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Bucharest City Break

The Perfect Bucharest City Break – Things to do, Costs & Tips

Are you considering a Bucharest city break but you’re possibly on the fence? Are you wondering if there are fun things to do in Bucharest? Is the food good? Where is best to stay? We can confirm, after reading this guide you will no longer be on the fence and will be snapping up flights fast.

Simply because, how often have you set foot in a city and had your socks blown off? It doesn’t happen often. Possibly our wee trainer socks aren’t pulled up too high and are quite easy to blow off, or possibly it’s because our Bucharest city break was nothing like we expected. From the insane (we’re talking 1,100 rooms – 3,930,000 sq. ft insane) sized Palace of Parliament which left us speechless, to some of the coolest bars we’ve ever set foot in and Europe’s largest thermal spa – it’s safe to say we had a memorable trip.

Best of all, as we wereΒ backpacking Europe on a budget, Bucharest ticked all the boxes – funky accommodation, cheap but delicious food and pints for less than Β£2! After reading this city guide and noting down all the fun things to do in Bucharest, hopefully you’ll be inspired to visit the Romanian capital too.Β 

Street Art Of Woman In Bucharest

HOW MUCH DOES A BUCHAREST CITY BREAK COST?

As mentioned, one of the best things about a Bucharest city break is that it is one of the most affordable cities in Europe. We travelled to Bucharest in November, afterΒ one day in CologneΒ we flew to Bucharest forΒ Β£45Β (each.)

As a sneaky money saving tip, you can take the airport bus (line 783, more info here) into Bucharest for onlyΒ Β£2! However note, traffic is crazy busy, particularly during rush hour. We heard of other travellers missing their flight as the journey took over 2 hours by bus due to traffic. Instead, we used Uber as it was only Β£5 and took just 25 minutes giving us a head start on squeezing in the many Bucharest attractions. Feel free to use our Uber code, for an even cheaper trip.

Our budget for our Bucharest city break wasΒ Β£93Β per day for both of us, which is 100% doable. However, yet again, we heard the word spa and said β€œshut up and take our money” so actual spend on average wasΒ Β£122 per day for both of us. This included transport, accommodation, food, alcohol and activities, which overall is very affordable.

If like us, you enjoy a nose at the numbers, we recommend reading our budget guide to Europe. It covers exactly what we spent during our 3 months in Europe as we explored over 15 cities in 12 countries. It is perfect for other travellers who wonder how much backpacking Europe costs and even includes a free budget tracker which you can download to keep an eye on costs.

Travel

Budget: Β£90.00
Actual: Β£89.54

Accommodation

Budget: Β£70.00
Actual: Β£67.00

Food, Drinks & Activities

Budget: Β£120.00
Actual:
Β£210.24

Avg. Cost / Day: Β£122.26

WHERE TO STAY IN BUCHAREST

If planning a Bucharest city break on a budget, we cannot recommend theΒ Bucharest ApartmentsΒ enough. Amazingly, they were onlyΒ Β£22.33Β per night (for both of us) and we cannot fault them.

The apartment was one of our favourites – a super cosy studio with a bedroom come dining/kitchen and bathroom. Also, a very lovely host checked us in and was super quick at replying to any questions we had. Maybe worth mentioning for all ya’ll millennial sorts, just how amazing WiFi is, as Bucharest boasts the best in Europe.

Not that we recommend spending your entire Bucharest city break in your apartment but with accommodation this funky (and wifi this good) it was a tad difficult to leave our cosy room and go out to explore.

Bucharest Apartments

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WHERE TO EAT IN BUCHAREST

Hug Cafe

On your Bucharest city break, a funky little cafe definitely worth the mention isΒ Hug Cafe. Initially pulled in by the decor, we enjoyed the cosy atmosphere, friendly staff and delicious food. Laughably we had croque monsieur which obviously isn’t a traditional Romanian dish but I even photographed it, it was that good.

Whether you’re after a funky brunch spot or an evening burger and beer, Hug Cafe ticks all the boxes and will guarantee to please with their friendly, fast service and unforgettable food.

Palmiye Bucharest

It’s no secret our coffee & cake addiction fuels our travels, so when we find a good cake spot, we shout about it from the rooftops.

