They call it, little Paris and back in the days it was easier to spot the similarities. The city evolved and it is now a interesting mix of french architecture, communistic influence and hipster ambiance. Bucharest, maybe it's not the most beautiful capital around Europe, but it is certainly an amazing place to explore and you will for sure love your stay as everyone does.
Constitution Square
It was the last part of our trip and we were all tired, I wanted to reach my grandparents some 3h drive away so it left us with one day to go around the city.....here how One Day in Bucharest would look like.
1. Start with a snack
Street food in Romania is huge as it is absolutely delicious. You have "covrigi" = bretzel, "merdenele" = sort of a salty cheese in pastry, "strudel cu mere" = apple strudel
2. Visit the Parliament.
The tour takes about 1h and it is given also in English. You can take pictures against a fee.
View from the Park, Metro Stop Izvor
3. Pass by Cismigiu Gardens
On your way from the Parliament to the Cismigiu Park you will cross the Dambovita River, which btw it was also one of the reasons why Bucharest was called little Paris as it was comparable with the Seine.
The Park was built in 1847 and it is based on the city center of Bucharest adding a lot of green into the grey surroundings. "The word cismigiu comes from Turkish: a Cesme is a public fountain and a cismigiu (or cismegiu) used to be the person responsible for building and maintaining public fountains" (Source)
I have so many memories from when I was a kid from coming over with my parents for a trip with the boat on the lake.
4. It's time for coffee
.......but before a small hint
the best pastries in Bucharest you can find in Piata Amzei
In Romania we have this magical drink called Cafe Frappe, and you might say that you saw it in coffee places around Europe but seriously there is no other place where they make the Frappe as good as in Romania (maybe, and just maybe Greece gets close), You can try it out on the terrace of Green Hours on Calea Victorie.
Revolution Square
This is a sort of a hot spot when it comes to important landmarks, I'll share some over here.
Romanian Athenaeum
Opened in 1888, the ornate, domed, circular building is the city's main concert hall and home of the "George Enescu" Philharmonic and of the George Enescu annual international music festival. (Source)
Library of the University of Bucharest and King Carol I Statue
National Museum of Art of Romania
The building built 1837 used to be the royal palace, not it hosts the National Art museum.
Memorial of Rebirth
ok, we call this the potato in the stick...quite clear why
"The monument commemorates the struggles and victims of the Romanian Revolution of 1989, which overthrew Communism. " (Source)
Architects Center
The building is a strange mix of old (memorial style) and new (glass) structure.
Kretzulescu Church
Built in Brancovenesc style, the church used to be painted (see painted monasteries) but with the restoration the outside of the church is now made out of bricks
The Palace of the National Military Circle
A little bit down on Calea Victoriei (which btw is the longest Boulevard in Bucharest) you can find the Palace of the National Military Circle, which was built in 1911 in a French neoclassical style. It is now hosting weddings and graduation parties.
Unirii Square
or also know and KM 0, this is the place where Romanians gather to celebrate football victories or on different other occasions (sad or happy).
Ion Luca Caragiale Theater or Bucharest National Theater
Ion Luca Caragiale is considered one of the greatest playwrights in Romanian language and literature, as well as one of its most important writers and a leading representative of local humor. (Source) Any Romanian will know to tell you some jokes from his plays. In front of the TNB (National Bucharest Theater) you can see the Statue statuary "Wagons of Clowns" (Caruta cu paiate) and represents 16 sculptures of characters of Caragiale's work. The ensemble was done by Ioan Bolborea
While IL Caragiale's statue is looking over the ensemble
Old Town
Recently refurbished the old center is lovely to walk around or stay for a coffee.
Carturesti Carusel
We stopped at Carturesti Carusel, a recently opened library which allows you to relax and enjoy a book in the same time.
​Stavropoleos Monastery
"is an Eastern Orthodox monastery for nuns in central Bucharest, Romania. Its church is built in Brâncovenesc style. The patrons of the church (the saints to whom the church is dedicated) are St. Archangels Michael and Gabriel. The name Stavropoleos is a Romanian rendition of a Greek word, Stauropolis, meaning "The city of the Cross". One of the monastery's constant interests is Byzantine music, expressed through its choir and the largest collection of Byzantine music books in Romania." (Source)
I find this church extremely cute and the inside yard very cozy and relaxing
CEC Palace
Main office of the CEC bank, it was built in eclectic style in 1900 and is topped by a glass and metal dome. The entrance features an arch supported by two pairs of columns in composite style. The four corners are decorated with gables and coats of arms and ending in Renaissance domes. (Source)
Guess what, this is it for the day, you did a great job and covered quite some kilometers, Bucharest has far more to offer if you stay for longer, you can also check you my post with 12 reasons why Bucharest should be on your travel list (more in depth posts will come) and of course if questions write me.
Now time for dinner.....do you know already know where you'll eat? if the first time in Bucharest, you need to try Carul cu bere, really traditional and still maintains a good quality price ratio.
Now time for dinner.....do you know already know where you'll eat? if the first time in Bucharest, you need to try Carul cu bere, really traditional and still maintains a good quality price ratio.
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