Why You Should Consider a Trip to Bucharest This Year

Bucharest is Romania’s largest city, as well as its capital, located in the country’s southeast on the banks of the Dambovita River.

The city’s reputation—and economy—is still bouncing back from its years of Communist rule. Now is one of the best times to visit because it is in the midst of an economic and cultural boom. It is a thriving, vibrant city that has been on the rise ever since it was free of its dictatorial clutches.

While Romania joined the European Union in 2007, it’s kept its own currency, which means anyone traveling from Western Europe or the United States is going to have a massive currency advantage.

The Walkable, Beautiful City of Bucharest

The city of Bucharest’s architecture has been heavily marked by its days of Communist ruling, most obviously noticed in the Palace of Parliament, the center of its government, as well as a fascinating and grotesque monument to authoritarianism. It is the second largest administrative building in the world, next to the Pentagon, and is the world’s heaviest building. It has over 1000 rooms, each with their own ornate design.

Walking around the city center, you’ll notice that Bucharest has a multitude of functional, utilitarian buildings, all a byproduct of decades of Communism. But the city was once nicknamed the “Paris of the east” because of the heavy French influence in its Art Nouveau architecture and magnificent municipal buildings.

If you take a walk around the buildings, you’ll still see some of its old splendor hidden around town. It’s particularly interesting to wander through because its architectural styles are so incredibly mismatched.

Discover Bucharest’s Premium Coffee Houses

When you need a break from walking, take a rest at any of the city’s many coffee shops. Bucharest has perhaps one of the best coffee scenes in the world, which grew out of the ashes of its fallen regime almost 30 years ago.

After the regime fell, a number of buildings in the Bucharesti neighborhoods suddenly found themselves abandoned. Many have since been re-purposed as one of the many fantastic cafes which now welcome tourists and locals alike, which each have their own unique look and feel.

On your wandering, don’t neglect the city’s lovely parks. Unlike many major cities, Bucharest has a lot of green spaces, which offer a bit of shade, especially in the dog days of summer. On particularly hot days, you can rent a boat on the lake at Cismigu Gardens in the heart of Bucharest. The cool, crisp waters and lovely sites will keep you cool, and also keep you going.

Driving Romania from Bucharest

While Bucharest has a lot to offer in itself, the Romanian countryside is not to be ignored either. There are many wonderful and beautiful things to see, all within easy driving distance, and the Romanian countryside is a pleasure to drive through. You can search for a reasonable rental car rate here.

Any would-be vampire hunters can take the quick trip north to Snagov, where Vlad the Impaler (the real-life Dracula) is buried. Or you can take the trip to Bran Castle, the real-life castle and magnificent Gothic wonder that rises from the hills of Transylvania.