Now although I’ve fancied seeing my name in lights, seeing the word CAKE in lights is even better. MakingΒ PalmiyeΒ in Old Town unmissable as the sign will definitely grab your attention and prove to be one of the best places to visit in Bucharest for an afternoon pick me up. The very friendly and ridiculously patient waitress laughed at our kid-in-candy-shop reactions as we oohed and aaahed at the amazing cake selection.

I settled for a predictable pink cupcake that looked shat out by a unicorn, whilst Daz opted for a very classy chocolate pud like the elegant gentleman he is (LOL). The pastel interior is every Insta addicts dream and the coffee was perfect. To be honest, we were a tad gutted we discovered it our last afternoon of our Bucharest city break as we would’ve returned again and again.

Oh and did we mention 2 cakes, 2 coffees wereΒ 46 LeiΒ soΒ Β£8 – incase you needed any more reason to visit?!

BEST BARS FOR YOUR BUCHAREST CITY BREAK

One of the best things to do in Bucharest is…party! The nightlife here is renowned throughout Europe, with the Old Town’s bars buzzing with stag parties, backpackers, dates and live music. If you’re the hipster sort or just enjoy a pint not in a pub then Bucharest offers some of the most unique bars we’ve came across so far. The Old Town, (Lipscani) is one of the best places to visit in Bucharest for an epic night out and these are the bars we recommend.

The Drunken Lords

We foundΒ The Drunken Lords by accident wandering down the passageway that connects Strada Lipscani with Strada Blanari and instantly fell in love with the quirky decor (if like us, you’re a sucker for velvet teal chairs & antique covered walls, you will too). The staff were friendly and prices very reasonable. Although during our visit (a Tuesday in November)Β  there were just a handful of other visitors, we can imagine this place being one of the most popular places to visit in Bucharest for a beer and a boogie.

Joben Bistro

Joben BistroΒ was a bar we’ll never forget. The decor & staff were steam punk on steroids – walls an eclectic mix of metal & machine with bearded staff in top hats. Although we were mesmerised by the dΓ©cor, the staff did seem a little disinterested, which could possibly go with the β€œtoo cool for school” theme, or they could just be fed up of insta addicts like us snapping every inch of the place. We had a bottle of wine which came with an ice bucket but no service with a smile.

A similar steam punk bar, that we’d been recommended wasΒ DISTRIKT 42Β although we didn’t have the time (or wine budget left) to squeeze it in during our Bucharest city break, but let us know in the comments if you do!

BEST THINGS TO DO IN BUCHAREST

We mentioned earlier how surprised we were by this city and this list of Bucharest attractions definitely plays a part in that. However, although we have recommended these as the best things to do in Bucharest, our biggest recommendation is simply getting lost in the cobbled streets and discovering your own wee surprises – whether its art, food, music or friendly locals, there is endless fun to be had that you won’t find from the guidebooks.

Therme Bucuresti

You may or may not be aware of our flashpacker ways by now, but as much as we budget and are savvy with our spending we have the odd (daily) YOLO moment. Particularly if alcohol is involved. Our YOLO moment was Therme Bucuresti.

ItΒ was like no other β€œspa” we had been to before, and we have attended quite a fewΒ spas in Europe. Hands down it is one of if not THE best things to do in Bucharest and we’d book flights to return for this alone.

Therme Bucuresti Tickets

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Firstly, it was enormous – at 30,000 sq. m, it hosts 8 pools and is divided into 3 areas:

  • The PalmΒ earns its name from the 500 palm trees that fill it, which is for relaxation including heated beds and therapeutic pools each with different minerals to benefit your skin and wellbeing.
  • The ElysiumΒ area hosts 6 themed saunas, from Nordic style where you enter sub-zero temperatures naked to an amazing cinema sauna that played David Attenborough wildlife documentaries on a cinema screen as you sat and baked in the heat.
  • The GalaxyΒ area is the entertainment area aimed at children, with flumes and a wave pool.

The best part? (apart from David Attenborough obviously) was the pools were both inside & out. Allowing you to sip on a prosecco cocktail in a 33 degree thermal pool under the night stars. Our Bucharest city break suddenly turned into honeymoon worthy.

