Bucharest

Bucharest (Romanian: București) is Romania's capital and largest city. Bucharest has a very interesting mix of old and new: finding a 300-year-old church near a steel-and-glass tower that sits next to a communist-style building is commonplace in Bucharest. Bucharest offers some excellent attractions, and has cultivated a sophisticated, trendy, and modern sensibility that many have come to expect from a European capital.

Understand

Bucharest is the primary entry point into Romania, and the most important industrial and commercial centre of the country. With more than 2.1 million inhabitants in its urban area, Bucharest is one of the largest cities in Southeastern Europe.

Bucharest is a booming city with many large infrastructure projects changing the old face of the city, which used to be known in the past as "The Little Paris".

Bucharest has benefited from an economic boom along with the EU grants that have helped rebuild parts of the city, including the revamped old town. Those who have known Bucharest in the past will be surprised by the changes that are taking place. The largest finished project is the impressive Basarab overpass, which is Europe's widest cable bridge.

Climate
Bucharest
Climate chart (explanation)
JFMAMJJASOND
 
 
 
40
 
 
2
−6
 
 
 
36
 
 
4
−3
 
 
 
38
 
 
11
0
 
 
 
46
 
 
18
6
 
 
 
70
 
 
23
11
 
 
 
77
 
 
27
14
 
 
 
64
 
 
29
16
 
 
 
58
 
 
29
15
 
 
 
42
 
 
25
11
 
 
 
32
 
 
18
6
 
 
 
49
 
 
10
2
 
 
 
43
 
 
4
−3
Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
Precipitation+Snow totals in mm
Source:w:Bucharest#Climate
Imperial conversion
JFMAMJJASOND
 
 
 
1.6
 
 
35
22
 
 
 
1.4
 
 
39
26
 
 
 
1.5
 
 
51
33
 
 
 
1.8
 
 
64
42
 
 
 
2.8
 
 
74
51
 
 
 
3
 
 
80
57
 
 
 
2.5
 
 
84
60
 
 
 
2.3
 
 
83
59
 
 
 
1.7
 
 
76
52
 
 
 
1.3
 
 
64
42
 
 
 
1.9
 
 
50
35
 
 
 
1.7
 
 
39
27
Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
Precipitation+Snow totals in inches

Bucharest, like most of Romania, has a temperate-continental climate with hot summers and cold winters. This region of Romania gets all four seasons, although spring is brief and falls mainly in April. The average high daily temperature in summer is about 29 °C and in winter about 2 °C. It can get really hot and dry during the summer (30 °C) and really cold during the winter (-20 °C), even though temperatures below -12 °C are extremely rare. Best time to visit is April through June, September through October and early December.

Time

Bucharest is in the Eastern European time zone (UTC+2, with a DST of UTC+3 from April to October).

Visitor information

Talk

The official language is Romanian, a Romance language which claims to be the closest currently-spoken relative to Vulgar Latin, but contains around 20% of loan words from Slavonic languages. Most younger educated people will speak English reasonably well and will likely be proficient in one or more second Romance languages; most educated people born before about 1980 will speak French, Spanish or Italian reasonably well. The Roma people (Gypsies) speak their native Romany, as well as Romanian, and sometimes English as well. Beyond that, as in any major city, there will be a smattering of other languages like Chinese, Arabic, Turkish, Hungarian and German.

Get in

By plane

The IATA code BUH  IATA corresponds to "all" airports in Bucharest, not a specific one.

The airport is large and modern. Airport shops, cafes and restaurants are expensive, especially airside in Departures. The Carrefour Express supermarket in Arrivals with prices matching downtown is still cheaper than anywhere else at the airport. It is about 300 m from International Departures but a good place to get a snack or spend your last few lei on departure. The money exchange office is in the upper floor—rates are not good, about 10% below the official rate. So either use a credit card at an ATM in the lobby for immediate needs (they also charge hefty fees and give a horrible rate) and exchange money downtown; or accept that what you get at the airport will go a long way in this inexpensive country. If you don't just use an eSim, there are no dedicated SIM/mobile service vendors in the Arrivals area but you can buy SIM cards at the small spot selling newspapers besides the Taxi request machines on the right wing of the arrival entrance after you exit from the restricted airport arrival area. (updated Apr 2018)

Getting there and away:

  • By bus – The Express Bus is usually the best option, as it is inexpensive (50–90 minutes ride) and runs frequently. However, it can get crowded (and it lacks space for luggage) and can get snarled in traffic. The airport bus stop is straight outside Arrivals on the ground floor. Express bus 100 runs to downtown Bucharest from here via Arcul de Triumf and Piața Victoriei to Piața Unirii (bus stop 2, S side of the square). It runs every day, 05:30–21:50 every 15 min and 22:00–05:00 every 30 min.
The price is 3 lei as of October 2022. You can pay with your credit/debit card or buy a local travel card from the booth next to the bus stop. There is another booth in Departures, and one at Piaţa Unirii. Scan your card to validate it on boarding (and if there are two or more people travelling using one card, then press button 2 and scan the card again to validate the second ticket or once for every other traveler in your group; example: scan one time > press 2 > scan again for person #2 > again for person #3 > again for person #4 > and so on); these airport buses are a prime target for ticket inspectors. The fine is 80 lei and you will receive a red card, available for all the lines in the city until 23:59 on the day of the issue—no matter the hour being 01:00 in the night or 23:55, it will expire at 23:59. The fine is always as much as a prepaid monthly travel title on all city lines.
  • By train – From early 2021, trains now run in-between largest railway station Gara de Nord and the airport. Tickets can be bought at the airport, onboard or online. Trains runs every 40 minutes and there are both express and local services.
  • By ride hailing – Uber and Bolt are available in Bucharest. Expect to pay 50–100 lei for a transfer from the airport into the city, depending on the traffic congestion or rush hours.
  • By private shuttle – These have fixed prices per vehicle and are a good deal if there is 2 or more of you, or you're heavily laden, or your destination/pick-up is some way from the centre. For anywhere in Bucharest city, reckon to pay €20 for a small car (like a taxi, max 3 passengers), and €40 for a 7-seater minibus—larger vehicles and coaches are available. They will take you anywhere in Romania, to the Bulgarian beach resorts, and to Moldova. Search online for the main competitors.
  • By taxi – Just wait outside Arrivals. Your first step will be to establish the meter rate, which daytime and early evening should be 1.69–1.79 lei/km. So, that is 35–40 lei total to city centre or old city (as of Sep 2018). At night, the rate will be around 3.50 lei/km—they're sharks if they demand more. You can call a taxi from one of the yellow electronic kiosks after you leave Arrivals. The touch screen will print a slip with the name of the taxi company, the rate, and the licence plate number of the taxi, and call it to the pavement for you. Make sure a meter is used since some of the taxis called by the kiosks will try to fleece you.
  • By rental car – inchirieri auto bucuresti and inchirieri auto otopeni There are car hire desks in the Arrival area, but you only need a car if you are touring beyond the city directly.

By bus

Buses are a good option to get to Bucharest if coming from Moldova, Turkey, Greece and to some extent Bulgaria, given the low frequency and speeds of trains between these countries and Romania.

If you're willing to make extremely long bus rides, it's also possible to get to Bucharest from a large number of cities in Western and South-Western Europe; these buses are operated by Eurolines, their local affiliate Atlassib, or Flixbus.

  • 🌍 Băneasa bus terminal, str. Ion Ionescu de la Brad nr. 10, Sector 1 (in the northern part of town - Bus 112, 149, 205, 261 to 'Brodina'), ☏ +40 21 2305645. 
  • 🌍 Obor bus terminal (Autogara Obor), B-dul Garii Obor nr. (Bulevardul Gării Obor) 5A, Sector 2 (East - Trolley 69, 85 to 'gara Obor'), ☏ +40 21 2523486, fax: +40 21 2527646. 
  • 🌍 Filaret bus terminal (Autogara Filaret), Piata Garii Filaret (Piața Gării Filaret) nr.1, Sector 4 (South - linked to downtown by tram 7 and bus 232), ☏ +40 21 3360692, +40 723 671011, +40 733 452738 (Mobil), . Buses and minibuses from Chișinău (7-8 buses every day, about 10 hours travel time, tickets around €15) arrive mostly here. (updated Jan 2024)
  • 🌍 Rahova bus terminal (Autogara Internationala Rahova), Sos. Alexandriei (Șoseaua Alexandria) nr. 164, Sector 5 (South-west, - Tram 32 (terminal 'Depoul Alexandriei') links it with the city center), ☏ +40 21 4204795. Transfer buses for routes from Western Europe usually arrive here. 
  • 🌍 Militari bus terminal (Autogara Militari), Str. Valea Cascadelor (Strada Valea Cascadelor) nr.1 (West - Tram 8, 25 to 'C.F.R. Cotroceni' - Metro3 'Pacii'), ☏ +40 72 5939939, . 
  • Griviţa bus terminal (North-west), ☏ +491 761 1224002, +491 761 1224006 (mobile). 
  • 🌍 Viilor road bus stop, Sos. Viilor, ~20 (- Tram 23, 32 to 'Piata Chirigiu' from the northern end and tramway 7 from the southern end -). Buses from Athens (several times per week, 16–20 hours travel time, tickets around €60) arrive at stations along Viilor road; also from Istanbul (three-four buses per day, 12–14 hours travel time, tickets around €45) arrive to here. 

From specific destinations:

  • Sofia – There is a daily bus from Sofia (7 hr travel time, €18). It stops and starts near Tineretului subway station (one station away from city center).
  • Varna – One or two buses daily only between late May-early September, 5–6 hr travel time, and tickets around €30. They usually stop in various squares in downtown.
  • Constanta – Buses every 45 min during the summer and some buses offers WiFi connection. The station is near Gara de Nord at the intersection of Strada Mircea Vulcanescu & Bulevardul Dinicu Golescu.
  • Chișinău – Many companies operate 'rutieras' during the day and larger coaches during the night heading to Bucharest. The fare with one particular company was 225 lei for an 8-9 hr journey with hourly departures in the evening. There was no toilet on the bus but several stops were made by the bus driver. Most companies were in the central bus station behind the Central Market, not the southern bus station as indicated above.

Bucharest also has bus connections to a vast number of other cities in Romania. They're a convenient choice primarily when coming from places from which railways are under repair or too indirect (like Sibiu).

Timetables for most domestic routes and several international ones are available here.

By train

All mainline train services from Bucharest use Gara de Nord station. Direct international trains run from Budapest (two per day, 16 hours), Chișinău (nightly, 12 hours), Istanbul (18 hours, daily direct in summer, winter by connecting trains but no slower), and Vienna (daily, 19 hours). Trains from Sofia take 10 hours, change at Ruse. Trains from Belgrade, Kyiv and Moscow are disrupted long-term, take the bus or fly.

It is worth taking the overnight train from Chișinău for the experience alone. The train is an old Soviet can with homely decor and there are always locals around keen to spend the journey drinking local cognac with some travellers. Around 03:00 the train stops for several hours to change the wheels at the border: Romania uses European standard gauge and Moldova uses the wider Soviet gauge, so expect an orchestra of lumphammers and cusswords of several languages. The train is broken into its separate carriages, hoisted on jacks for the change while you stay aboard, then lumbers on its way.

Main destinations within Romania include Brasov (2–3 hours), Constanta (2 hr), Sibiu (5-6 hr) and Timisoara (9 hr). For Cluj-Napoca, change at Brasov. Timetables for domestic routes are available from CFR (Căile Ferate Române, the national railway company), but only four weeks in advance.

  • 🌍 Gara de Nord (Bucharest North Station), București Nord, Piața Gării de Nord 1-3, Sector 1 (2 km north of centre, linked by buses 105, 123, 178, trolleys 62, 79, 85, 86, 93, 96 and tramway 42, 44, 45, 46, metro M1, M4: Gara de Nord), ☏ +40 21 223 0880, +40 21 319 0358. To be precise, this is Gara de Nord A, with all mainline departures. (Gara de Nord B, 500 m north and better known as Basarab, has only suburban lines.) The main collection of ticket kiosks are north side of the hall, towards the exit onto Calea Grivitei and stairs down to the Metro. The station has lots of cafes and ATMs - plus money exchange, but rates here are very poor, walk a couple of blocks for more realistic rates. Left luggage 24/7, several travel agents, a pharmacy, and (essential to Romanians) betting shops. The old mechanical whirlyboard gives glimpses of bygone destinations, such as Minsk.
    Gara de Nord is on the Metro, and served by many bus routes, see above. The only taxi company permitted here is Meridian Taxi, see warnings under "Get Around". For the airport bus, exit south onto Bvd Golescu, cross (mind the trams!) and turn left for the bus stop.     (updated Apr 2018)

By car

The city’s entrances from the north (the E60 road coming from Braşov and the A3 highway from Ploieşti), west (the A1 highway from Piteşti), east (the A2 highway from Constanţa), south (the E20 road from Giurgiu) and the avenues in the city center are very crowded, especially at rush hours. Right in the city center, just across from the University, thete is a major underground parking place. Although modern and safe, finding the entrance may prove to be a little tricky. An even bigger parking place (with 5 levels) is found near the Unirii Square, behind the Unirii Mall, which is also near the center area and 10 minutes away (by foot) from the old town's center. Driving on some of the secondary streets might prove to be a bit bumpy, due to only relatively good condition of these roads.

Get around

By public transport

Bucharest has one of the most extensive systems of public transport in Europe, even though it can sometimes be confusing and crowded.

Ticketing

The easiest option for the tourist is probably using a contactless card. In principle, this should work with any contactless credit or debit card as well as when using a smart phone or smart watch. The contactless option is always present at metro stations, and should be available on most buses (Otokar and Citaro Hybrid) and some trams, nominally lines 1, 10 and 41. The price is 3 lei for any journey lasting less than 90 minutes, no matter how many lines you are switching (just touch the machine with your card once you get into a new bus/trolleybus/tram). If your journey has not ended after 90 minutes (rarely), just touch your card again. If you forgot at what time you paid for the ride, press "1" (on older orange machines) or "i" (on newer yellow machines) > the screen will state "Consultare card" (="Card inspection") > touch your card and keep it there until the machine states "Retrageți cardul" (="Remove the card"). In the meantime, the machine will show your time left since the start of the ride, you credit (if any), your package of rides (if any) and your travel titles (if any, current or expired).

Another option is the Activ card, which costs 3.70 lei at any STB point of sale (including the airport) and can be loaded with pay-as-you-go credit and a variety of passes (daily to monthly). You can read the pay as you go and subscription tariffs online. The Activ card can not be used for the Metro (subway) system.

When entering a vehicle or subway station, you must validate your ticket: hold the card on the orange reader until you hear a short beep, green LED lights up and you can read on the display the message "Călatorie plăcută (Have a nice journey)". If you get a red light and a long beep (validation failed), try again.

One card can be used to pay for more than one person (pay-as-you-go only for the second and subsequent people). In order to validate the card for additional people, press the button "2", and then present the card a second time. In order to check the number of people the card has been validated for, and the remaining balance on the card, press "1" before presenting the card.

By metro

The metro, which has five lines (M1, M2, M3, M4 and M5) and covers the city quite extensively, is usually a cheap and easy way to get around even though there are surprisingly few stops in the city center, since the system was built to transport workers and commuters from outlying neighborhoods through the city to peripheral industrial areas. If you're staying outside the city center, or even if you want to travel within it, the Metro can be a very fast and convenient way of getting around, avoiding the traffic jams and crowds that frequently characterize surface transport. The network is frequent, fairly comfortable, reliable and easy-to-use.

Tickets can be purchased from electronic kiosks in the stations that offer instructions in English and other languages. They accept most Romanian banknotes and provide change. 6 lei for a 2-ride ticket, or 25 lei for a 10-ride ticket (as of June 2022).

Line M1 starts in the eastern part of the city and then goes downtown on a circular route, passing by the main train station Gara de Nord and meeting up with the M2 line (which runs north-south) at Piaţa Unirii and Piaţa Victoriei stations. Line M3 links the western and eastern parts of the city. The central section on the M3 between Eroilor - Nicolae Grigorescu is shared with M1 and trains from both lines run in tandem having the terminus displayed at the front of the cab. Line M4 is a short line starting from Gara de Nord 2 going to Lac Straulesti. Even though Gara de Nord and Gara de Nord 2 are in close proximity, transferring between the two is taxed as a separate trip. The only platform to platform link between M4 and M1 is at Basarab station. Line M5 runs from Eroilor 2 (which it shares with lines M1 and M3) to Valea Ialomiței or Râul Doamnei.

Up to date maps of the subway and any changes to the schedule can be found on the Metrorex official site.

By bus, tram or trolleybus

Bucharest has a very complex network of buses, trams and trolleybuses. The intricate web of hundreds of bus, tram and trolleybus routes may be confusing at first. Once you know your way around the network, however, public surface transport can be a very good way of getting around since there is a bus, tram or trolleybus stop virtually everywhere in the city. The vehicles are usually very frequent, although they can still get terribly crowded at peak hours. Route planner is available online.

Make sure you know when to get off—even though in most vehicles the following stops are announced and displayed on a screen, these displays can be unreliable. If you are uncertain if a stop is the one you want, ask your fellow travellers.

