What city is Bucharest confused with? Five commonly erroneous capitals. Buses and trolleybuses

Since ancient times, the land on which modern Bucharest is located has been covered with dense oak, beech and hornbeam forests, which later became known as the Wallachian codri. The first people appeared on this territory back in the Stone Age, and in the ancient period the Thracian-Phrygian tribes of the Dacians settled here, traces of whose settlements were discovered by archaeologists in the vicinity of the Romanian capital.

In various legends, the foundation of the city is disputed by several heroes: a shepherd named Bucur, the semi-mythical Radu Negru - the first prince of Wallachia, as well as a very real character - Mircea the Old, a Wallachian governor and ruler, who expelled the Turks from his country in the 14th century. In Romanian the city is called București, and its name resembles the word “buku-rie”, meaning joy.

The first written evidence that mentions the city of Bucharest under its current name dates back to 1459 and is a charter establishing the rights of the local aristocracy to land. Under the document is the signature of the stern ruler of Wallachia, Vlad the Impaler, whose name in popular culture is inextricably associated with Count Dracula, a character in legends and traditions skillfully synthesized in the world bestseller of the Irish writer Bram Stoker. From the historical document it follows that by this time Bucharest was already the residence of the legendary Wallachian ruler. It is also known that the city walls built under Vlad the Impaler in the 15th century are not the oldest in Bucharest, and his residence was built on the territory of a fortress built a century earlier.

During the reign of Prince Vlad the Impaler, Bucharest was not the capital of Wallachia, but it was a reliable outpost in the Lower Danube Lowland, protecting Wallachia and its capital Targovishte from the persistent encroachments of the Ottoman Turks. In the second half of the 15th century, Bucharest became known as an important economic and political center, and in fact was the second most important city in Wallachia.

In the 16th century, it found itself at the epicenter of dramatic historical events, turning into an arena of fierce battles with the Turkish conquerors. In 1595, ruler Mihai the Brave defeated the enemy, temporarily expelling the Ottomans from Wallachia, but, retreating, the Turks thoroughly ravaged and burned most of Bucharest. However, the city was quickly restored, and in 1659 it became the capital of Wallachia, which by that time had already finally fallen under the vassalage of the Ottoman Empire.

In the second half of the 17th century, Bucharest actively developed, trade and handicrafts flourished here, inns were built, the first printing house opened, and the central streets adjacent to the Princely Court were built up. In 1688, Constantin Brancoveanu, a brilliant statesman, erudite and innovator, ascended the throne. His reign was marked by the creation of a new style in Wallachian architecture, called the Brancoveanu style or Brancovean style. The works of architecture of that era are marked by the influence of both eastern architecture and the buildings of Northern Italy, and demonstrate the flowering of decorative forms. An ambitious and extremely wealthy ruler, gravitating toward a luxurious, brilliant lifestyle, built numerous residences in his vast country estates and in Bucharest itself, where at that time more than 50,000 citizens already lived, which he called not houses, but palaces, following the Western traditions. Under Brancoveanu, the central street of Bucharest, known today as Calea Victoria, was built, religious buildings were erected, the first hospital was opened, as well as the grand Academy at the Monastery of St. Sava, which was later transformed into the University of Bucharest.

By the middle of the 19th century, Bucharest acquired its original, unique appearance, demonstrating impressive contrasts. Brightly lit streets, elegant shops, palaces and respectable mansions coexisted here with gloomy dirty streets, real slums, where small artisans and workers lived, unaware of such benefits of civilization as sewerage and running water.

After the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-1878, the independence of the Romanian Principality was recognized at the Congress of Berlin, and Bucharest officially became the capital of this sovereign state. Twice, during the First and Second World Wars, the city was occupied by the Germans; during the last war, it was repeatedly subjected to destructive bombing by the allies of the anti-Hitler coalition, since Romania fought on the side of Germany.

From 1947 to 1989, Bucharest was the main city of the Romanian People's Republic, later of the Socialist Republic of Romania. Today Bucharest is the capital of Romania.

Population

Bucharest is one of the most populous cities in Eastern Europe. A tenth of the population of Romania lives here, and today the number of capital residents has already exceeded 2,400,000 people. More than 97% of local citizens are Romanian by nationality. The second largest population group is the Roma (1.5%), less than 1% are Hungarians, Jews, Bulgarians, Germans, Poles, Albanians, and Chinese.

About 96% of Bucharest residents profess the Orthodox religion, 1.2% are adherents of the Roman rite, 0.5% are Muslims, 0.4% are Greek Catholics.

Currency

The monetary unit of Romania is the Romanian leu (RON), equal to 100 bans. Banknotes are issued in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 200, 500 RON, coins - 1, 5, 10, 50 bans.

If you have euros or dollars with you, you can exchange them at one of the banks or exchange offices (casa de schimb) in Bucharest. Give preference to exchange offices that are located in hotels, large supermarkets, as well as at the airport and train station. It is recommended to exchange large amounts only in banks, and you will most likely be asked to present your passport. Receipts issued by banks and exchange offices should be kept until the last day of your stay in the country.

Credit cards from major payment systems are accepted in all major hotels, supermarkets and restaurants in Bucharest.

Safety

In the 90s of the last century, at the junction of the eras of collapsing socialism and nascent capitalism, Bucharest earned a poor reputation. Even today, despite the fact that Romania is a member of the European Union, many Europeans consider its capital a dirty and unsafe city. This attitude is well demonstrated in an anecdote in which a Frenchman responds to a comparison of Bucharest with little Paris with the words: “Thank God that Paris is not big Bucharest.” However, if we talk about the historical center and business districts, the capital of Romania is a fairly calm place; you can feel safe in the Old Town even at night.

But the outskirts of Bucharest, especially the Ferentari district, where mainly gypsies live, who are credited with close ties to crime, are indeed not the most suitable place for walking.

In Bucharest, as in any other major city, tourists should be wary of thieves. They mainly operate in transport, usually during rush hours, on the open terraces of restaurants and cafes.

Under no circumstances use the services of street currency exchangers - these are mostly scammers.

Geography and climate

Bucharest is located in the southeastern part of Romania in the center of the Romanian Plain, which lies between the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains and the Danube. It is generally accepted that the city, like Rome, was built on seven hills: Mihai Voda, Patriarchia, Radu Voda, Cotroceni, Spireus, Vacaresti, St. George. Today the capital covers an area of ​​about 228 km², which corresponds to approximately a tenth of the entire territory of the country.

From northwest to southeast, Bucharest is crossed by the Dambovita River, a tributary of the Danube, which carries its waters to the Black Sea 45 km from the Romanian capital. For several centuries, Dambovita was the main source of drinking water in Bucharest, but was often threatened by floods. Even at the beginning of the 18th century, its waters were called clean and sweet. Over time, it lost its enviable qualities, but still periodically flooded city streets. In 1986, to protect against floods, a dam was built on the river and an artificial lake was created, Moria, which is the largest in Bucharest. It is located 6 km from the center of the capital and covers an area of ​​about 246 hectares. In its northern part is the island of Lakul Moria. Volunteers planted hundreds of trees here in 2011, and today the island is a popular recreation area.

The meanders of Dymbovitsa formed a whole chain of picturesque lakes in the northeast of the city. The largest of them are lakes Floraska, Tei, and Herestrau. In the very center, surrounded by gardens and parks, is the artificial lake Cismigiu. This corner is one of the most charming in the city.

Bucharest, bordered by a necklace of lakes and adjacent forest, seems to grow out of this landscape, and the change of seasons does little to change the colorful appearance of the city. In spring and summer, as well as in early spring, its parks, flowering gardens, boulevards, and front gardens of houses look extremely attractive, and it is no coincidence that the period from May to September is considered the best time to visit the Romanian capital.

