Our Top Reasons to Visit Bucharest As Soon As Possible

f you’d like to visit Bucharest, check our city tours on www.uncover-romania-tours.com

Are you planning to visit Bucharest for the very first time, and you’re not sure it’s the best travel choice? We have nine arguments to help you decide. If you’re not in a hurry to judge a book by its cover, you’ll find a great destination, more interesting than you imagined at first.

1. You have so many places to see

Even if Bucharest doesn’t have the medieval landmarks of Transylvania, the capital is the best place to uncover the modern history of Romania.

From centuries-old churches to monumental landmarks built before WW1, from modernist constructions to communist architecture, the center of Bucharest is a mix of contrasting realities.

In fact, the city’s architecture is the best witness of its history. You’ll visit Belle Epoque sites and the communist Parliament on the same day while taking photos of Art Nouveau facades along the way.

Palace of the Parliament, Bucharest

Plus, Bucharest has interesting museums, and many of them are must-see attractions. If you have to choose only a few, we suggest the Village Museum, Cotroceni Palace, the small Storck Museum, the National Museum of Art, and the National Museum of History.

2. It’s less crowded than most European capitals

If you’re annoyed by all the crowds from major European destinations like Rome or Paris, we have good news. Bucharest only recently made it on the tourist radar, and, for now, it’s still in the off-the-beaten-track phase. Although there are more tourists than in the past years, the city is not suffocated by long queues. At least not for a few more years.

The only places you should book your visit in advance are the Palace of the Parliament, the Palace of Cotroceni, and Primaverii Palace.

Lipscani Street, the Old Town

Read also 8-Days Itineraries for Memorable Family Road Trips in Romania

3. Bucharest has a vibrant cultural scene

Besides its many museums and galleries, Bucharest’s cultural scene has a lot to offer. Locals love culture, whether it’s theater, ballet, music, or contemporary art. Don’t be surprised if theater tickets are sold out many days in advance or if you’ll stumble upon open-air events. Each year, Bucharest hosts many concerts by world-famous bands and musicians, and summer is a great time to come if you’re looking for this kind of fun.

If you come in September, don’t miss the George Enescu Festival.

4. Great parks and museums for kids

Few people think of Bucharest as a family-friendly destination, but you have plenty of fun things to do with your kids. Around the capital, there are adventure parks plus farms where children can learn more about animals and nature.

In the city, you’ll discover large parks with amusement areas for kids, Herastrau and Tineretului, and even cool museums for children like the Natural History Museum. You don’t need a car for visiting the central area, and Cismigiu Park is only a few minutes away from the Old Town.

Cismigiu Park

5. It’s a budget-friendly destination

This is one of the best parts if you plan to visit Bucharest. There are many low-cost and direct flights to Romania’s capital from all over Europe. You can choose decent-priced accommodation, and you can easily find restaurants with good food and friendly prices. Sure, you can also choose to pamper yourself in luxury hotels, Bucharest has plenty of those as well. But if you’re on a budget, Bucharest is a friendly and welcoming destination.

Read also Useful Information About Romania You Should Know Before Visiting

6. You can walk for hours

If you love walking, Bucharest is the perfect destination. It’s easy to walk from one attraction to the other as almost all of them are located a few minutes from the main subway stations. The subway is the best alternative for public transportation, but otherwise, our advice is to walk as much as possible. The city’s charm is best discovered on foot.

Carol Park

7. Nightlife fun

Locals really know how to party in Bucharest. There are many clubs for all tastes, open until early morning. If you came to party, you’re definitely in the right place.

8. The capital of shopping malls

If you enjoy some shopping on vacation, you should know that few capitals have so many shopping malls as Bucharest. While the city can’t rival major fashion centers like Milan, if you visit Bucharest, you’ll find all the major brands plus creations from local designers.

9. Day trips to Transylvania

If you’re staying in Bucharest, it doesn’t mean you won’t make it to Transylvania. Brasov is only three hours away by train, on the same line as Peles Castle and Cantacuzino Castle. You can spend an entire weekend in Transylvania or take one-day hiking trips in the Carpathians.

Discover more day tours from Bucharest to Transylvania

Rupea Fortress

You have enough options in Southern Romania as well: the medieval fortresses from Poenari and Targoviste, the centuries-old monasteries from Cozia, Horezu, or Curtea de Arges.

These are our top reasons to visit Bucharest on your next vacation. We hope you’ll have a great time uncovering Romania’s capital and its crazy mix of attractions that make it one of the most interesting and authentic capitals in Europe.

Where to stay in Bucharest

Don’t forget to book your accommodation in time to be sure you get the best deals. You can find below a hand-picked selection of our favorite places. If you prefer a central hotel, our recommendations are Hilton Garden Inn Bucharest, Mansion Boutique Hotel, Grand Boutique Hotel, and Grand Hotel Continental. Check also Epoque Hotel, Cismigiu Hotel, and Marmorosch Hotel.

Booking an apartment is also a popular and more budget-friendly option. While there are hundreds of choices, we can help narrow down your list. Our suggestions are Vila Cotroceni Boutique, University Central, Bucharest Residence, Diana’s Flat, Cismigiu Orchid Garden, and Studio Old Town.

If hostels are your thing, try Umbrella Hostel, Podstel Bucharest, or First Hostel Bucharest.