• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Retirement Travelers

Full-time World Travel Couple

  • Home
  • Countries
    • Africa
    • Asia
    • Australia and Oceania
    • Caribbean
    • Central America & Mexico
    • Europe
    • North America
    • South America
  • United States
  • National Parks
  • Bucket Lists
    • Golf Course Bucket List
    • Cruise Bucket List
    • Rail Journey Bucket List
  • Videos
    • YouTube Shorts
    • 2023 Videos
    • 2022 Videos
    • 2021 Videos
    • 2020 Videos
  • About Us
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Get Social!
      • YouTube
      • Instagram
      • Facebook
      • Pinterest
      • LinkedIn
  • Store
    • Travel Products
    • Retirement Gifts
  • Show Search
Hide Search
Home » Bucharest, Romania: Our Epic Stay and Best Things to Do

Bucharest, Romania: Our Epic Stay and Best Things to Do

Last Updated: March 16, 2023

As the cultural capital, decorated with French-style Art Nouveau and Art Deco architecture, it used to be referred to as “The Little Paris” of Eastern Europe. During the 20th century, the city endured World War II, a communist dictatorship, and an earthquake that cost Bucharest, Romania much of its splendor. But since then, replacements have been made, creating an architectural contrast that cannot be found in many other parts of the world. 

The capital is a little rough around the edges, still undergoing a transformation and working to bounce back from its complicated history. But with so much character, there are plenty of things to enjoy in Bucharest, where the most luxurious experiences do not mean the most expensive. Of course, Bucharest offers its visitors a more affordable taste of Europe, but the type of luxury we mean is a truly enriching experience. Follow along to find out how to have an unforgettable stay in Bucharest.

Things to Do in Bucharest, Romania

Gawk at the Communism Monument

large building

The colossal Palace of Parliament is unmissable at the end of Unirii Boulevard. Nicolae Ceausescu, Romania’s former communist dictator, came up with the idea after the 1977 earthquake, demolishing homes and causing displacement. Now, it is the second-largest administrative building after the Pentagon. It is also the heaviest building, weighing 4.10 million tonnes, and actually sinks 6 millimeters annually! The Romanian Parliament occupies only 30% of the building. The other part is open to visitors, and we highly recommend taking a guided tour (bring your passport!). You learn about many fascinating features influenced by Ceausescu’s paranoia of being overthrown, such as the absence of vents.

Under Ceausescu’s orders, the Parliament was built from exclusively local materials to showcase Romania’s wealth. At the same time, he was heavily restricting people’s food allowance resulting in many deaths on top of those caused by the build. As a result, some locals associate the Palace with despotism and humiliation. But the narrative is slowly changing, as with the Transfagarasan Road (link-Brasov article), another result of Ceausescu’s extravagance, becoming the greatest driving road in the world. 

Bonus tip: head to the Politehnica subway station to walk on history! The floor of this subway station was accidentally constructed of marble slabs containing 80-million-year-old fossils. Unfortunately, the workers did not take time to inspect the slaps because of tight deadlines followed by harsh punishments in case of non-compliance. Where else in the world can you admire such historically rich and peculiar creations?

Visit the Ceausescu’s Mansion

The former communist leader’s home now serves as a museum for anyone interested in seeing how Ceausescu lived. Take a guided tour to visit every room of this opulent house. From bedrooms and the infamous gold bathroom to his very own beauty spa, this place is anything but humble. There is a reoccurring theme among Ceausescu’s constructions as the biggest, sparkliest, and most extravagant. So naturally, he had peacocks for pets, which still roam around his gardens.