Bucharest has a temperate continental climate with fairly mild winters and hot summers. The coldest month is January (average daily temperature -2.9 °C), the warmest is July (+22.8 °C).

Spring in Bucharest comes into full force in April - this is when flowering begins and the weather becomes extremely comfortable for walking. In May the air warms up to +20...+22 °C, but it often rains this month.

June can also be rainy, but in July-August the weather is usually dry and hot. During the day the air temperature can reach +35 °C.

September in Bucharest is sunny and warm (+24 °C). By mid-October the weather begins to deteriorate, the sky becomes cloudy and gray, and it often rains. In November, daytime temperatures drop to an average of +10 °C, and the amount of precipitation increases.

Winters in Bucharest are usually snowy, but the temperature only drops below 0°C only slightly. Bitter frosts are rare here.

Architecture and city districts

Several centuries ago, Bucharest occupied a relatively small area on the left bank of the Dambovita River. Today this area is called the Old Town, but this definition does not mean that ancient buildings predominate here. Actually, the architectural appearance of the historical district, as well as the entire Romanian capital, is distinguished by eclecticism and contrasts.

Almost until the mid-twentieth century, the architecture of Bucharest was dominated by French classic motifs, which is why it began to be called the little Paris of the East. Wide boulevards, as well as the most spectacular palaces and villas of the capital, are the creations of French and local architects who worked on the improvement of the city in the second half of the 19th century. The destruction brought by World War II, as well as the demolition of architectural monuments in the 60s and 70s, initiated by dictator Nicolae Ceausescu, destroyed part of the former beauty of the city. By order of the authoritarian ruler, many factories and industrial enterprises were built throughout the capital, including its center, and next to them - gloomy gray reinforced concrete box buildings for workers to live in.

Ceausescu's legacy - an architectural welter of magnificent pre-war buildings and socialist buildings - is a distinctive feature of modern Bucharest. Sometimes it’s even difficult to imagine that behind some clumsy, bulky building a real architectural masterpiece can be hidden: an ancient temple, a boyar’s mansion or a palace.

The development plan for the Romanian capital began to take shape in the 17th century. At that time, the center of Bucharest was the Princely Court, and streets radiated from it in a radial direction. Today the capital is divided into 6 administrative sectors, designed in the form of wedges, expanding as they move away from the historical center. They are numbered clockwise, starting from the first one, located in the north of the city. Each of the sectors is divided into quarters, the main ones of which are indicated in all city guides.

• Victoriei is the area around the square of the same name in the center of Bucharest. This is one of the busiest corners of the capital, where palaces, government buildings, museums, hotels, and elegant shops are located. The street of the same name, Victoriei, stretching for 3 km, is the main and most beautiful in the city.
• Lipscani is an old street and at the same time the name of the historical core of Bucharest. Today it is a fashionable area with numerous cafes, bars, shops, and one of the centers of nightlife.
• Baneasa is a fashionable area in the northern part of the city. There are luxury residences, large shopping centers, and modern hotels here.
• Dorobanti is another upscale area, home to many expensive restaurants, as well as a number of embassies housed in elegant mansions.
• Herastrau is the largest park in Bucharest, located in the northeast.
• Pipera is a quarter where the offices of multinational corporations are located, as well as luxury residential complexes.
• Cotroceni is an elegant area with beautiful villas and mansions. The Presidential Palace and Botanical Garden are located here.
• Tei is a residential area located near Lake Tei.
• Crangasi, Drumul, Taberei, Militari are residential areas built in the western part of Bucharest.
• The civic center is an area developed at the end of the last century in the south of the capital. Here is the gigantic Palace of Parliament and a number of government institutions.

The recognized tourist center of Bucharest is the Old Town with its famous squares, churches, narrow pedestrian streets of Stavropoleos, Lipscani, Blanar, which still preserve the atmosphere and flavor of ancient centuries. The northern districts of the Romanian capital with their wide boulevards surrounded by greenery are also popular among travelers. Here you will find famous lakes and parks, as well as spectacular estate quarters, where you can admire luxurious mansions and villas built in the 19th century.

Sights of Bucharest

The visiting card of Bucharest is the cyclopean building of the Palace of Parliament. This grandiose building, which causes controversial comments, began to be erected under Nicolae Ceausescu in the 80s of the last century. According to the dictator, it was supposed to become a symbol of the communist regime, but its construction served as one of the catalysts for the outbreak of popular anger that provoked the uprising in 1989.

Enormous amounts of money were spent on the construction and decoration of the interiors of the House of the Republic, as the palace was previously called. In addition, to implement this ambitious project, it was decided to demolish several ancient churches, architectural monuments, and residential buildings, which required the relocation of 40,000 citizens. Today, anyone, having paid from 25 to 45 RON, can go on a tour of the endless pompous mansions located on 12 above-ground and 8 underground floors. Tourists like to look at the luxurious halls with ceilings covered with gold leaf, decorated with marble, gilding, and stucco. In the Human Rights Hall, which occupies an area of ​​625 m², you can see a giant crystal chandelier weighing almost two tons, a pompous dining set that includes a huge oak round table and 60 oak chairs, and in the Union Hall, decorated with mirrors in marble frames, the imagination is amazing a colossal carpet weighing three tons.

The Palace of Parliament could house the residence of the Romanian Parliament itself, branches of several higher educational institutions, the Constitutional Court, museums, libraries, and restaurants. Traveling exhibitions and concerts are often held here.

The palaces of Bucharest, built in the 19th century, are very elegant and do not in any way resemble the aforementioned monstrous structure of the socialist era, which was included in the Guinness Book of Records due to its size. The extravagant but elegant Crezulescu Palace, for example, combines Baroque, Neo-Gothic, and French classicism in its architectural appearance. The Cantacuzino Palace, recognized as an architectural treasure and included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, is an example of French classics, which is complemented by neat inclusions of Art Nouveau and Rococo styles. The Cotroceni Palace, which is the residence of the President of Romania, was created in the Brancovean architectural style, which is characterized by openwork arches, light flying structures, a large amount of decor, and oriental elements. Most of Bucharest's palaces are open to the public, and many of them have museums.

Not far from the Palace of Parliament, practically hidden in the courtyards, is the beautiful and atmospheric active monastery of Antim, which is an excellent example of the use of decorative forms in architecture. Its facade is decorated with a portico with ten columns, which are distinguished by the richness of stone carvings. Window framing looks no less impressive. The monastery was founded by Metropolitan Antim Ivireanu, a major cultural figure of the late 17th - early 18th centuries.

In the center of Bucharest, some very remarkable churches from the 18th century have been preserved. Facing Victoria Street, in contrast to the new buildings, stands the Creculescu Church, erected in 1722 on the orders of Constantin Brancoveanu’s daughter, Safta Creculescu. The building is distinguished by the elegance of its forms and the skill of developing sculptural details.

One of the many churches erected under Constantin Brancoveanu is the Church of St. George, built on the foundations of an older temple from the 16th century, and therefore called the New Church. For a long time it was not known who was buried in one of the two burials located inside the shrine. Only in 1914 did scientists notice that some kind of inscription was woven into the purely ornamental pattern. It was possible to decipher it, and then it became known that under the marble slab lie the ashes of Constantin Brancoveanu himself: it turned out that his wife managed to take the remains of the ruler out of Istanbul, where he was executed.

Nearby is the Church of Stavropoleos - a true pearl of Romanian architecture of the 18th century. It was erected in 1724 by the will of the monk Ioaniky, who soon received the rank of Metropolitan of Stavropol. At the end of the 19th century, the church underwent restoration, which, however, hardly changed its appearance. The portico of the temple is supported by six columns of carved stone, and the facades are divided into two horizontal registers by garlands of flowers and leaves. The upper register is decorated with colored medallions. The church is harmonious in size and is distinguished by its amazing elegance of forms and precisely calibrated ratio of volumes.

