Travel tips

This list shares some of my favorite spots—places I’ve personally visited and enjoyed. It’s straight to the point, with no fluff or over-the-top opinions. If you found this because I mentioned it, just let me know if you’d like more suggestions or tips for other categories.

Bucharest (Romania)

Know the tips & tricks

• Don’t carry too much cash. Most places take cards (Revolut works great).
• Skip street vendors. Shop at established stores with fair prices and receipts.
• You’ll find English speakers in central areas (like most spots on this list).
• Tipping isn’t required, but 10% is appreciated. Servers don’t earn much.
• Use Uber or Bolt for rides. For a cheaper option, take the metro, buses, or train (e.g., from the airport). Avoid taxis.
• Get data via Airalo or your carrier’s roaming plan. Airport SIM cards are overpriced.

Learn the Romanian history

• Palace of Parliament: Second-biggest building in the world which is the seat of government
• Museum of Communism: Exhibits about Romania’s communist era
• National History Museum: Artifacts from Romanian past
• Triumph Arch: Stone arch honouring Romanian heroes

See Romanian art

• National Museum of Contemporary Art: Contemporary art in old palace
• National Art Museum: Traditional Romanian and European paintings
• National Opera: Grand opera house with live performances

See Bucharest by foot

• Calea Victoriei: The most beautiful historical street, also hosting the CEC Palace and the Macca Villacrosse Passage
• Old Town: Historical centre full of old buildings, restaurants, coffee shops, bars, clubs
• Herăstrău: Biggest park in Bucharest, being centred around a lake
• Cișmigiu: Central mini-park
• Tineretului: Chill big park

Eat

• Stadio: A place with delicious and fresh modern and reinterpreted Romanian dishes (including their famous papanași)
• Curtea Berarilor: Huge central restaurant with Romanian dishes
• Caru' cu bere: Central restaurant with Romanian dishes, whose interior superb because of its wood panels and glass windows
• MOM: Delicious selection of dishes
• AveForchetta: Central Italian restaurant
• Jeonjuu Korean BBQ: Korean barbecue restaurant where you can practice with your friends your cooking skills

Drink

• Origo: The best coffee shop I found in Bucharest, with carefully chosen and locally roasted coffee beans
• Sloane: Nice coffee shop on Calea Victoriei
• STEAM Coffee Shop: Nice coffee shop close to the Herăstrău park
• Barton: Small bar with electronic music and delicious cocktails
• Linea: Beautiful rooftop bar with view of Central Bucharest and Dâmbovița, the river crossing Bucharest

Shop

Depending on where you’re coming from, you might find prices more favorable here.

• Cărturești Carousel: One of the most beautiful bookshops in Europe with a huge selection of titles
• AFI Cotroceni Mall
• Sun Plaza Mall
• Promenada Mall