What is Bucharest confused with? Bucharest is a city you don’t want to return to. Districts. Where is the best place to live?

We began our journey through the winter Balkans with a brief acquaintance with Bucharest - a city in which the Parisian Belle Epoque, Stalinist Moscow and the dashing 90s were mixed.

We were only in Bucharest for a day, and on that day we were very unlucky with the weather. The faded gray sky is a disgusting backdrop for city photography, so I even had to slightly edit the photo so that the sky did not seem so dull.

On the other hand, the weather perfectly matched the idea of ​​Bucharest, in particular, and of Romania and Eastern Europe in general.

It has been 25 years since the fall of the communist regimes in Eastern Europe, but too many people still perceive the region through the prism of post-communism. That’s why stereotypes migrate from travelogue to travelogue, from photo report to photo report. Construction of gray shabby “khrushchev” buildings, poverty of the local population, “dead” urban infrastructure, terrible ecology. And so for a quarter of a century! It’s as if in 1970 someone tried to talk about the Federal Republic of Germany or the USSR with stereotypes from 1945.

It is difficult not only for tourists, but also for the residents of Romania themselves to get rid of the socialist past. The main symbol of Bucharest is the huge Ceausescu Palace, built (and never fully completed) in the last years of his reign. The first question that Transylvanians asked us when we mentioned our visit to Bucharest was: “Have you seen the Ceausescu Palace?”

(Photo from the Internet)

We saw it. And personally, I don’t understand what’s wrong with it. At least for a (post)Soviet person. A kind of huge non-hotel “Moscow” or the foundation for a Stalinist high-rise building that was never built. In this, Ceausescu overtook Stalin. The latter was only enough for a foundation pit for the Palace of the Soviets. And here at least a couple of basic floors were built.

When talking about the Ceausescu Palace, they like to emphasize that during its construction, half of the Old Town was demolished. At the same time, they usually forget to add that shortly before this there was a serious earthquake in Bucharest, and the Old Town was quite destroyed. The remaining half of the historical buildings have not yet been restored.

That’s why the Old Town of Bucharest in some places looks as if there was war and devastation here not so long ago.

On the central pedestrian streets, renovated buildings stand side by side with dilapidated facades.

And 16th-century churches are shaded by abandoned houses.

The church is part of the Curtea Veche complex, the princely court of Vlad the Impaler (15th century).

This is the same Vlad the Impaler, who was also called Dracula and to whom Bram Stoker latched on, creating the world-famous image of Count Dracula.

Thus, an Irish writer, who had never been to Romania, created the most vivid image of this country in the world, which she is now forced to replicate to please tourists thirsty for vampire aesthetics. About half of the assortment of souvenir shops in the capital is dedicated to Count Dracula. Putin is still far from such popularity.

Despite the slight decay, the streets of the Old Town have their own European charm and shabby charm.

It's just a pity that it's winter now. It is clear that Bucharest is a summer city. More precisely, even spring-autumn. At this time of year, the streets of the center are filled with cafe tables, summer orchestras and just crowds of strolling citizens and tourists. Today everything is deserted and a little sad.

Bucharest is generally poorly adapted to winter. The streets and especially the stairs of the Old Town are very poorly cleaned. You need to walk with caution.

You should also look at the surrounding roofs with caution. A canopy of snow tends to fall off them right onto the heads of passers-by. A couple of these mini-avalanches happened before our eyes. Fortunately, there were no consequences for pedestrians.

To summarize: if you are looking for confirmation of the stereotype “Bucharest is a city from the 90s”, the Old Town is the place for you.

But Bucharest is not only and not so much the life-worn center and the ceremonial socialist architecture of Ceausescu. It’s not for nothing that the city was called the “Paris of the East”.

Take a walk along the front door of Kalya Victoria (Victory Avenue), where one front building replaces another.

It’s even surprising that they managed to build all this. Not so long ago Bucharest was the capital of independent Romania.

And these are the real architectural symbols of the city: the Athenaeum concert hall

And the stunning Cantacuzene Palace, now the George Enescu Museum. By the way, the Cantacuzenes are not only a Romanian, but also a Russian noble family.

The porch is especially admirable.

Along Pobedy Avenue you go to Revolution Square.

Here the fall of the Ceausescu regime took place. The leader's speech from the balcony of the party's Central Committee building was interrupted by the dissatisfied murmur of the crowd. When open clashes with army units began in the square, Ceausescu chose to leave the building by helicopter. And in the square shots were already being fired and barricades were being erected.

In memory of these events, a very strange monument was erected on the square, reminiscent of an olive on a stick (however, the locals don’t even call it that).

These days, Romania celebrates the 25th anniversary of the revolution.

(Exhibition at the National Gallery)

Memorable places are scattered throughout the city - street battles took place everywhere.

A quarter of a century later, Romanians remember Ceausescu with mixed feelings. Of course, no one can forgive him for the failure of the late 1980s, but almost everyone admits that in the 1970s he coped well with the leadership of the country.

In general, it is interesting how Ceausescu was made (primarily by Western guidebooks and the media) into a typical Kremlin fosterling, a communist dictator tyrannizing the free peoples of Europe. Although in fact he behaved very arbitrarily in relations with the Kremlin and was only one step behind the “third-strong” Yugoslavia. Ceausescu condemned the defeat of the “Prague Spring” in 1968, did not support the boycott of the Los Angeles Olympics, and allowed the Hilton hotel to be built in the center of Bucharest. But in the end he turned from Tito’s path to Hoxha’s path - he became carried away by the experience of North Korea and China. This led the country to a bloody revolution, and he himself to execution.

The National Gallery is another pompous building on Pobeda Avenue.

In front of the building stands a strange monument, emphasizing the duality of the ethnogenesis of the Romanian nation.

Emperor Trajan holds in his arms a hybrid of the Capitoline wolf and the Thracian serpent.

The fact that this is a snake, and not a dog infected with a tapeworm, is visible only if you approach the monument from the side.

Just like that. Romanians are, it turns out, Thracians assimilated by the Romans. And no Slavs.

Like any decent capital, Bucharest has its own Passage.

It is also empty due to the holidays.

All the fun is now in front of the university building, where the Christmas market is noisy.

Local residents warm themselves with hot wine.

The surrounding streets of Bucharest are very similar to St. Petersburg.

But sometimes you can find inclusions of modern architecture.

However, it is much more interesting to consider the experiments of urban architects in the functionalist style.

Romanian architects, like Yugoslav ones, have always been distinguished by an interesting outlook and courage in working with forms.

So, not only historical buildings are interesting in Bucharest

But also socialist

“Soviet” avenues are wide and beautiful

Although it is immediately noticeable that times are no longer Soviet

But still international. We went for lunch to a restaurant serving Moldovan cuisine that was well known in Chisinau.

And we spent the night, after walking around the city, with the Turkish biker-anarchist Hussein - a big fan of everything Soviet and just a good person.

Alas, we spent very little time in Bucharest, and even in the off-season. I'll have to come back in the spring and enjoy the city in more detail.
Moreover, the city is terribly cheap, even with the current euro exchange rate, prices in an Irish pub cause cheerful bewilderment.

