Bucharest (Romanian: București) is Romania's capital and largest city. Bucharest has a very interesting mix of old and new: finding a 300-year-old church near a steel-and-glass tower that sits next to a communist-style building is commonplace in Bucharest. Bucharest offers some excellent attractions, and has cultivated a sophisticated, trendy, and modern sensibility that many have come to expect from a European capital.
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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.
Bucharest has one of the most extensive systems of public transport in Europe, even though it can sometimes be confusing and crowded. 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.
1 Palace of the Parliament (Palatul Parliamentului), strada Izvor 2-4 (near Piaţa 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 Ceauşescu 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 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 Şapte Seri (Seven nights), the other 24-FUN. They have small sections in English available. 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.
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) 2 SC Argentin Impex LLC, Strada Blănari nr 11-13. Very good Romanian meals, a treat for the senses. Nice quiet outdoor area.
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. Su 12:00–24:00; M-W 13:00-01:00; Th-Sa 13:00-4:00. Pub in old center having mostly Timişoreana beer. (updated Apr 2017) 3 Energiea. (updated Feb 2017) 4 Ganesha Cafe.
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!" Be incredibly careful as a pedestrian in Bucharest.
Guide content from Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA) — abridged; the full article has much more.
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In Jul, Bucharest typically sees ~33°C daytime highs and 6 rainy days.
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