Night buses are also available. They run every 30 minutes between 23:30 and 01:00, every 45 minutes between 03:00 and 05:00. No buses run between 01:00 and 03:00. The lines can be seen here and the map here.


By car

Car rental is available in the city and at the airport. The average starting price for a day's rental (small car) is about €10.

By taxi

There are a lot of taxi companies in Bucharest and you'll easily find a cab. But be careful; only use the services of big taxi companies, not small independent taxis (which can charge up to ten times the price). Cars from these companies have the rates displayed on the door; the quoted rate is charged once when the meter starts, and again for every kilometer driven. There is also an time-based hourly rate, which is not listed, but should be around ten times the per-km fee. If a taxi does not display these prices on the door it is best not to take it and find another, as you'll probably be massively overcharged. Some taxis have a low "nighttime rate" listed in a large font with an expensive "daytime rate" listed in a smaller font. So, read carefully and remember that noapte means night. At the beginning of your trip, the driver should start the meter; if they do not, be sure to remind them. If you are travelling outside the city limits (say to or from the airport) prices per km and per hour are often doubled, or an extra 10–15 lei is added to the fare. Be wary of taking taxis from touristy areas. Conmen have been known to demand large sums for passengers to recover their luggage from the trunk or even mug their passengers. However, most taxi drivers are nicer than usual with foreigners, as they expect to keep the change when they get paid at the end of the ride. Smart phone users can download the Clever Taxi app. The app will allow you to choose and summon a taxi to your map location based on vicinity and price.

By ride hailing

Uber and Bolt are available in Bucharest, also in the airport area. At least Uber allows to pay by credit/debit car and cash. There is no shortage of drivers using Uber, and some might view it as safer and easier.

See

Landmarks
  • 🌍 Palace of the Parliament (Palatul Parliamentului), strada Izvor 2-4 (near Piaţa Unirii (Union Plazza). - M1, 3 'Izvor' - entrance is on the north side), ☏ + 40 733 558 102. The world's second largest building (after the US Pentagon), formerly named "Casa Poporului" (People's House). Building started in 1983 by Nicolae Ceauşescu and is still not completely finished (2019). It spans 12 stories, around 1,000 rooms and covers over 330,000 m². 1/9 of Bucharest was reconstructed to accommodate this magnificent massive building and its surroundings. There are 1hr 20min tours frequently which lead through the building's vast collection of marble rooms and culminate in an impressive view from Nicolae Ceauşescu's balcony. All the building materials were sourced from various parts of Romania, though mainly from Transylvania. Tours can be booked online at least a day in advance or just turn up and take the next tour. The first English language tour of the day starts at 09:15. You must have your passport with you to go on a tour. Adults 40 lei, students 20 lei (19-26 years old, with a valid student ID), children 10 lei (7-18 years old), children under 7 free. (updated Sep 2019)
  • 🌍 Old City. A part of the city's historical heart was not demolished by Nicolae Ceauşescu. The area (stretching approximately between the Dâmboviţa river to the south, Calea Victoriei to the west, Calea Moşilor to the east and the Regina Elisabeta boulevard to the north) contains an assortment of middle 19th-century buildings, ruins of the Wallachian princes' medieval court, churches, bank headquarters, a few hotels, clubs, restaurants and shops. Narrow cobblestoned streets retain the names of the ancient guilds that resided on them. The area was mostly renovated and is now a place of gathering for the young generation of the city. 
  • 🌍 Revolution Square (Piaţa Revoluţiei) (M 'Universitate' 600 m - it is not a long walk from the other squares, Gara de Nord, or the Parliament Palace.). Site of part of the Romanian Revolution of 1989. There is a tall monument in the center of the square in memory of those who died during the revolution. 
  • 🌍 Arch of Triumph (Arcul de Triumf), Piața Arcul de Triumf (northern part of the city, close to Herăstrău Park- Take tram 41 to 'Casin' or M2 'Aviatorilor' 500 m). The current arch was inaugurated in 1936, however previous arches had been here since 1878. 
  • 🌍 Romanian Atheneum (Ateneul Roman), strada Benjamin Franklin, 1-3 (Near Revolution Square.- m2 'Piata Romana'). A beautiful building is home of the George Enescu Philarmonic. If you have the time, visit the interior of the building as well, as it holds a fresco that depicts scenes of the Romanian history. The building was inaugurated in 1888. 

