Looking somewhere new to go to after a trip to Burgundy in June.
I see there is a direct flight from Lyon to Bucharest?
What is it like? Worth the 3 hr flight?
Used to go a lot for work between 2005 and 2015 - it’s changed tremendously in that time. Along the main streets you’ll find the old Soviet block concrete apartment buildings that make you suicidal, but just a few streets in is the old Bucharest still with some amazing patrician Art Nouveau villas. They used to call it “the Paris of the East”.
One of my biggest regrets was in the early 2000’s shooting in one of these dilapidated massive villas for some commercial and it was for sale for some ridiculously low amount. I remember thinking “this would be a killer boutique hotel”. Suffice to say, none of those big villas are cheap anymore.
It’s a cool city, I quite like it. But it’s Eastern Europe still, so mentally and emotionally prepare.
Thanks.
Are you saying the culture is the post Communist carry over gloom I experienced in Prague?
Yes, exactly. It’s hard to pinpoint what it is, but it’s a general unhappiness. Mostly visible in service - they just don’t seem happy to be there in the store, restaurant etc.
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Interesting. Wonder why. Maybe cultural and nothing to do with post Communism.
Thats why I prefer the smaller cities in italy . They love life.
I think it’s a cultural thing as well, and not only in Romania, CEE thing.
I haven’t been there in a long while now but used to travel for work quite frequently (with some travels in the country). It’s a nice quite interesting place but for me personally I can think of many other cities I’d rather spend time in as a tourist.
I would highly recommend Bucharest and the surrounding countryside to visit. The castles are simply spectacular. It is still a very affordable place to visit.
As for unhappiness, it hasn’t been my experience. I find Romanian people warm and jovial, they speak a Romance language. Economically Romania has one of the fastest growing economies in E Europe, especially since joining the EU. Sure they face corruption challenges. There’s a huge difference from 2014 vs now. There are always tourists in the city. There are food delivery scooters all over and Uber also. Many younger Romanians are choosing to stay and older Romanians that fled the regime now say they would’ve stayed if life was like it is now.
I also love the food, it is a real melting pot of cuisines.
I was in Bucharest for 5 days in September 2024. Found the visit and experience interesting and not unlike a lot of other European cities. Definitely an emerging tourism dynamic that they haven’t fully built out, but old town felt very much like any other central market area.
Stayed at the Marmorosch which was nice and within walking distance to many areas. They have a great open atrium bar and also a fun bank vault cocktail lounge.
Didn’t get out to the countryside due to schedule and obligations but enjoyed exploring areas outside of old town. One of their main parks, Cismigiu Gardens, was a treat to spend some time in. You can find higher end shopping and a variety of monuments and cultural sites along the Calea Victoriei. City does have a strange dichotomy between old/new European and Soviet utilitarian styles, which does provide something unique.
Favorite restaurants:
Linea - Closer to the Moon - rooftop gastropub
CAJU - upscale chef driven
Ever After - laid back but a vibe -found down an alley
Had a good experience at Wine Ambassador which is a small bar/shop. They walked us through some Romanian wines, which were quite nice.
Overall, lots of great bistros and pubs to explore. Whole trip felt very safe and the affordability can’t be beat. Enjoy and report back if you go.