Among the most interesting monuments of Bucharest is the Mihai Voda Church, located on the right bank of Dambovita. The temple was built back in the 15th century, and reconstructed in the 16th century under the ruler Michael the Brave. It is distinguished by its surprisingly slender silhouette and elegant decor created by alternating brick and plaster.

In the very heart of the capital of Romania is the university - an old educational institution that grew out of schools of the 17th-18th centuries. In the so-called Greek academies, teaching was conducted not in Romanian, but in Greek. At the beginning of the last century, several more were added to the main building. During one of the bombings in 1944, part of the old building suffered significant damage. After the war, restoration was carried out, but the original sculptural design of the majestic facade of the building was lost forever. Opposite the entrance to the university, monuments to outstanding figures of Romania were erected, which, in conjunction with the strict and majestic architecture of the building, form a single monumental ensemble.

Another attraction of Bucharest is the Roman Athenium concert hall, which resembles a temple in its appearance. It was built in the very center of the city in the late 80s of the last century according to the design of the famous architect Albert Galleron. Its magnificent appearance combines a Greek pediment, Ionic columns and a huge Byzantine-style dome, decorated with numerous decorative elements. The hall itself is luxuriously decorated with a huge fresco surrounding it, which depicts key events in Romanian history.

The Athenium is famous throughout Europe for its amazing acoustics and for the fact that the International Music Festival named after George Enescu, the founder of the modern Romanian school of composition, violinist and pianist, is held here every year. A symphony orchestra regularly performs here and chamber music concerts are held. Ticket prices range from 25 to 70 RON.

History buffs will be interested in visiting the open-air museum in the historical part of the city to explore the ancient princely courtyard of Curtea Veche. The remains of the residence of the first rulers of Wallachia, dating back to the 14th century, were discovered during archaeological excavations carried out in this part of Bucharest in the middle of the last century.

Museums

Curious tourists will be delighted by the number and variety of museums awaiting them in Bucharest. One of the most famous and visited is the National Museum of Art of Romania, located in the former residence of the Romanian kings - a majestic and beautiful palace built in 1812 in the neoclassical style. Its treasury contains more than 60 thousand exhibits - creations of Romanian and foreign artists and sculptors of different eras, among which there are masterpieces of the great masters of European painting.

The National Museum of Modern Art is located in the Palace of Parliament, occupying part of its western wing. Painting, sculpture, interesting installations, and video art are presented here. You can continue your acquaintance with fine art at the Museum of Art Collections, the Zambatsyan Museum, and the Theodore Pallady Museum.

Among the many historical museums, the most famous is the National Museum of Romanian History, housed within the walls of a luxurious neoclassical building, formerly known as the Postal Palace and then as the Central Post Office.

You can feel how reverently Romanians treat their culture and traditions at the National Museum of Romanian Peasants. In his collection you will see objects of folk arts and crafts, original utensils, furniture, and costumes. The basis of the exhibition of the Village Museum, spread out over a vast area in the open air, is also peasant themes. There is a whole collection of three hundred houses brought from different regions of Romania.

The cost of visiting museums in Bucharest is approximately the same - about 10 RON.

Gardens and parks

Bucharest is especially charming because of its landscaped gardens, blue lakes and parks. The largest of the parks, or rather, an entire park complex, is located south of the center of the capital. It was opened in 1906 and subsequently received the name of Freedom Park and Karol Park. The park area project was created by the French landscape architect Edouard Redon. The park is surrounded by greenery and is a great place for leisurely walks.

Not far from the city center, but already from the north, is the Cismigiu Garden. It is half the size of Freedom Park, but no less beautiful. Until the beginning of the 19th century, there was a swamp here, which was drained in the 30s by order of General Kiselev, the head of the Russian imperial administration in the Romanian principalities, who decided to develop a city garden in this place. The Cismigiu Garden first received guests in 1860. There are many picturesque corners here: lakes; fountains; a terrace of roses - red and white, tea and pink, filling the air on summer days with the finest aroma; The Roman Circle is a round alley where sculptures of outstanding Romanian poets and writers are located. In the garden it is pleasant to stroll along secluded paths, go on a boat trip on the lake, rollerblade, drink coffee and have a snack in one of the nice cafes or restaurants with an outdoor terrace.

Another magnificent park in the northern part of the capital, Herestrau, is located on the shores of the lake of the same name, favored by handsome black swans. This is where the ethnographic Village Museum is located. In addition, the garden has a summer theater, exhibition pavilions, and a boat station from which pleasure boats depart. Here, vacationers will find many open-air cafes and miniature restaurants, and in winter there is an ice skating rink.

Fans of an active lifestyle can have a pleasant time in Tineretului Park. There is one of the best jogging tracks in Bucharest, a playground with attractions for children, and you can rent a bicycle. Good children's playgrounds can also be found in Izvor Park, not far from the Palace of Parliament.

Near the Cotroceni Palace, on a hill, lies the Bucharest Botanical Garden, occupying an area of ​​about 17 hectares. More than 10,000 plants grow here, including rare ones and those that are on the verge of extinction. The garden is divided into zones with rose gardens, sectors with conifers, palm trees, orchids, magnolias, irises, and medicinal plants. A visit to the Botanical Garden will cost you a symbolic amount - 5 RON.

Shopping

The main shopping streets of Bucharest are Calea Victoria, Calea Mosilior, Calea Dorobants. Many shops are also located on the boulevards that cross Piazzale Roma. Here you can find an assortment of goods that can be found in any European capital, but at sales prices in Bucharest are much more attractive, and for a very reasonable price you can completely update your wardrobe.

To get a feel for the city and buy something authentic, go for a walk through its markets, they are located on Obor, Dorobantsilor, Amzey squares. The latter is where the main food market of the Romanian capital is located. Here, check out the cute Cat Work store, where you can buy original women's clothing and accessories, which are made in very limited quantities.

In the Old Town, in the Lipscani quarter, it is interesting to visit the glassblowing workshops. They are located opposite the National Bank. Traditionally, tourists buy Gale vases here with remarkable relief decoration, which are made in an ancient way. Another popular Romanian souvenir is local porcelain and elegant wicker baskets. There is an antique fair in the Old Town, where handmade artists sell cute jewelry, and you can also find antique items.

If you are interested in original embroidered homespun items made by Romanian craftswomen, dolls in folk costumes, traditional Romanian utensils, go to the National Museum of Romanian Peasants. In addition to these things, in the museum shop you can buy delicious souvenirs: Romanian wine, plum liqueur - tsuicu, Kashkaval cheese or a very spicy Burduf cheese that smells of pine needles. It is made from sheep's milk and aged in pine bark.

Cuisine of Bucharest

The capital's cuisine is not much different from Romanian cuisine in general. It is characterized by simple, but tasty and satisfying dishes, such as mamalyga - a thick porridge made from corn flour, which is served as a side dish for meat, chorba cream soup, miniature lamb or beef fried sausages mititei, shish kebab mich, and the dessert delicacy papanashi. This entire assortment can be found in the establishments of the La Mama restaurant chain scattered throughout the city. A hearty lunch here will cost approximately 25 RON.

One of the most popular restaurants among Bucharest guests is Cara cu Bere. It is located in the pedestrian area of ​​the Old Town, near the Stavrapoleos Monastery. The best dishes of Romanian cuisine are presented here at very reasonable prices, although they are higher than the city average - 45-60 RON per person. The restaurant boasts a 150-year history and authentic interiors. In the evenings, fiery folk music is played here and folk dances are performed. During the tourist season, reservations should be made in advance.