I was also struck by the level of culture on the streets (people cross the street only when the traffic light is green, and drivers let pedestrians pass on the roads) and the widespread knowledge of English. I wonder how much the latter can be associated with the general departure to work in Europe? (Although Romanians work mainly in Italy, and therefore absolutely everyone speaks Italian close to Romanian.)

And in general, to what extent does widespread migration to more socially and socially developed countries raise (albeit subconsciously) the level of society’s own culture?

We tend to see only mutual evil in this process (they say that in Moscow Tajiks learn to drink and cease to respect family values, in turn bringing only drugs and crime to the capital). But working abroad is also a kind of journey, from which you inevitably learn lessons on how to build your own country.

And our journey was just beginning.

I lived in Bucharest for about a week, and during these days I walked around almost the entire city center with a camera, and also visited the outskirts of the city in . If we talk about general impressions of the city, I didn’t like Bucharest at all; it contrasts very much with the rest of Romania, differing from it not for the better.

So, this post contains a story about Bucharest as I saw it in the fall of 2016.

02. First, a few words about the architecture of the city. Many people consider the architecture of Bucharest to be something outstanding, but I didn’t like it - perhaps it’s the poor condition of the buildings, as well as the mixture of architectural styles. In some places in the city you can see beautiful old buildings in the Art Nouveau or eclectic style:

03. But most often they are adjacent to nondescript buildings from the Ceausescu era, which is why they somehow get lost and fade. Typical buildings from Ceausescu's time look like the house in the middle of this shot - a narrow strip of open balconies in the middle of the building and the obligatory arcade or rotunda on the roof.

04. These are also very typical Romanian projects - a colonnade on the ground floor, a large number of balconies, superstructures on the roof. These projects are still nothing, but often buildings built in the 70s look tatty and shapeless.

05. Another problem in the town is the external condition of the buildings. Look, it’s quite an interesting building, but pay attention to the condition of the building - it hasn’t been cleaned or plastered since the time of Tsar Pea.

06. From the windows of my apartment I had a view of the United Nations Square - one of the central squares of Bucharest. The square is built up with quite interesting buildings - on the left is a post-war project, and the two buildings to the right are old, pre-war.

07. The same buildings from a different angle. The architecture is expressive, but very quickly becomes boring to the eye due to the abundance of non-functional details. The general feeling of the architecture of Bucharest can be compared to the taste sensations of Chinese fast food - at first it seems delicious, but already on the third day it becomes terribly boring.

08. And this is what typical residential buildings look like away from the city center. The projects are similar to the Minsk ones, with the exception of the height of the windows - in Romanian buildings the windows are very small, often no more than a meter high.

09. Perhaps most of all from the city architecture I liked some of the buildings of the interwar period - they carry the features of typical Romanian projects, but at the same time they look strict and stylish - for example, this hotel building with very beautiful rounded balconies.

10. Surprisingly, such a beautiful hotel almost in the very center of the city is now abandoned, and abandoned for a very long time - small trees even managed to grow on the balconies. I hope that in the end there will be an investor who will restore such a wonderful building.

11. And detached pre-war buildings look even more or less good - some projects are reminiscent of Lviv and Vienna.

12. Another architectural interest - in Bucharest there are many buildings reminiscent of Russian pre-revolutionary projects, but here they were built in the period 20-40. In fact, those architectural styles, as well as building codes and regulations, which disappeared in Russia (and the countries of the former USSR) in 1917-1918, continued to exist here until the 1940s.

In Bucharest, you can often find a house built in the 1930s, which will at the same time resemble a Russian pre-revolutionary one - with a huge entrance, spacious multi-room apartments and 4-meter ceilings.

13. At the same time, like other buildings in the city center, many of these houses are in poor condition. Here, for example, is the entrance to a beautiful house from the 1930s - the doors are wide open, the entrance is literally pissed, there are puddles on the floor.

14. And this is what the courtyard of the house looks like - apparently, garbage is thrown directly from the windows.

15. And the residents of this house sometimes attach some unimaginable structures to the windows. What is this? Greenhouse, seaming warehouse, chicken coop?

16. It’s a shame that such a beautiful house is in such a state...

17. Bucharest is literally a city of contrasts. Here on the left side of the frame is a very cool restored building - with restored stucco, new forged balcony grilles and wooden windows. And right there on the right are terrible ruins, from where it smells of many years of dampness and decay.

18. Or do you see a beautiful and clean alley, in which everything sparkles, there are cafe tables and people relaxing?

19. As soon as you step back literally 10 steps, you will see an abandoned building with black windows and everything covered with clumsy “tags”. Optionally, a homeless person can sleep on the porch - the juxtaposition of luxury and poverty here does not surprise anyone.

20. But such a dump could be on the corner of a house, 5 meters from which there will be an entrance to an expensive restaurant.

21. The examples of the urban environment of Bucharest clearly show how the “broken windows rule” works. For those who don’t know what this is, I’ll briefly tell you that the spitting and pollution of the environment tends to increase, as people unconsciously begin to perceive this as the norm. For example, at a stop littered with cigarette butts, even someone who would otherwise take it to the trash will throw it on the ground.

Here is a good example - there is some old electrical cabinet. The cabinet had not been painted for a long time, it was peeling and covered in dirt. Someone then pried open the doors and tried to rip off the "dangerous voltage" sign, causing the cabinet to look even more dented. And now everyone perceives the closet as a garbage dump - abandoned cigarette butts and cups begin to appear around.

22. Here’s another good example: a car drove into the decorative side of a fountain in the center of the city, breaking the barrier and leaving fragments of the bumper. Nobody cleaned up the garbage, and empty bottles and cigarette butts are already starting to appear around - everyone began to perceive this place as a garbage dump.

23. Here’s another example - an old telephone booth. First, they covered her from head to toe with advertisements, then they broke the glass. Someone threw a couple of bulls and cups, and now the booth has turned into a real garbage dump, where they literally bring bags of garbage. And nearby, crooked scribbles of “tags” began to appear on the wall.

24. What’s interesting is that people don’t litter everywhere, for example the neighborhoods in the center where order and cleanliness are maintained. In such an environment, people often try to carry a bottle or glass to the trash rather than simply throw it on the ground.

25. According to my observations, city residents are not very bothered by this situation with garbage and dirt - they simply do not notice it and perceive it as part of the city background. Even the residents of a prestigious building in the center are not embarrassed by the façade walls covered in spit and graffiti:

26. And the gateway in such a prestigious central house may look like this:

27. And in the center of Bucharest you can see quite a lot of abandoned shops, abandoned for a very long time - judging by the design, this shop has not been open almost since the time of Ceausescu:

28. So, now I need to write about something good. Bucharest has very cool playgrounds - they are often surrounded by fences (to prevent cars from parking there) and are well equipped. In some places in the city there are street parks, which are also quite good:

29. The parks have outdoor exercise equipment and free Wi-Fi - something that Minsk really lacks.

30. There are many benches on the streets where older people can relax:

32. There are also bicycle paths (though there are very few of them) and they only pass along some central streets:

33. Street trading looks like this -

34. In Bucharest, I liked the SIM card vending machines with the Internet:

35. And street book stalls, where books about Dracula side by side with books about the “great conductor” Ceausescu.

36. But in general, Bucharest is a dirty, noisy and crowded southern city that you don’t want to return to.

Artenium building. From the name it is already clear that Romanian art is concentrated here.

