Bucharest, Romania, is a bustling city with a rich history. It has hosted many important people and events over the years, and it is full of culture and beautiful sights. If you’re looking to visit Bucharest for your next vacation, keep reading to see reasons why you should!
History
In 1459, Bucharest was first mentioned in writing by Vlad the Impaler, who was a prince. Bucharest developed rapidly because of its location on the commercial road that once linked Central Europe and the Ottoman Empire. It became the capital of Southern Romania several hundred years later, which was a separate historical province until 1859, when it united with Moldavia. This created the United Principalities, a state entity that became Romania under the reign of King Carol the 1st.
King Carol the 1st modernized Bucharest with the help of the political elites. Almost all of the monumental sites in Bucharest were built during this time.
The capital ultimately reached its glory between the two World Wars, when it was known as the ‘Little Paris’ for its rich architecture and the use of the French language by elites.
There are so many great reasons to visit Bucharest, and it can be hard to narrow down the best. Here are our top three reasons to visit.
Many Places to See
Bucharest is filled with hundreds of beautiful and historical sights to see, the most popular being:
Dimitrie Gusti National Village Museum
The west side of Herăstrău Park is a massive outdoor museum with more than 270 authentic historic buildings. The buildings are all made from stone, wood, or cob (which is clay and straw). They have been dismantled and put back together at this site, and they come from all corners of the country.
The museum was established in 1936, and its oldest structures date from the 18th century.
Parliamentary Palace
Stretching 365,000 square meters, the Parliamentary Palace hosts Romania’s Parliament and is the largest administrative building in the world. It contains many reception halls, museums, and government offices, and a large portion of the Palace remains empty and unused.
Herăstrău Park
The largest park in Bucharest borders the city to the north, and much of its area is taken up by the 74-hectare Herăstrău Lake, a large body of water that is partly man-made. It was formed when the riverside marshes were drained in the 1930s.
Romanian Athenaeum
Wrapped in gardens, this majestic structure was constructed in 1888 and given a thorough restoration in 1992. Under a lavish dome embellished with gilded stucco work, the circular concert hall seats more than 650 and has an epic fresco on its frieze that depicts the most pivotal events in Romanian history.
Cultural Scene
There is also a ton of culture to experience in the beautiful city of Bucharest.
Contemporary Art in Ceauşescu’s Corridors
Located in the Palace of the Parliament, this museum hosts temporary exhibits and displays some of Romania’s finest artists.
The Romanian Peasant Museum
This museum contains roughly 90,000 objects that tell engaging stories, bringing patrimony, history, and humanity alive. It displays everyday items that the country’s peasants used and continue to use, as well as ceramics, folk costumes, furniture, and artifacts.
There are many cultural manifestations in Bucharest: you can experience films, festivals, literature, music, visual arts, and conferences. No matter what you are looking for, it can all be found here.
Vibrant Nightlife
Bucharest also has a collection of bars and nightclubs to spend the evenings in.
The Urbanist
In the old center of Bucharest, the Urbanist is a versatile bar where you can enjoy a large selection of beer, cocktails, and other non-alcoholic refreshments. The Urbanist also offers you a variety of coffee and tea blends.
Funnily enough, you can also get a tattoo, a haircut, or both in this multi-purpose bar, and it even has merchandise so you can buy new clothes for yourself or your loved ones. The bar also hosts live DJ parties every weekend for the local patrons and tourists.
The Beer Institute
If you are an avid fan of craft beer, this is the perfect drinking destination for you! This beer bar offers more than 150 different types of local craft beer for you to enjoy, and you can also choose from over 30 other beer brands. You can sit back and enjoy beers that taste and smell different from the local ones.
Kristal Glam Club
One of the higher-rated nightclubs in Romania, the Kristal Glam Club is a place where you can enjoy some of the best nights of your life. It has some of the best electronic music, along with a world-class sound and light system.
Control Club
The Control Club is a popular nightclub in Bucharest that is a hotspot for indie music and EDM lovers. It initially gained popularity because of the live indie music performances it showcases, but over the years, the club became a hub for people who love electronic music.
No matter why you choose to visit Bucharest, Romania, you’ll have a blast no matter what you do! You can immerse yourself in its rich culture, enjoy its vibrant nightlife, and even live like Gatsby!
