Bucharest

Romania's capital, once dubbed "Little Paris of the East", home to the awe-inspiring Palace of the Parliament, the world's second-largest administrative building, plus lively old-town nightlife and side trips to the Village Museum and Snagov Monastery.

Bucharest, Romania's capital and largest city, sits on the Wallachian Plain along the Dâmbovița River. In the early 20th century its tree-lined boulevards and French-style architecture earned it the nickname "Little Paris of the East", while the Ceaușescu era left behind gigantic socialist buildings such as the Palace of the Parliament and Unirii Boulevard; the contrast between old and new is the city's greatest draw. The main sightseeing areas fall into three parts: in the south, the Palace of the Parliament, Unirii Square, the Patriarchal Cathedral and the newly completed People's Salvation Cathedral; in the centre, the Old Town (around Lipscani), with Stavropoleos Monastery, the Old Princely Court ruins, Hanul lui Manuc, the Carturesti Carusel bookshop and historic beer halls, plus bar streets that come alive at night; and heading north along Calea Victoriei, past the CEC Palace, Revolution Square, the Royal Palace (National Museum of Art) and the Romanian Athenaeum, all the way to the Arc de Triomphe, the Village Museum and King Michael I Park. Nearby you can visit Mogoșoaia Palace, the island monastery on Lake Snagov (said to be the burial place of Vlad III, the inspiration for Dracula) and the huge Therme spa and water park; Peleș Castle in Sinaia, Brașov and Bran Castle are about 2.5–3 hours away (see the "Brașov & Bran" destination). Seasons: Apr–Jun and Sep–Oct are the most comfortable; Jul–Aug often tops 35°C; winters are cold, with a Christmas market in December. The George Enescu International Festival takes place in September of odd-numbered years. Getting around: Henri Coandă International Airport (OTP) is about 17 km from the centre and served by an airport train and bus 783; the city has a metro, trams and buses, and ride-hailing apps are the more reliable way to get a taxi. The currency is the Romanian leu (RON), and prices are lower than in Western Europe. Plan on 2–3 days.

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