Museums
  • 🌍 National Art Museum (Muzeul Național de Artă al României), Calea Victoriei, 49-53 (M2 'Piața Victoriei' or M2 'Universitate' 600 m), ☏ +40 21 3133030, +40 21 3148119, . W-Su 10:00-18:00, last admission 17:00. In the building of the former Royal Palace, this museum has collections of ancient, modern and contemporary Romanian art as well as exhibitions of rare European art dating as early as the 14th century 15 lei for the Romanian collection, 15 lei for the European collection, or 25 lei for booth; 75% discount for pupils, students (with valid cards), Euro 26 card holders up to 30 years old, and people with disabilities; 50% discount for pensioners. Joint ticket with Art Collections Museum for 30 lei. (updated Sep 2019)
  • 🌍 Aviation Museum (Muzeul Aviației), Fabrica de Glucoza (Șoseaua Fabrica de Glucoză) street, 4, in District 2 (on the former Airport Pipera), ☏ +40 21 2320404. Tu-F 09:00-16:00, Sa Su 10:00-17:00. Open-air display of various types of aircraft. The museum is closed for renovation from 1 September 2023 and is expected to be closed for 30 months (until 2026). (updated Sep 2023)
  • 🌍 National Museum of Contemporary Art (Muzeul Național de Artă Contemporana), Strada Izvor (M1, M3 'Izvor' or Bus 136, 385), . Cafe, 4th floor: Open: Tu-Su 10:00-18; Library (Libraria Jumatatea Plina): W-Su 10:00-18:00; Annex NMCA. W-Su 10:00-18:00. Address: Mosilor 64-68, free entry; Dalles Hall (SALA Dalles) Open: W-Su 10:00-18:00; Address: 18 Avenue N. Balcescu. Inside a converted wing of the Palace of the Parliament, in what had been the private apartments of Ceauşescu, the museum features fresh exhibitions from Romania's burgeoning art scene. 10 lei. 
    • Branch Museums: The Art Collections Museum (Muzeul Colecţiilor de Artă), 111, Calea Victoriei, phone:+40 21 2129641; +40 21 2121749. May-Sep: Sa-W 11:00-19:00; Oct-Apr: Sa-W 10:00-18:00. Huge collection of Romanian artworks, and some wonderful textiles and sculpture from the East. Joint ticket with the National Art Museum for 30 lei.
    • K.H. Zambaccian Museum (Muzeul K. H. Zambaccian). 21A, Muzeul Zambaccian Street, phone:+40 21 2301920. May-Sep: W-Su 11:00-19:00, Oct-Apr: W-Su 10:00-18:00. Collection of Romanian artworks collected by a prominent Armenian businessman. Also has works by Cézanne, Monet, Picasso and Matisse.
      Theodor Pallady Museum (Muzeul Theodor Pallady). 22, Spătarului Street, phone: +40 21 2114979. May-Sep: W-Su 11:00-19:00, Oct-Apr: W-Su 10:00-18:00.
  • 🌍 Curtea Veche Museum (Old Princely Court Museum), Strada Franceză, nr. 25-31 (M 'Piața Unirii 2'), ☏ +40 21 3140375. Closed for renovations in Sep 2018. The ruins of the crown palace of the Wallachian princes, some parts dating as early as the 16th century. It’s around an earlier fortification in this place that Bucharest began to develop. 
  • 🌍 Cotroceni Palace Museum (Muzeul Național Cotroceni, Palatul Cotroceni), Bulevardul Geniului 1 (Buses and trolleys to 'Gradina Botanica' or M 'Politehnica'), ☏ +40 21 3173100, . Has collections of objects that belonged to the former Romanian royal family. Today it is also the residence of the Romanian president. 
  • 🌍 Firefighters Museum (Muzeul National al Pompierilor), Bd. Ferdinand I, nr. 33 (Foişorul de Foc), sector 2, ☏ +40 21 2522884. rarely opened. A 42-metre high building between Obor, Calea Moșilor and Nerva-Traian. It was used in the past as an observation tower by the firemen. Tram 14 to 'Bd. Pache Protopopescu'. 
  • 🌍 Village Museum (Muzeul Național al Satului „Dimitrie Gusti”), Șoseaua Pavel Dimitrievici Kiseleff, 28-30 (Tram 41 to 'Agronomie' or M2 'Aviatorilor' and walk across the park ~15 min), ☏ +40 720 220132, . Tu-Su 09:00-19:00. An open air museum created in 1934, it now has around 300 traditional buildings (including churches, workshops, mills) and furniture, pottery, clothing gathered from villages in every region of the country in an effort to showcase the traditional way of life of the Romanians. Occasionally hosts folkloric and traditional crafts festivals. Adult 15 lei; pupils and students (with valid cards) 4 lei; pensioners and Euro 26 card holders 8 lei. (updated Sep 2018)
  • 🌍 Museum of the Romanian Peasant (Muzeul Național al Țăranului Român), Şoseaua Kiseleff, 3 (M2 'Piața Victoriei 1, 2'; bus 205, 300, 381, 783), ☏ +40 21-317-96-61, . Tu-Su 10:00-18:00. Also dedicated to the traditional way of life, it focuses mainly on traditional interior decoration, tools, clothing and artifacts. Again, it sometimes hosts folkloric and traditional crafts festivals. The museum closed in 2018 for a three year renovation. (updated Sep 2019)
  • 🌍 Geology Museum (Muzeul Național de Geologie), Șoseaua Pavel Dimitrievici Kiseleff, 2 (M2 'Piața Victoriei'). Daily10:00-18:00. Has a large collection of minerals, rocks and fossils. 10 lei. (updated Sep 2018)
  • 🌍 National History Museum (Muzeul Național de Istorie a României), Calea Victoriei, nr. 12 (M 'Piața Unirii 2' 600 m), ☏ +40 21 3158207, fax: +40 21 3113356, . W-Su 10:00-18:00. It's in a neoclassical late 19th-century building, and has exhibits documenting the evolution of society on Romania’s territory from the Paleolithic until today, a replica of Trajan’s Column in Rome and a very interesting collection of jewellery and bronze articles from Roman times up to the Kingdom of Romania. 10 lei. (updated Sep 2018)
  • 🌍 Nicolae Minovici Folk Art Museum (Muzeul de Artă Populară Prof. Dr. Nicolae Minovici), Strada dr. Nicolae Minovici 3 (in front of the station Baneasa; bus 131, 205, 335), ☏ +40 21 6657334, . Tu-Su 09:00-17:00. Also here is Museum of Old Western Art the (Muzeul de Artă Veche Apuseană Minovici). There are collections of the various works of art, such as stained glass from the 16th-17th centuries, engravings, paintings, rare books, tapestries, carpets, furniture. 
  • 🌍 Military History Museum (Muzeul Militar Naţional), Strada Mircea Vulcănescu, 125-127 (M 'Gara de Nord' , bus - 122, 126, 168, 226, 268, 368 to stop 'Str.Berzei', trolley - 62, 85, 93, 96 to (Str.Mircea Vulcănescu),), ☏ +40 21 319 59 04. W-Su 09:00-17:00. Has collections of weapons dating since the prehistoric times and permanent exhibitions dedicated to important military events, including the Romanian revolution of 1989, and an outdoor exhibit of relatively modern weaponry, including cannons, tanks, helicopters. 10 lei. 
  • 🌍 National Museum of Romanian Literature (Muzeul Naţional al Literaturii Române, Casa Krețulescu), Bulevardul Dacia nr. 12, sector 1 (M 'Piata Romana' 500 m east), ☏ +40 21 2129654, . 
  • 🌍 D. Minovici Western European Arts Museum, strada N. Minovici, nr.3. Located in a beautiful eclectic villa 
  • 🌍 Frederic and Cecilia Cuțescu-Storck Art Museum (Muzeul de Artă Frederic Storck și Cecilia Cuțescu-Storck), Str. Vasile Alecsandri nr.16, sector 1 (M 'Piaţa Victoriei' 300 m), ☏ +40 21 2113889, . 10:00-18:00. This museum presents works of artists of the Storck family. (updated Apr 2017)
  • 🌍 Railways Museum (Muzeul Căilor Ferate Române), Calea Griviţei, nr. 139B (M "Gara de Nord", bus 105; trolley 86, 97), . Rarely opened, W-Su 10:00-16:00. Shows all sorts of different exhibits from different ages of the railway network. Also has a model railway. 
  • 🌍 National Museum of "George Enescu" (Muzeul Național „George Enescu”), Strada Gheorghe Manu, 141 (Located in Cantacuzino Palace), ☏ +40 21 3181450, . Tu-Su 10:00-17:00,. Music, memorial museum. Adults 6 lei, seniors 2 lei, students 1.5 lei. 
  • 🌍 National Philatelic Museum (Muzeul Național Filatelic), Calea Victoriei, nr. 12 (Bus to 'Piata Natiunile Unite' 200 m or M 'Universitate' 600 m), ☏ +40 21 3125542, +40 21 3127491, fax: +40 21 3125585. Come here for stamps, stamp collections, postal items: boxes of values, old paintings, seals, horns, prints, old letters, maps postal coachmen costumes, furniture used in post offices, etc. (updated Mar 2018)
  • 🌍 Museum of Mary and Dr. G. Severeanu (Muzeul Maria și dr. George Severeanu), Strada Henri Coandă (fostă I.C. Frimu) nr. 26, sector 1 (M 'Piata Romana' 500 m SE). The exhibition includes a variety of objects: pieces of archeology - ancient Greek vases, statuettes of Tanagra, bronze and marble, glass Roman items, ancient Greek, Dacian Roman, Byzantine and medieval coins. Romanian and foreign orders and decorations. 6 lei. 
  • 🌍 Bucharest History Museum (Muzeul Municipiului București, Palatul Sutu), Bulevardul Ion C. Brătianu. 2 (In the Şuţu Palace), ☏ +40 21 315 6858, fax: +40 21 3102562. Tu-Su 10:00-18:00. Housed in a palace built in 1834, has collections related to the development of Bucharest from a small 14th-century fortress into Romania’s capital. 10 lei and 15 lei extra to take photos (not worth it). (updated Sep 2019)
  • National Museum of Antiquities (Muzeul Național de Antichități). 
  • 🌍 National Museum of Old Maps and Books (Muzeul Național al Hărților și Cărții Vechi), Str. Londra nr. 39, sector 1 (M 'Piața Victoriei' or Bus 131,182, 301, 330, 331, 335 to stop 'Liceul I.L.Caragiale'), . W-Su 10:00-18:00. Small, but amazing museum with maps on 3 floors. Don’t forget to borrow one of the green magnifying glasses to discover the fine print. Historical maps from 15th-20th century from the whole world with an emphasis on Romania and the Balkan Peninsula. Note that while the name mentions books too, it's almost exclusively maps on display. 10 lei / 2,5 lei for students. (updated Jul 2022)
  • 🌍 Jewish Community History Museum, Strada Mămulari, nr. 3. Housed in a beautiful mid 19th century synagogue. Documents the life of this community in the region since ancient times and through the Holocaust. Passport required to enter. Donation. (updated Sep 2019)
  • 🌍 Grigore Antipa Natural History Museum, Şoseaua Kiseleff, nr. 1. This has over 300,000 exhibits illustrating the transformations of Earth and the evolution of species. (updated Feb 2015)
  • 🌍 “Dimitrie Leonida” Technology Museum (Set to be relocated in a wing of the 'Parliament Palace'). 
  • 🌍 Primăveri Palace (Casa Ceaușescu) (Metro Stop Aviatorilor), ☏ +40 213180989. Closed Mondays. The former residence of Ceaușescu, incredibly opulent, one of the most fascinating places to visit in Bucharest. Book online at least a day in advance. Tours last 45 minutes and cover all the main living areas, including the mosaic surrounded swimming pool and indoor garden 50 lei. (updated Sep 2019)

