In 1897, a gothic horror novel was published by Irish novelist Bram Stoker. It told the story of a vampire named Count Dracula and his attempt to move from Transylvania to England in search of new blood.
Although Dracula is a work of fiction, it does contain historical references. The most prominent being the connections between the fictional character and the Transylvanian-born Vlad III Dracula of Wallachia. Romania might be known as the birthplace of Count Dracula, but among its citizens, it is known for so much more.
Bucharest
Bucharest is the capital of Romania and its largest city with a population of more than 2 million. The city is one of the main attraction points of Southern Europe in terms of culture, entertainment, commerce and tourism. Its location has a good mixture of various cultures. The city is located 80 kilometers north of Bulgaria.
Best Time to Visit Bucharest
The city has a humid continental climate. Summers are humid and hot, while winters are mostly windy and snowy so it can get very cold. The average air temperature in summer is 23 °C. The coldest month is January and the warmest is July. I suggest to visit Bucharest during early Autumn or early Spring for best weather.
What To Expect
Language: The official language of Romania is Romanian.
Currency: The official currency of Romania is Romanian leu. The exchange rate is 1 GBP to 5.39 LEU.
Plugs: In Romania, the power plugs are type E, the standard voltage is 230 V, and the standard frequency is 50Hz.
Safety: Overall, Romania is a safe country to visit. Petty crime does exist though so don’t carry too much cash and keep an eye on your bags.
Getting To Bucharest
Bucharest is the most popular destination in Romania and welcomes many visitors all around the world. Henri Coandă International Airport is the most used airport in Bucharest and located 16 kilometers north of the city center. The airport is also known as the Otopeni Airport. You can use the train, the bus or the taxi service at the airport to get to the city center.
Express 783 is the bus line that connects the airport to the city center while making stops in tourism destinations such as Piata Romana and Piata Victoriei. The bus is located in front of the Arrivals and Departures Terminal. It is available 24/7 with roughly every 20 minutes and costs 3,5 lei for one trip.
The train is another option for you. You can get the ticket that includes 2 kilometers ride with the shuttle bus to the train station and also the train fare. The service is available every hour between 5.15 am and 8.20 pm.
Where To Stay In Bucharest
The city has lots of different types of accommodation. From luxury hotels to backpacker hostels, the options are all pretty good.
What To Eat In Bucharest
There’s something for every one in Bucharest, and it’s the place to try anything from street food and local soups to the most bizarre Romanian dishes like fried brain and tongue.
Make sure to try these food while you’re there:
- Mititei: Casa Doina
- Ciorbă de burtă: La Mama
- Divan: Papanasi, Carnati
What To Do In Bucharest
Palatul Parlamentului (Palace of Parliament)
The iconic symbol of Bucharest is The Palace of Parliament. It is a huge palace that was built in communist rule and is the largest parliament building in the world. There are public tours every 30 minutes. The palace is located in the center of Bucharest.
Old Town
Old Town is filled with buildings from the 17th century and offers many sights for its visitors. You can walk into museums, traditional cafes and stores during the day,. At night, Old Town transforms into a huge party neighborhood.
National Museum of Contemporary Art
The National Art Museum is a landmark worth visiting, especially if you’re interested in art. The museum currently exhibits over 100,000 works from local Romanian and International world-renowned artists like Monet, Rembrandt, Renoir and Cezanne.
The museum is located in the Palace of Parliament and is the main center of art in Romania. National Museum of Contemporary Art always has something intriguing for its visitors.
Arcul de Triumf (Triumphal Arch)
Arcul de Triumf in Bucharest symbolizes the independence of Romania in 1918. It’s a little smaller than the one in Paris, but Bucharest has its own Triumphal Arch. This version was inaugurated in 1922 to celebrate the victory of Romania in World War I, and today it’s one of the most notable landmarks of the capital. It is located near the Lacul Herastrau and shines with its stunning architecture.
Free Walking Tour
The walking tour Bucharest by locals is a brilliant way to be acquainted with a new town. I love to wander around and get lost on my own, but you get to see so much more when you’re with a local.
Bucharest Parks
The city has many parks where locals come to relax and hang out. The biggest park is Herăstrău Park, which is built around a lake. Other parks include the botanical garden and Carol Park, which has a mausoleum and monument in honour of fallen soldiers.
Ateneul Roman
Ateneul Roman is one of the lovely examples of modern Romanian architecture. It was built in the beginning of the 20th century with public funding. The place serves as a concert hall.
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