A plan for Bucharest

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, 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).

Landmarks

1 Palace of the Parliament (Palatul Parliamentului), strada Izvor 2-4 (near Piața 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 Ceaușescu 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 Ceaușescu'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 60 lei, students 30 lei (19-26 years old, with a valid student ID), children 20 lei (7-18 years old), children under 7 free. (updated Jan 2025)

2 Old City. A part of the city's historical heart was not demolished by Nicolae Ceaușescu. The area (stretching approximately between the Dâmbovița river to the south, Calea Victoriei to the west, Calea Moșilor 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.

3 Revolution Square (Piața Revoluției) (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.

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 Șapte Seri (Seven nights), the other 24-FUN. They have small sections in English available.

Walking and recreation

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.

1 Therme București. Huge thermal water park. (updated Feb 2016)

Parks

2 Cișmigiu 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.

3 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.

4 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)

Budget

1 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)

LUCA. Cheap Romanian traditional pastry chain with locations all over the city (and much of Romania, and even Poland). There are both sweet and savory products. Good for vegetarians. Huge selection of pastries for all tastes. Most popular are the covrigi: tradițional, vișine, and nutella. Coffee is very cheap too. No tables. (updated Apr 2025)

Mid-range

2 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)

3 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 90s with some more modern elements. The decor is nice and the food equally good. Cats are present. (updated May 2022)

4 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)

5 Locanta Jaristea, Strada George Georgescu 50-52 (near the crossroad of Regina Maria Blvd. and Libertății Blvd), ☏ +40 021 335 33 38, stabiliment@jaristea.ro. 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)

6 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)

7 Trattoria Il Calcio Universitate, Strada Ion Ghica 6. One of the best pizza places in the old town. (updated May 2022)

8 Restaurant Hanu' lui Manuc, Str. Franceza nr. 62-64, ☏ +40 21 313 14 11. Great location in Bucharest city centre and wonderful traditional food. (updated May 2022)

1 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.

2 Camera din Față. Cafe/tea house (updated Oct 2015)

Curtea berarilor (The Brewers Court), Selari 9-11, ☏ +40 723 279620, +40 21 3137532. Sun 12:00–24:00; Mon-Wed 13:00-01:00; Thu-Sat 13:00-4:00. Pub in old center having mostly Timișoreana beer. (updated Apr 2017)

3 Energiea. (updated Feb 2017)

4 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.

5 Origo. (updated Feb 2017)

6 Piua Book Bar. (updated Mar 2017)

BEAT bar umanist, Strada Robescu F. Constantin 14, ☏ +40 748 110 388, beatbarumanist@gmail.com. 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, admin@themancave.ro. Mon-Fri 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, office@bambooclub.ro. Fri 23:00-05:00; Sat 23:00-12:00. It's the largest club in Bucharest. Upmarket and expensive.

Cafe Hazard, Barației (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, ☏ +40 723610933. Daily 15:00-03:00.

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. As of July 2026, a surface-only trip (bus/tram/trolleybus) costs 3 lei for up to 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); a combined trip that also includes the metro costs 7 lei and is valid for 120 minutes. If your journey has not ended within the time limit (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").

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 uncommon, as there have sporadic but noteworthy attacks from local gangs towards foreign-looking people (minorities, out of place individuals, etc.) in clubs, 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.

Alternatively, just use ride hailing to avoid any hassle.