Instead of cash payment, all visitors were given electronic bracelets which you simply β€œbeeped” the same way you’d use contactless. Dangerous when pints are onlyΒ Β£2 eachΒ (give or take exchange rate.)

Note:Β Children (under 16) are only allowed in the Galaxy area, full day child’s ticket isΒ 50 Lei. Over 16s have access to all areas and a full day ticket (which we purchased and managed to stay from 1pm until 8pm before eventually shrivelling up) wasΒ 96 Lei, soΒ Β£18.

There is the option for 3 hour tickets and tickets for only certain areas. We advise timing it later in the afternoon to watch the sunset then enjoy the spa all lit up in the evening. Hands down, this was one of, if not the highlight of our Bucharest city break – and possibly our entire Europe trip.

Bucharest Street Art

If searching for unusual things to do in Bucharest, the street art scene needs to be top of your list. Bucharest boasted some amazing street art, which we discovered through a very helpful map (here) that is definitely worth downloading or bookmarking.

Even if you are not the street arty type, we found the architecture along this route so interesting juxtaposed with the murals that there is something worth seeing for all ages and tastes. Failing that, they’re just seriously funky backdrops for your next profile pic.

As we were a little short on time (we blame the entire day spent in a spa) we regret not booking an alternative walking tour. Not only does it include an exclusive look inside buildings decorated by local artists but a guided tour of the city’s most colourful streets and the chance to learn about the cool social projects influencing the future of Bucharest’s street art scene. We’ve heard over and over a street art tour is one of the best things to do in Bucharest so if you have the time its definitely worth booking with a local guide.

Bucharest Alternative Walking Tour

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The Palace of Parliament

It will take you all of five minutes to spotΒ The Palace of the ParliamentΒ (not only because it is it is also the second-biggest administrative building in the world, after the Pentagon but it’s even visible from space) so yeah, hard to miss.

It is also the heaviest building in the world, weighing in at 4,098,500,000 kilograms – don’t as us how to weigh a building, we’re just here to tell you why its one of the best places to visit in Bucharest:

1.Β Firstly, it took 400 architects to construct, led by A 28 YEAR OLD WOMAN #girlpower.

2.Β There are secret tunnels underneath designed byΒ Nicolae CeausescuΒ so he could travel to the airport during a revolution. Although he never used them, Top Gear did and filmed an episode here.

3. Finally, if you’re looking for unusual things to do in Bucharest, did you know you can have a drink on top of The Palace of the Parliament? The National Museum of Modern Art (MNAC) owns a wing of the building, where on top they have a huge terrace. So, if you fancy yourself some dictator vibes, then what better way than admiring your kingdom, drink in hand from on top of one of the most controversial buildings on the planet.

Bucharest Parliament Building

Umbrella Street

No Bucharest city break would be complete without a pic or two here. It’s probably the most snapped street in the entire city and one of the most popular places to visit in Bucharest yet it still took us approx. 3 attempts and 2 toilet stops to find.

Known as the street of umbrellas, you will find it between Calea Victoriei and Academiei street under the name β€œPasajul Victoria”. Even though Darren was dragged along due to my dedication to the gram he still found it pretty impressive, and we fully understand why it’s one of the top rated Bucharest attractions.

Carturesti Carusel

It’s likely you have already seen this beautiful book shop all over Instagram as it’s unique interiors make it a millennial favourite and a stop we highly recommend during your Bucharest city break.

It translates to “Carousel of Light” and after exploring the six floors and over 10,000 books you will definitely leave enlightened from this epic Bucharest attraction.

As a tip, Carturesti Carusel is one of the most popular places to visit in Bucharest (the joys of the ‘gram) so ideally visit early in the day and on a weekday if possible to avoid crowds and enjoy a peaceful reading nook.

Carusti Carusel In Bucharest

Caruta Cu Paiate

If you’re a fan of the arty farty stuff then a Bucharest city break will offer many photo opportunities and surprising finds round every corner. A favourite of those surprises was the Caruta cu paiate sculpture. Just head for Bucharest InterContinental Hotel and you can’t miss it.

