Discussion
We are thinking of going somewhere a bit off radar and I have been looking at Bucharest on Google Earth. There are loads of hotels around the £70 a night bracket and the restaurants seem ridiculously cheap, for what looks to be good food, with Italian and Turkish influences. So, has anyone been there for a week and what did they think?
Been there for a few days with work. The places to eat around the old town were ace and dirt cheap - Caru'cu Bere and Hanu'lui Manuc were highlights. Out of town a bit, Beraria H was a MASSIVE beer hall doing huge sharing plates of meat and chips.
I'll be honest though, I didn't see much in the way of tourism type stuff as you would in the likes of Paris, London etc. Some parks etc but seemed very light on stuff like museums - not sure how you'd spend a week there, couple of days maybe...
I'll be honest though, I didn't see much in the way of tourism type stuff as you would in the likes of Paris, London etc. Some parks etc but seemed very light on stuff like museums - not sure how you'd spend a week there, couple of days maybe...
Lovely city but a week's too long. Could easily do it over a weekend.
The People's Palace is a sight to behold and well worth a visit but be prepared to learn of grim history.
Consider doing a two city trip and visit Cluj. I like both but Cluj has, I think, much nicer vibe and is located in some of the most stunning countryside.
The People's Palace is a sight to behold and well worth a visit but be prepared to learn of grim history.
DaveyBoyWonder said:
Caru'cu Bere
Definitely eat there. Has not changed since the place was opened in the late 1800s I believe.Consider doing a two city trip and visit Cluj. I like both but Cluj has, I think, much nicer vibe and is located in some of the most stunning countryside.
Went for 2 nights for a general city break with mates. Its an amazing city if food, nightlife, good weather (except winter) and want something a little different.
Overall its not a polished as your usual Budapest or Krakow, and will sadly never complete with somewhere like Vienna or Prague. You can have a beautiful 19th century building next to an utterly horrific communist block. The old town is undergoing a big restoration and is a very pleasant place. The nightlife there will keep going until 6am in the old town and is stacked with 100s of pubs, cocktail bars, nightclubs etc. Calea Victoriei is slightly more chilled out but with some cracking restaurants, bars and craft beer places either on that road or just on a nearby side street.
As above the huge beer hall is very impressive with some good locally brewed beer, the beer garden is immense and includes a stage with a band or dj playing most weekends and a few weekday evenings. We found the service a little slow so chose the Hard Rock Cafe just round the corner for a quick burger etc. There is a number of restaurants and bars to choose from by that lake so its worth venturing to if the weather is nice.
I also agree its not quite worth spending a week (yet) I would look into Brasov for a further 2 nights.
Overall its not a polished as your usual Budapest or Krakow, and will sadly never complete with somewhere like Vienna or Prague. You can have a beautiful 19th century building next to an utterly horrific communist block. The old town is undergoing a big restoration and is a very pleasant place. The nightlife there will keep going until 6am in the old town and is stacked with 100s of pubs, cocktail bars, nightclubs etc. Calea Victoriei is slightly more chilled out but with some cracking restaurants, bars and craft beer places either on that road or just on a nearby side street.
As above the huge beer hall is very impressive with some good locally brewed beer, the beer garden is immense and includes a stage with a band or dj playing most weekends and a few weekday evenings. We found the service a little slow so chose the Hard Rock Cafe just round the corner for a quick burger etc. There is a number of restaurants and bars to choose from by that lake so its worth venturing to if the weather is nice.
I also agree its not quite worth spending a week (yet) I would look into Brasov for a further 2 nights.
I went for 3 nights in March. Enjoyed it, but not a huge amount of things to do. The spa is really great (near the airport), went to Caru Cu Bere which was great. We also went to Casa Di David, which is extremely expensive, but is probably the best food I've ever eaten. There was also some seriously wealthy people there which was an eye opener (think 10 G Wagons, 911 Turbo's, Lamborghini's etc and AP Watches on every single person)
People's palace worth a visit, and maybe go shooting as well
People's palace worth a visit, and maybe go shooting as well
It depends where you have already been to in central and eastern Europe. I have been to most with a direct flight from the UK and Bucharest is right up there when it comes to nightlife and international food, it's also very affordable and has a nice old town. Perfect for a weekend away with your mates.
Budapest is a nicer city with some beautiful buildings, still my favourite in this region and would be my pick if you have never been before. It is much more touristy and more expensive though.
Budapest is a nicer city with some beautiful buildings, still my favourite in this region and would be my pick if you have never been before. It is much more touristy and more expensive though.
andyA700 said:
Thanks for all the replies, it looks as though I may refocus on other cities - Prague, Budapest possibly. We do want to spend a week away at least.
we've just done Budapest, Bratislava & Vienna in one trip.flew into Budapest (3 nights), then train to Bratislava for 1 night (around 2.5 hrs for £10), then onto Vienna for 1 night (FlexBus as trainline has electrification work, 1 hour journey £5) Flew home from Vienna.
The train goes Budapest to Prague, so you could alter the route.
Lived in Romania for a year with work; as others have said good for a few days visit; anything longer and you’d want to include other parts of the country. Constanta is nice but busy in the summer; up into the mountains like Sinaia/Brasov/Bran is nice but again only for a day or two. I loved my time in Romania but Bucharest in particular is quite rough’n’ready aesthetically speaking. Pretty good value for money though.
If you do go to Bucharest there is a leisure resort just to the north of the city called Therme and it’s one of the best pool/spa/sauna/wellness centres I’ve been to in the world.
If you do go to Bucharest there is a leisure resort just to the north of the city called Therme and it’s one of the best pool/spa/sauna/wellness centres I’ve been to in the world.
Gassing Station | Holidays & Travel | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff