Bucharest
Travel Guide > Europe > Romania > Bucharest
In this Article
- Introduction
- Neighbourhoods
- Sights and Activities
- Events and Festivals
- Weather
- Getting There
- Getting Around
- Eat
- Drink
- Sleep
- Work
- Learn
- Keep Connected
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Introduction
Bucharest is the capital and largest city of Romania. Located on the banks of the Dâmboviţa River, it is an important industrial and economic centre for the country. For many travellers, it is the gateway into Romania.
The earliest known reference to Bucharest comes from 1459, when it was known as the Citadel of Bucureşti and became the residence of the Wallachian prince Vlad III the Impaler. Throughout the Middle Ages, Bucharest grew in prominence. In 1861, Bucharest was made the capital of Romania.
Neighbourhoods
Sights and Activities
Palace of the Parliament
Nicolae Ceausescu, Romanian dictator from 1965 to 1989, is to thank for the Palace of the Parliament, the world's second largest administrative building. Construction was begun in 1983, but not before a large chunk of Bucharest's historic district was torn to the ground to make way for the indulgent dictator's dream. When Ceausescu was overthrown and executed in 1989, the building was nearly complete. Parts of it are still not completed.
Tours of the palace are available.
Cişmigiu Gardens
The Cişmigiu Gardens are a welcome oasis in the heart of Bucharest. It is the city's oldest park and remains a popular hang-out for locals. During summer, boats can be hired to go out on the man-made lakes; in winter, many people skate on the lakes.
Memorial of Rebirth
The Memorial of Rebirth is found in Revolution Square. It commemorates the Romanian Revolution of 1989.
The memorial, which features a tall pillar with a metal "crown", is quite controversial in Romanian society, owing largely to the fact that the symbolism in its design is very abstract.
Curtea Veche
Curtea Veche was the royal court during the Middle Ages. Today, it is a museum.
Events and Festivals
Weather
In Bucharest, summers are hot and dry averaging around 30 degrees in July and August, while winters are cold (around 0º C). Alltime highs and lows are 41 and -32 degrees respectively. Rain or snow in winter falls in every month, though summers are rather wetter. Spring and autumn are very pleasant season for a visit.
Getting There
By Plane
The Henri Coandă International Airport (OTP/LROP) is located a short distance north of the city and is Romania's busiest airport. Most low-cost airlines fly into nearby Aurel Vlaicu International Airport (BBU), in Băneasa.
Numerous airlines serve these airports, from many European destinations and some cities further away, including New York. Tarom is the national airline with an extensive network. They also fly to several domestic destinations, including Timisoara and Constanta.
By Train
International sleeper trains arrive in Bucharest from Venice, Vienna, Budapest, Prague, Bratislava, Kosice, Krakow, Belgrade, Sofia, Thessaloniki, Istanbul, Moscow, Kiev, and Chisinau. Train travel is generally slower than bus travel. See website for train timetables and fares: http://infofer.ro/ and http://www.beyondtheforest.com/Pages/TRAVELmap.html.
CFR operates many trains throughout the country from and to Bucharest. Have a look at this website for inter-city train timetables and fares.
By Car
By Bus
By Boat
Getting Around
By Car
By Public Transport
On Foot
Bucharest can be a very confusing place to walk around on foot. If you do decide to explore it on foot, make sure you have a decent map with you to help you find your way around.
Bucharest is nothing short of a nightmare to walk around, and if I ever find myself teaching a class on how not to organize a city, this city would without a doubt be the best example Europe has to offer.
By Bike
Eat
Drink
Sleep
Budget
| Property | Address | Type | Popularity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation Cazare | Calea Grivitei 123 | Guesthouse | 56 |
| Agentia H Apartments | 2 Stirbei Voda street 1 Luterana | Apartment | - |
| Amzei Hotel | 8 Piata Amzei Street, 1st District, Bucharest - RO | Hotel | - |
| Apartament Cristhreestar | Strada Camil Ressu nr28 blA8 et4 ap20 Sector3 | Apartment | 96 |
| Apartment Blue | 23rd, Balcescu blvd. | Apartment | - |
| BestFlat | Bd. Dacia Nr.53 | Apartment | - |
| Black & White Apartment | 23 A Nicolae Balcescu Boulevard | Apartment | 62 |
| Butterfly Villa Hostel | Stirbei Voda, no. 96 entrance around the corner of Str. C. Stahl | Hostel | 88 |
| Calea Victoriei Studio | Calea Victoriei Bd. Stirbei Voda | Apartment | 92 |
| Carol Park Hotel | 23-25 Suter Street | Hotel | - |
| Central Hostel Bucharest | Str. Salcimilor nr.2 | Hostel | 75 |
| Coral Apartment | 23rd, Balcescu blvd. | Apartment | 95 |
| East Hostel | Sfintii Voievozi, No.1 , district 1, Bucharest, Ro | Hostel | 88 |
| Friends Hostel Bucharest | Mircea Vulcanescu 114 (former Stefan Furtuna St.), | Hostel | 71 |
| Grand Accommodation | 29 Ion Campineanu Avenue | Apartment | 87 |
| Green Apartment | 23rd, Balcescu blvd. | Apartment | 87 |
| Happy Hostel | Street Drumea Radulescu No.32 | Hostel | 83 |
| Hotel Bliss | Str. Sapte Drumuri nr. 4C | Hotel | - |
| Hotel Funny time | Calea vitan nr 275 | Hotel | - |
| Hotel Herastrau-Bucharest | Soseaua Nordului, No. 7 - 9, SECTOR | Hotel | - |
| Hotel Piccolo Mondo-Bucharest | 9, Clucerului Road, 9, Clucerului Road, | Hotel | - |
| Hotel Suter Inn | Aleea Suter 3, sector 4, Bucharest | Hotel | - |
| Hotel Vila Paris-Bucharest | No 58 Paris Str., sector 1, No 58 Paris Str., sector 1, | Hotel | - |
| Kiwi Hostel | 44 Viilor Street District 5 | Hostel | - |
| Lucky House Hostel | 74th Popa Stoica Farcas 3rd district | Hostel | 73 |
| Orange Apartment | 23rd, Balcescu blvd. | Apartment | 70 |
| Tempo Hotel | Armand Calinescu 19 | Hotel | - |
| The Funky Chicken Hostel | Str. Gen. Berthelot 63 Sector 1 | Hostel | 77 |
| The Midland Youth Hostel 1 | B-dul Regina Elisabeta no. 44 | Hostel | 83 |
| The Midland Youth Hostel 2 | Str Biserica Amzei, nr 22 Apt 3, Sector 1 | Hostel | 81 |
| Victoria Apartment | 23 Bulevardul Regina Elisabeta | Apartment | 97 |
| Vila 11 | Strada Institutul Medico Militar Nr.11 | Guesthouse | 70 |
| Vila Gabriela | Str.Margaritarului 18, Vila A 104 Otopeni, Judet Ilfov | Guesthouse | 84 |
| Villa Helga Youth Hostel | Busolei 7th 2nd district Bucharest | Hostel | 63 |
| Visali | 25 Occidentului St., District 1 | Hotel | 47 |
| YMCA Universitaria Hostel | Str. Silvestru 33, sect. 2, Bucharest | Hostel | 85 |
Mid-Range
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This is version 13. Last edited at 16:02 on May 19, 09 by Utrecht (+2970). 18 articles link to this page.
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