Unveiled in 2010, it was created by sculptor Ioan Bolborea in honour of the country’s favourite playwright, Ion Luca Caragiale, featuring characters fromΒ Caragiale’s plays. To be honest, we were clueless of who and what it represented, it reminded us ofΒ Quentin BlakeΒ illustrations (who illustrated the works of Roald Dahl) so we took a photo or two and thought it was worth a wee mention as an unusual things to do in Bucharest.

Bucharest Statues

DAY TRIPS FROM BUCHAREST

There are so many amazing day trips from Bucharest, we really wished we had longer to explore. If you fancy extending your Bucharest city break, or you have some time on your hands we have summarised the best and most affordable day trips below.

Transylvania and Dracula’s Castle Day Trip

Probably the most famous day trip from Bucharest, exploring the most important castles in Romania on a 12-hour tour of Peles Castle and Bran Castle. Tour the historical heart of Transylvania at Brasov and learn all about the Romanian legend, Vlad the Impaler. Includes transport to and from Bucharest, tour guide and entry fees. This day trip from Bucharest sells out quick so book here for a bargain price!

Day Trip from Bucharest to Bulgaria

Fancy lunch in an entirely different country? Visit the stunning Veliko Tarnovo, the medieval capital of Bulgaria on this day trip from Bucharest. The tour also includes visits to the St. Dimitrie Basarabov Monastery, the only monastery in Bulgaria carved into a cliff that’s still inhabited today and Arbanasi village.Β Book here.

Slanic Salt Mines and Wine Tasting Tour

We were blown away during ourΒ 3 days in Krakow by the Wieliczka salt mine but later discovered the largest in Europe are actually in Romania! After wandering the insanely huge salt mine chambers (an astonishing 208 metres underground) this day trip from Bucharest ends with a tour of a local vineyard and wine tasting from the cellars. It even includes a traditional 3 course Romanian lunch and a stunning drive through Carpathian Mountains. Book this unforgettable day trip from BucharestΒ here.

Hopefully after reading this post you are now feeling inspired to get planning your own Bucharest city break. There are so many places to visit in Bucharest that we sadly couldn’t squeeze in everything to our short visit, so let us know in the comments if we’ve missed any hidden gems from this guide.Β 

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faramagan

When Darren the WordPress wizard & excel enthusiast met Lauren the storyteller and wannabe wanderluster, a grand adventure was bound to happen. Through Faramagan they document their tales (and fails) with a refreshing and unfiltered approach. By avoiding adulthood one adventure at a time, they hope to inspire others to do the same.

This Post Has 41 Comments

  1. Ashley

    I’m definitely adding this to my bucket list now! So many amazin things to do.

    1. faramagan

      Cannot recommend it enough! Especially the spa, it’s going to be a tough one to beat!!

  2. Nailah

    I love your writing style. You had me laughing by “Shut up and take our money”. Great guide … I’m definitely interested in visiting Bucharest now.

    1. faramagan

      Thank you!! Although I love travelling I hate researching, so try make guides valuable but also entertaining to read…too much seriousness on the internet these days!

  3. Caroline

    Ohhh this is so comprehensive! Thanks – I’m planning on going later this year so will def reference this. The apartment looks like an absolute BARGAIN! πŸ™‚

    1. faramagan

      Bucharest is bargain central (Β£2 beers – hello!!) but the hosts of the apartment were so so nice and we could walk everywhere from our apartment so couldn’t ask for better!

  4. Gemma Laing

    This is so great! I’ve never really considered Bucharest but it’s going on my list now!

    1. faramagan

      I think you can tell our enthusiasm, cannot recommend it enough!!

  5. Lucile

    Your article is so detailed, it’s awesome! No need to buy a guide, we just write your infos down!!

  6. tanya

    Absolutely brilliant post, Love the ones which are not just about tourist sites but the important things like eating and drinking.

    1. faramagan

      Thank you! Typical Scottish, always need to include the best places for a drink ha!

  7. Vrushali

    This is a brilliantly written guide. Specially appreciate the fact that you have mentioned the prices. People like me who come from third world nations with a weaker currency are always worried about costs!

    1. faramagan

      I feel cost is such a vital factor when planning a trip! As backpackers, budget is everything. There is nothing worse arriving somewhere and realising you cannot afford to see/do everything you wanted.

