-seeing in Bucharest is Calea Victoriei. This avenue is one of the oldest and most important streets in the city – it dates all the way back to 1692. Along this long stretch of roads, you can find important sites such as The National History Museum and The Royal Palace. It’s also a great place to find souvenirs.
What makes walking down Calea Victoriei so special is that it offers a really immersive experience into the culture and history of Bucharest. Blanketing the streets are a plethora of building styles, each one providing its own unique slice of life during that era. From baroque architecture to French-style art nouveau buildings and communist-era monuments, there’s plenty to feast your eyes on.
Street Food & Craft Beer
Heading into more modern times, Bucharest is home to one of Eastern Europe’s most exciting craft beer and street food scenes. Culinary arts has taken off in recent years, and this city is at the cutting edge for innovative cuisine. There’s an abundance of great bars with an ever-growing selection of brews made with local ingredients. A variety of flavours from around the world can be sampled at any watering hole you visit as well as some unique Romanian creations thrown into the mix.
If you’re wanting to experience local street food on your trip then you’re in luck. The traditional food here is hearty and often served up with generous portion sizes. Favorite dishes include “mici’ (grilled pork sausages served up with mustard) “sarmale’ (stuffed cabbage) and chiftele (minced meatballs). All these are served up with mamaliga (cornmeal mush) which happens to be Romania’s national dish!
To get a full taste of the modern city, why not take Bucharest Craft Beer Tour with Street Food Tasting? This tour combines both flavours – allowing you to explore some historical sites around the city for food and beer tasting stops. So no need to worry about missing out on the local specialities!
Other places worth visiting in Bucharest
- Calea Victoriei: This avenue serves as one of the oldest and most important roads in Bucharest, dating all the way back to 1692
- The Palace of Parliament: Said to be the world’s second largest administrative building by interior space (after The Pentagon), this hot spot was built during Romania’s communist era
- The Village Museum: Step into history by visiting this museum which showcases a variety of rural dwellings from Romania’s past
- Herastrau Park: Take a break from sightseeing to relax in this tranquil 180-acre park
- Old Town: Spend an afternoon getting lost in bustling alleys and quaint streets while experiencing the essence of Romanian culture
Practical Information & Tips For Visiting Bucharest
| Transport | Minibus network, Taxi services, public bus, mailroads and more |
|---|---|
| Weather | Hot & dry summers, cold & wet winters |
| Currency | Romanian LEU (RON) |
| Budgeting | Dinner for two (without drinks) 25 Euro & up |
There are lots of things to do in Bucharest and it can be hard to decide what activities best fit your budget. Romania’s official currency is The LEU (RON) so make sure you get acquainted with its exchange rate before planning your trip. Additionally, if you plan to stay for more than three months, it might be wise consider getting a Romanian credit card; it’ll save you from going through the pain of exchanging currencies altogether!
For shorter stays, there are a variety of ways for transport around Bucharest like; minibuses, cabs, buses and even railroads – which offer convenient rides around places like Old Town or popular tourist attractions such as Herastrau Park or Calea Victoriei. As mentioned earlier, there are lots of activities that catch your attention in this city so don’t forget to make time for some exploration!
A long weekend in Bucharest certainly promises an enriching experience of unique cultures harmoniously mixed with modern influences – from captivating sites such as beautifully constructed Baroque architecture all the way to a vibrant street food scene with craft beer tours. With this guide we hope we made planning your trip to Bucharest easier – allowing you book activities that match your schedule! Be sure to check out Bucharest Craft Beer Tour with Street Food Tasting, if craft beer and street food tasting sound like fun!
At the end of it all, we believe a city should be fathomed inch by inch – discovering its different nooks, crannies and flavours along the way. To truly experience Bucharest, visiting is the most effective means and it’s encompassing charm certainly validates that!
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