Bucharest is the capital of Romania and the country's largest city (1.9 million in the city, 2.3 million in the metro area). Known between the world wars as "Little Paris" for its Belle Époque architecture, today's Bucharest is a fascinating mix of royal palaces, communist blocks and modern glass buildings.
🏛️ Palace of Parliament
The world's second-largest administrative building after the Pentagon — 365,000 m², 1100 rooms, built 1984–1997 by Ceaușescu's order. 80% finished before the 1989 Revolution. Visitable with guide: 1h tours (50 lei), 2h (75 lei), 3h with basements (100 lei). Online booking mandatory, with passport.
🍻 Old Town (Lipscani)
The historic heart of the city — cobbled streets, Belle Époque facades, restaurants, bars, cafes. The most lively area in the evening. Sights:
- Old Princely Court — medieval palace of Vlad the Impaler (Dracula), 15th c.
- Manuc's Inn — post inn from 1808, today a restaurant.
- Cărturești Carusel Bookstore — in restored neoclassical building, one of the world's most beautiful bookstores.
- Macca-Vilacrosse Passage — covered passage with yellow glass from 1891.
🎭 Culture and architecture
- Romanian Athenaeum — neoclassical concert hall (1888), home of the "George Enescu" Philharmonic.
- National Museum of Art — in the former Royal Palace, Romanian and European art collections.
- Village Museum — open-air museum with over 300 original peasant houses from all over Romania.
- Arcul de Triumf (1936) — on Calea Victoriei, classic-style replica.
- Herăstrău Park — the largest park, with a lake, in the north of the city.
🍽️ Cuisine
Traditional restaurants: Caru' cu Bere (since 1879, in Lipscani — own beer since 1879), Hanu' Berarilor, Lacrimi și Sfinți (modern). Specialities: mici (grilled sausages), sarmale (cabbage rolls), polenta with cheese, tripe soup.
🚆 Transport
Otopeni Airport (OTP) 17 km — express train (5 lei, 35 min) or bus 783 (3.5 lei, 50 min). City centre: metro (3 lei per ride), Uber. Trains to Brașov 2.5h, Sibiu 5h, Cluj 8h.