  8. Hilary

    I’ve never even thought of going to Bucharest before! But what a terrific guide. I love the photo op spots you mentioned and I’m a huge CAKE fan, too!

    1. faramagan

      Cake is the first thing I hunt down when I arrive in a new city so you’ll definitely enjoy our posts ha!

  9. Greta

    I need to go to that spa! I didn’t make it there last time I was in Bucharest, guess I’ll just have to head back! haha

    1. faramagan

      You so do!! I think you can tell we thought it was incredible!

  10. Lindsay

    I went to Bucharest in November on a VERY short trip with a few friends – I absolutely loved it! Such a wonderful, affordable city. I didn’t make it to Thermae last time, but really really hope to hit it up next time. Such a great guide will check out Hug Cafe on my next trip!

    1. faramagan

      It was November when we went, perfect weekend away in Winter! I think its often overlooked so glad you enjoyed it too!

  11. Mary

    That studio looks very comfy and a cute place to stay! What a cool place to visit ❀️

    1. faramagan

      It was the perfect studio…felt like absolute luxury compared to a few of the places we’d stayed in on our Europe backpack trip haha!

  12. Kylie

    Wow, I never realised Bucharest had all these awesome things! Your post makes me want to visit so bad now! Great photos!

    1. faramagan

      Thank you, appreciate your kind words – let us know if you make it!

  13. I’m not a hipster but I think I too would love Bucharest. I visited once, for 24 hours or so, in the late 1980s, but I don’t remember much other than finding the architecture beautiful. I’d love to go now and experience that same architecture but with the addition of modern art, and great restaurants and cafes!

    1. faramagan

      We were actually told they created their own “old town” and purposely filled this area with cafes, hipster hot spots etc on purpose to attract tourists – looks like it’s working! One of the liveliest, prettiest cities we’ve been in!

  14. Lana @ TravelSavvyGal

    I’m not a hipster, but I loved the weekend I spent in Bucharest and you definitely captured the highlights! Will have to hit up the Therme on my next trip πŸ˜‰

    1. faramagan

      We’re not hipsters either (definitely not cool enough haha!) Therme is like no other, definitely recommend!

  15. Kate Elizabeth Korte

    Galaxy looks so cool ! Would love to visit Bucharest when I go to Eastern Europe – pinned your awesome guide for later xx

  16. Ana @ Jaunting Trips

    I am so thrilled when people discover Bucharest, you have no idea. I am happy you enjoyed it, maybe come and check the rest of our beautiful country πŸ˜‰

    1. faramagan

      Aww that’s lovely to hear! I would so so love to return!

  17. Jacky

    I visited Bucharest a couple of years of ago and really liked it πŸ™‚ It’s a crazy mix of Austro-Hungarian and Soviet influences. Would really like to go back and explore a little more.

    1. faramagan

      I love revisiting cities a second,third,fourth time round – always something new to experience and always discovering new recommendations!

  18. Rohan

    This guide is so well laid out and has great information! Bucharest looks amazing, it’s definitely ‘bucketlistable’! Thanks for the detailed info πŸ™‚

  19. Katherine

    Street art and cafes, a few of my favorite things! My travels often revolve around cafes (and coffee!) too πŸ™‚ Pinning this for if I ever get to visit! πŸ™‚

  20. Taru

    This is such a good & complete guide to Bucharest! I’ve visited once but it was 10 years ago so I think it’s soon time to visit again!

  21. Ainsley Duyvestyn

    Yes, awesome post! Bucharest was a fun city and so cheap! It looks like you found some really cool, different things to do too!

  22. Delphine

    Umbrella street is so cool! thank you for a great post!

  23. Shing

    A fabulous guide of Bucharest! It’s a city I’ve not managed to get myself to despite having it on my agenda for quite a while. When I finally make it, I’ll be referring back to the things you’ve covered in this blog!

    1. faramagan

      I’m sure you will love it if you go!

  24. Anita

    As I have a trip to Romania in April this post is very helpful especially about accommodation and best photo spots. I will use your advice when visiting. Thanks for sharing!

  25. MrsHDR

    I have been 50/50 about Bucharest next spring…its happening now! πŸ˜€

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