12 reason why Bucharest should be on your travel list

               

Lately Romania started attracting more and more tourists. Maybe because of the tourism campaigns (although not sure about that) or because National Geographics or other similar publications put the country on a "places to see in 20xx" list or maybe just because some people just love the natural beauty of a place and decided to head towards Eastern Europe before it becomes more touristic. In the end, no matter what the reason is, be sure that you will be wowed about Romania. 

With this new travelling destination on the map, I started getting questions on where to go, what to visit and especially how many days should I stay in Bucharest?

It is always hard to pick some places when the country has so many beautiful places to see, so I was always answering "if you don't have the time just spend the night in Bucharest to enjoy the nightlife and then head on towards..."

In a strange way although we are talking here about my hometown, and the place I lived for 22 years I never considered Bucharest as a beautiful city. 

But now after hearing the enthusiasm from most of the people that have been visiting the city I actually realize that Bucharest can have some awesomely cool place to see, do and experience, some of which I have listed below

1. Bucharest has the 2nd Biggest Building in the World
Address: Strada Izvor 2-4, Bucuresti

Ceausescu was the leader of Romania during communistic times, his influence is still strongly felt today in the architecture of the city (and the culture). 
One of his dreams was to build a massive Building of the Parliament (Casa Poporului) which is still the 2nd biggest buidling in the world after the Pentagon in the US. What you see in the picture is nothing compared with what is underground. Top Gear made an episode (Romanian Road Trip) driving in the tunnels under the building.  You can find the video on YouTube.  

2. Socializing & Cuture 2in1: 6 floor bookstore
Address:  Strada Lipscani 55, Bucuresti.

In the Old Center of the city a new "magical" place has recently opened, this is the Carturesti Carusel Bookstore also known as the "Carusel of Lights". 
This is not just a library, but also a place for socializing or for just having a cup of coffee. 

3. Bucharest was also called in the past as the little Paris
Bucharest was known in 1930's as the "Little Paris" due to its artistic life, broad boulevards and "fin de siecle" architecture. (Source)

Dambovita River

Arch of Triumph
Address: Piata Arcul de Triumf, Bucuresti

Initially built of wood in 1922 to honor the bravery of Romanian soldiers who fought in World War I, Bucharest's very own Arc de Triumph was finished in Deva granite in 1936. Designed by the architect, Petre Antonescu, the Arc stands 85 feet high. An interior staircase allows visitors to climb to the top for a panoramic view of the city. (Source)

4. Museums that highlight the culture accross the country


The Peasant Museum (Museul Taranului). 
Address: Soseaua Pavel Dimitrievici Kiseleff 3, Bucuresti 011341, Romania

The museum is very nicely organized and maintained and as its name says is providing a deeper understanding about the Romanian Peasant. Different national customs or traditions from the several regions of the country are presented.

The Village Museum (Muzeul Satului)
Address: Soseaua Pavel Dimitrievici Kiseleff 28-30, Bucuresti 011347, Romania

offers a trip in the past of the houses that could be found (and some places still found) around the country and much more. Especially in spring and early autumn the view is spectacular.

6. Impressive architecture

The Romanian Atheneaum
Address: Strada Benjamin Franklin 1-3, Bucuresti

Stavropoleos Church
Address: Strada Stavropoleos, Bucuresti

Stylistically, Stavropoleos ensemble belongs to Brancovan epoch. Its stone decoration, furniture, interior and exterior murals make it the epitome of that period in the history of Romanian art. Although small in size, the church has monumental appearance, as an architectural space specific to Byzantine tradition. By its sculpted decorative and ornamental motifs, the church expresses both a baroque sensibility and an oriental taste.
(Sourrce)

Kretzulescu Palace
Address: Strada Stirbei Vodă

Repaired in 1862 and fully finished in 1902, the Kretzulescu Palace is another fine example of eclectic architecture, heavily inspired by French architectural ideas at the end of the 20th century. (Source)

Saint Nicholas Church
Address: Strada Blanari, Bucuresti, Romania

This beautiful Russian church- now called Saint Nicholas church was built at the wish of Russian ambassador to Romanian Kingdom Ghiers, with the goal to become the official chapel of the Russian Embassy in Bucharest. It was also a symbol of prestige of the Russian imperialism. (Source)

9. Incredible Nightlife
You can find a perfect place for you as well. It does not matter if you like old music or house music, if you love to go out in sneakers and dance on tables or wear incredible high heels/elegant shoes with elegant cloths or if you just want to spend the time in a bar, Bucharest has all of that and it is cheap and lasts till the morning hours. 

Bamboo - Posh Style 
Address: Strada Tuzla 50, Bucuresti

El Comandante - oldies 
Address: Strada Lipscani 43, Bucuresti

You can find a very well organized website with best places to go out over here and you can always check what is going on in Sapte Seri (you find in in any bar around)

10. Loads of Cafe's, Tea Places, Restaurants or Bars for a lovely time at any time of the day. 

We enjoy spending time with friends, going out, hanging out, basically being always out...and on top of this we are creative, very creative. You can find some names with pictures and address information Here & Here

Journey Pub
Address: Strada George Enescu 25, Bucuresti, Romania

Stadio Restaurant 
Address: Strada Ion Campineanu, Bucuresti, Romania

Caru'cu Bere - Traditional food at it's best in the old city center 
Address: 030081, Strada Stavropoleos 5, Bucuresti, Romania

Built in 1879, with the current establishment finished in 1899, the Caru' cu Bere (literally Beer Wagon) is one of the most famous restaurants in Bucharest. The building is a combination of styles and ever since it opened its doors, the flow of guests has been uninterrupted. (Source)

Hanul Lui Manuc
Address: Strada Franceza 62-64, Bucuresti 030106, Romania

Across the street from Curtea Veche Church there is Hanul lui Manuc (Manuc's Inn, at the end of Franceza Street), the only typical Turkish caravanserai which has survived in Bucharest with its original purpose. Manuc Bei, an important merchant of the time, raised, in the first decade of the 19th century, this famous inn on an area that had used to belong to the Princely Court. The building has one floor and a column way on the inside. In 1812 the peace agreement between Russia and Turkey was signed here. Nowadays the inn still serves for its original purpose, hosting a small hotel, a restaurant, a wine cellar and several bars along the first floor column way. The restaurants (a Romanian and a Lebanese one), respectively the cafeterias (one of which has a beautiful terrace overlooking the patio) have been reopened and are a pleasant place to drop by in the evening for the atmosphere, while the hotel is still under restoration. (Source)

Centru Vechi (Old city center)
Address: several streets:  Doamnei, Franceza sau Selari

The old city center is the perfect place for a drink, being it morning, midday or evening you will always find a nice place to spend a couple of hours over a coffee, juice or beer.

11. Loads of small pastry or brezel shops to snack around the day

You can find them at every single corner. They are called Patiserie (pastry shops) and Covrigarie (brezel shop). In the picture you can see
Merdenele: pastry with white salty cheese 
Covrigi: brezels you can find them mainly with sesame & poppy seeds
Strudel cu mere: apple strudel 
Covrigi Polonezi: hard to explain .. you need to try them

12. And one last thing ... in Bucharest you would have not waited for this page to load as we have one of the fastest internet connection in the world ;)

Hope you will have a nice time in Bucharest!

#ILoveToTravel