Galleries

Churches and monasteries
  • 🌍 Curtea Veche Church (Old Court Church, Biserica Curtea Veche), Strada Covaci and Strada Franceză, sector 3 (Close to M 'Piața Unirii 2'). The Church of the Old Princely Court, built around 1559, used to be the coronation church of the Wallachian princes. 
  • 🌍 Patriarchal Cathedral (Catedrala Patriarhală din București), Strada Patriarhiei (on the hill overlooking Piata Unirii, take tram 7, 27, 32 to stop '11 Iunie' 100 m or M: 'Piața Unirii 1' 500 m). Built in 1658. Next to it is the Mitropoliei Palace (1708) – the residence of the Orthodox Patriarch, a sort of small 'Romanian Vatican'. It’s the only church in Bucharest in which photography is prohibited (updated Sep 2019)
  • 🌍 Stavropoleos Church (Biserica Stavropoleos), Strada Stavropoleo/Strada Poștei nr. 6, sector 3 (in the old center area, M: Piața Unirii 2 walk half km northwest), . Built in the early 18th century, has some stunning decorative sculpture and amazing frescoes. A little jewel. 
  • 🌍 Colţea Church (Biserica Colțea, Biserica "Trei Ierarhi"), Bulevardul Ion C. Brătianu 1 (near to Piaţa Universităţii. M: Universitate). The first church in Bucharest built in the Brancovenesc style (1702). 
  • 🌍 New St. George Church (Biserica Sfântul Gheorghe Nou din București), Bulevardul Brătianu I. C. 49, sector 3 (half way between Piaţa Universităţii and Piaţa Unirii. Take tram 5, 16, 21 to stop 'Piata Sf. Gheorghe'). Dating from the 18th century, houses the tombs of princes Constantin Brâncoveanu and Ion Mavrocordat. 
  • 🌍 Kretzulescu Church (Biserica Crețulescu), Calea Victoriei, 45 (M: Universitate 400m, on the left side of the National Art Museum). An interesting example of the Brancovenesc style (1722). 
  • 🌍 Plumbuita Monastery (Manastirea Plumbuita), off Şoseaua Colentina, Str. Plumbuita nr. 58, sector 2 (relatively far from the city center, on Lake Plumbuita shore. Take tram #21 to stop 'Doamna Ghica' and walk toward north a half km). Built in the last half of the 16th century, it once housed the first printing house in the region (1582), today it has a religious objects museum and a large park. 
  • 🌍 Oţetari Church (Biserica Oţetari), 4, Strada Oţetari (close to the Rosetti Square, National Theatrer and the Spiru Haret National College). The Oţetari Church is a very discreet, spiritual place, giving some religious comfort in the centre of the city. Its name means "cruet", because of the street it is on. It was built in the 18th century and it features a number of interesting paintings and stained glass. 
  • 🌍 Great Synagogue of Bucharest (Sinagoga Mare din București, בית הכנסת הגדול של בוקרשט), Strada Vasile Adamache 11 (Tram 14, 40 and 56 to stop 'Piata Sf. Vineri'), ☏ +40 21 3110870. Religious services on weekends. This decorative temple was raised in 1845 by the Polish-Jewish community. It was repaired in 1865, baroque style, redesigned in 1903 and 1909, repainted in Rococo style in 1936. It hosts an exhibition on the Holocaust in Romanian. Entry by donation. Security checks require your passport (updated Sep 2019)
  • 🌍 All Saints' Antim Monastery (Mănăstirea Antim), Strada Mitropolit Antim Ivireanul 29, București 030167 (In a side street on the south side of the Bulevardul Unirii near the front of the Parliamentary Palace). M-Sa 10:00 - 19:00, Su 08:45 - 09:45 and 12:00 - 19:00. An Orthodox monastery in Brâncovenesc style from 1715 with a church, a museum and a shop. The church, museum and shop are open to the public. The church is in the center of a courtyard with the museum and shop in buildings around the sides. The church is richly decorated with distinctive carved wooden doors. The shop sells mainly religious texts and iconography but also has a leaflet in English and other languages for 2 lei so go there before the main church. There is a toilet that visitors can use next to the shop. Free. (updated Aug 2018)

Do

There are two free weekly guides published in Bucharest featuring all the events of the week, as well as listing the addresses of most restaurants, clubs, pubs, bars, cinemas etc. in the city. One is Şapte Seri (Seven nights), the other 24-FUN. They have small sections in English available.

Walking tours
  • A walking tour is a good way to get accustomed with a new city. You can find free guided walking tours of the city centre, this being an option for budget visitors, youth and backpackers. Usually, you have to book the tours, but in the high season there are tours organized every day, rain or sun.
  • There are also paid tours to be found, in this case booking being necessary at all times.
  • Access the free Audio Guide with GPS on smartphone for most relevant tour (17 attractions) on http://IZI.travel (IOS, Android, Windows). Then consider other tours with Audio Guides in Bucharest and surroundings. For example: "Bucharest - Old City Centre" (with 40 included attractions) or related to the nearby protected natural area from Snagov lake and forest.
  • 🌍 Therme București. Huge thermal water park. (updated Feb 2016)

Parks
  • 🌍 Cişmigiu Garden (Centre). This a lovely small park; it's the oldest in the city (designed 1845-1860). Has boat rental in summer, ice skating in winter time, reasonable restaurants and more specially a French restaurant in Trianon Hotel and several bars. 
  • 🌍 Herăstrău Park. The largest of several parks around man-made lakes on the Colentina River running through the city’s north and east side) houses the Village Museum, an open-air theater, various sports grounds, an amusement park and numerous restaurants and clubs. Has boat rental and boat-trips in summer. 
  • 🌍 Botanical Gardens (near Cotroceni Palace). 08:00-20:00 daily in summer. Established in 1860, displays a variety of plants from all over the world. The greenhouses are wonderful but have limited opening hours, and are closed Monday, Wednesday and Friday 10 Lei. (updated Sep 2019)
  • 🌍 Carol Park (one subway station south of Piaţa Unirii). Designed in 1906, Carol Park has an open-air theater replicating a Roman arena and another construction replicating a medieval fortress. It houses the tomb of the Unknown Soldier as well as an infamous mausoleum built for the Communist nomenclature. 
  • 🌍 Tineretului Park. It has a large multipurpose building (Sala Polivalenta) used for concerts, sporting events, exhibitions, etc., an amusement park for children, boat-rental, several restaurants and bars. 
  • Titan Park (I.O.R. Park). A green oasis among Communist-era high-rise apartment buildings in the eastern part of the city (Titan metro station), has a charming wooden church as well as several lakeside clubs. 

Concert venues

Cinema

Most films are screened in their original language with Romanian subtitles; some animation features and children's movies are dubbed in Romanian. Cinemas are found in every shopping mall.

Art
  • Cinemateca Română, strada Eforie nr. 2 (near the old quarter), ☏ +40 21 3130483. A branch of the National Film Archives, screens mostly classic movies. 
  • Noul cinematograf al regizorului roman (Romanian director's new cinema), strada Intrarea Monetăriei nr. 3 (at the Romanian Peasant Museum), ☏ +40 21 317 9660, fax: +40 21 312 9875. Art films and documentaries selected by major Romanian directors. 10 lei. 
  • Eurocinema, strada Johann Gutenberg nr. 19 (near Izvor bridge), ☏ +40 21 315 8165, fax: +40 21 3121962. Th-Su at 20:00. Plays mainly independent European movies. 10 lei. 
  • Europa, Calea Moşilor nr. 127 (at the start of Moşilor road), ☏ +40 21 314 2714. Plays relatively recent European movies. 
  • Cinema Elvira Popescu, Bulevardul Dacia nr. 77 (at the French Institute), ☏ +40 21 2100224. Mostly French movies. 20 lei, carnet of 5 tickets: 70 lei, children under 12: 10 lei. (updated Jun 2022)

Mainstream
  • Cinema City, Bulevardul Vasile Milea nr. 4 (in the AFI Palace mall), ☏ +40 21 407 0000. Largest multiplex in the city (21 screens, including one IMAX). 17-32 lei. 
  • Hollywood Multiplex, Calea Vitan nr. 55-59 (in the Bucharest Mall), ☏ +40 21 327 7020. This was the first multiplex to open in Bucharest and has 10 screens. 22-35 lei. 
  • Movieplex, Bulevardul Timişoara nr. 26 (in the Plaza Romania mall), ☏ +40 21 43 10000, fax: +40 21 4078333. Located in the western part of Bucharest, has 11 screens. 15-45 lei. 
  • Patria, Bulevardul Gh. Magheru nr. 12-14 (between Universităţii and Romană squares), ☏ +40 21 3169266. A large (over 1,000 seats) 1930s cinema located along the city's main avenue. 
  • Scala, Bulevardul Gh. Magheru nr. 2-4 (between Universităţii and Romană squares), ☏ +40 21 316 6708. Another large older cinema in the downtown. 
  • CinemaPro, strada Ion Ghica nr. 3 (near Universităţii square), ☏ +40 31 8241360, . 14-24 lei. 

Sport
  • Arena Națională (capacity 55,000) hosts international soccer matches plus club side FCSB. It's 5 km east of city centre, take the tram along Basarabia Bvd.
  • FCSB play soccer in Liga 1, the country's top tier. Their home ground is the National Arena.
  • FC Dinamo București also play in Liga 1. They play at Dinamo Stadium (capacity 15,000) 2 km north, with its own Metro and tram station.
  • Rapid București also play in Liga 1. Most games are at Rapid-Giulești Stadium (capacity 14,000) 5 km northwest, but some big matches are at National Arena.