We recommend trying traditional delicacies at affordable prices (from 20 RON per person) in the Beraria Gambrinus and Clubul Taranului restaurants.

Bucharest has many cafes and restaurants serving Italian cuisine, where you can always treat yourself to pizza, pasta, ravioli, and risotto. Judging by the reviews of gourmet travelers, the best pizza in the city for just 5 RON is sold in the Latin Pizza restaurant, in the very center of Bucharest, near a copy of the Capitoline Wolf sculpture. It is always fresh, and its size is simply huge. French, Hungarian, Greek, Spanish, Mexican, Turkish, and Chinese cuisine are also popular in the city.

Bucharest's national fast food is represented by pretzels and donuts, which are called corigi and gogosi, respectively. They are prepared in mini-bakeries literally at every turn. Cost - from 1 to 5 RON depending on the filling. Those who want to treat themselves to a more satisfying fast food can check out one of the popular establishments that sell kebabs and falafel. One serving will cost approximately 6 RON.

Where to stay

In Bucharest, you can stay in a modern, comfortable hotel, or in a hotel whose appearance and interiors reveal its socialist origins. Accommodation prices in the capital of Romania largely depend on the distance of the hotel from the center. However, no matter how low the price, it is not advisable for tourists to stay far from the central areas - this is a matter of comfort and urban features of Bucharest, and besides, it is quite difficult for visitors to navigate there.

Preference should be given to areas located in the Old Town, as well as to the north of the center. On average, for a double room in a three-star hotel you will need to pay from 300 RON, in a four-star hotel - from 400 RON, in a five-star hotel - from 800 RON per day.

In Bucharest, there is the possibility of accommodation in boarding houses - family mini-hotels with all amenities and a welcoming, homely atmosphere.

You can stay in the vicinity of the capital by renting a guest house or apartment from 80 to 120 RON per person per day. You will need to pay approximately the same amount for accommodation in motels - they are equipped at the entrance to Bucharest. There are quite decent hostels in most areas of the Romanian capital. You can rent a private room by paying from 100 RON, a bed in a shared room will cost 8 RON.

Transport

The public transport system in Bucharest is well developed. Here you can travel on modern comfortable buses, trolleybuses, and trams. The cost of one trip is 1.30 RON, a daily pass will cost 8 RON, a weekly pass will cost 17 RON. The fine for traveling without a ticket is hefty - 50 RON. Ground transport operating hours are 05:00-23:00.

The capital's metro has three lines and operates from 05:00 to 23:30. To travel you will need magnetic cards; they can be purchased at the kiosks at the entrance. The cost of two trips is 4 RON, ten - 15 RON. It is convenient to buy a daily ticket with an unlimited number of trips for 6 RON.

During the warm season, it is quite convenient to get around Bucharest by bicycle. Many areas have excellent bicycle paths with fences, markings, and bicycle traffic lights. Bicycles can be rented in parking lots at the parks, the cost is 20 RON for 2 hours. Some hotels provide bicycles to guests free of charge.

Tariffs for state taxis in Bucharest are quite affordable - from 1.4 RON/km, all of them are equipped with meters, you can distinguish them by the “checkers” on the side door. Private taxis have the letters “P” and “RO” on their roofs. As a rule, they do not have meters installed, and you should agree on the price with the driver in advance. Depending on the time of day, the price can reach up to 3.5 RON/km.

To feel free to move around, you can rent a car. It is convenient to do this directly at the airport upon arrival or at the hotel. Offices of rental companies, international and local, also operate in the city center. Daily rental of an economy class car - from 45 RON, executive - from 100 RON.

It should be taken into account that traffic in Bucharest is quite intense, and the road infrastructure is not yet up to par. Parking may be difficult due to limited spaces, especially during high season. Cars here are often parked right on the sidewalks, lawns, and even on the far right lane of the road. Large, organized, guarded parking lots are, as a rule, only available at large hotels and shopping centers. Parking cost is 2-7 RON/hour. The parking lots are not equipped with parking machines, so you need to pay in cash with representatives of the service companies.

How to get there

16 km from Bucharest, in the suburb of Otopeni, is the international airport. Henri Coanda. It accepts flights from most countries in Europe and the Middle East. Direct communication between Moscow and Bucharest is carried out by two airlines: the domestic Aeroflot and the Romanian Tarom. Planes take off from Sheremetyevo airport. Flight time is about 3 hours, cost is 200-250 euros (with a return ticket). A flight with transfers will be cheaper, and there are many such options. The lowest prices are offered by Air Moldova (transfer in Chisinau), Pegasus and Turkish Airlines (transfer in Istanbul), Aegean (transfer in Athens).

There are no direct flights between St. Petersburg and Bucharest yet. You can fly to the capital of Romania from here with transfers in Vienna, Paris, Warsaw, Istanbul. The last option is the most attractive in terms of price – from 210 euros.

You can get from the airport to the center of Bucharest by bus, train or taxi. Bus number 780 (06:00-24:00) will take you to the main train station Cara de Nord, bus number 783 (24 hours a day) takes travelers directly to the city center - Uniria Square. The bus stop at the airport is located opposite the arrival terminal; tickets are also sold here, which need to be validated in the cabin. Their cost is 3.50 RON.

If you wish to travel from the airport to Bucharest by train, which may be advisable due to frequent traffic jams entering the city, use the free shuttle that will take you to the train station, which is 2 kilometers away. From there the train takes 40 minutes to Cara de Nord station. Ticket price is 6 RON.

Near the exit from the terminal there is a taxi rank - public and private. You can get from here to Uniria Square by paying from 30 to 80 RON. The price depends on the time of day and the status of the car company.

Getting from Moscow to Bucharest by train is long (about 2 days) and inconvenient, with a transfer in Chisinau. A bus trip through Chisinau will take the same amount of time.

And yet, no matter how many wonderful places there are in Romania, all roads here lead to Bucharest. Everyone remembers the funny story when Michael Jackson greeted the Romanians with the exclamation “Hello, Budapest,” but many of us, following him, confuse the names of these cities, and do not really imagine what kind of city Bucharest is.

This wonderful city was not chosen by chance as the capital of Romania. Having studied the history of just one city, you can understand at least in general terms the history of the entire country, the entire people. To begin with, the city was chosen as the residence of the greatest of the Romanians - Vlad Basarab III (Dracula - Tepes), and served as one of the main strongholds of the defense of Wallachia from the Turks. According to legend, Bucharest was founded by a shepherd named Bucur. Another, more plausible version claims that the city was founded by Mircea the Old in the 14th century after the victory over the Turks. It was this city that was hated the most and one day it was burned to the ground by the soldiers of the Ottoman Empire. After restoration, the city quickly grew and developed, and in 1698, Prince Constantin Brancoveanu moved the capital here. In 1859, Bucharest became the capital of the united Romania.

This is one of the few amazing cities that was freed from fascist invaders thanks to an internal uprising - August 23, 1944. And this is the city whose inhabitants desperately resisted and eventually overthrew the regime of Nicholas Ceausescu. When the latter destroyed the historical part of the city in order to erect his projects imposed by gigantomania, the residents of Bucharest managed to save some of the historical masterpieces. So they moved one of the ancient churches several hundred meters from the path of the so-called Romanian Champs Elysees and, thus, saved for posterity.

