Chill gritty city in Central Eastern Europe. Something like Belgrade but with more Latin vibes.
The capital city of Romania…chill, mysterious, surrounded by Slavic countries but they are more Latin. Life here seems good, chill, happy, low-cost. It reminds me a lot of Belgrade. Similar dark-polluted buildings and warm people, cozy food. If you like Belgrade, Bucharest feels quite similar.
3 days is enough to see the highlights, add 1 or 2 more to visit other towns and mountain stuff.
Where to stay:
- Piata Unirii (Old Town) – southern-most of the central areas. Close to the old town and many historical buildings. Lots of tourists and people walking around. You have many parks and different neighborhoods around. Definitely a fun way to explore Bucharest. But after a while you’ll realize that the real local life in Bucharest is not in the old town. That place is full of mostly annoying sellers, and shady vibes. I do not recommend going to bars and clubs there.
- Piata Universitate – student area but don’t mind. Lots of bars, cafes, restaurants, and shops around. And still close to the old town and tourist area. Probably the most central of the 3 areas.
- Piata Romana – northern most area of the 3 central areas. And in my opinion, probably the best place to be. Lots of local areas and hangouts. Don’t worry, you’re still in walkable distance to many tourist things.
I’d say these are the 3 main central areas recommended to all visitors. They are most central and closest to things you’d want to visit as a tourist. They’re also really close to each other that you can walk to all of them easily enough, so don’t feel bad if you couldn’t stay specifically in one area.
Hostels:
- T5 Social – this is the only one I tried and they had a great vibe! Super cozy and social, friendly family atmosphere. Solid solid option. Book early because they fill up super fast. I was so sad when I had to book elsewhere because they filled up before I could extend.
Neighborhoods & Walking areas:
- The 3 central areas above will cover almost all the main stuff.
- Calea Victoriei – main busy street with shops, cafes, bars and restaurants.
Activities to do:
- Buildings to see – Stavropoleos Monastery Church, Parliament, National Bank of Romania Museum, Palace of the Deposits and Consignments, Arcul de Triumf.
- Parks – Parcul Carol (nice small one with heroes memorial), Parcul Herastrau (big one with water area and nice restaurants and triump arc, bike/scooter friendly), Parcul Tineretului (big and rugged park with locals, sunset hill, bridges, some complain it’s crowded and not maintained). Another beautiful green space is the Bucharest Botanical Garden, highly recommended by a local.
- Therme Bucharest – biggest thermal spa in Europe. Big, beautiful, open until late evening hours everyday. I absolutely recommend going on weekdays (not crazy crowded), and from 6pm and up (more relaxing and lighting is more beautiful). Bring swim suit, towel, and slippers or you’ll be forced to buy/rent them.
- Museums – Dimitri Gusti National Village Museum (probably the main museum), modern art museum. There’s also the 2 palaces that many people think are really nice.
- ParkLake Mall – really nice mall, especially the green vines hanging from the ceiling. Nice stores, nice food court, nice park outside. I’m not usually a mall person but this one was cool to checkout and I’m glad our Uber driver recommended it.
- Visit Transylvania region – Brasov, Bran Castle (aka Dracula Castle), and Peles Castle. I’d personally focus the time on Brasov and not wasting it on Bran Castle. Peles Castle is nicer than Bran but still, it’s not a must-see for you me. Look up the castle opening hours before you go.
- Shift Pub – nice place for dinner and drinks. Same owner behind “Alt Shift” club.
Restaurants & Cafes:
- 18 Lounge – beautiful restaurant at night, nearby Herastrau water area with amazing views. Don’t wait till last minute to figure out the reservation system. And of course, ask for window seat when you reserve.
- Taverna Racilor Herastrau – nice seafood restaurant on the Herastrau water area. Common reviews are nice place, nice view, good (but not great) food, but slow service and somewhat overpriced. Others recommend just go here and have drinks for the beautiful view.
- Hanul Drumetului – traditional Romanian food. More expensive than others but very good. Go early evening if you just wanna get in and out. Go late evening like arriving 9pm or later to see the partying/dancing with beautiful people all dressed up.
- The Temple Social Pub – I haven’t been but a local girl said this was her favorite place for food. The photos look nice.
- Dristor Grill – a good late night kebab place, open 24/7. Huge restaurant with lots of indoor seating so you can get some good food after your partying.
- Animaletto Pizza Bar – nice sexy spot. Good pizza, good dark loungey ambiance bar vibes. Stays open later than usual spots.
- Cheap food kitchens – the kind where there’s premade food in trays and you pick what you want. These are pretty good and very cheap.
Basically, restaurants on Herastrau water area with the beautiful view and then traditional restaurants like Hanul Drumetului are the recommended places.
Bars & Clubs:
- Expirat/Platforma Wolf – seems like 2 clubs at same location but different buildings? The vibe here was nice. No cover charge when we came, lots of dance floor space, fast/friendly bar service, and chill local vibes. They all seemed like nice approachable people and good gender balance. Free coat check.
- Control Club – 2 floors with different music. Cool vibe, but perhaps a lot of males. Free coat check.
- Fabrica – big hipster bar bar space, with many rooms outside and inside. On quieter days, go inside the back rooms and you will see more people there even though the outside looks empty.
- The Temple Social Pub – big pub with nice atmosphere
- Green Hours Jazz Cafe – bar with lots of indoors and outdoors areas to explore. Live music, dance, and other events going on.
- Face Club – big posh club (near Herastrau area) where people dress up, book tables, and pay a lot of money. We didn’t even bother to go inside as we felt the security guards were charging us extra for being foreigners. They asked where I was from and when I said “Los Angeles” the guy said are you really going to cry for 200 RON ($40usd)? Sorry buddy, it’s about principle not money. We left for another club and had no regrets. I’d come back here next time if I was more in the VIP vibe with a big group.
- Nuba – another fancy club by Herastrau water area. We didn’t go because of the bad reviews. Yes, good music and fancy but could also be trashy. Sounds like young crowded club scene…which seems fun…but I didn’t like all the bad reviews from foreigners being treated badly.
- Bamboo Club (OXYA) – fancy club by the water east of Herastrau. Highly recommended by many taxi drivers but we didn’t go because of the reviews. Apparently the entry is cheap enough (50lei) but drinks are expensive and it’s not a club but more like a fancy lounge and nobody dancing.
- Old town area – there are many bars and clubs here but I feel they are all trashy and meant as tourist traps. The locals and places with better vibes are elsewhere.
I think if you want a big fancy club, go to Face Club. For chill spot, I would do Expirat or Platforma Wolf. And for something in the middle, I would do Control Club.
Miscellaneous tips:
- Romanian roads are the worst. Everything in construction and unfinished.
- 3:30pm to 7:30pm is rush hour. Don’t drive, it’s crazy. Seriously might be faster to walk. Or just use bike or e-scooter.
- Avoid yellow taxi (they charge ripoff price, use uber)
Nearby towns:
- Brasov
- Sigsoara
- Kluj – 8hrs by car, 10hrs by train
Everybody will tell you that you MUST go to the mountains if you go to Romania. You can also use blablacar to go to other cities.
Unfiltered notes: