Large
avenues, baroque architecture, an imposing arch of triumph. Although these
three things characterize Bucharest so strongly that the connection to Paris is
inevitable, the truth is that with a closer look you will
understand that the differences between Bucharest and Paris are so intense that
they make their similarities look like illusion.
Bucharest
left me with the feeling that despite all the efforts made by the city to
evolve and come closer to the other Western capitals, it does not and probably
does not want to get rid of its Communist past, which still haunts it.
On the
other hand, this strange alloy of communism and capitalism, the history and the
liveliness of this city are quite good reasons themselves to visit Bucharest.
The Palace of Parliament
The Palace
of Parliament (Palatul Parlamentului) is the strongest seal that Communism and
Ceausescu left in Bucharest. This is one of those ugly but notable attractions
that create a variety of thoughts and feelings to the visitor. The Palace of Parliament is the
second largest public administration building in the world after the US
Pentagon, with 1100 rooms and 8 underground levels, the last of which is linked
to 20 kms of catacombs with other government buildings in the city, as Ceausescu
was afraid of a nuclear war. To visit the Palace of Parliament, you need to
have a passport or ID with you and also to book a tour through the official website.
Romanian Athenaeum
If I had to
choose the most beautiful building in Bucharest, it would be without a second
thought the Romanian Athenaeum. Romanian Athenaeum is the city's Concert Hall,
and even if you are not a fan of this kind of music, you must visit it to
admire its impressive romantic neoclassical architecture, the beautiful garden and the amazing frescoes in the inside.
Old Town
The Old Town
of Bucharest is probably the newest old town in the world since it was created
just a few years ago due to the need of the locals to have a place in the city
center where they can meet each other and where many restaurants, cafes and
bars will be gathered. Beyond the ideal place to stay if you visit the city,
the Old Town is also an ideal place to walk around since it consists of
beautiful pedestrian streets full of shops. Also, many of the most important
sights of Bucharest, such as the National History Museum of Romania, the Macca
Villacrosse Passage, the Curtea Veche and the Church of St. Nicholas are
located in this area.
Stavropoleos Monastery
Stavropoleos
Monastery is also located in the Old Town of Bucharest, and in my opinion is
one of the most beautiful sights of the city. It is an Orthodox temple
dedicated to the Archangels Michael and Gabriel. The temple was built in 1742
under the rule of Nicholas Mavrokordatos but the biggest part of it was
destroyed by the earthquakes that followed in the following years. Today only
the main temple is preserved, next to which there is a beautiful small
courtyard and a 20th century building where a library and a collection of
pictures and frescoes that have survived from the past is housed.
Carturesti Carusel
It is
strange how a bookstore managed to become one of the city's most visited sights
in just a few years. In the heart of Bucharest's Old Town, Carturesti Carusel
welcomes a big number of visitors every day and the reason is very simple. It's
one of the most beautiful and photogenic bookstores in the world! In addition
to thousands of books, here you will find very nice souvenirs and a great bistro on the top floor.
Herăstrău Park
Herăstrău
Park is located in the northern part of the city, next to the arch of triumph
and is so big that you can spend a whole day there. The total area of Herăstrău
Park is 187 hectares, with the lake at its center covering almost half the
surface of the park. We visited it during Easter holidays, where dozens of stalls were
set up with local delicacies and various handmade items.
Rooftop Bars
One of the
things I enjoyed most in Bucharest is drinking my cocktail at the city's
rooftop bars while the sun goes down! In Bucharest's Old Town the majority of
the buildings are of exceptional architecture, which makes the view from above impressive. Pura Vida is a bar located on the top floor of the homonym hostel
and although you need to climb enough stairs to get there, view and cocktails
will compensate you. Linea Closer to the Moon is perhaps the most beautiful
place in the city to enjoy the sunset, as the top floor view is beautiful while
you can also enjoy your drink in an igloo.
Beyond the
sights and the beauties of the city there are also 3 other reasons why you
should visit Bucharest.
It's a great weekend gateway
Whether you
are looking for a destination to spemd the next 2 or 3 days, even if you are afraid of flights
and want to avoid long-haul flights, Bucharest is a destination that meets your
needs as the flight to the Romanian capital lasts less than two hours from the
majority of European cities!
It's cheap!
If you are
looking for a cheap destination, Bucharest again meets your needs. The local
currency is Leu, whose equivalent is 1euro = 4.62 leu. What does this mean in
practice? A double room in a hostel costs around 20 euros per night, while a
double room in a 4 star hotel costs about 60 euros. Air tickets to the capital of
Romania are also very cheap, as many low cost airlines fly to Otopeni airport!
Nightlife
If your
criterion for choosing your next destination is nightlife, Bucharest again
meets the requirements. Bucharest does not look like the other European
capitals that seem to be sleeping after 9 pm. Clubs with famous Djs from all
over the world, music scenes and bars in the heart of the Old Town are open
until the morning.
Since I
finished with what I think that makes Bucharest attractive to the visitor, now is time to tell you why the capital of Romania is on the list of cities I
would not like to visit again.
A city without identity
If I had to
describe Bucharest in one word it would be indifferent. You may are curious
about how I ended up to this. I'll explain right away. But before I do it, I
will tell you that I am sure that you may have already visited Bucharest and loved it
or heard the best about this city from your friends. My intention is not to prevent
someone from visiting it and to discover it on his own, I just feel that I have
to be honest with you.
For me
Bucharest is by far the most impersonal and indifferent city I have visited so
far. And now that I think about it, maybe that was what Ceausescu wanted to
achieve, so he succeeded! Bucharest is a city that despite its liveliness looks
dull and abandoned. Buildings of indescribable beauty that would be envied by
every capital of the world have been left to ruin. People who make good efforts to develop city
tourism and others who recall the past. A city that deep inside it has not
decided whether it hates or loves the Communist regime and as long as it does
not do it, there is no hope of creating its own strong identity.
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