A Guide to Romania: What to Do and Where to Stay

Boasting a raft of intriguing museums, gorgeous Orthodox churches and abundant greenery, not to mention a cafe culture without parallel in the Balkans, this cosmopolitan city has it all. The best time to visit is late spring or early autumn when it’s still warm enough to sit outside in short-sleeved shirts and enjoy some alfresco dining.

The best places to visit in Bucharest

The Palace of Parliament

The Palace of Parliament is the world’s second largest administrative building

The world’s second largest administrative building after the Pentagon, the Palace of Parliament’s scale almost defies belief. Taking over seven hundred workers to complete over thirteen years, the numbers are astonishing: twelve storeys (including four underground levels, one a nuclear bunker), 1100 rooms and 4500 chandeliers. Guided tours take in a dozen or so of the largest and grandest rooms, and conclude with magnificent views from the balconied terrace looking down Bulevardul Unirii. Within easy walking distance of the Palace of Parliament and boasting terrific views, the JW Marriott Bucharest Grand Hotel combines historical grandeur and contemporary design to striking effect.

The Old Town

The Old Town (Lipscani) is the beating heart of Bucharest

The Old Town – also known as Lipscani – is the beating, buzzing heart of Bucharest, the city’s go-to party place packed with restaurants, bars and clubs. The pick of the places to visit in this charismatic neighbourhood is the Old Court Palace, once the haunt of Vlad the Impaler (inspiration for Count Dracula); the neighbouring Old Court Church is one of the city’s oldest, founded by Mircea the Shepherd in 1558, and features a dazzling iconostasis. Don’t miss either, the small Stavropoleos Church, with its arabesque facade and, inside, gorgeous stone-and wood-carvings. The best places to stay in the Old Town are The Marmorosch Bucharest, Autograph Collection, a magnificent Art Deco former bank building with opulent, state-of-the art rooms, and the Moxy Bucharest Old Town, a colourful and contemporary boutique hotel.

Herăstrău

North of the city is where to go for the best museums. On the shores of Lake Herăstrău, the absorbing Village Museum is a fabulous collection of local architecture from all over Romania, among them dwellings, churches, workshops and windmills. Close by, Casa Ceaucescu (Ceauşescu’s House) provides compelling insights into the former Romanian dictator. Otherwise, take a bracing walk around the lake or, better still, get yourself out on the water with a little rowing boat. The smart and comfortable Courtyard Bucharest Floreasca provides easy access to the lake and all these sights.

What to eat and drink in Bucharest

Mititei

Mititei is typically served with mustard

A succulent grilled meat rissole, typically served with a dollop of mustard, mititei is the king of the city’s burgeoning street food scene. Bucharest has many great places to eat these delicious morsels, in particular the wonderfully ornate Carul cu Bere (the “Beer Cart”), where you’ll likely be serenaded by Romanian folk musicians, and Hanul lui Manuc, a former caravanserai (inn) set around a magical tree-filled courtyard.

Sarmale

Sarmale are stuffed vine or cabbage leaves

Of the local dishes to try, don’t miss out on sarmale, a wholesome meal of cabbage or vine leaves stuffed with rice, meat and herbs and served with horseradish or sour cream. For the best sarmale in town, head to the venerable Casa Doina in the Herăstrău district, whose terrace is a joy on a warm summer’s evening.

Wine

Romanian wine’s reputation is growing fast. Brilliant reds include the indigenous Fetească Neagră from Dobrogea out towards the Black Sea, and Dealu Mare. Some of the best white wines, like Fetească Regală, are from the Prahova Valley. Sample some or all of these at Abel’s Wine Bar, a cosy street corner bar in the Old Town.

Top things to do in Bucharest

One of Bucharest’s most impressive buildings is Cărtureşti Carusel (“Carousel of Light”), whose transformation from a derelict shell into one of Europe’s most beautiful bookshops has been nothing short of spectacular – whether you fancy a browse, want to listen to some music or view some art – or just fancy a coffee – this place is unmissable.

Among the best things to do while in Bucharest is taking a guided walking tour; various operators offer a range of historically and culturally themed outings, as well as tours further afield, such as day-trips to Dracula’s Castle in Bran.

On the same theme, visiting the tomb of Vlad Tepes (aka Dracula) rates as one of the most fun things to do in Romania. Located on a tiny island in the middle of a lake some thirty miles north of the city, Snagov monastery is said to hold the remains of Romania’s most (in)famous character.

You might also spend a couple of hours tracking down some of the key sites involved in the 1989 Revolution; start with the former Communist Party Headquarters building on Piaţa Revoluţiei, across the road from which is the still-bullet-scarred former headquarters of the secret police.

Hidden gems in Bucharest

One of the best alternative things to do in Bucharest is visit the little known National Museum of Contemporary Art, housed within the Glass Wing of the Palace of Parliament – the collection is fabulous, as is the impressively long lift ride up to the museum. Bucharest was once known as the Paris of the East and the city has its own Arcul de Triumf; one of the most unique things to do is climb it and enjoy incredible citywide views as a reward for your efforts.

Go deeper

Unlike the rest of the Balkan countries, Romanian is a Romance language, so has much in common with countries like France and Italy. Basic greetings include Salut (Hello), La Revedere or Ciao (Goodbye), Vă Rog (Please) and Mulţumesc (Thank you).

Published: July 26, 2022