Bucharest enchants with its old town and delights with the majestic architecture of palaces and churches. But still, the ugly monument to tyranny - the Palace of Parliament - attracts most of all. How many thoughts and feelings visit a traveler looking at this creation of the twentieth century, from contempt to admiration for the selfless work of ordinary people, from surprise to horror, from regret to hope that this will never happen again. Erected by the tyrant, the gigantic administrative complex was designed to show the greatness of Ceausescu, and is capable of withstanding even a direct hit from a nuclear bomb (at least his bunker). Even the steps on the stairs were adjusted to the step size of his wife, Elena Ceausescu, and redone several times. Around the “palace” are the Romanian Champs Elysees, like in Paris, only larger (the habits of a giant maniac), on which members of the government were supposed to live and walk to work (apparently, the tyrant did not like being late). However, those who set their sights on greatness and have forgotten the lessons of history will be painfully disappointed: buildings now designed to instill fear and suppress with greatness can only cause a smile and bewilderment. However, millions of people come here, to one of the most controversial buildings in history, to see the stronghold and hope of the former regime with their own eyes. Today, tourists can even spend the night in the Palace of Parliament, and the administration occupies no more than 5% of its area.

Overall, Bucharest evoked positive emotions and gave moments of joy. A metropolis with an ancient history, the newest shopping centers 100 meters from the excavations of Dracula’s fortress, squares and boulevards, an intricate network of streets of the old city... you can walk in this city endlessly, and it beckons you to come back here again. And even farewell to the city turned out to be unforgettable for us: we drove past the triumphal arch (almost Parisian), waved to the Ukrainian embassy and laughed a lot, looking at the extraordinary sculpture in the form of a bright red foot near the journalists’ house. Bucurie is translated from Romanian as “joy”, which is why Bucharest is often called the “City of Joy”. And indeed it is. After my acquaintance with Bucharest, I will never confuse the City of Joy with Budapest or with any other city in the world. Goodbye Bucharest, see you again!

One day I learned that Bucharest is called “Little Paris” and immediately decided to check this statement. Bucharest turned out to be huge and only partly similar. It seemed to me that it was similar to many cities and during my walks I discovered elements of Vienna, London, Belgrade, Moscow, Athens, Istanbul and other cities. Formed at the crossroads of Western and Eastern influences, Bucharest has its own unique charm and atmosphere.

Bucharest, as the capital of Romania, and before its unification the center of the Principality of Wallachia, has important historical and political significance. It is in Bucharest, unlike Transylvanian cities, that you can fully experience the Romanian culture and atmosphere. Walking through its streets, you have the chance to touch different eras of Romanian history.

Despite all its architectural charms and historical significance, Bucharest has a bad reputation. I even heard a joke in which a Frenchman, in response to the remark that Bucharest is small, replies: “Thank you, Lord, that this is not big Bucharest.” Many people are wary of traveling to Bucharest, describing it as ugly, dirty and unsafe. In my opinion, they are making a big mistake. The tourist areas are safe, the buildings are being restored, and what some people call ugliness, I would rather call architectural originality.

The name of Bucharest most likely comes from the word “joy”. Bucharest is often called the city of joy or the city of holidays. These names well characterize its spontaneous and lively atmosphere. There is something interesting happening regularly in Bucharest, during a casual walk in the city space you can find street concerts and contemporary art, Bucharest cafes have a unique relaxed atmosphere. The city has its own special rhythm and atmosphere, and if you feel them, you will never want to leave Bucharest.

How to get there

The most convenient and fastest way to get to Bucharest is by plane. There are direct flights from Moscow, as well as a large number of different options with transfers. By bus and train you will have to travel for a very long time and with transfers, and the price of this option is comparable to a flight. The road route, although less than 2000 kilometers, can take an unpredictably long time due to the abundance of borders crossed.

By plane

From Moscow

The Romanian airline TAROM recently canceled its flights to Russia, so the only option for a direct flight from Moscow is offered by Aeroflot. Aeroflot flies every day, departures are in the morning, the flight lasts three hours. If you buy tickets in advance, you can spend 200-250 EUR for a round trip flight.

It can be cheaper with transfers, but there are a lot of transfer options:

• Aegean offers options with connections in Athens and is one of the cheapest options. The duration of transfers on this route varies from one hour to 20 hours. The cheapest option I've ever come across costs 130 EUR. In general, prices for such a flight rarely exceed 200 EUR. You can compare them, for example, .
• Pegasus flights with transfers in Istanbul have convenient departure times and long connections (about a day, you can see). Round trip ticket prices start from 150 EUR.
• Austrian Airlines offers short connections and early morning flights on flights connecting in Vienna. Such tickets will cost more, approximately 180 EUR.
• If you don't like short or long transfers, then the best option for you is Luftganza. A flight with a four-hour layover in Munich will also cost 180 EUR.
• The LOT company has an option with an evening flight. You will have to fly through Warsaw, the price will be about 200 EUR.

From Saint-Petersburg

There are no direct flights from St. Petersburg, and options with transfers will cost more than similar options from Moscow.

• The cheapest option for residents of St. Petersburg is Turkish Airlines flights with a long overnight transfer in Istanbul. The cost of these tickets will be approximately 210 EUR.
• A little more expensive and with a thrill you can fly with AirFrance. The ticket price is about 220 EUR, and the thrill of the trip is added by an hour-long transfer at Charles de Gaulle airport.
• The LOT company offers a flight with long transfers in Warsaw for 230 EUR.
• The most convenient option is with Austrian Airlines with transfers in Vienna. What makes it convenient is the ability to choose from several options for departure times and duration of transfers (travel time from 5 to 26 hours). The cost of such tickets starts from 230 EUR.

How to get from the airport to the city?

Bucharest has two airports. The old Aurel Vlaicu Banyas Airport, located closer to the city, now only accepts charters and private flights. The main international airport is Henri Coanda Airport, located in the suburban town of Otopeni, approximately 16 kilometers north of the center of Bucharest.

You can get to it in several ways:

By train

Once upon a time, Moscow and Bucharest were connected by a direct train, but now to get there by train you will also have to travel with transfers. As in the case of buses, the best option is a transfer in Chisinau. This journey will take almost two days, and its cost for a one-way journey will be approximately 110 EUR.

How to get there from the station

The main railway station is the northern station Gara de Nord. The monumental building, remarkable in itself, will instantly provide arrivals with an immersive atmosphere. The station is located away from the center. I prefer walking; you can walk at a leisurely pace in 45 minutes to an hour. You can use the metro or buses 123 and 85.

The eastern train station Gara de Est-Obor connects Bucharest with Constanta on the Black Sea coast. It is also located about an hour's walk from the center, but personally I don't like walking to the east. I advise you to use buses 85, 14 or 69.

By bus

Bucharest does not have direct bus connections with Russian cities, so the journey will take a long time and involve transfers. Among all the possible ones, a relatively convenient option is to travel from Moscow with a transfer in Chisinau. The journey will take about 40 hours. The ticket price for a round trip will be about 140 EUR. Bucharest is connected to many cities in the region (, Sofia) and Western Europe (mainly German and French). Also, for moving around the country, buses are a good alternative to trains because they travel faster and offer more non-stop options. However, the main and significant difficulty for tourists is the huge number of different bus stations, most of which are quite distant from the center. In addition, the infrastructure of the stations themselves leaves much to be desired.

I marked on the map the most frequently used stations: Filaret for buses to Chisinau, Eurolines and Rahova for departures to Western European cities, Obor for the Black Sea coast. The main rule is to pay attention to where exactly the bus departs from and budget enough time in the schedule to get there, and most importantly, get your bearings on the spot.

By car

The road route from Moscow will be less than 2000 kilometers. Travel time is about a day, you can spend one or two nights. The main difficulty and headache of this route is crossing borders. The logical, at first glance, option through Ukraine and Moldova involves crossing three borders (plus such a phenomenon as Transnistria). Therefore, I would advise going through Belarus or bypassing Moldova. This option will help you avoid not only Moldovan borders, but also the need to buy a Moldovan vignette (although it is inexpensive, only 4 EUR). In Romania itself you should also buy a vignette. It costs 3 EUR and is valid for 7 days. This cannot be done at border checkpoints; of all the options, the most convenient one is to purchase it at Rompetrol, Petrom and OMV gas stations or order it online on this website.