Explore the Rural Heart of Bucharest

To refresh your palate from all the luxury, catapult back in time to 17-20th century Romanian villages in the Village Museum. It is the largest outdoor museum in Europe that recreates Romania’s rural architecture in the middle of urban Bucharest. The museum showcases 272 structures with different techniques and decorative motifs. You can also browse traditional arts and crafts at the folk events occasionally hosted on the premises.

old home in the village museum

The museum is conveniently located in the spectacular Herastrau Park, where you should go for a long stroll afterward. The park spreads around the Herastrau lake and makes for a popular place to escape the summer heat, especially at weekends, but the park is big enough never to feel overcrowded. 

a view of the lake with boat that can be rented

If you take the Michael Jackson Alley to exit the park, you’ll be greeted with the view of the majestic Triumph Arch, built to commemorate lives lost in World War I. The Arch was actually built three times, and the first one was constructed of wood for Romania’s independence in 1878.

an arch with traffic going around it

Capture the Piata Unirii Fountains

We loved our night at the fountain show in Bucharest

Some prefer to enjoy Bucharest, Romania by night as you don’t see the graffiti tags, moss, and damage on the buildings. While these imperfections do give Bucharest its unique not-trying-too-hard charm, Piata Unirii (Union Square) is a location best enjoyed at night. Its fountains are refreshing during the hot summer days. But even more spectacular at night when the fountains put on a dance show accompanied by music and colorful lights. You can catch the show Friday through Sunday from 20:00 to 21:00 outside the winter months.

Appreciate Piata Revolutiei

memorial in square
view of memorial from base

The Revolution Square is not a place you go to for its beauty but for its historical importance. The square became known worldwide when global TV stations broadcasted the communist leader Ceausescu and his wife fleeing in a helicopter during the 1989 Revolution. And the bullet holes are still visible on the buildings, commemorating that day.

The Memorial of Rebirth is a tall monument commissioned to honor the victims of the Revolution. It’s a tall marble spear with an oval metal “crown” on top. Some locals call it a potato on a skewer. Let us know what it reminds you of in the comments! 

Just a few blocks away from Revolution Square is the iconic blend of two architectural styles coming together. Combining old and modern architecture, brick and glass, the Union of Romanian Architects looks like a tiered cake.

a building with classic architecture with glass modern top

Explore the Old Town

Behind Union Square and across the Dambovita River is the Old Town, the historic part of Bucharest. It withstood World War II and Ceausescu when he decided to tear down more than 9000 historic buildings to accommodate copy-paste apartment blocks. This part of town is the most vibrant, with museums, churches, cafes, and galleries to explore. This is another place to marvel at Bucharest’s architecture. Some of the historical buildings were taken over by hotel chains, and additional floors were added on top, creating a sharp contrast like the Union of Romanian Architects building.

an ornate building

While we were there, we were fortunate enough to watch the ceremony on Flag Day in June in front of the Palace of the National Military Circle which was adorned with hundreds of flags. There were spectators, children, and the military present.

We were fortunate to be in Bucharest for their National Flag Day celebration

Where to Eat in Bucharest, Romania

Caru’ Cu Bere 

waiter walking through restarant
the walls of restaurant with arches and detail
view of bar and inside of restaurant

Located in the Old Town, this is one of the oldest restaurants in Bucharest, dating back over 140 years. Although it may seem overrun with tourists, it is also popular among locals. The building is considered a historical monument, but that’s not the only historical aspect – their beer recipe originated in 1879 and should be paired with your hearty main. Dining at Caru’ Cu Bere (Beer Wagon) is a whole experience, surrounded by Gothic vaults, stained glass, and carved paneling.

Linea Closer to the Moon 

roof top bar
A perfect restaurant for a great sunset dinner

This rooftop bar and restaurant, located in the Old Town, offers picturesque views sought-after by every tourist. Sampling their space-themed cocktails at sunset is a must after a long day of exploring.

Emilia Cremeria

best ice cream in bucharest
Our favorite gelato store in the world

If you’ve been traveling in Romania for a while, like us, a stop at Emilia Cremeria in Bucharest is a must! This place was our favorite of the summer, not only because it had delicious ice cream, but the people who worked there were charming and so very friendly. We have such fond memories of them, especially since we ate here almost every day!