In many countries, visiting the capital is by no means the most important thing. In general, I believe that the capital is an urbanized, and most importantly globalized place along with the rest of the world, where it will be difficult to find something authentic, specifically related to this country, and if it is found, it will not be real. Yes, the capital still deserves its own special attention. It is quite likely that it is most likely a great city in itself, separated from the rest of the country. Just remember our Moscow. I always wanted to quickly escape from the hustle and bustle of the airport and the car, deep into nature, into the provinces.

Guided by similar principles, I ignored Jordanian Amman and only glanced briefly at Iranian Tehran and Indonesian Jakarta. For the Romanian plans, of which there were, as usual, a huge number, no attention was paid to Bucharest at all. Of course, we had to examine all of the above in 11 days. (And we completed about 3/4 of what we planned). Bucharest did not fit here, especially since I constantly confused it with Budapest. Initially, generally speaking, I was going to spend the May holidays in Hungary, but when searching for air tickets, it turned out that Budapest somehow didn’t work out, but Bucharest really worked out. And at some point I either got confused or changed my mind. However, fellow travelers returning to Bucharest late in the evening before their morning flight home said: “Oh my, how can this be?! In Romania without Bucharest?” And we went for a walk the whole last night before departure. That's why the photo report is at night.

The main question asked by a foreigner walking along the streets of Bucharest and contemplating its architectural delights can be formulated something like this: “Is Bucharest eastern Paris or western Moscow?” It was from the collision of communist and graceful capitalist styles that most of the buildings of this distinctive city grew. I was impressed by the building of the Palace of Parliament. Illuminated by numerous lanterns above this building, a huge flock of crows hovered gloomily like a funnel. The Romanian Parliament is the second largest building in the world (after the Pentagon). Construction began in 1984 on the orders of Nicolae Ceausescu. The palace was built mainly from Romanian-made materials. During construction, there was such a demand for Romanian marble that even tombstones throughout the country were made from other materials. Construction was almost completed by the time of Ceausescu's execution in 1989. I'm not the only one who confuses Bucharest and Budapest. Ceausescu was never able to make a solemn speech from the balcony of the Palace of Parliament. But Michael Jackson soon did it instead. Michael greeted the huge crowd of people who had gathered to watch and listen to the pop idol with the words “Hello, Budapest!”, which plunged everyone into the deepest shock and confusion...

Palace of Parliament

Triumphal Arch of Bucharest

We were in Bucharest at night from 9 to 10. Being fully confident that Romania, as a country allied with Germany, did not celebrate Victory Day in the Second World War, we were pleasantly surprised by the “Victory Salute” that thundered over the Romanian capital. Apparently the communist years of rule somehow influenced self-awareness, and now this is also the day of the victory of the Romanian partisans and people’s militias over the official Romanian military policy of those years. It is even more strange that now in neighboring Moldova

Since ancient times, the land on which modern Bucharest is located has been covered with dense oak, beech and hornbeam forests, which later became known as the Wallachian codri. The first people appeared on this territory back in the Stone Age, and in the ancient period the Thracian-Phrygian tribes of the Dacians settled here, traces of whose settlements were discovered by archaeologists in the vicinity of the Romanian capital.

In various legends, the foundation of the city is disputed by several heroes: a shepherd named Bucur, the semi-mythical Radu Negru - the first prince of Wallachia, as well as a very real character - Mircea the Old, a Wallachian governor and ruler, who expelled the Turks from his country in the 14th century. In Romanian the city is called București, and its name resembles the word “buku-rie”, meaning joy.

The first written evidence that mentions the city of Bucharest under its current name dates back to 1459 and is a charter establishing the rights of the local aristocracy to land. Under the document is the signature of the stern ruler of Wallachia, Vlad the Impaler, whose name in popular culture is inextricably associated with Count Dracula, a character in legends and traditions skillfully synthesized in the world bestseller of the Irish writer Bram Stoker. From the historical document it follows that by this time Bucharest was already the residence of the legendary Wallachian ruler. It is also known that the city walls built under Vlad the Impaler in the 15th century are not the oldest in Bucharest, and his residence was built on the territory of a fortress built a century earlier.

During the reign of Prince Vlad the Impaler, Bucharest was not the capital of Wallachia, but it was a reliable outpost in the Lower Danube Lowland, protecting Wallachia and its capital Targovishte from the persistent encroachments of the Ottoman Turks. In the second half of the 15th century, Bucharest became known as an important economic and political center, and in fact was the second most important city in Wallachia.

In the 16th century, it found itself at the epicenter of dramatic historical events, turning into an arena of fierce battles with the Turkish conquerors. In 1595, ruler Mihai the Brave defeated the enemy, temporarily expelling the Ottomans from Wallachia, but, retreating, the Turks thoroughly ravaged and burned most of Bucharest. However, the city was quickly restored, and in 1659 it became the capital of Wallachia, which by that time had already finally fallen under the vassalage of the Ottoman Empire.

In the second half of the 17th century, Bucharest actively developed, trade and handicrafts flourished here, inns were built, the first printing house opened, and the central streets adjacent to the Princely Court were built up. In 1688, Constantin Brancoveanu, a brilliant statesman, erudite and innovator, ascended the throne. His reign was marked by the creation of a new style in Wallachian architecture, called the Brancoveanu style or Brancovean style. The works of architecture of that era are marked by the influence of both eastern architecture and the buildings of Northern Italy, and demonstrate the flowering of decorative forms. An ambitious and extremely wealthy ruler, gravitating toward a luxurious, brilliant lifestyle, built numerous residences in his vast country estates and in Bucharest itself, where at that time more than 50,000 citizens already lived, which he called not houses, but palaces, following the Western traditions. Under Brancoveanu, the central street of Bucharest, known today as Calea Victoria, was built, religious buildings were erected, the first hospital was opened, as well as the grand Academy at the Monastery of St. Sava, which was later transformed into the University of Bucharest.

By the middle of the 19th century, Bucharest acquired its original, unique appearance, demonstrating impressive contrasts. Brightly lit streets, elegant shops, palaces and respectable mansions coexisted here with gloomy dirty streets, real slums, where small artisans and workers lived, unaware of such benefits of civilization as sewerage and running water.

After the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-1878, the independence of the Romanian Principality was recognized at the Congress of Berlin, and Bucharest officially became the capital of this sovereign state. Twice, during the First and Second World Wars, the city was occupied by the Germans; during the last war, it was repeatedly subjected to destructive bombing by the allies of the anti-Hitler coalition, since Romania fought on the side of Germany.

From 1947 to 1989, Bucharest was the main city of the Romanian People's Republic, later of the Socialist Republic of Romania. Today Bucharest is the capital of Romania.

Population

Bucharest is one of the most populous cities in Eastern Europe. A tenth of the population of Romania lives here, and today the number of capital residents has already exceeded 2,400,000 people. More than 97% of local citizens are Romanian by nationality. The second largest population group is the Roma (1.5%), less than 1% are Hungarians, Jews, Bulgarians, Germans, Poles, Albanians, and Chinese.

