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To Bucharest
Travelling to Bucharest
With beautiful renovated buildings, romantic neighbourhoods that are reminiscent of Paris and a vibrant nightlife, Bucharest is a Balkan capital that breathes a “European air”.
Built in the plains that lie between the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains and the River Danube, it is said that the city was founded by Bucur (a name which means “joy”), a shepherd who was much loved by the inhabitants of the region. In the mid-15th century the leaders of Wallachia made Bucharest their capital, and in 1880 it became the capital of independent Romania. In the 1980s Bucharest was transformed by Nicolae Ceaușescu, who attempted to turn the elegant city into a socialist capital, bequeathing it monstrous structures. This building work was halted by the revolution of 1989 and the fall of the regime.
Today, the Belle Époque architecture and the Soviet remnants comprise a charming amalgam of old Europe and the 21st century. Find the best offers on flights for Bucharest at the Olympic Air site and discover the modern face of Romania.
The best things to do in Bucharest
Take a trip to the historic Revolution Square (Piata Revolutiei), the symbol of the uprising of thousands of Romanian citizens against the authoritarian Ceaușescu regime in 1989. The square is surrounded by the former royal palace and the National Museum of Art of Romania.
Take part in an organised tour of the historic Palace of Parliament (Palatul Parlamentului). The former “People’s Palace” is the second-largest administrative building in the world, after the Pentagon in the US, covering an area of 330,000 m².
Tour the beautiful Lipscani, the historic centre of Bucharest. In the 15th century this noisy urban “village” was the central market of the city, containing the shops and workshops of artisans of every ethnicity. Today, the area is bursting with life, great restaurants, bars and thriving art galleries.
Visit the National Museum of Art of Romania, the country’s largest museum. Housed in the four-storey neoclassical building of the former Royal Palace, the museum was founded in 1948 to host the royal collection of Romanian and European art from the 15th to the 20th century. Visit the museum to admire the works of, among others, El Greco, Rembrandt, Cézanne and Rubens.
Stop to admire the Cantacuzino Palace with its impressive neoclassical and art nouveau elements. Built in 1900 as the residence of the then prime minister Gheorghe Grigore Cantacuzino, the palace today houses the George Enescu Museum and is dedicated to the great Romanian violinist and composer.
Enjoy a romantic boat ride in the lake in the lush green King Michael I Park (also known as Herastrau Park). The “Central Park” of Bucharest covers an area of 187 hectares while there is a lakeside restaurant, museum and aquarium, tennis courts as well as an open-air sculpture gallery with the figures of famous artists and performers, such as Michael Jackson.
Climb up the hill with the Metropolitan Church or Patriarchal Cathedral of Bucharest, the focus of Romanian Orthodoxy until the end of the late 17th century. The white church is dedicated to Saints Constantine and Helen and stands out for its intricate Byzantine decoration.
Take a stop at the circular, marble Romanian Atheneum (1888), an impressive building that resembles an ancient Greek temple. Admire its sumptuous frescoes and the décor of the lobby ceiling, made with real gold leaf. Thanks to its unparalleled acoustics, it is a venue for many musical events.
Daytrips from Bucharest
Visit beautiful Brașov in the heart of Transylvania, 140 km north of Bucharest. The city was founded in 1211 by Teutonic knights and is one of the best-preserved medieval cities in Europe.
Visit the castle of Bran near Brasov to gaze at its impressive architecture and the collection of 10,410 bottles of wonderful “Château Bran” wine.
Take a stop at the stunning castle of Peleș, the country residence of King Carol I. The rich decoration, the huge collection of works of art, furniture, tapestries and armour, as well as the stunning natural beauty of this region will amaze you.
The best shopping in Bucharest
Browse around the Ηanul cu Tei courtyard in Lipscani, a paradise for lovers of antiques and works of art, with many shops in which you can always hunt out some great bargains. In the Artizanat stores, which can be found scattered throughout Bucharest, you will find many items of folk art at reasonable prices. Find CDs with the sounds of Gypsy violins on the third floor of the Unirea Shopping Centre, located next to the square of the same name and containing over 200 shops. After 1999, large shopping malls started to open in Bucharest. Head to the Bucharest Mall and the even bigger Plaza Romania for your shopping.
Eating in Bucharest
Discover the flavours of Romanian cuisine, a blend of the Hungarian, German and Turkish culinary traditions.
Try some saramură (smoked and salted carp), tocanita (meat soup with many and varied herbs), and ghiveci (stew with over twenty different types of vegetables. If you can, it is also worth sampling some sarmalutze (stuffed cabbage leaves served with a Romanian sour cream named Smântână, yoghurt sauce and corn puree), the local grilled mititei burgers and patricieni sausages, which are sold in the open-air markets.
Papanași – doughnuts filled with cream and cheese – are the favourite dessert of the locals.
Bucharest is famous for its nightlife. The opening up of tourism has heralded the arrival of many great entertainment options, while many establishments are already equal to those in western Europe, except with better prices. You will find many such places around Revolution Square, Lipscani, Calea Victoriei and Herastrau Park.
How to get to Bucharest
Take the “Henri Coanda Express” train, which connects the CFR Airport Stop with Bucharest North Railway Station (Gara București Nord, commonly called Gara de Nord). To reach the airport railway station (CFR Airport Stop) take one of the shuttle buses that depart from outside the arrivals hall.
Alternatively, take the 783 Express bus, which connects the airport with the city centre 24 hours a day. At night buses depart every 40 minutes. The bus stop is outside the arrivals hall.
Other buses that connect the airport with the city centre are the 784 Express (Airport – Unirea Square), the 780 Express (Airport - Gara București Nord Station) and the 782 Express (Airport – Băneasa Shopping Centre).
Impressive buildings, a vibrant lifestyle, culture and great shopping have given Bucharest the title “Paris of the Balkans”. Book your flights for Bucharest with Olympic Air and land in one of the most enigmatic Balkan capitals.