As explained in my post Bucharest Bus Controllers and Squashed Bananas, we didn’t have the best first impression of Romania because of Bucharest. Now that’s not to say that Bucharest is bad: it’s not. It just wasn’t our favourite place, and this bad experience definitely tainted our perception. However, there were many things to do in Bucharest that we did like – notably the restaurants, walking tour and architecture. While I wouldn’t necessarily recommend for you to visit Romania for Bucharest, you will likely travel through at some point if you’re heading to Romania. Whether you’re flying into the country to visit Transylvania or heading across the border by train or bus into Bulgaria, chances are you’re going through Bucharest.

So, let’s say you arrive into Bucharest, you’re booked onto a night bus this evening or maybe tomorrow; how should you fill a day or two?

Where to Stay in Bucharest

We would recommend Global Downtown Apartments – Universitate – Balcescu for a budget stay. We stayed here and it ticked all the boxes. You have your own private space with a lounge area and a small kitchen so you can prepare your own meals. The rooms are quiet even though the entrance is from a main road, and the location is great for exploring the city and reaching public transport. There is a  minimum two night stay requirement.

LazyNest Residence and 2 Vis-a-Vis Studio – Gara de Nord apartments look great too!

Book Yourself on a Free Walking Tour or Two

Bucharest is a large city and so has two different walking tours, both run by Walkabout Free Tours, that target different areas. The ‘From Monarchy to Communism’ tour is a really interesting one, and our guide, Elena, was knowledgeable and hilarious. It lasts about two and a half hours and starts at 3pm.

Marvel at the Grand Architecture

Bucharest really hassome huge and imposing buildings, and we had great fun just wandering and taking it all in. From the stark, grey concrete of communism, to the fanciness of Neo-classical and Gothic, to modernism. There is a little bit of everything in a contrasting mash-up of flavours. Make sure you head over to the Palace of Parliament to see the world’s heaviest building. It has a dark history so join the waking tour to learn more about it. Or you can book a tour of the palace.

Keep an Eye out for Street Art

We found some great street art. We used this map to point us in the right direction, but are not sure of the owner of it. Bucharest Street Art Map

Head out to the Mountains

You can reach Busteni (Bucegi Mountains) within an hour and a half on the train from Gara de Nord. So, the train leaving at 08:00 will get you into Busteni by 09:30 which means you have plenty of time to hike and explore. Read our blog post on everything you need to know about train travel in Romania here.

Find all the hiking routes on Maps.me. Watch out for bears!

Gorge Yourself on a Variety of Cuisines

We went to a load of restaurants in Bucharest but didn’t eat much Romanian food because we got too excited about the huge variety of cuisines available. By this point, we had been on the road for three months and had only really been able to find Balkan food the whole way.

Beijing Garden

A Chinese restaurant (pretty sure you’ve guessed that already) where we ate for Chris’ 30th birthday! The food is delicious and the portions are huge. We had mapo tofu, spicy fried green beans and a mushroom chow mein between us. We are big eaters (trust me) and we couldn’t finish it all. Takeaway box, please!

Baba

An Indian takeaway that also has some seating inside. This is good Indian food. We were walking up to Gara de Nord to book our train tickets and spelt the spicy aromas wafting down the street. Our eyes lit up, so we quickly crossed the road to make a curry pit stop. We had the mushroom curry, Bombay aloo and garlic nan. Super punchy flavours at small prices.

Restaurant Amarin

An Iraqi restaurant with a beautifully decorated inside seating area as well as a cute outside lounge area. We had falafel, salad, hummus and bread and it was all really good.

Sublimmme

This is a fully vegan restaurant that serves really tasty stuff. You’ll find meat-alternative burgers, seitan shawarma, buddha bowls, smoothie bowls and raw vegan treats.

Black Habit

This is a perfect brunch spot. We had avocado toast with poached eggs and hollandaise sauce with a nice macchiato. Lovely.

French Bakery

A small place serving lunch, desserts and coffee. We ordered a quiche and a cake which were both great.

Indulge in the Coffee Culture

Perfect Simplu Speciality Coffee

A cute coffee shop tucked away down a quiet road. Beautiful inside décor with a little bench out the front and good strong coffee.

Ted’s Coffee

A coffee chain that you will find all over Romania. They do a good flat white with non-dairy milk alternatives. They all have jazzy indoor seating areas.

Five to Go

Another coffee chain that you will find everywhere in Romania. Most coffees will cost you 5 RON and they’re take away. It’s all in the name. Decent coffee for a good price.