About 96% of Bucharest residents profess the Orthodox religion, 1.2% are adherents of the Roman rite, 0.5% are Muslims, 0.4% are Greek Catholics.

Currency

The monetary unit of Romania is the Romanian leu (RON), equal to 100 bans. Banknotes are issued in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 200, 500 RON, coins - 1, 5, 10, 50 bans.

If you have euros or dollars with you, you can exchange them at one of the banks or exchange offices (casa de schimb) in Bucharest. Give preference to exchange offices that are located in hotels, large supermarkets, as well as at the airport and train station. It is recommended to exchange large amounts only in banks, and you will most likely be asked to present your passport. Receipts issued by banks and exchange offices should be kept until the last day of your stay in the country.

Credit cards from major payment systems are accepted in all major hotels, supermarkets and restaurants in Bucharest.

Safety

In the 90s of the last century, at the junction of the eras of collapsing socialism and nascent capitalism, Bucharest earned a poor reputation. Even today, despite the fact that Romania is a member of the European Union, many Europeans consider its capital a dirty and unsafe city. This attitude is well demonstrated in an anecdote in which a Frenchman responds to a comparison of Bucharest with little Paris with the words: “Thank God that Paris is not big Bucharest.” However, if we talk about the historical center and business districts, the capital of Romania is a fairly calm place; you can feel safe in the Old Town even at night.

But the outskirts of Bucharest, especially the Ferentari district, where mainly gypsies live, who are credited with close ties to crime, are indeed not the most suitable place for walking.

In Bucharest, as in any other major city, tourists should be wary of thieves. They mainly operate in transport, usually during rush hours, on the open terraces of restaurants and cafes.

Under no circumstances use the services of street currency exchangers - these are mostly scammers.

Geography and climate

Bucharest is located in the southeastern part of Romania in the center of the Romanian Plain, which lies between the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains and the Danube. It is generally accepted that the city, like Rome, was built on seven hills: Mihai Voda, Patriarchia, Radu Voda, Cotroceni, Spireus, Vacaresti, St. George. Today the capital covers an area of ​​about 228 km², which corresponds to approximately a tenth of the entire territory of the country.

From northwest to southeast, Bucharest is crossed by the Dambovita River, a tributary of the Danube, which carries its waters to the Black Sea 45 km from the Romanian capital. For several centuries, Dambovita was the main source of drinking water in Bucharest, but was often threatened by floods. Even at the beginning of the 18th century, its waters were called clean and sweet. Over time, it lost its enviable qualities, but still periodically flooded city streets. In 1986, to protect against floods, a dam was built on the river and an artificial lake was created, Moria, which is the largest in Bucharest. It is located 6 km from the center of the capital and covers an area of ​​about 246 hectares. In its northern part is the island of Lakul Moria. Volunteers planted hundreds of trees here in 2011, and today the island is a popular recreation area.

The meanders of Dymbovitsa formed a whole chain of picturesque lakes in the northeast of the city. The largest of them are lakes Floraska, Tei, and Herestrau. In the very center, surrounded by gardens and parks, is the artificial lake Cismigiu. This corner is one of the most charming in the city.

Bucharest, bordered by a necklace of lakes and adjacent forest, seems to grow out of this landscape, and the change of seasons does little to change the colorful appearance of the city. In spring and summer, as well as in early spring, its parks, flowering gardens, boulevards, and front gardens of houses look extremely attractive, and it is no coincidence that the period from May to September is considered the best time to visit the Romanian capital.

Bucharest has a temperate continental climate with fairly mild winters and hot summers. The coldest month is January (average daily temperature -2.9 °C), the warmest is July (+22.8 °C).

Spring in Bucharest comes into full force in April - this is when flowering begins, and the weather becomes extremely comfortable for walking. In May the air warms up to +20...+22 °C, but it often rains this month.

June can also be rainy, but in July-August the weather is usually dry and hot. During the day the air temperature can reach +35 °C.

September in Bucharest is sunny and warm (+24 °C). By mid-October the weather begins to deteriorate, the sky becomes cloudy and gray, and it often rains. In November, daytime temperatures drop to an average of +10 °C, and the amount of precipitation increases.

Winters in Bucharest are usually snowy, but the temperature only drops below 0°C only slightly. Bitter frosts are rare here.

Architecture and city districts

Several centuries ago, Bucharest occupied a relatively small area on the left bank of the Dambovita River. Today this area is called the Old Town, but this definition does not mean that ancient buildings predominate here. Actually, the architectural appearance of the historical district, as well as the entire Romanian capital, is distinguished by eclecticism and contrasts.

Almost until the mid-twentieth century, the architecture of Bucharest was dominated by French classic motifs, which is why it began to be called the little Paris of the East. Wide boulevards, as well as the most spectacular palaces and villas of the capital, are the creations of French and local architects who worked on the improvement of the city in the second half of the 19th century. The destruction brought by World War II, as well as the demolition of architectural monuments in the 60s and 70s, initiated by dictator Nicolae Ceausescu, destroyed part of the former beauty of the city. By order of the authoritarian ruler, many factories and industrial enterprises were built throughout the capital, including its center, and next to them - gloomy gray reinforced concrete box buildings for workers to live in.

Ceausescu's legacy - an architectural welter of magnificent pre-war structures and socialist buildings - is a distinctive feature of modern Bucharest. Sometimes it’s even difficult to imagine that behind some clumsy, bulky building a real architectural masterpiece can be hidden: an ancient temple, a boyar’s mansion or a palace.

The development plan for the Romanian capital began to take shape in the 17th century. At that time, the center of Bucharest was the Princely Court, and streets radiated from it in a radial direction. Today the capital is divided into 6 administrative sectors, designed in the form of wedges, expanding as they move away from the historical center. They are numbered clockwise, starting from the first one, located in the north of the city. Each of the sectors is divided into quarters, the main ones of which are indicated in all city guides.

• Victoriei is the area around the square of the same name in the center of Bucharest. This is one of the busiest corners of the capital, where palaces, government buildings, museums, hotels, and elegant shops are located. The street of the same name, Victoriei, stretching for 3 km, is the main and most beautiful in the city.
• Lipscani is an old street and at the same time the name of the historical core of Bucharest. Today it is a fashionable area with numerous cafes, bars, shops, and one of the centers of nightlife.
• Baneasa is a fashionable area in the northern part of the city. There are luxury residences, large shopping centers, and modern hotels here.
• Dorobanti is another upscale area, home to many expensive restaurants, as well as a number of embassies housed in elegant mansions.
• Herastrau is the largest park in Bucharest, located in the northeast.
• Pipera is a quarter where the offices of multinational corporations are located, as well as luxury residential complexes.
• Cotroceni is an elegant area with beautiful villas and mansions. The Presidential Palace and Botanical Garden are located here.
• Tei is a residential area located near Lake Tei.
• Crangasi, Drumul, Taberei, Militari are residential areas built in the western part of Bucharest.
• The civic center is an area developed at the end of the last century in the south of the capital. Here is the gigantic Palace of Parliament and a number of government institutions.

The recognized tourist center of Bucharest is the Old Town with its famous squares, churches, narrow pedestrian streets of Stavropoleos, Lipscani, Blanar, which still preserve the atmosphere and flavor of ancient centuries. The northern districts of the Romanian capital with their wide boulevards surrounded by greenery are also popular among travelers. Here you will find famous lakes and parks, as well as spectacular estate quarters where you can admire luxurious mansions and villas built in the 19th century.

Sights of Bucharest

The visiting card of Bucharest is the cyclopean building of the Palace of Parliament. This grandiose building, which causes controversial comments, began to be erected under Nicolae Ceausescu in the 80s of the last century. According to the dictator, it was supposed to become a symbol of the communist regime, but its construction served as one of the catalysts for the outbreak of popular anger that provoked the uprising in 1989.

Enormous amounts of money were spent on the construction and decoration of the interiors of the House of the Republic, as the palace was previously called. In addition, to implement this ambitious project, it was decided to demolish several ancient churches, architectural monuments, and residential buildings, which required the relocation of 40,000 citizens. Today, anyone, having paid from 25 to 45 RON, can go on a tour of the endless pompous mansions located on 12 above-ground and 8 underground floors. Tourists like to look at the luxurious halls with ceilings covered with gold leaf, decorated with marble, gilding, and stucco. In the Human Rights Hall, which occupies an area of ​​625 m², you can see a giant crystal chandelier weighing almost two tons, a pompous dining set that includes a huge oak round table and 60 oak chairs, and in the Union Hall, decorated with mirrors in marble frames, the imagination is amazing a colossal carpet weighing three tons.

The Palace of Parliament could house the residence of the Romanian Parliament itself, branches of several higher educational institutions, the Constitutional Court, museums, libraries, and restaurants. Traveling exhibitions and concerts are often held here.

The palaces of Bucharest, built in the 19th century, are very elegant and do not in any way resemble the aforementioned monstrous structure of the socialist era, which was included in the Guinness Book of Records due to its size. The extravagant but elegant Crezulescu Palace, for example, combines Baroque, Neo-Gothic, and French classicism in its architectural appearance. The Cantacuzino Palace, recognized as an architectural treasure and included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, is an example of French classics, which is complemented by neat inclusions of Art Nouveau and Rococo styles. The Cotroceni Palace, which is the residence of the President of Romania, was created in the Brancovean architectural style, which is characterized by openwork arches, light flying structures, a large amount of decor, and oriental elements. Most of Bucharest's palaces are open to the public, and many of them have museums.

Not far from the Palace of Parliament, practically hidden in the courtyards, is the beautiful and atmospheric active monastery of Antim, which is an excellent example of the use of decorative forms in architecture. Its facade is decorated with a portico with ten columns, which are distinguished by the richness of stone carvings. Window framing looks no less impressive. The monastery was founded by Metropolitan Antim Ivireanu, a major cultural figure of the late 17th - early 18th centuries.

In the center of Bucharest, some very remarkable churches from the 18th century have been preserved. Facing Victoria Street, in contrast to the new buildings, stands the Creculescu Church, erected in 1722 on the orders of Constantin Brancoveanu’s daughter, Safta Creculescu. The building is distinguished by the elegance of its forms and the skill of developing sculptural details.

One of the many churches erected under Constantin Brancoveanu is the Church of St. George, built on the foundations of an older temple from the 16th century, and therefore called the New Church. For a long time it was not known who was buried in one of the two burials located inside the shrine. Only in 1914 did scientists notice that some kind of inscription was woven into the purely ornamental pattern. It was possible to decipher it, and then it became known that under the marble slab lie the ashes of Constantin Brancoveanu himself: it turned out that his wife managed to take the remains of the ruler out of Istanbul, where he was executed.

Nearby is the Church of Stavropoleos - a true pearl of Romanian architecture of the 18th century. It was erected in 1724 by the will of the monk Ioaniky, who soon received the rank of Metropolitan of Stavropol. At the end of the 19th century, the church underwent restoration, which, however, hardly changed its appearance. The portico of the temple is supported by six columns of carved stone, and the facades are divided into two horizontal registers by garlands of flowers and leaves. The upper register is decorated with colored medallions. The church is harmonious in size and is distinguished by its amazing elegance of forms and precisely calibrated ratio of volumes.

Among the most interesting monuments of Bucharest is the Mihai Voda Church, located on the right bank of Dambovita. The temple was built back in the 15th century, and reconstructed in the 16th century under the ruler Michael the Brave. It is distinguished by its surprisingly slender silhouette and elegant decor created by alternating brick and plaster.

In the very heart of the capital of Romania is the university - an old educational institution that grew out of schools of the 17th-18th centuries. In the so-called Greek academies, teaching was conducted not in Romanian, but in Greek. At the beginning of the last century, several more were added to the main building. During one of the bombings in 1944, part of the old building suffered significant damage. After the war, restoration was carried out, but the original sculptural design of the majestic facade of the building was lost forever. Opposite the entrance to the university, monuments to outstanding figures of Romania were erected, which, in conjunction with the strict and majestic architecture of the building, form a single monumental ensemble.

Another attraction of Bucharest is the Roman Athenium concert hall, which resembles a temple in its appearance. It was built in the very center of the city in the late 80s of the last century according to the design of the famous architect Albert Galleron. Its magnificent appearance combines a Greek pediment, Ionic columns and a huge Byzantine-style dome, decorated with numerous decorative elements. The hall itself is luxuriously decorated with a huge fresco surrounding it, which depicts key events in Romanian history.

The Athenium is famous throughout Europe for its amazing acoustics and for the fact that the International Music Festival named after George Enescu, the founder of the modern Romanian school of composition, violinist and pianist, is held here every year. A symphony orchestra regularly performs here and chamber music concerts are held. Ticket prices range from 25 to 70 RON.

History buffs will be interested in visiting the open-air museum in the historical part of the city to explore the ancient princely courtyard of Curtea Veche. The remains of the residence of the first rulers of Wallachia, dating back to the 14th century, were discovered during archaeological excavations carried out in this part of Bucharest in the middle of the last century.

Museums

Curious tourists will be delighted by the number and variety of museums awaiting them in Bucharest. One of the most famous and visited is the National Museum of Art of Romania, located in the former residence of the Romanian kings - a majestic and beautiful palace built in 1812 in the neoclassical style. Its treasury contains more than 60 thousand exhibits - creations of Romanian and foreign artists and sculptors of different eras, among which there are masterpieces of the great masters of European painting.

The National Museum of Modern Art is located in the Palace of Parliament, occupying part of its western wing. Painting, sculpture, interesting installations, and video art are presented here. You can continue your acquaintance with fine art at the Museum of Art Collections, the Zambatsyan Museum, and the Theodore Pallady Museum.

Among the many historical museums, the most famous is the National Museum of Romanian History, housed within the walls of a luxurious neoclassical building, formerly known as the Postal Palace and then as the Central Post Office.

