Is it really so cheap in Bucharest? Yes it is! After talking about Bucharest so many times in the morning TV show, I thought it was time to visit the capital of Romania myself and see what the buzz was all about. It’s true that a lot of tourists come to the city for casino purposes and unfortunately they come also for prostitution tourism , but even those who just like site seeing and trips as me will find that there is so much to do there. In the next post, I’ll talk about the city places and sites, shopping malls, hotels, a trip out of town and restaurants.
What to do in Bucharest, Romania?
A four-day visit to Bucharest is a little long for just being in the city itself, so it is worth to exit the city for the Threma Baths (later on) and the other for the Carpathian Mountains and Brasov. Of course there is no fun without restaurants, and here I’ve listed all the places you should stop for dinner or drink. I arrived in Bucharest at the end of April and had perfect weather, cool in the morning and in the evening and warm during the day.
Getting to Romania - a little tip to the airport
A nice and clean European city Bucharest is a very large city, but it’s interesting sites are concentrated in two main areas: the Old Town and the Revolution Square area. In addition, the city’s northern entrance has its impressive Arc de Triomphe, and behind it the huge Michael The 1th Rastro Park. you can move among the sites by foot or take a taxi (it’s very cheap), or to use the Metro and buses that Google Maps will recommend. I indicated on the map below, all my recommendations including restaurants and malls.
Old Town of Bucharest
Bucharest Old Town Alley, most restaurants are here
Parliament Palace of Bucharest
The seat of the Romanian Parliament, the People’s House, is the largest administrative building in the world and also holds two of the Guinness Book of Records as the second largest building in the world in terms of space and the third in terms of volume. A 28-year-old architect (Anka Petrescu) was entrusted with the planning in 1983. Romania’s ruler, Nicolas Ceaușescu, never saw the completion of the construction of the Palace of Parliament. Ceausescu was executed at the outbreak of the Romanian Revolution. The Entrance to the palace requires the deposit of a passport, and the cost is 35 LE for a English guided tour that is delivered once an hour. Usually there are long queues so it’s better to book an appointment in advance the day before. In front of the palace there is a cute park with a huge playground and lots of benches for a refreshing shade break.
The Parliament Palace of Bucharest is more beautiful from the outside
Therme Bucharest
There is no doubt that this is the site that everybody is talking about in the Facebook group of Bucharest, and for a reason. Therme Bucharest is a spa complex that combines hot pools, jacuzzis, massages and saunas alongside a large water slide park for children. The price includes a personal locker bracelet and shopping at the place, so you do not have to hang around with money or stuff – just with a swimsuit, slippers and a towel. Would you like something to drink? In all the pools there are bars with a variety of soft drink and alcoholic drink. The visitor only need to transfer the bracelet as payment (collection at the exit).
Therma Bucharest: to see by night
Prices of Therme Bucharest
Don’t miss a visit here
How to get to Therma Bucharst
Therma Bucharest advertise on their web site free hours of transportation from three different points in the city (including Revolution Square), It is a shuttle that departs every hour or two. A taxi to Therma will cost you 40 lei, but keep in mind that the Taxi drivers double the price when you want to return to the city. I recommend to check when the shuttle is back and catch it. Another tip is to come with two extra towels, to get out dried.
A nostalgic visit
Beyond the tourist destination, for me Bucharest is the city where my grandmother grew up and where she and her family suffered hard times during the Holocaust. I went to visit her childhood street and took a picture at the same small park that she was visiting and had a picture at the age of one year. Eighty years had passed, and besides graffiti on the statue, it looked very similar.
Park Cismigiu
This charming park with the tooth brushing name, is within walking distance of Parliament Palace and the Old Town and has pleasant tree-lined boulevards, a lovely lake and beautiful landscaping. On Sundays you’ll see a lot of relaxed local families hanging out by the candy and drinking stands.
Beautiful boulevards and great landscaping, Chimigio Park
National Art Museum of Romania
The National Art Museum of Romania, a classic European buildin. The Rastreau Park and the Arc de Triomphe
You will probably pass, at least four times at the Arc de Triomphe, while driving through Bucharest – a replica of the Paris gate. The monument is not a separate site for visiting due to its location in the middle of a busy intersection. Next to the Arc de Triomphe is the Rastreau Park named after Michael I. This is the largest park in Bucharest with an impressive lake full of picnic areas. The Romanian farmer museum is located inside the park.
The museum is located near Revolution Square in a magnificent building.
Michael I Park: A vast and pastoral area for picnics and rest
The Romanian Farmer Museum
This museum is feeling more like an enjoyable tour among huts in the heart of the park than a heavy museum. It costs 15 lei, and there are ancient historic buildings that were transferred from all over Romania provinces, some of the buildings are 300 years old. Among the houses you will find explanations about past farm life as well as stands of souvenirs with cute Romanian objects (and of course food).
Romanian Farmer Museum – a pleasant tour of buildings Shopping in Bucharest
There are many shopping malls in Bucharest, and my recommendation is to visit the Africa Israel mall. In addition to it there are many less beautiful shopping malls around the city (requiring a taxi or bus to reach them) and several large shops in the the central streets. Note that the prices of the large chain stores in Bucharest are almost as high as in Israel: Zara, Barashke, H & M, Pull & Bear in sell in Euros and there are almost no sales. The cheap prices are of the local Romanian chains but the quality of what I’ve seen is pretty low.
AFI Palace Cotroceni
Address: Bulevardul Vasile Milea 4, București 061344, Romania
Bucureşti Mall
Address: Calea Vitan 55-59, București 031282, Romania
De Catalun and Ikea
Outside Bucharest, on the way to Therma or to the airport there are two huge stores of Decathlon and Ikea, opposite each other.
Address: Șoseaua București-Ploiești 83-85-87, București 013685, RomaniaS
A map of the sites of Bucaharest for your use
Where to sleep in Bucharest
Bucharest’s most famous hotel is the Marriott, a five-star hotel with a luxurious casino, which is located behind the Palace of Parliament. Four-star hotels at more affordable prices are located in Revolution Square. Our hotel, the Concorde Hotel was in the heart of the old town, a great location for both evening entertainment and as a departure point for city sightseeing. This is a relatively new hotel that was opened in June 2017 by two Israeli brothers and is quiet and peaceful, probably due to the joyful fact that there is no casino, the service level is very high, and I have to mention its breakfast in particular: one of the more pampering meals I recently ate in hotels. The room at Concorde Hote
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