Euroventure is always on the look out for great new destinations, and one of those is Romania’s charming capital – Bucharest. For amazing nightlife, cheap eats, stunning architecture and friendly people you need look no further! In addition, Bucharest is a great place to start or end your Euroventure, with regular trains to and from Budapest and plenty of cheap direct flights available to the UK. We spoke to Oana from Luxapartments Romania to see why we should visit Bucharest!
Bucharest is quickly becoming a booming travel destination in Europe – but it’s not just because of the things you’ve probably already heard about it. It’s true that food and drinks and accommodation are all very affordable, that there are a lot of clubs and crazy nightlife, and that we have the Palace of Parliament – which is the second largest administrative building in the world after the Pentagon (!) – but there’s much more to Bucharest that you should discover!
Bucharest is a diverse and colorful place to visit that has so much to offer. This is a great place to party till dawn but don’t stop there! Why not discover its surprising architecture, wonderful parks and many cultural events as well this year.
In the city center you’ll find hundreds of stunning historical buildings and houses. Once you see them you’ll start to understand why Bucharest used to be called “Little Paris”. Wide boulevards, fountains, sculptures and courtyards are all part of the sophisticated history of the city. But even the communist buildings are a sight worth seeing because you won’t find such diversity in architecture in any other city in Europe. These buildings might be called ugly by some, but once you see them for yourself you’ll agree that they give the city a charm of its own – its eclectic character is part of what makes it so interesting.
You’ve probably already heard that Bucharest is a city that never sleeps, about the great parties that last until the morning and about the people who know how to have fun. You’ve probably also heard you don’t need much money to have a great time here – all of that is true! The vibrant Bucharest nightlife has a lot to offer and there is something for every taste here.
If you want to party, you should definitely try Bucharest’s Old City – here you are bound to find a night out to remember. Tourists, students, locals, expats, businessmen – there’s a place for everyone! In Bucharest you can find great parties with different types of music from Drum & Bass to rock, experimental to commercial, as well as nights suitable for all budgets.
Another place you shouldn’t miss when you visit Bucharest is the Beer Cart Restaurant in the Old Town, which was opened back in 1879. Here you will find really tasty traditional menus and Romanian music. If that doesn’t take your fancy, there are loads of other restaurants and pubs in this area where you will find delicious food and cheap drinks, so anywhere you eat should be a pleasant surprise.
But Bucharest is more than its amazing parties – if you are planning to visit it, you should definitely check out the variety of cultural events that take place here every week. Concerts, exhibitions, theatre shows, workshops, stand-up comedy, movies and music festivals and many other interactive and creative events take place in Bucharest. Just one of the reasons why you should check out Bucharest in 2016: there’s so much happening, you won’t get bored for a second!
One of our favourite spots is to visit is Carturesti Carusel, a new bookshop that is located on Lipscani. The six-level bookstore that is also called the “Carousel of light” will take your breath away – it covers a 1,000 square metre area and features a bistro on the top floor, a multimedia space in the basements and a gallery that is dedicated to contemporary art. This monument-building is an amazing place for reading or socializing right in the heart of the city.
It’s not always had the best reputation, but accommodation in Bucharest has improved a lot in the past few years and you will now find modern and clean accommodation for every pocket. From 5 star hotels to cheap hostels to private luxury apartments and studios right in the heart of the city – you will easily find a great place to stay when you visit Bucharest no matter what you budget is. If privacy is important to you but you don’t want to spend a lot of money at the same time, why not stay in a luxury apartment or studio. You’ll find some amazing places that are really close to the most important tourist attractions that look luxurious but are still fairly cheap.
Don’t expect Bucharest to be a concrete jungle, because this certainly isn’t what you’ll find here. There are some lovely parks in the middle of the city where you can relax and enjoy the beautiful Balkan weather. Don’t miss out Herastrau Park, Cismigiu Park or the more modern Izvor Park which happens to be really close to the immense ‘House of The People’ (now known as the Parliament Palace), another must-see when you visit Bucharest.
The more you read about Bucharest, the more you will notice this is a city of contrasts. Sure, Bucharest has its rough edges like any city, but in 2016 it’s really coming into its own as a tourist destination. This fascinating city has a lot to offer visitors, as well as having some of the friendliest people around.
No matter what you’ve heard about Bucharest before, this is a city you have to see and feel for yourself to get an honest impression – and once you do you’ll probably wonder why you’ve never been here before. We predict that the numbers of visitors will grow hugely over the next few years, so now is the best time to go!
Want to include Bucharest in a Euroventure? With cheap flights to the UK and easy connections to Budapest it’s the perfect place to start or finish your Eastern European journey!
Credits – Words & Pictures: Oana @ luxapartments.ro
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