You can feel how reverently Romanians treat their culture and traditions at the National Museum of Romanian Peasants. In his collection you will see objects of folk arts and crafts, original utensils, furniture, and costumes. The basis of the exhibition of the Village Museum, spread out over a vast area in the open air, is also peasant themes. There is a whole collection of three hundred houses brought from different regions of Romania.

The cost of visiting museums in Bucharest is approximately the same - about 10 RON.

Gardens and parks

Bucharest is especially charming because of its landscaped gardens, blue lakes and parks. The largest of the parks, or rather, an entire park complex, is located south of the center of the capital. It was opened in 1906 and subsequently received the name of Freedom Park and Karol Park. The park area project was created by the French landscape architect Edouard Redon. The park is surrounded by greenery and is a great place for leisurely walks.

Not far from the city center, but already from the north, is the Cismigiu Garden. It is half the size of Freedom Park, but no less beautiful. Until the beginning of the 19th century, there was a swamp here, which was drained in the 30s by order of General Kiselev, the head of the Russian imperial administration in the Romanian principalities, who decided to develop a city garden in this place. The Cismigiu Garden first received guests in 1860. There are many picturesque corners here: lakes; fountains; a terrace of roses - red and white, tea and pink, filling the air on summer days with the finest aroma; The Roman Circle is a round alley where sculptures of outstanding Romanian poets and writers are located. In the garden it is pleasant to stroll along secluded paths, go on a boat trip on the lake, rollerblade, drink coffee and have a snack in one of the nice cafes or restaurants with an outdoor terrace.

Another magnificent park in the northern part of the capital, Herestrau, is located on the shores of the lake of the same name, favored by handsome black swans. This is where the ethnographic Village Museum is located. In addition, the garden has a summer theater, exhibition pavilions, and a boat station from which pleasure boats depart. Here, vacationers will find many open-air cafes and miniature restaurants, and in winter there is an ice skating rink.

Fans of an active lifestyle can have a pleasant time in Tineretului Park. There is one of the best jogging tracks in Bucharest, a playground with attractions for children, and you can rent a bicycle. Good children's playgrounds can also be found in Izvor Park, not far from the Palace of Parliament.

Near the Cotroceni Palace, on a hill, lies the Bucharest Botanical Garden, occupying an area of ​​about 17 hectares. More than 10,000 plants grow here, including rare ones and those that are on the verge of extinction. The garden is divided into zones with rose gardens, sectors with conifers, palm trees, orchids, magnolias, irises, and medicinal plants. A visit to the Botanical Garden will cost you a symbolic amount - 5 RON.

Shopping

The main shopping streets of Bucharest are Calea Victoria, Calea Mosilior, Calea Dorobants. Many shops are also located on the boulevards that cross Piazzale Roma. Here you can find an assortment of goods that can be found in any European capital, but at sales prices in Bucharest are much more attractive, and for a very reasonable price you can completely update your wardrobe.

To get a feel for the city and buy something authentic, go for a walk through its markets, they are located on Obor, Dorobantsilor, Amzey squares. The latter is where the main food market of the Romanian capital is located. Here, check out the cute Cat Work store, where you can buy original women's clothing and accessories, which are made in very limited quantities.

In the Old Town, in the Lipscani quarter, it is interesting to visit the glassblowing workshops. They are located opposite the National Bank. Traditionally, tourists buy Gale vases here with remarkable relief decoration, which are made in an ancient way. Another popular Romanian souvenir is local porcelain and elegant wicker baskets. There is an antique fair in the Old Town, where handmade artists sell cute jewelry, and you can also find antique items.

If you are interested in original embroidered homespun items made by Romanian craftswomen, dolls in folk costumes, traditional Romanian utensils, go to the National Museum of Romanian Peasants. In addition to these things, in the museum shop you can buy delicious souvenirs: Romanian wine, plum liqueur - tsuicu, Kashkaval cheese or a very spicy Burduf cheese that smells of pine needles. It is made from sheep's milk and aged in pine bark.

Cuisine of Bucharest

The capital's cuisine is not much different from Romanian cuisine in general. It is characterized by simple, but tasty and satisfying dishes, such as mamalyga - a thick porridge made from corn flour, which is served as a side dish for meat, chorba cream soup, miniature lamb or beef fried sausages mititei, shish kebab mich, and the dessert delicacy papanashi. This entire assortment can be found in the establishments of the La Mama restaurant chain scattered throughout the city. A hearty lunch here will cost approximately 25 RON.

One of the most popular restaurants among Bucharest guests is Cara cu Bere. It is located in the pedestrian area of ​​the Old Town, near the Stavrapoleos Monastery. The best dishes of Romanian cuisine are presented here at very reasonable prices, although they are higher than the city average - 45-60 RON per person. The restaurant boasts a 150-year history and authentic interiors. In the evenings, fiery folk music is played here and folk dances are performed. During the tourist season, reservations should be made in advance.

We recommend trying traditional delicacies at affordable prices (from 20 RON per person) in the Beraria Gambrinus and Clubul Taranului restaurants.

Bucharest has many cafes and restaurants serving Italian cuisine, where you can always treat yourself to pizza, pasta, ravioli, and risotto. Judging by the reviews of gourmet travelers, the best pizza in the city for just 5 RON is sold in the Latin Pizza restaurant, in the very center of Bucharest, near a copy of the Capitoline Wolf sculpture. It is always fresh, and its size is simply huge. French, Hungarian, Greek, Spanish, Mexican, Turkish, and Chinese cuisine are also popular in the city.

Bucharest's national fast food is represented by pretzels and donuts, which are called corigi and gogosi, respectively. They are prepared in mini-bakeries literally at every turn. Cost - from 1 to 5 RON depending on the filling. Those who want to treat themselves to a more satisfying fast food can check out one of the popular establishments that sell kebabs and falafel. One serving will cost approximately 6 RON.

Where to stay

In Bucharest, you can stay in a modern, comfortable hotel, or in a hotel whose appearance and interiors reveal its socialist origins. Accommodation prices in the capital of Romania largely depend on the distance of the hotel from the center. However, no matter how low the price, it is not advisable for tourists to stay far from the central areas - this is a matter of comfort and urban features of Bucharest, and besides, it is quite difficult for visitors to navigate there.

Preference should be given to areas located in the Old Town, as well as to the north of the center. On average, for a double room in a three-star hotel you will need to pay from 300 RON, in a four-star hotel - from 400 RON, in a five-star hotel - from 800 RON per day.

In Bucharest, there is the possibility of accommodation in boarding houses - family mini-hotels with all amenities and a welcoming, homely atmosphere.

You can stay in the vicinity of the capital by renting a guest house or apartment from 80 to 120 RON per person per day. You will need to pay approximately the same amount for accommodation in motels - they are equipped at the entrance to Bucharest. There are quite decent hostels in most areas of the Romanian capital. You can rent a private room by paying from 100 RON, a bed in a shared room will cost 8 RON.

Transport

The public transport system in Bucharest is well developed. Here you can travel on modern comfortable buses, trolleybuses, and trams. The cost of one trip is 1.30 RON, a daily pass will cost 8 RON, a weekly pass will cost 17 RON. The fine for traveling without a ticket is hefty - 50 RON. Ground transport operating hours are 05:00-23:00.