Buy

Major brand-name shops and upscale boutiques are concentrated along the main boulevard from Piaţa Romană to Piaţa Unirii and on the small streets adjacent to this boulevard, but also on Calea Victoriei, on Calea Dorobanţilor (the part between Blvd. Iancu de Hunedoara and Piaţa Dorobanţilor) or on Calea Moşilor's section between Blvd. Carol I and Piaţa Obor.

Shopping malls

In the past years numerous modern shopping centers have sprung up in the city (and even more are in construction), the best known being:

  • 🌍 Unirea Shopping Center, sector 3, Piața Unirii, nr.1 (Downtown - M 1,3 'Piața Unirii' Stn. Includes a large Carrefour supermarket.), ☏ +40 21 3030307, . 
  • 🌍 Băneasa Shopping City, Șoseaua Bucureşti-Ploieşti nr.42D (Bus 261, 301, 304, 449 to 'Drumul Matasii'), ☏ +40 21 3057195. Opened in April 2008. 
  • 🌍 Liberty Center, section 5, Strada Progresului 151-171 (Tram 8, 11, 25, 23, 32 or bus 117, 173 - M2 'Eroii Revolutiei' 1.5 km), ☏ +40 21 3699875. Shops: daily 10:00-22:00, supermarket: 09:00-22:00, cinema: M-F 12:00; Sa-Su 10:00. 
  • 🌍 AFI Palace Cotroceni, district 6, Bulevardul Vasile Milea, No. 4, ☏ +40 31 4257510, fax: +40 31 4257513. 
  • 🌍 Sun Plaza, district 4, Calea Văcărești 391 (M2 'Stația Piața Sudului', Trolley 73, 74, 77; Tram 11, bus 232, 242, 312, 313, 381, 634), . Gallery stores M-Sa 10:00-22:00, Restaurants & cafes: Su-Th 10:00-23:00, F-Sa 10:00-24:00; Cora hypermarket: M-F 8:00 -22:00. 
  • 🌍 Promenada, Calea Floreasca 246B. Opened in 2014, it is one of the biggest shopping malls in Bucharest. (updated Feb 2015)
  • 🌍 Mega Mall, Str. Pierre de Coubertin nr. 3-5. Opened in 2015, this is the newest and one of the biggest shopping malls Bucharest has to offer. 

Book stores

Book stores with a good supply of English language books are difficult to find in Bucharest but there are a few places mainly situated in the center.

  • 🌍 Cărturești Carusel, Lipscani 55. Breathtaking bookstore in a restored 19th-century building. 
  • Cărtureşti, Str Arthur Verona nr.13, ☏ +40 21 3173459. A few blocks south of Piaţa Romană on the east side of Bd. Magheru. The store is set back the street and has a small park in front of it. +phone=+40 21 72 1518351, 788758408 
  • 🌍 Bastilia. Excellent bookshop (with nice cafe at top) located in newly renovated building right at Piata Romana. (updated Feb 2015)
  • Nautilus. An English-language bookstore near the Kiseleff Park, mostly with fantasy and science fiction books. 
  • Anthony Frost English Bookshop, Calea Victorei, Nr. 45, Sector 1, Bucharest, Romania (The bookstore near the Art Museum. Walk down the right side of the large building just to the left of a very old church. The bookstore is near the back.), ☏ +40 21 3115138, . An English-language bookstore. Lots of reasonably-priced books and a comics (mostly manga) section. 
  • Dalles. Near Piaţa Universităţii (University square). 

Eat

Budget
  • 🌍 SC Argentin Impex LLC, Strada Blănari nr 11-13. Very good Romanian meals, a treat for the senses. Nice quiet outdoor area. (updated May 2022)
  • 🌍 Kanteen 162, Strada Lipscani 19. Very good food, consistent menus, impeccable service and kind staff. Best place to find the traditional taste of organic food. (updated May 2022)
  • 🌍 Bodega "La Mahala", Strada Covaci 8. A secluded and quiet place hidden a bit among the noisy and losing western-style pubs of the Old Town. It has an intimate and a bit old-fashioned Romanian look which gives it the feeling of the 90's with some more modern elements. The decor is nice and the food equally good. Cats are present. (updated May 2022)
  • 🌍 Art Café, Strada Lipscani 98. Very good Romanian food, caring and nice ladies. It a self-service. (updated May 2022)
  • 🌍 Luca, vis-a-vis Intercontinental, Bulevardul Nicolae Bălcescu 16A. Romanian traditional pastries. There are both sweet and savory products. Good for vegetarians. Huge selection of pastries for all tastes. A recommendation for the covrigi. (updated May 2022)

Mid-range
  • 🌍 Cuptorul cu lemne, Bulevardul Pache Protopopescu 63, ☏ +40 21 2522414. A nice pizza place with a nice outdoor summer garden and a relaxed atmosphere (the restaurant also houses a caricature club). Tends to be very crowded during weekends. (updated Aug 2022)
  • 🌍 Locanta Jaristea, Strada George Georgescu 50-52 (near the crossroad of Regina Maria Blvd. and Libertăţii Blvd), ☏ +40 021 335 33 38, . Daily 11:00-last customer. Beautiful historically themed restaurant, live traditional music, old Romanian specialties; but always check the bill thoroughly. Reservations are compulsory. (updated Aug 2022)
  • 🌍 Rossetya 2.0, 9 Str Dimitrie Bolintineanu. Classic style restaurant with prices a bit higher than average, but with a very neat and cultivated atmosphere, outstandingly friendly English-speaking personnel, high food quality. (updated May 2022)
  • 🌍 Trattoria Il Calcio Universitate, Strada Ion Ghica 6. One of best pizza places in old town. (updated May 2022)
  • 🌍 Caru' cu Bere, Strada Stavropoleos 5 (besides the National History Museum). One of the most famous restaurants in Bucharest, in a historic building. Student menu for 14,50 lei (Aug 2018). (updated Aug 2022)
  • La Mama (6 outlets around Bucharest, Barbu Văcărescu 3, Delea Veche 51, Episcopiei 9, and Carrefour Orhideea being the largest ones, +40 21-2124086) - focusing on traditional Romanian food. Reasonable prices. (updated May 2022)
  • Trattoria Buongiorno, Str Franceza 52. Trattoria Buongiorno is bringing a little piece of Italy to the middle of Bucharest. (updated May 2022)
  • Taj Indian Cuisine (Calea 13 Septembrie, 127-131,), Sector 5, Bucureşti (Near Marriott hotel), ☏ +40 21 410 1820. Daily 12:00-24:00. Good Indian restaurant near Marriott hotel, especially for vegetarians. Little pricey. (updated May 2022)
  • 🌍 Il Bocconcino - Restaurant si livrare Popesti-Leordeni, Strada Mirăslău nr. 26, Popești-Leordeni 077160 (the entrance is through the park), ☏ +40 729 451 049, . 11:00 - 23:00. Italian restaurant. 20 - 80. (updated Jan 2021)
  • 🌍 Kanpai, str. George Călinescu 49. Japanese pub/bistro. (updated May 2022)
  • 🌍 Lacrimi și Sfinți, Șepcari 16. (updated May 2022)
  • 🌍 Pâine și Vin. (updated May 2022)

Splurge
  • 🌍 Beca's Kitchen. (updated May 2022)
  • Casa di David, Soseaua Nordului nr. 7-9, ☏ +40 21 232 47 15. Opened in 2005, it is a hangout of the city's nouveau riche. It comes complete with German car ads at the entrance and an extensive wine list. Food (Italian inspired) and ambience are OK, but portions are small and prices are far above average for Bucharest. A 3-course meal for two with local wine will set you back over 400 lei. 
  • 🌍 Mahala, Calea Rahovei 147-153. (updated May 2022)
  • Red Angus Steakhouse, 87th Nicolae Caramfil Blvd, ☏ +40 21 720-720-863. In the Old Center, across the street from the Old Court. The restaurant serves high quality USDA Choice beef and offers an excellent, diverse menu, for all tastes. Also at 56 Franceza St. (updated May 2022)
  • 🌍 the ARTIST Restaurant, Calea Victoriei 147. (updated May 2022)

