Visit Bucharest
Bucharest is a city of wide boulevards and heavy concrete where the architecture of the French Belle Epoque sits directly next to massive socialist realist blocks. It serves as a fascinating starting point for a Bucharest road trip because it offers a raw and high energy look at the transition from the old Balkan world to the modern east. You should visit the Pasajul Victoriei to see the colorful umbrella ceiling before heading to the Stavropoleos Monastery which features intricate stone carvings and a quiet courtyard that has survived since 1724. The local culture is defined by the outdoor terraces of the Lipscani district where residents gather late into the night. For a unique detail few visitors find look for the Macca Villacrosse Passage which is a yellow glass roofed arcade shaped like a horseshoe and filled with local cafes.
The city geography is dominated by the Bulevardul Unirii which was designed to be slightly longer and wider than the Champs Elysees in Paris. It leads to the Palace of the Parliament which is the second largest administrative building in the world and contains over one million tons of marble and steel. For a local afternoon experience drive to the Cismigiu Gardens which is the oldest park in the city and features a large rowing lake and wrought iron benches from the nineteenth century. You can find the remnants of the city's royal past at the Arcul de Triumf which was built in 1936 to commemorate the unification of the country.
Exiting the city toward the north takes you along the Soseaua Kiseleff and toward the DN1 highway which is the main route into the Carpathian Mountains. This road takes you through the Snagov forest and toward the mountain passes of the Prahova Valley where the landscape shifts from the flat Romanian plain to steep pine covered peaks. The transition happens quickly once you leave the suburban sprawl behind. Bucharest shows you the industrial heart of the nation before the road turns toward the medieval villages and fortified churches of Transylvania.
Top sights to visit
- Parliament Palace Scale Drive to the front of this colossal building to see the second largest administrative building in the world after the Pentagon. Take a guided tour to see the massive marble staircases, five ton crystal chandeliers, and vast halls. This structure is a staggering, controversial monument to the scale and ambition of the past era.
- Village Museum Park Wander through this open air museum on the shore of Lake Herastrau to see original wooden houses and churches brought from all over Romania. Peer into the windows of the thatched roof cottages to see the traditional woven rugs and pottery. This park is a peaceful time capsule that shows the rustic heart of the country in the middle of the capital.
- Stavropoleos Church Step into the tiny courtyard of this church from the eighteenth century to find a moment of total peace in the busy Old Town. Admire the intricate architecture and the beautiful Byzantine frescoes inside. It is a small but incredibly dense masterpiece of local religious art and history.
- Cismigiu Garden Lake Rent a rowing boat or walk the romantic paths of the oldest and most beautiful park in the city. Stop at the rotunda to see the statues of the most famous authors of Romania among the trees. This park has a nostalgic charm from the nineteenth century that makes it a favorite spot for a slow afternoon break.
- The Macca Villacrosse Passage Walk through this arcade with its yellow glass roof to find the best cafes and shisha bars in the city. Admire the ornate architecture that earned Bucharest the nickname Little Paris in the late 1800s. This passage is a timeless, stylish shortcut that offers a great atmosphere away from the sun.
- Cotroceni Palace Hill Visit the official residence of the Romanian President and the museum housed in the former royal palace. Explore the church from the seventeenth century and the beautifully manicured gardens on the hill. This site offers a regal and quiet perspective of the political and royal history of the city.
- The Romanian Athenaeum Step inside this grand, domed concert hall to see the massive mural that depicts the history of the Romanian people. Marvel at the ornate gold leaf ceilings and the incredible acoustics of the auditorium. This building is a national symbol and the heart of high culture in Bucharest.
- Obor Market Stalls Dive into the chaotic and vibrant energy of the largest market in the city to see how locals really shop for food and home goods. Grab a plate of grilled minced meat rolls from a famous stall, which is the quintessential street food experience. It is a loud and fascinating sensory overload.
- Revolution Square Signs Stand in the square where the revolution of 1989 began and see the bullet holes still visible on the walls of the surrounding buildings. Look at the memorial and the old committee building from which the dictator fled by helicopter. This square is the most significant site in the modern history of Romania.
- Dimitrie Gusti Houses Walk through the Diplomatic Quarter to see the many elegant mansions from before the war that survived the massive redevelopments of the 1980s. Admire the mix of neoclassical and modernist architecture that once defined the city. This area is quiet and perfect for a slow drive to see the former glory of the capital.
- Herastrau Park Drive Drive to the northern edge of the city to walk the perimeter of the massive lake in the largest park in Bucharest. Stop at a cafe or the massive beer hall by the water for a meal. This park is the favorite playground of the city and offers plenty of space to breathe and relax.
- Carturesti Carusel Shop Visit what is often called the most beautiful bookstore in the world, featuring six floors of books and white spiral staircases. Head to the top floor cafe for a coffee and a view down into the stunning atrium from the nineteenth century. Buying a book here is a stylish experience that captures the love of the city for literature and design.
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History of Bucharest
Bucharest was once known as the Paris of the East, a city of elegant neoclassical palaces, wide boulevards, and a sophisticated elite that spoke French as a second language. Legend says the city was founded by a shepherd named Bucur, whose name means joy. By the early 20th century, the city’s wealth, fueled by the oil and grain of the Romanian plains, resulted in a boom of grand architecture and the construction of its own Triumphal Arch, cementing its reputation as a center of culture and luxury.
The city’s identity was shattered in the 1980s when the dictator Nicolae Ceaușescu launched a massive systematization project. He demolished nearly a third of the historic center, including countless churches and homes, to build the People's Palace, the second-largest administrative building in the world. This created a city of massive contrasts, where grand socialist boulevards slice through the remaining pockets of Little Paris. The 1989 Revolution finally brought an end to this era in a violent and dramatic collapse.
Modern Bucharest is a city of raw energy and fascinating contradictions. It is a place where you can find a 300 year-old Orthodox monastery tucked behind a massive concrete apartment block, and where the nightlife in the Old Town is among the most vibrant in Europe. The city is currently undergoing a creative rebirth with old villas being turned into bookstores and cafes. Driving through Bucharest is a sensory experience, a journey through a city that is still healing from its past but is filled with a restless spirit.