The capital's metro has three lines and operates from 05:00 to 23:30. To travel you will need magnetic cards; they can be purchased at the kiosks at the entrance. The cost of two trips is 4 RON, ten - 15 RON. It is convenient to buy a daily ticket with an unlimited number of trips for 6 RON.

During the warm season, it is quite convenient to get around Bucharest by bicycle. Many areas have excellent bicycle paths with fences, markings, and bicycle traffic lights. Bicycles can be rented in parking lots at the parks, the cost is 20 RON for 2 hours. Some hotels provide bicycles to guests free of charge.

Tariffs for state taxis in Bucharest are quite affordable - from 1.4 RON/km, all of them are equipped with meters, you can distinguish them by the “checkers” on the side door. Private taxis have the letters “P” and “RO” on their roofs. As a rule, they do not have meters installed, and you should agree on the price with the driver in advance. Depending on the time of day, the price can reach up to 3.5 RON/km.

To feel free to move around, you can rent a car. It is convenient to do this directly at the airport upon arrival or at the hotel. Offices of rental companies, international and local, also operate in the city center. Daily rental of an economy class car - from 45 RON, executive - from 100 RON.

It should be taken into account that traffic in Bucharest is quite intense, and the road infrastructure is not yet up to par. Parking may be difficult due to limited spaces, especially during high season. Cars here are often parked right on the sidewalks, lawns, and even on the far right lane of the road. Large, organized, guarded parking lots are, as a rule, only available at large hotels and shopping centers. Parking cost is 2-7 RON/hour. The parking lots are not equipped with parking machines, so you need to pay in cash with representatives of the service companies.

How to get there

16 km from Bucharest, in the suburb of Otopeni, is the international airport. Henri Coanda. It accepts flights from most countries in Europe and the Middle East. Direct communication between Moscow and Bucharest is carried out by two airlines: the domestic Aeroflot and the Romanian Tarom. Planes take off from Sheremetyevo airport. Flight time is about 3 hours, cost is 200-250 euros (with a return ticket). A flight with transfers will be cheaper, and there are many such options. The lowest prices are offered by Air Moldova (transfer in Chisinau), Pegasus and Turkish Airlines (transfer in Istanbul), Aegean (transfer in Athens).

There are no direct flights between St. Petersburg and Bucharest yet. You can fly to the capital of Romania from here with transfers in Vienna, Paris, Warsaw, Istanbul. The last option is the most attractive in terms of price – from 210 euros.

You can get from the airport to the center of Bucharest by bus, train or taxi. Bus number 780 (06:00-24:00) will take you to the main train station Cara de Nord, bus number 783 (24 hours a day) takes travelers directly to the city center - Uniria Square. The bus stop at the airport is located opposite the arrival terminal; tickets are also sold here, which need to be validated in the cabin. Their cost is 3.50 RON.

If you wish to travel from the airport to Bucharest by train, which may be advisable due to frequent traffic jams entering the city, use the free shuttle that will take you to the train station, which is 2 kilometers away. From there the train takes 40 minutes to Cara de Nord station. Ticket price is 6 RON.

Near the exit from the terminal there is a taxi rank - public and private. You can get from here to Uniria Square by paying from 30 to 80 RON. The price depends on the time of day and the status of the car company.

Getting from Moscow to Bucharest by train is long (about 2 days) and inconvenient, with a transfer in Chisinau. A bus trip through Chisinau will take the same amount of time.

Bucharest is the capital of a mysterious country that has preserved its medieval flavor combined with modern buildings. Unusual architecture, spacious boulevards, many parks - all this is Bucharest.

Bucharest was first mentioned in the chronicles of Prince Vlad the Impaler III in 1459, when a fortress was built to protect against the Turks. The city became the capital of Romania in 1862.

Residents of Bucharest speak Romanian, English and French.

In terms of population, it is the most populous city in Romania. It is here that the largest plants, factories and concerns are concentrated, as well as the best cultural sites of the country.

Holidays in Bucharest are suitable for married couples and young people.

Region	Bucharest region
Population	1,678,000 people
Population density	8074.6 people/km²
	bani coin, romanian leu
Timezone	UTC+2, in summer UTC+3
Postal code
International dialing code

Climate and weather

Bucharest's contrasting temperate continental climate sets it apart from other cities in Romania. Summer in the city is very hot and stuffy, the average temperature reaches +27...+29 °C during the day, and at night +14...+16 °C. In this regard, it is better to refrain from traveling to Bucharest in August, since this month is characterized by particularly high temperatures (+32 °C).

In winter the weather is cool, with frequent precipitation in the form of snow. The air temperature ranges from -6 °C to +4 °C.

Nature

The city is located in the Lower Danube Lowland, on Dymbovica River. Along the northern outskirts of Bucharest stretches a chain of natural lakes surrounded by parks and picturesque gardens.

Bucharest is the greenest city in Eastern Europe. Its parks, boulevards and Botanical Garden known outside of Romania. An interesting fact is that Bucharest extends over seven hills, just like Rome.

Attractions

In terms of the number of cultural monuments, Bucharest has surpassed many European cities. Most excursion routes are associated with the legends of Count Dracula and stories about him.

A good place to start exploring the city is Bucharest Square. In its center is the legendary Triumphal Arch. It was erected in memory of the victims of the First World War. Devi granite was used in the construction, which is considered a very rare type of granite. The arch is decorated with elegant sculptures, on which the best sculptors of the country worked. From the observation deck at the top of the arch you can see a panoramic view of Bucharest.

Not far from the arch lies Gerastrau Park. Here you can play tennis, take a boat ride on the lake, and buy various souvenirs.

Be sure to take a walk around Revolution Square: around it there are objects important for excursions.

Beautiful ancient frescoes can be seen in Creculescu churches, built of red brick.

Among the museums it is necessary to highlight Zambakyan Museum, where sculptures by Romanian masters and rare collections of paintings are presented to the attention of visitors. The museum is privately owned - it was founded by Krikoru Zambakyan, a famous art critic.

The largest building in Bucharest is considered House of the People, the height of which reaches one hundred meters. In terms of area, this building is second only to the Pentagon. The building is open daily Museum of Art.

Museum of the Romanian Peasantry is also a noteworthy cultural institution. The museum began its work in 1906. It displays ceramics and handicrafts.

Nutrition

The highlight of the national cuisine of Budapest is considered to be corn porridge, which is popularly called hominy. Despite the constantly expanding range of Romanian dishes, this porridge is always in demand. In addition to mamaliga, it is customary to order kebab mich which is cooked on the grill.

The menu of local national cuisine is always changing and depends on the season.

Throughout the year you can enjoy unique fish dishes (some of which can only be tasted here), various desserts and Romanian wine. During the warm season, fresh salads are popular.

When you arrive in Bucharest, be sure to visit a gastronomic establishment called Count Dracula Club. The exclusivity of the restaurant lies in the presence of three completely different halls: medieval, hunting and Transylvanian style. Each room has a special menu. You can taste the signature pheasants and roast made from bear paws in the hunting hall. National dishes from the Middle Ages are served in the medieval hall. And in the evenings, Count Dracula himself will entertain you here.