Drink
  • 🌍 1974 Niște Domni și Fiii. (updated Mar 2015)
  • Absintherie Sixtină (Sixtine Absintheria), Covaci 6, 1st floor, ☏ +40 21 3103566. Classic style bar with reasonable prices. The absinthe is served with a slow drip fountain. 
  • Beer O'Clock, Gabroveni 4 and Villacrosse passage (near Police Department). Bar with several types of Belgian, Czech and Slovak beer. 
  • 🌍 Camera din Față. Cafe/tea house (updated Oct 2015)
  • Curtea berarilor (The Brewers Court), Selari 9-11, ☏ +40 723 279620, +40 21 3137532. Su 12:00–24:00; M-W 13:00-01:00; Th-Sa 13:00-4:00. Pub in old center having mostly Timişoreana beer. (updated Apr 2017)
  • 🌍 Energiea. (updated Feb 2017)
  • 🌍 Ganesha Cafe. (updated Nov 2015)
  • Green Hours, Calea Victoriei 120, ☏ +40 722 234356, +40 788 452485. A quiet club which often hosts jazz concerts. 
  • Interbelic, Intrarea Selari 1A (near Lipscani), ☏ +40 722 681618. Daily 17:00-last. Cocktail bar; fine spirits, great nights. medium. 
  • 🌍 Origo. (updated Feb 2017)
  • 🌍 Piua Book Bar. (updated Mar 2017)
  • BEAT bar umanist, Strada Robescu F. Constantin 14, ☏ +40 748 110 388, . Nice cosy bar near Unirii/old town. 
  • Hard Rock Cafe, 32 Kiseleff Avenue, ☏ +40-21-206-6261. Favorite of both locals and tourists, the Hard Rock Cafe makes its home on the shores of the lake, just a few short steps from the landmark Triumph Arch. 
  • Mancave, Economu Cezarescu 61 ((near Grozavesti)), ☏ +40 764574623, . M-F 7:30-00:00 S-S 10:00 00:00. Gaming venue that also has boardgames, specialty coffee and drinks. (updated Feb 2020)

Clubbing
  • Bamboo, Str. Ramuri Tei 39 (in Tei Park), ☏ +40 72 213 2283, . F 23:00-05:00; Sa 23:00-12:00. It's the largest club in Bucharest. Upmarket and expensive. 
  • Cafe Hazard, Baraţiei (coming from Unirii towards University, take your first right after the fornetti store and then your first left), ☏ +40 72 770 0107. Daily 15:00-03:00. A rock bar, with a great atmosphere, open thinking, great beer and people. 
  • Gaia, Strada Tarmului, nr. 19, ☏ +40723610933. Daily 15:00-03:00. 
  • Club A, Strada Blănari 14 (near University Square), ☏ +40 759 392 059. Daily 18:00-06:00. The oldest club in Bucharest, with nearly 40 years tradition (this means amazingly much for a city where most clubs are less than 5 years old). Since the beginning, it was and remains a student pub and club, with an unpretentious but welcoming atmosphere, good music and low prices. Like many clubs in Bucharest, the bouncers can be overly aggressive to patrons at times. 
  • Control Club, Str. Academiei nr.19 (go to Victoria Passage coming from University square), ☏ +40 73 392 7861. Daily 15:00-03:00. Best alternative/indie club with a lot of live shows and good music. 
  • Expirat/OtherSide, Str. Lipscani nr. 5/Str. Brezoianu nr. 4, ☏ +40 73 EXPIRAT (3974728), . Very lively and popular club, divided in two sections - Expirat, the old club with rock/dance/hiphop music, and its newer offspring, the OtherSide, where DJs spin electronica. Themed nights, very expat-friendly, great cocktails and very reasonable prices. 
  • Fire Club (near Lipscani), ☏ +40 21 312 7019. The most well-known rock and metal club in Bucharest. By day a pub and outdoor cafe. 
  • Fratelli, Str. Nicolae Golescu 5, ☏ +40 73 103 6222, +40 72 185 0030, . 
  • Kulturhaus, Str. Sf. Vineri nr.4, ☏ +40 21 3135592. Daily 10:00-05:00. A club with a German concept – ”the culture house” – a place where all sort of cultural events (such as live music concerts, art exhibitions, film projections) take place. Kulturhaus is very cheap – no entry fee (except for music concerts) and low prices – it is the cheapest club in town – maybe this is why the place is crowded every Friday and Saturday night until 05:00. 
  • Queen’s Club, Be. Carol I, nr. 61, ☏ +40 72 275 4293, . F Sa 24:00-05:00. Like gay clubs the world over, this place has become tremendously popular with a hetero set fed up with the meat market atmosphere at so many of the city’s other locations. That, together with superb music, makes this an essential stop for hedonists of all persuasions. Shake it. It can become quite crowded so watch yourself. Entry 20 lei, but that includes 10 lei worth of drinks at the bar. (updated Apr 2017)
  • Underworld, Str. Colţei, nr. 48 (go to Colţei street coming from the Rosetti Square, near University). M-Sa 15:00-05:00; Su 15:00-24:00. The only punk-rock oriented pub in Bucharest. It also has a small concert hall, a fusball table, board games, dedicated evenings, etc. 

Sleep

Budget

Camping
  • 🌍 Camping Casa Alba (Camping White House), Aleea Privighetorilor 1-3 (at the edge of Băneasa Forest, 1 km N of Băneasa Airport, 12 km N of city centre), ☏ +40 21 361 7730. Space for up to 80 caravans or 120 tents, running water, showers, toilets, kitchen. Next to Casa Alba restaurant. (updated Feb 2018)

Hostels
  • Butterfly Villa Hostel, Str. Ştirbei Vodă 96 (entrance from Str. C.Stahi), ☏ +40 21 314 7595, +40 74 172 1169, . Clean hostel 1 km from train station in the centre of sector 1. Bed-sheets, breakfast and internet is included the price. Airport pick-up, excursions and laundry-service. From €12/night. (updated Feb 2018)
  • Midland Hostel, Str Biserica Amzei no 22 (near Piata Romana Metro), ☏ +40 21 314 5323, . Central, breakfast included, free internet. from €8/night. (updated Feb 2018)
  • Vila Gabriela, Str. Mărgăritarului 18, Vila A 104, Otopeni (off Hwy 1, one km S of Otopeni Airport), ☏ +40 21 236 2053, . Big house managed by a friendly couple, Carmina and Vlad. Carmina can speak English, French and Italian. The rooms are clean and welcoming. B&B double room (shared toilet) €25/night; en suite €35. (updated Feb 2018)
  • X Hostel Bucharest, Str. Balcesti, 9 (off Calea Calarasi, 200 m NE of Piata Unirii), ☏ +40 21 367 4912, . Party hostel & pub. Free strong wireless connection, hotel standard rooms as well as large cheaper dorms, mainly air conditioned. From €6/night. (updated Feb 2018)
  • 🌍 Zen Tribe Hostel, Strada Radu de la Afumați 12B, București 020667 (The black gate with the electronic coded lock), ☏ +40 762 211 522 (mobile). Check-in: 15:00-22:00, check-out: 05:00-10:00. Clean and spacious hostel. Relaxed atmosphere, very friendly owner and guests with social common spaces. Comfortable beds, great showers and good location. No laundry service. From €9/night. (updated Aug 2018)

