Bucharest, or București in Romanian, has an international airport with connections to many European capitals and other parts of the world.
While most people from abroad probably use Bucharest as a starting point for exploring the rest of Romania, there are things you can learn about the country in its capital and largest city.
Like most capital cities, Bucharest’s history will tell you a lot about Romanian history in general, as it was where decision-makers ruled the entire country.
If you’ve been to Bucharest, you know that the city now attracts Western tourists who are looking for cheap drinks and entertainment, but I’m going to share three of my favorite things to do.
Take in Some Fresh Air in Bucharest’s Parks
On both my trips, I spent quite a bit of time in the various city parks. Given that I live in a city that doesn’t have a lot of nature, it was an excellent way to recharge on some much-needed fresh air without having to leave behind the comforts of a major European city.
You may not be able to see all of Bucharest’s parks, but you should make time for the following three: Herăstrău Park, Cişmigiu Gardens, and the Botanical Garden.
The Cişmigiu Gardens are much smaller but also feature an artificial lake. Cişmigiu is the oldest park in Bucharest and easy to reach given its central location.
The city established the Botanical Garden in the picturesque Cotroceni neighborhood in the late 19th century. I like how colorful and exotic botanical gardens can be, and I enjoyed this one a lot.
There are more parks in Bucharest, and you could probably spend days in the city without leaving its parks. Go ahead and explore as many as you can!
Visit the Village Museum
If you don’t have the time to visit other regions in Romania, this museum is an excellent way of getting familiar with traditional Romanian life in the countryside. You can stroll through the museum and get an idea of how villagers have been living for centuries.
Read or Buy a Book at Cărturești Carusel
Bucharest is, after all, one of the hot spots for cheap entertainment for Westerners. There is, however, a little oasis of culture in the midst of all these establishments.
While Cărturești Carusel is part of a big chain of bookstores and sells tons of knick-knacks aside from books, this particular store has managed to be much more classy. Located, in a beautifully renovated building from the 19th century. You can browse through Romanian and foreign-language books here and even go to the cafeteria on the top floor to start reading your newly purchased book right away.
Whether you come here solely to look at the beautiful interior or to have a chat in the cafeteria with friends, Cărturești Carusel is a must in Bucharest.
Have you ever been to Bucharest? What did you think?
2 Comments
Liz
June 10, 2019 at 3:49 amThese sound like great suggestions. I love the idea of visiting the museum to see the culture of the whole country. Sounds like a fun time!
Nina | Lemons and Luggage
June 10, 2019 at 9:55 pmThank you for the comment, Liz! Yes, the museum was so cool!