Carturesti Carusel 

bev climbing stairs at bookstore
Bev admiring this amazing bookstore

Carturesti Carusel is a bookstore in the Old Town, but it is one of the most Instagram-able places in the world. Its bright and open space expands over six floors. There is a reading area, art gallery, and a serene cafe on the top floor to head to after exploring all areas and taking your photos. It is the ideal place to break up a busy day of sightseeing.


Bucharest made us appreciate the difference between expensive and luxurious. Every place we visited and everywhere we ate had added value. It was either rich in history or fascinating facts, or atmospheric magic. By the end of our journey in Romania, we learned how much the country has to offer beyond Dracula. And we hope to have shared its essence with our stories from Timisoara, Cluj-Napoca, and Brasov (link each). Thank you for reading, and let us know if you have any comments below!

Subscribe to our

Newsletter!

Subscribe

Popular Posts from the Balkans:

Sofia, Bulgaria: The Unusual Places to Visit

Plovdiv Bulgaria: Top 9 Unique Things to Do

Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria: Best Kept Secrets

The Best Road and Rail Trip Through Romania

Cluj-Napoca, Romania: 7 Amazing Reasons to Visit

Brasov, Romania: The Ultimate Itinerary

Timisoara, Romania: Why it will be a New Favorite

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Julian Jakobs

    September 28, 2023 at 3:23 AM

    Hi John and Bev,
    Further to my previous question regarding travelling by train from London to Istanbul, the plan is to stop off in Brashov, then Bucharest and finally Veliko-Tarnovo before arriving at Istanbul.
    Can you advise how many days, as a minimum, to spend in each of these places? We won’t have a car, instead we like to walk everywhere. Also, if you had to leave one place out out of the three (time for us maybe an issue) which one would you leave out?
    Regards

    Julian & Judy

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Our Story | Retirement Travelers

https://youtu.be/1quqanNSDZw

Sign up for our newsletter!

* indicates required

How to Pack Light | Long Term Travel

https://youtu.be/EYmy-WuoNDo

Packing Secrets: Items to Save Space

https://youtu.be/zNRP9Eo1hWI

Recent Travels

house with grass turf roof in the Faroe Islands

Faroe Islands: The Most Unique Holiday Destination

Faroe Islands is one of the most unique holiday destinations that beckons retirement travelers with its pristine nature. When we discovered for ourselves this small group of 18 islands, it lived in our minds rent-free for a while, so we had to find a way to work it into our world trip. The perfect window […]

Can You Retire Now?

https://youtu.be/8pGb_MWheyE

Read our story!

Our Most Popular Posts

  • The 10 Best Restaurants in St. Augustine, Florida 
  • 10 Amazing Places to Eat in Auburn, Alabama 
  • The 10 Best Restaurants in Morgantown, West Virginia 
  • Faroe Islands: The Most Unique Holiday Destination
    Faroe Islands: The Most Unique Holiday Destination
  • 5 Day Scotland Road Trip: Best Things to Do and See
    5 Day Scotland Road Trip: Best Things to Do and See
  • Amazing Edinburgh Attractions & Day Trips
    Amazing Edinburgh Attractions & Day Trips
  • Ultimate Northern Ireland Travel Guide: Belfast & Best Day Trips
    Ultimate Northern Ireland Travel Guide: Belfast & Best Day Trips
  • Exploring Ireland: The Best Week-Long Adventure from Dublin
    Exploring Ireland: The Best Week-Long Adventure from Dublin
  • 10 Best Tempe, Arizona Restaurants to Try Now 
  • Amazing Things to Do in Auckland for Every Occasion
    Amazing Things to Do in Auckland for Every Occasion

Our Recent Content

Help us get paid!

Retirement Travelers is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

We also participate in other affiliate advertising programs where we earn a small commission when you purchase a product on our site.

Thanks for your support!

Footer

Retirement Travelers is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

We also participate in various other affiliate programs with products.

Copyright © 2023 ·

Privacy Policy

Cookie Policy