Budget hotels

Mid-range
  • 🌍 Vienna House Easy, 283 Calea Bucurestilor (On Hwy 1, 300 m from Otopeni / Henri Coanda Airport), ☏ +40 21 203 6500, fax: +40 21 203 6510. Good stay & fly option, hotel offers shuttle bus to terminal, you hardly need it. from €95/night. (updated Jun 2023)
  • 🌍 Hilto Garden Inn Bucharest Airport. Probably even more walkable than Vienna House. €80. (updated Jun 2023)
  • Ambasador, 8 Bvd General Gheorghe Magheru (on main Bvd 1 km S of Piata Victoriei), ☏ +40 21 315 9080, fax: +40 21 312 3595, . 3-star in Art Deco slab, with restaurant. Single from €50, double from €60/night, breakfast included. (updated Aug 2018)
  • Alia Accommodation Bucharest, 18 Nicolae Balcescu, ☏ +40 745 500 676, . Check-in: 13:00, check-out: 12:00. Serviced apartments in the city center at the University Square. Metro and buses just outside the building. €30-65/night. (updated Mar 2018)
  • Capitol, Calea Victoriei 29 (off Bvd Regina Elisabeta, 200 m west of Universitate Metro), ☏ +40 21 315 8030, fax: +40 21 312 4169. Comfortable, 100-year-old three-star hotel with big rooms and enormous bathrooms. €55-75/night. (updated Feb 2018)
  • Casa Victor, Str. Emanoil Porumbaru nr. 44 (2 blocks W of Bvd Aviatorilor, 200 m S of Aviatorilor Metro station), ☏ +40 21 222 5723, fax: +40 21 222 9436, . Check-out: 11:00. 3-star hotel with restaurant, pool & spa. €55-140/night. (updated Feb 2018)
  • Class Hotel, 30A Garlei St. (off Hwy 1 near Baneasa Airport, 10 km north of centre), ☏ +40 372 135 700. On Baneasa lakeside, 4-star hotel with restaurant, pool, spa & gym. €60. (updated Feb 2018)
  • Crowne Plaza, Bvd Poligrafiei nr. 1 (10 km N of centre), ☏ +40 21 224 0034, fax: +40 21 318 1302. Business hotel close to Romexpo grounds. from €80/night. (updated Feb 2018)
  • Dalin Hotel, 70 Bvd Marasesti (500 m S of Piata Unirii), ☏ +40 21 335 5541. 3-star place with bar & restaurant. €50-60/night. (updated Feb 2018)
  • Ibis Gara de Nord, Calea Grivitei nr. 143, ☏ +40 21 300 9100. Reliable budget chain 100 m from railway station. from €45/night. (updated Feb 2018)
  • K+K Hotel Elisabeta, Str. Slanic 26 (off Bvd Carol 1), ☏ +40 21 302 9280, fax: +40 21 311 8632, . Central, close to University, business quarter, city centre & Cismigiu Gardens. (updated Feb 2018)
  • Le Boutique Hotel Moxa, 4 Mihail Moxa St (corner of 129 Calea Victoriei), ☏ +40 21 650 5555, . Four-star hotel, centrally located. €80-110/night. (updated Feb 2018)
  • NH Bucharest, Bulevardul Mircea Voda, 21, ☏ +40 21-300 0545. Modern 4-star hotel in the business district. Bedrooms are cosy and comfortable with a modern twist. Rooms from €65/night. (updated Sep 2018)
  • Novotel, Calea Victoriei nr. 37B (Metro Universitate), ☏ +40 21 308 8500. Reliable 4-star choice. The facade is what's left of the former National Theatre. From €60/night. (updated Feb 2018)
  • Ramada Majestic, Calea Victoriei nr. 38-40 (Metro Universitate), ☏ +40 21 310 2772, . Handy for University. €80-180/night. (updated Feb 2018)
  • Rin Airport Hotel, Calea Bucurestilor 255A Otopeni (On Hwy 1 near Bucharest main airport, Otopeni), ☏ +40 21 350 4110, . Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 12:00. Provides spacious rooms with air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, and free access to its spa area. (updated Feb 2018)
  • 🌍 Rin Central, Str Traian 55, ☏ +40 21 308 3153, . 4* hotel near city centre. €60/night. (updated Feb 2018)
  • Hotel Siqua, Calea Plevnei nr. 59A (near Opera), ☏ +40 21 319 5160, . With Italian restaurant, conference facilities. from €75/night (tax and breakfast included). (updated Feb 2018)
  • 🌍 Hotel Corvaris, Soseaua Oltenitei 125 (15 km SE of centre on Hwy 4), ☏ +40 21 332 5146, . Check-in: 14:00, check-out: 12:00. Clean, handy for motorists. from €50/night. (updated Feb 2018)

Splurge

Stay safe

The emergency number in Romania is 112.

Bucharest is one of the safest capitals in Europe, far safer than Berlin, London and Rome. Nevertheless, violence is not an uncommon solution, towards locals or towards foreign-looking people (minorities, out of place individuals, etc.) in any club, but particularly those playing ethnic music, especially when drinking and after hours are involved. Avoiding any conflict would reduce your chances to almost zero. The crime rate is low, but a traveler must always be cautious. Violent attacks are very low, but if attacked just yell, "Ajutor!" or "Poliția!"

Transportation

Be incredibly careful as a pedestrian in Bucharest. Some drivers are inconsiderate and do not obey all traffic signals. Never assume a car will stop for you at a crosswalk. This is definitely the biggest hazard in Bucharest, not so much in the daytime, when crowded streets make it impossible to drive cars at high speeds, but, at night, the streets clear out, some illegal races take place with reckless driving on main boulevards.

Buses are safe, but use common sense, and put your things in internal pockets.

Taking taxis from areas frequented by foreign tourists may also pose a threat as some of these taxis may try to make the trip a bit longer than usual, in order to be paid more. Ideally, you should call or ask someone to call you a taxi or order one using apps like Bolt or Uber.

One rule of thumb is to go with older taxi drivers, since they will be more cautious and only try to get a bit extra out of you if they scam you, unlike young drivers who will claim a trip costs 3-5 times as much as it should, may claim the meter does not work, and may try intimidation tactics to make you pay. The company the taxi driver is working at and the prices should be written on the car and the driver's ID card (issued by his employer) should be visible and should contain his photo.

Be very careful of unsolicited offers of help by passers-by, even if they speak good English. In particular if a stranger offers to accompany you to your hostel or hotel in a taxi to show you the way, decline immediately. They are often working in tandem with unlicensed taxi drivers who will attempt to scam you, drop you at incorrect (and remote) locations while demanding exorbitant payment, or who will steal your luggage.

Neighborhoods

Like most other big cities, walking around at night isn't safe in some parts of the city, like Pantelimon, Ferentari, Giulesti, and the Gara de Nord area. If you must travel into these neighbourhoods, it's safer to take a taxi. Gara de Nord in itself is not particularly dangerous, but the surroundings are populated by homeless people and children. Be careful, as many street children use an inhalant drug (equivalent to huffing paint) and may be dangerous. It's best to avoid any contact. If you do wish to give them something, buy food for them, don't give them money.

Ferentari is an empoverished neighbourhood in southern Bucharest and, it's not advisable to walk there at night. For the visitor, there is little of interest there.

The unofficial red light district is Mătăsari, which is also a popular place for clubbers and pubs; you can walk there without any worries because it's always crowded and lively, but avoid talking to strangers there.

Police

Policemen are pretty friendly and the younger ones speak English, so you can ask directions. In the event that you do need to report a crime to the police, proceed to the nearest police station. They will often help you to the best of their ability.

However, if you do get caught in a police raid, do not attempt to bribe your way out of it.

Other

Asian tourists are more likely to be seen as an easy target for dishonest taxi drivers and other criminals. It does not make a difference if you are Asian or look Asian. Some young Asian women may also get a lot of perverted looks from men all around the city: be prepared to be stared at especially if you are travelling alone, though some men will stare no matter what.

Avoid wearing football shirts or scarves of any Bucharest or Romania-based football teams (like FCSB, Dinamo or Rapid), especially on match days. There have been several cases of people being assaulted by opposing team's fanatics.

Stay away from any protests. Often protests take place in Piața Victoriei or Piața Universității.

Stay healthy

Those with allergies may find Bucharest annoying in that it is both hot and very dusty in the summer, with temperatures easily exceeding 30 °C in July and August, so bring whatever you might need to stay comfortable. Please note that during the summer, sun strokes and heat strokes can be very dangerous. Therefore, it is recommended that you have a bottle of water with you, sun glasses and a hat (or equivalent).

Pharmacies are usually open between 09:00 and 18:00, but some will stay open through the night. In Romania, there are relatively few over-the-counter drugs available, but pharmacists are allowed to dispense limited quantities of some prescription drugs (such as pain relief medicine) for what they see as immediate needs. There are 51 public hospitals (of which 13 are designated emergency hospitals, including 2 for pediatric emergencies only) and about 18 private hospitals in Bucharest, along with a considerable number of private clinics, dental practices and a modern ambulance service. The nearest hospital from the city center is Colțea Hospital, located on Ion C. Brătianu Boulevard just near the Colțea Church and about 5 minutes away on foot from the University Square. It is also one of the most modern public hospitals in Bucharest.

Laundry

There is a new laundromat with free Wi-Fi and new equipment. It is centrally located and a nice place to hang around:

Cope

Embassies

Connect

As of November 2021, Bucharest has wide 5G coverage with Orange and Vodafone, some zones in the city center and the northern part of the city with 5G from Digi, and several spots in the northern part of the city covered by 5G with Telekom. Wifi is widely available in public places.

Go next
  • The most attractive area of Romania is Transylvania, with its mountains and well-preserved medieval towns. Closest to Bucharest, 160 km north, is Brașov. Beyond it lie Sibiu, Sighisoara, Targu Mures and Cluj Napoca.
  • Constanța, 225 km east, is a beach resort on the Black Sea coast. Frankly it's seen better days.
  • Ski resorts include Sinaia, Poiana Brasov, and Predeal.
  • The scenic road Transfăgărășan is not very far away. On the way you can visit also the cities Curtea de Argeș, Pitești and Ștefănești.
  • A day's journey takes you out of Romania into the neighbouring countries. The star destinations, which you'll want to visit more than once, are Budapest in Hungary and Istanbul in Turkey. Also worth seeing are Belgrade in Serbia, Sofia and Plovdiv in Bulgaria, and Kyiv and Odesa in Ukraine. Chișinău in Moldova doesn't take long to see but you might need to stop-over on the way to Ukraine.
Routes through Bucharest
Craiova ← Alexandria ←  W  E  → Giurgiu → Danube Bridge
Suceava ← Buzău ←  N  S  → Merges with (E)


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