Clue:

Bucharest - the time is now

Hour difference:

Moscow 0

Kazan 0

Samara 1

Ekaterinburg 2

Novosibirsk 4

Vladivostok 7

When is the season? When is the best time to go

The tourist season in Bucharest is from May to September, with its peak in July. In my experience, the most pleasant time to visit is September. Among the advantages are the weather (still warm, no longer hot, not rainy), grape season, the end of the holiday season. Worth visiting Bucharest at Christmas or Easter. At this time the city is beautifully decorated and fairs are held.

Bucharest in summer

In summer the city is full of tourists, and prices, especially for housing, rise. During this period, the city will delight you with warm weather, numerous festivals and outdoor events. However, Bucharest's summer weather is not for everyone: June is rainy, while July and August can be very hot.

Bucharest in autumn

Although September, in my opinion, is the best time to travel, in general, autumn can present tourists with surprises with the weather. In October and November the city is already cloudy and gray. The golden foliage gives the city a special charm in autumn. This period is best for walks in numerous parks and the Botanical Garden.

Bucharest in spring

In spring, especially in April, the weather is comfortable for walking, and the Easter period, when fairs and folk festivals begin, gives the city a special charm. In May the temperature reaches +20°C, but it often rains in Bucharest this month. The main beauty of spring is the beginning of flowering. Like autumn, spring is a great time for a walk in the parks.

Bucharest in winter

December is a great time to visit Bucharest thanks to the holidays. Romanian Unification Day is celebrated on December 1, and the Romanian Orthodox Church celebrates Christmas on December 25. During this period, Bucharest is unforgettable thanks to the city's decorations and fairs.

In winter, the temperature in the city is slightly below zero, and snow often falls. During this period, the city is especially beautiful and has a fabulous charm, but walking a lot is already problematic. Therefore, in winter it is worth paying more attention to cafes and the museum; besides, the queues at the museum will be shorter than in summer.

Bucharest - weather by month

Clue:

Bucharest - weather by month

Districts. Where is the best place to live?

In Bucharest, you should definitely live in the center (when booking through, he carefully marks this area in blue). No matter how low the price, options outside the center should be considered as a last resort. This is not a question of security, but rather of existential comfort. In the center, Bucharest resembles European cities, it is easy to get used to and adapt to it. However, further away from the center its urban features become apparent, and it is more difficult for visitors to navigate there.

• The exception is Grozăvești district, which is worth staying in if you plan to travel frequently from Bucharest by train, as it is located close to the Gara de Nord station.
• IN zone east of the center You can also find convenient and cheap options. This area has good walking and transport connections to the center.

The center itself can also be divided into zones from the point of view of choosing location.

• The most tourist options are located in Old town(indicated by the letter A): proximity to attractions. abundance of national restaurants, transport accessibility. However, prices in this area are among the highest in the city.
• North of the Old Town(zone B) you can find all the delights of a cultural center. There is good infrastructure, many events take place, but it is quite noisy. Prices are about the same as in the Old Town.
• In the direction of the red arrow prices will fall, but the development will no longer be pleasing to the eye.
• In the direction of the blue arrow begins the embassy district, where it is worth choosing housing for those who love silence more than city noise.
• In the direction of the green arrow, located between the historical center and the main station, is a quiet, cozy area that is a good compromise if you want to see both Bucharest and the surrounding cities.

What are the prices for holidays?

Housing

Bucharest especially delights tourists thanks to its low prices. Accommodation in guest houses or apartments will cost 20-30 EUR, hotels on Booking about 40 EUR. Through various services (for example,) you can book an apartment in the center for 30 EUR, and a room for 15-20 EUR. I advise you to pay attention to hostels; they are at the highest level in Bucharest and have good ratings. A private room will cost about 20-25 EUR, and a bed in a dormitory room will cost about 8 EUR.

Nutrition

In Bucharest you can easily find cheap and tasty food. Even in the very center of the city in national restaurants, lunch can cost 10-15 EUR. In the city center you can easily find fast food for every taste (pizza, kebab, Asian cuisine). In local markets, fruits and vegetables are very cheap in season, so you can save a lot by cooking yourself.

Travel and entertainment

There are cheap taxis in Bucharest, if you follow a few simple rules when using them (more about them in the “Taxi” section). Transport, cinema, theaters and other entertainment will also be cheap. Bucharest has some of the cheapest museums in Europe - the average entrance ticket costs about 2 EUR. As in other cities, the tourism sector and entertainment are a little more expensive. The cost of excursions, for example, starts from 10 EUR per person for group excursions and 40-50 EUR for individual ones.

Many hotels and hostels offer a free Bucharest City Card, which gives discounts at major museums and some restaurants and shops. A full list of discounts can be found at Please note that to activate it you must write your name and start date of use (the card is valid for three days).

Clue:

Cost of food, accommodation, transportation and other things

Currency: Euro, € US Dollar, $ Russian Ruble, Rub Romanian Leu, lei

Main attractions. What to see

I would call Bucharest a matryoshka city. In the core is the Old Town, a little provincial - the capital of the principality, with rare remains of ancient houses. Earthquakes and historical vicissitudes were not merciful to Bucharest buildings.

Around the Old Town, luxurious buildings in the historicist style open to the eye. These Bucharest streets represent what Bucharest is called “little Paris”.

The next stage is Bucharest modernist from the time of the united kingdom. After the First World War, all three Romanian principalities (Wallachia, Moldova (not to be confused with the neighboring state!) were finally united. The architecture of Bucharest of that period: austere, modernist and sublimely monumental, persistently demonstrates this political triumph.

Communist Bucharest, represented primarily by the Palace of Parliament, gives the appearance of Bucharest vaguely familiar features. The gigantomania of communist ruler Nicolae Ceausescu is still felt in urban areas.

In order to better understand the city itself and its history, you can take one of the free tours.

Top 5

• Old courtyard of Curtea Veche(Curtea Veche, Strada Franceza 25). The site is now an archaeological site and open-air museum based on a church and palace complex. This was once a royal residence. Its history dates back to the 14th century, but the key figure in this story is Vlad the Impaler (the prototype of Dracula). By his order, a fortress was built here, which became a residence. It was destroyed more than once by earthquakes and wars, and was also rebuilt. The museum that has emerged on the site provides visitors with an excellent opportunity to learn about Vlad the Impaler as a historical figure, rather than the mythical Dracula.
  
• Romanian Athenaeum(Ateneul Român, Strada Benjamin Franklin 1-3). This concert hall was built on the initiative of the Ateneum cultural society, which included prominent representatives of Romanian culture and science. The design of the building in the neoclassical style was created in 1888 by the French architect Albert Galleron. Funds for construction were collected by subscription throughout the country.
  Music is of great importance to Romanian culture. For example, one of the key figures of the Romanian cultural pantheon is the composer and violinist George Enescu. The Philharmonic Orchestra and the International Classical Music Festival are named after him, both institutions are associated with this building. Tickets for a symphony concert cost from 9 to 15 EUR, and for chamber music concerts from 4 to 9 EUR. The program can be viewed at. Despite the acoustic qualities of the hall, I personally find it quite difficult to listen to music in it. All attention is drawn to the luxurious decoration of the hall and the huge fresco that surrounds the hall and depicts key events in Romanian history.
  
• Triumphal Arch(Arcul de Triumf, Piața Arcul de Triumf) Triumphal arches in Bucharest were erected several times in the second half of the 19th century in connection with significant events in Romanian history. All of them were temporary; after the First World War, it was decided to build a permanent monument in honor of the unification of all Romanians in 1918. The first arch designed by Petre Antonescu, built between 1921-1922, quickly fell into disrepair due to materials and weather conditions. Then Petre Antonescu created a modified project, the new arch was inaugurated on December 1, 1936. It seems to me that this is the most “Parisian” element of Bucharest; it is not for nothing that Petre Antonescu had a Parisian education. Now the Arc de Triomphe is not only a decoration of the city, but also an important symbolic place (for example, parades are held here).
  

Palace of Parliament(Palatul Parlamentului, Strada Izvor 2-4). One of the largest administrative buildings in the world for Bucharest, both a symbol of the city and an urban disaster. Built on the initiative of Ceausescu, its sheer size is reminiscent of communist times. Thousands of buildings were demolished to clear the area for this large-scale, literally megalomaniac, project. When you read, you are amazed and surprised by all the numbers: the number of architects, the number of materials used.


Visiting is possible daily from 10:00 to 16:00. A ticket to visit the palace itself costs about 6 EUR; you will additionally have to purchase tickets for the observation terrace (3.5 EUR) and the dungeon (2.5 EUR).
The building also houses the Museum of Contemporary Art (Muzeul Național de Artă Contemporană). It presents a collection of contemporary Romanian and foreign art, the entrance ticket costs 2 EUR.


• Revolution square(Piața Revoluției). This square has always had significant political significance; at one time the royal palace was located on it. and the building of the central committee of the Romanian Communist Party. The square now houses important, sometimes controversial, political monuments.
  

  Monument to King Carol the First. This equestrian statue, designed by the famous Croatian architect Ivan Meštrović, appeared on the square in 1930 in honor of King King I, who ruled Romania from 1866 to 1914. During the communist era it was demolished and only recently restored.
  

  Memorialul Renaşterii. Dedicated to the Romanian revolution of 1989. The monument appeared on the square in 2005. Since then it has repeatedly become a victim of vandalism and criticism. Its design has been criticized as too abstract, with locals calling it "the potato of the revolution" or "an olive on a toothpick."
  

Churches and temples. Which ones are worth visiting?

In Bucharest you can also take advantage of the Bucharest City Tour bus service. The entire route lasts about an hour, you can get on and off at any of the stops, the interval between buses is about 20 minutes. A ticket, valid for 24 hours, costs about 5.5 EUR for adults, and 2 EUR for children over 7 years old.

Taxi. What features exist

In Bucharest, taxis are very cheap if you follow a few rules. Taxi drivers in Bucharest especially like to make money from tourists.

Trams

There are 23 tram routes in the city, plus one light rail tram line in the west of the city. Trams are being actively modernized. However, at the moment the trams are slow and old, but they are less crowded and crowded.

Metro

At the moment there are only four lines in the Bucharest metro, so it is easy to understand and get directions.

The trains are mostly new and comfortable, which cannot be said about the stations themselves. The M2 line will be especially useful for tourists - it connects the north and south, and therefore the main attractions along this axis. However, it is better not to use it in the morning and evening - during rush hours there is often a crowd here. The metro operates from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. Two trips on the metro cost about 1 EUR, a day pass costs 1.7 EUR, and a weekly pass costs 5.4 EUR. In general, the metro in Bucharest is many times more comfortable transport for tourists than ground transport.

Buses and trolleybuses

There are about 85 routes in the city, both urban and suburban. To travel, you need to purchase a travel card, which should be presented to the validator upon entry. Bucharest also has a good network of night buses (every approximately 40 minutes). However, to travel at night, especially if you travel far, I advise you to call a taxi. Trolleybuses mainly connect the west and east of the city. There are 15 lines in total, some of them have new models of trolleybuses and then the journey can be quite comfortable.

Transport rental

The main international car rental companies operate in Bucharest. Most offices are located at the airport or north of the city center. First of all, for rentals in Bucharest I can recommend Avis or Sixt. You can search for offers, for example, . In large parks (Gerastrau and Tineretului) you can rent bicycles. The city also operates the iVelo system. In the parks you can rent a bicycle if you have an ID card. Renting for 1 hour costs 1 EUR, and for the whole day about 4 EUR. They also have bicycle parking lots in the city center, operating under the bike-sharing system. In order to use it you need to register on. There are several bicycle rental points in the city center; on average, renting a bicycle costs about 8 EUR per day.

Parking in Bucharest is divided into municipal and private. Municipal ones charge about 0.30 EUR per hour. Parking is paid from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; at other times, parking is free, but there are no employees at this time, which means the parking lot is not guarded. Private parking lots are twice as expensive, but are equipped with cameras and other security features. You should not leave bags and valuables in the cabin or trunk of a parked car. In my experience, it is better to prefer a covered, 24-hour guarded parking lot.

In general, driving a car in Bucharest, especially during rush hours, is an exhausting experience. The traffic is chaotic, many people break the rules, so you should be very careful.

Bucharest (Romania) - the most detailed information about the city with photos. The main attractions of Bucharest with descriptions, guides and maps.

City of Bucharest (Romania)

Bucharest is the capital and largest city of Romania. It is located in the southeast of the country and is its most important industrial, economic and commercial center. Bucharest is a city with a rich history and varied architecture, which in the past was often called "little Paris". Now the capital of Romania is developing dynamically, changing its appearance towards modernity, but maintaining a unique identity.

Bucharest is known for its interesting fusion of different architectural styles and historical monuments: from medieval buildings and ancient churches to neoclassical mansions and monumental buildings from the socialist era. This charming city of picturesque parks, excellent museums and wonderful cultural events is a symbol of modern Romania.

Geography and climate

Bucharest is located in the southeastern part of Romania in the center of the Lower Danube Plain. The city is located on the Dambovica River, about 50 km from the Danube. Bucharest is built on low hills (usually there are 7 main hills, similar to Rome) and is limited to the north by a chain of lakes. The city has a temperate climate with hot summers and cool (often snowy) winters.

Practical information

1. Population - more than 1.8 million people (estimated more than 2 million people). Bucharest is the sixth city in the EU by population, behind only London, Berlin, Madrid, Rome and Paris.
2. Area - 238 km 2.
3. Language - Romanian.
4. Currency - leu.
5. Time - UTC +2, in summer +3.
6. Bucharest has one of the most extensive public transport systems in Europe, which is a bit confusing. The city has four metro lines, as well as trams, trolleybuses and buses.

Best time to visit

The best time to visit Bucharest is from May to September.

Story

The first settlements on the site of modern Bucharest were founded in Antiquity by the Dacian tribes. In the early Middle Ages, several Slavic villages were located here. The first mention of Bucharest dates back to 1459. The city is mentioned as the residence of the Vlach prince Vlad the Impaler. Later, the entire princely court began to be located here. At the end of the 16th century, Bucharest was burned by the Turks.

The name of the capital of Romania is derived from the Romanian word Bucurie, which means “joy”. There is also an assumption that the name “Bucharest” is derived from the Dacian (Albanian) word bukur, which translates as “beautiful”.

At the end of the 17th century, Bucharest became the capital of Wallachia. In the 18th century, the city was occupied several times by Turkish, Russian and Austrian troops. In 1859, Bucharest became the capital of the united Romania. During the First World War, the city was occupied by German troops. After this, the capital of Romania was moved to Iasi. During World War II, Bucharest was again occupied by German troops and liberated in 1944 during a popular uprising. In 1977, the city was hit by a strong earthquake.

How to get there

Bucharest is one of the largest transport hubs in South-Eastern Europe. The capital of Romania can be reached on a large number of cheap flights from the cities of Italy, Spain, Germany, Great Britain, France, Turkey, and Austria. Bucharest is also connected by direct daily trains to Istanbul, Budapest, Vienna, Venice, Thessaloniki, Moscow, Kiev and bus services to cities in Serbia, Bulgaria, Moldova, Turkey, Greece.