Family lunch can be arranged at American Beer House, located in the center of Budapest. American style, European dishes and traditional fast food attract many tourists here.

The restaurant will offer French cuisine, French champagne and wines. La Bastille.

The restaurant offers an interesting menu La Belle Epoque. In addition to Romanian dishes, they prepare French meat and aromatic Italian risotto.

It is considered a prestigious gastronomic establishment in Budapest Casa Vernescu. It always serves original signature dishes and rare delicacies.

Accommodation

There are more than 210 hotels and inns in Bucharest. You don't have to worry about where you will live. Cozy houses, comfortable temporary apartments, luxury hotels - there will always be a suitable option. However, remember: before the holidays, you need to think about booking in advance.

If you want a room equipped with a safe, air conditioning, TV, minibar and other amenities of life, you should stay in a hotel Novotel Bucharest City Center. Room prices here range from 87 to 197 €. There is also a gym, indoor pool and sauna at your disposal.

In the very center of Bucharest there is an equally convenient boutique hotel called Z Executive. The unique atmosphere will delight even the most demanding guest. Room price per night ranges from 55 to 500 €.

Five-star hotel Radisson Blu will offer you accommodation and service at the highest level. It is located in the center of Bucharest, close to the main attractions. Rooms in this hotel cost from 96 to 258 € per night.

Entertainment and relaxation

Everything is provided for relaxation and entertainment in Bucharest - the only question is what you want. Lovers of a relaxing family holiday can take a walk in the picturesque parks; many nightclubs are open here for young people; fans of various kinds of arts have the opportunity to visit the local cinemas, galleries, and museums. For shopping lovers, shopping centers and markets operate here every day.

For a walk in nature, you should choose Kismigui Park, which is a luxurious garden. It was founded back in the 19th century. Its territory is decorated with endless flower alleys, rare tree species and a picturesque lake. Walking along its winding paths will give you real pleasure.

Best suited for active recreation Gerastrau park. The park's landscape is great for cycling and playing tennis. Near the park there is Fair Square, where there is always a large selection of memorable souvenirs and gifts.

Nightclubs in Bucharest do not close until the morning. Several days a week at the club SkyBar Exciting themed parties are organized. The club will give you a calm, cozy atmosphere Interbelic. This is a great place to meet with friends.

Casino trips are popular in Bucharest. Considered the best casino Palace. It offers modern slot machines, roulette and table games.

Purchases

Shopping in Bucharest is considered the best in Romania, but prices are quite high. Moreover, they can be established both in national currency and in euros.

European quality products await you at the Bucharest department store Unire, located in the city center. On the ground floor you will find jewelry, porcelain, costume jewelry and crystal. The upper floors sell clothing for adults and children, sporting goods, and household appliances.

Famous streets among shopping lovers are also Victoria and Bulevardul Mager streets. They will delight you with boutiques of famous brands such as Benetton, top quality sportswear, as well as designer shops.

Large shopping centers in Budapest are Mario Plaza And " Bucuresti Mall" These centers have summer sales and Christmas discounts on goods every year.

The best jewelry shops are located in the center of Bucharest. The prices here are not low, but the gold and silver are of excellent quality. The best stores are stores of Italian manufacturers from the company Cellini.

New books are sold in the store Humanitas bookstore, which is considered the best in the city.

If you want to purchase antiques, home decorations, paintings and other products from past centuries, you need to visit the store Thomas Antiques.

Excellent quality products from Romanian and Western manufacturers are sold in World Trade center. Here you can profitably buy leather, suede and fur products. Woven carpets in ethno style, as well as tablecloths, curtains and napkins, are very popular.

An excellent souvenir would be dishes from local artisans and jewelry made of clay and colored glass. Wool products and tablecloths with hand embroidery are in demand. When choosing Romanian wine as a souvenir, you should definitely try the varieties Odobesti And Cotnari. These wines are produced according to classic recipes in the oldest vineyards of the city.

Transport

Bucharest's transport network is well developed. City transport includes bus, tram, metro, trolleybus, and private taxis.

In total, the city has 119 bus routes, 19 trolleybus routes, 25 tram routes (three of them high-speed), four metro lines.

In Bucharest, you will not be able to buy a ticket from the driver, so you should take care of paying for the fare in advance. Tickets are sold at every stop. In addition, you will not find transport schedules at any stop.

For frequent trips, they sell special cards that are valid for a certain time. There are no tickets for a specific period of time. There is also no single ticket. The cheapest ticket costs 0.6 €. It will be valid for two trips.

The Henri Coanda international airport is located near Bucharest.

Connection

Hotels and hostels will always provide you with a local line and Internet. Postal services are losing their popularity, but you can always use postal services. Mobile communications operate in the GSM standard - 900/1800. Main mobile operators - Vodafone, Orange and Cosmorom. The average cost of outgoing communication on tourist SIM cards is about 0.5 €. Cosmote Romanian offers the best roaming rates (0.4 € per minute).

You can also call other countries using the card Romtelecom. They are sold in stores, post offices, train stations, and newsstands. There are denominations of 18,000, 135,000 and 300,000 lei.

Mobile Internet from 2 € per month is provided by the operator Orange. Wider range of mobile Internet services from the operator Cosmote Romanian. The card will cost you from 8.3 € per month. Vodafone Romania will provide you with Internet for 4 € per month, but the speed will be very low (7.2 Mbit/s).

Safety

The crime rate in Bucharest, compared to other cities in Romania, is slightly higher, but this is more likely due to the large population and tourists and the status of the city. To protect yourself, it is enough to follow the usual precautions, and nothing will spoil your holiday.

Business climate

Bucharest combines the economic and cultural center of Romania. The country's gross domestic product production here is about 21%.

About a quarter of the country's industrial production is concentrated in Bucharest. This city is a real industrial center.

Real estate

The real estate market in Bucharest is mostly represented by panel houses that are thirty years old. Prices for apartments in them range from 30,000 to 70,000 €.

In the last decade, Bucharest real estate has been renovated. Elite areas were built Pipera And Otoleni. The cost of apartments there is much higher. A one-room apartment with an area of ​​53 m2 costs approximately 100,000 €, a two-room apartment with an area of ​​72 m2 costs 110,000 €.

You should exchange currency at state banks, since they usually have the most favorable exchange rate and the minimum commission. Euros are accepted in shops and markets.

It is customary to leave a tip for waiters for service - 5-7% of the total amount to be paid.

When getting into a taxi, immediately agree on the cost of the trip, since many drivers here do not include specialized meters. The most expensive tariffs are offered by taxi drivers of private companies (they are marked with the letters “P” and “RO”).

If you have chosen a car as a means of transport, then it is worth considering that it is very difficult to move around the city during the daytime. During rush hour, heavy traffic jams await you on the streets, and finding a parking space can be extremely difficult.

Bucharest has restrictions on smoking in public places. Almost every public institution has a special smoking area. Restaurants have a separate area for non-smoking and smoking guests. Be careful in this matter, because you may be fined for not following the rules of smoking in a public place.

Photo and video filming of bridges, port areas, and subways is prohibited. In ancient architectural monuments, photography is allowed only for a fee. You should ask about shooting conditions in advance.