Bucharest Travel Forum

what do you think in generaly about bucharest?

I've been there once because I had too. I will never return unless I really have to.

Well, I was there the year before Ceausecu was drop-off. The athmosphere was really depressing, I hope things will slowly improve, but the imput i receive from some colleagues are far from optimist.

HI,
I am coming to Bucharest late in November and I do need advice from Romanian people to tell me what can I do during my week-end there.

So if you can update me about where to go out by night, which restaurant to choose, it will be great.

Where to go out friday's night?

I would be very can to you.

Thanks in advance

Claude

I am just another one of those living here, so possibly producing a subjective view. I can say though that, after being born in the city and never leaving it for another purpose than travel (therefore never for a very long period of time), I discovered Bucharest a couple of years ago, when working on a guide-book. The places which make Bucharest's charm are not listed in guidebooks. If you just come to the city after fancy architecture or impressive buildings, if you only visit the Palace of the Parliament and have a walk on Lipscani Street, only noticing poverty and badly maintained buildings, then it is a depressing experience. If you try to look behind the first layer of buildings on the main avenue, then it will be different. Without having stunning pieces of architecture (I am not referring here to catchy but dum items such as "the second biggest building in the world" here), Bucharest is a city where one cannot get bored. Maybe because of the crazy traffic (but if one has visited any capital in the Middle East, he/she will see there can be much, much worse), maybe because of the crowded streets where people walk here and there like in a neverending bazaar, maybe because of the lack of historic information on the building you are standing in front of, maybe because of the fact that you have to make your way to the city, as Bucharest will never invite you here and there. After years of ignoring the city I lived in, I can say that now I find it appealing and captivating, both to the good and to the bad. This very fact and the bad image of the city which has resulted in very few tourists compared to - say - Budapest or Warsaw, make Bucharest nicer (personal opinion), as there is more of a normality in the air. Of course, Romanian style of "normality" ;)
For sights, restaurants and bars, you can check out my Bucharest page. For anything else (except for "why is this like this?", for which you would have to find your own answer), let me know.
Best regards from Bucharest,
Alex
alex@futurevox.com

I've been to Bucharest about 6 times since 2000,so,I've seen alot of it. I agree with Alex. Its really pretty tough to get bored there. SO much to do,as I've been to numerous restaurants,discos,shops,you name it. Even had the honor a few years ago to have dinner with Alex and another friend. I have a lot of friends there,so,maybe I'm biased,but,I like Bucharest.

Hi,
I'm in the same pan as claudezoran. Planning a visit to Bucharest in mid December for a week or so and having similar questions about what there is there to do, culturally and fun.

I am encouraged by Alex's reply. It seems to me by reading your words that Bucharest is a city that you will enjoy and appreciate most by meeting the locals, e.i those who make Bucharest live, rather than the institutions, buildings which pretend to symbolize the life of a place. I like that, better a warm place at heart than a cold core with a warm shell. So my question is are the local friendly and easy to talk to...

The locals in Bucharest can be anything but something one can generalize about. I find it very interesting every day to bump into a totally different happening involving people living in the city. You can basically get everything, from an invitation to a beer made by someone sitting next to you on a pub, to a sharp comment made by some clerk because he/she does not understand what you want. This very situation makes it an interesting place to be. At least in my case. And usually kindness and comprehension is paid up in the same manner, so you can draw the conclusion yourself, just be open to the world around you ;)
Best regards,
Alex
alex@futurevox.com

Bucharest is a very spcial city. Almoast no one as the same opinion about it.... you can love it or hate it.
I like Bucharest, there is a good atmosphre in the town, it has a beautiful architecture and its devaloped a lot in the last few years.

I've been to Bucharest twice and I found it to be a beautiful city. Nice architecture and people. So much so that I shall be going back to Romania in a couple of months.

I came to Bucharesti in the months of February and March, 1991.
It was, because of the situation at the time (with the after-effects of Ceaucescu's rule)... and also because of the time of year, sometimes sad and depressing.

I had good experiences and bad experiences.

These experiences had much to do with the people I encountered. Many were kind and helpful. Some were paranoid and mistrustful. Some were curious (because I was a foreigner).
Many times I felt lost and isolated, and often lonely, because I didn't understand the language...I learned some Romanian but not enough to make much difference. This is why I recommend anyone going to a foreign country to try to learn the basics of the language...or at least travel with someone who is fluent in the language that you trust and enjoy being with.
However, having said the above, I still found Bucharesti to be a very beautiful city.
The architecture of the older buildings was amazing!
I loved the feel of walking through these older areas so rich with history!

I hope to return someday soon...in the Spring this time, so I can explore this gem more closely.
It's encouraging to know there are VT members living in Bucharesti...I'll check your pages and be asking for advice before my return visit. :o)

Noapte buna