Bucharest
Romania
Backpacking Bucharest
Information on Bucharest, sights to see, nightlife, activities and more.
Bucharest is a growing city and the capital of Romania. The city offers a nice mix of both new and old attractions for visitors that include many historical palaces, museums and churches and also communist-style buildings with reminders of its past. Although the city looks like its crumbling and dated from the years, it’s also what makes the city so interesting. Bucharest has become a modern and vibrant European city, a gateway into the rest of Romania and is much more than it’s tumultuous communist past. In Bucharest you will find plenty to do while enjoying a culture and city that is still a little off the beaten path. However you will run into many adventurous backpackers at the hostels, attractions and bars. Not only is Bucharest fascinating, gorgeous and historic it’s also an extremely affordable city for most backpackers so if you’re looking for crazy nights out that are dirt cheap than we highly recommend checking out Bucharest and Romania.
Must See
Old Town - Bucharest’s Old Town is a charming neighborhood characterized by its ancient buildings and small village feel. Here you can find a great selection of restaurants, bars, shops and pubs. Most of Bucharest was destroyed throughout the 20th century so the old town is almost the only thing left of pre- World War II Bucharest. In Old Town you can visit the Zlatari Church, the Palace of Parliament which is the largest parliament in the world (seen above), the Stavropoleos Monastary, the National Museum of Romanian History or the Museum of the National Bank of Romania (seen left).
Arcul de Triumf - Initially built of wood in 1878 to honor the Romanian soldiers who won the Independence War, Bucharest's Arch of Triumph was rebuilt in 1922 and redecorated in 1936 with base reliefs carved in granite brought from Transylvania. An interior staircase allows visitors to climb to the top for a panoramic view of the city.
Piata Revolutiei - Revolution square gained worldwide notoriety when TV stations around the globe broadcast Nicolae Ceausescu's final moments in power on December 21, 1989. It was here, on the balcony of the former Communist Party Headquarters, that Ceausescu stared in disbelief as the people gathered in the square below turned on him. He fled the angry crowd in his white helicopter, only to be captured outside of the city a few hours later. The square's importance stretches back long before the dramatic events of the 1989 Revolution. On the far side of the square stands the former Royal Palace, now home to the National Art Museum.
Must Do
Take a Communist Tour - The Bucharest Communist Tour teaches you about the rise and fall of their ex leader Ceausescu while you walk past communist-era landmarks and political memorials..
It covers life under the communist regime and life in Bucharest today including a visit to lesser-known communist-style neighborhoods.
Explore Brasov - Located in Transylvania, Brasov is the launching pad for trips to “Dracula’s castle.” There’s also great hiking around, a beautiful historic center, and charming medieval streets. Brasov also has a wide variety of food from local Romanian fare to good international food.
Brasov Castle - The possible imprisonment of Vlad the Impaler here earned the medieval castle its nickname, "Dracula's Castle." The infamous Romanian ruler was immortalized as the inspiration for Bram Stoker’s 1897 novel, “Dracula,” and thanks to this loose link to the famous vampire, Bran Castle is popularly known in the region and beyond as “Dracula’s Castle.” Bran Castle was built between 1377 and 1388 atop a strategic site overlooking a heavily trafficked mountain pass between Transylvania and Wallachia, the land over which Vlad the Impaler ruled in the 15th century.
Explore Cluj-Napoca - is a university town located in Romania’s northwest. The city dates back centuries, and there are a lot of historical churches, museums, and ruins to visit. Because of the university here, there are a lot of affordable restaurants and a very lively nightlife in the city. If you’re looking to party, you can party as hard as you like in this town and you’ll still be struggling to spend all your money. Having a wild night out is definitely one of the best things to do as a backpacker in Romania.
Nightlife
Partying in Bucharest is top on the list for most people traveling here and has been a popular clubbers destination for many years. Located within Bucharest’s Old Town, Lipscani neighborhood has a great selection of energetic bars, thriving clubs and eclectic pubs. Fresh bars and clubs are popping everywhere in Bucharest. Whether you want to party until dawn, listen to live music, or just have a cheap drink and chill, head to Lipscani where all the hustle and bustle happens. Under the cover of darkness, this area becomes a magnet for party-goers and its nocturnal vibe is always a great time.
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