Shopping and purchases

Numerous shops and branded boutiques are concentrated along the main boulevard from Piaţa Romană to Piaţa Unirii, as well as in the small streets adjacent to this area. Many shops can be found in the area of ​​Calea Victoriei and Calea Dorobanţilor.

Shopping centers in Bucharest:

• Băneasa, Soseaua București-Ploiești 42D.
• AFI Palace Cotroceni, Bulevardul Vasile Milea 4.
• Promenada, Calea Floreasca 246B.
• Plaza Romania, Bd. Timişoara nr. 26.
• Unirea Shopping Center, Piaţa Unirii.
• Sun Plaza, Calea Vacaresti, No. 391.
• Bucharest Mall, Calea Vitan 55-59.

Food and drink

Bucharest is famous for its gastronomy, from cheap eateries to expensive restaurants. The most popular fast food is Shaorma. In addition to Romanian cuisine, Asian (Chinese, Japanese), Italian, French and Turkish are also represented.

Traditional dishes of Romanian cuisine:

• mamaliga - corn porridge (similar to Italian polenta).
• bulz - corn porridge with cheese, bacon and sour cream.
• zacusca - does not require translation :).
• tochitura is a type of stew.
• mici - fried meat (traditional sausages) in a sauce with corn porridge.
• ciorba de burta - white sour soup made from minced meat.
• ciorba taraneasca - soup similar to borscht.
• pasca - chocolate or cheese pie.
• saratele - salty sticks.
• pandispan - tart cherry cake.
• cozonac - Christmas or Easter cake.
• covrigi - hot pretzels with salt.
• langoşi - hot dough filled with cheese.
• gogoşi - donut.

Attractions

The Old Town or Lipscani in Romanian is the oldest part of Bucharest, significantly rebuilt during the reign of Ceausescu. It is a collection of buildings from different historical periods, from neoclassical mansions of the 19th century to the medieval ruins of the court of the princes of Wallachia. The old town occupies the area between the Dambovice River in the south, Calea Victoriei in the west, Calea Moşilor in the east and Regina Elisabeta Boulevard in the north. In recent decades, the historical center of Bucharest has been significantly restored and has many charming old streets.

The Palace of Parliament is a huge neoclassical building built during the reign of Nicolae Ceausescu. This architectural giant is one of the main symbols of Bucharest. Parliament is the second largest administrative building in the world (after the Pentagon), which contains more than 3,000 rooms and has an area of ​​more than 300 thousand square meters. It is built of marble and steel, which is why it is considered the heaviest building on the planet.

The House of the Romanian Philharmonic is a magnificent 19th-century neoclassical building designed by the French architect Albert Galleron. The building resembles an ancient Greek temple with a 41-meter-high dome and a peristyle of six Ionic columns. The Philharmonic Hall has a beautiful interior with gilded painted ceilings, cascading balconies and spiral marble staircases.

The Stavropol Church is a beautiful 18th century religious building with a wonderful combination of Romanian and Byzantine elements. This small building with quaint columns was once part of a monastery. The church is Orthodox and contains beautiful frescoes and icons.

The Old Princely Court is the ruins of the medieval court of the princes of Wallachia, founded by Vlad the Impaler. This structure dates back to the 15th and 16th centuries and for two centuries was the site of the coronation of Romanian princes. The Old Court Museum contains artifacts found during archaeological excavations.

Revolution Square is the central square of Budapest and one of the symbols of modern Romania.

The Arc de Triomphe is a granite structure from 1936, replacing a wooden arch from 1922, which was dedicated to Romanian soldiers who fought in the First World War.

The National Museum of Dimitri Gusti is a unique open-air ethnographic museum founded in 1936. Reflects the traditional way of life in Romania and contains 300 different structures, including peasant houses, thatched barns, log cabins, churches, workshops and mills.

The National History Museum is a magnificent museum housed in a beautiful neoclassical former Romanian post office building. Contains a huge number of unique exhibits on the history of Romania from antiquity to modern times.

Russian Church - Orthodox church of the early 20th century, dedicated to St. Nikolai. It was built for the Russian diaspora during the reign of Emperor Nicholas II.

Antimo Monastery is a working monastery, built between 1713 and 1715.

Charu Q Burn (Caru "cu Bere)

Caru "cu Bere" is a magnificent neo-Gothic building with an Art Nouveau interior, built at the end of the 19th century and housing one of the most famous restaurants in Bucharest.

Domnica Balazs is a beautiful 19th-century church known for its exceptional acoustics, oil paintings by Viennese artists, German stained glass and marble statues.

Capital of Romania. Mentioned in 1459 as a village; the name Bucharest (Bucuresti) from the personal name Bucur with the suffix eshti, indicating the belonging of the village. Geographical names of the world: Toponymic dictionary. M: AST. Pospelov E.M. 2001... Geographical encyclopedia

Bucharest- Bucharest. House of Free Press. BUCHAREST, capital (since 1861) of Romania, on the Dambovita River, 45 km from the Danube. 2.0 million inhabitants. International Airport. Metropolitan. Mechanical engineering, chemical, light, perfumery, metallurgical, glass,... ... Illustrated Encyclopedic Dictionary

Bucharest- Bucuresti, capital of Romania. Known since the 14th century. The old part of the city is located on the banks of the river. Dambovita, in the area of ​​the large Flower Market (narrow crooked streets with two, three-story houses; Mihai Voda Church, 1589 91,... ... Art encyclopedia

BUCHAREST- BUCHAREST, capital (since 1861) of Romania, on the Dambovita River, 45 km from the Danube. 2.0 million inhabitants. International Airport. Metropolitan. Mechanical engineering, chemical, light, perfume, metallurgical, glass, porcelain, earthenware,... ... Modern encyclopedia

Bucharest- noun, number of synonyms: 3 party (42) city (2765) capital (274) ASIS Dictionary of Synonyms ... Synonym dictionary

Bucharest- I Bucharest Bucuresti (Bucureşti), the capital of the Socialist Republic of Romania, the political-administrative, economic and scientific-cultural center of the country. Located in the central part of the Lower Danube Lowland on a non-navigable river... ... Great Soviet Encyclopedia

BUCHAREST- ROMANIA Bucharest, the capital of Romania (since 1861) and its main economic center, was built on the Dambovita River, 45 km from the Danube in the Lower Danube Lowland. The city's population is 2.1 million inhabitants. Bucharest is an independent administrative... ... Cities and countries

Bucharest- (Bucuresti) capital of the Socialist. Republic of Romania. 1488 thousand inhabitants (1972). The first information about music. B.'s lives date back to the 15th and 16th centuries, when the lawsuit against the prof. became widespread in the city. adv. lautar musicians who performed in... ... Music Encyclopedia

Bucharest- or Bucuresti (Bucuresti) since 1665, the main city of Wallachia, and since 1862 of the united principalities of Moldavia and Wallachia, the present kingdom of Romania; junction point of the Romanian and Zhurzhevo Bucharest railways; located on a marshy plain along... ... Encyclopedic Dictionary F.A. Brockhaus and I.A. Efron

Bucharest- (Bucureşti), the capital of Romania, on the Lower Danube Lowland, 45 km from the Danube. An independent administrative unit. 2.1 million inhabitants (1994). Transport node. International Airport. Large industrial center: mechanical engineering and... ... encyclopedic Dictionary

Books

• Bucharest, . This richly illustrated album introduces the capital of Romania, the controversial but always elegant Bucharest, once called Paris in miniature. A city of contrasts and... Buy for 417 rubles
• Bucharest. Photo album, . Richly illustrated edition. Bucharest, 1957. State publishing house of literature and art. Original cover. The condition is good. A real richly illustrated album...