Your Essential Guide to Bucharest: Answering 10 Common Questions

This quick guide will give you a brief outline of what you need to think about when travelling to Bucharest.

1. Getting Around:
   • Public Transport: The metro remains the best option, but buses and trams now (mostly!!) use a contactless payment system. Ride-sharing apps like Uber and Bolt are widely used.
   • E-scooters & Bike Rentals: Lime and other e-scooter rental services have become popular, especially in the Old Town and parks (Bucharest Travel Guide: Landmarks, Nightlife, and Hidden Gems).
2. Accommodation:
   • Boutique hotels and Airbnb options are growing, with Calea Victoriei and the Old Town remaining the best locations for first-time visitors (Bucharest: What To Know Before Visiting | Balkan Trails).
3. Dining:
   • Bucharest is becoming a top European food city, with an explosion of gourmet restaurants. Kaiamo and Noua are must-visit spots for modern Romanian cuisine.
   • Food delivery apps (Glovo, Tazz) are convenient if you prefer to eat in (Bucharest: What To Know Before Visiting | Balkan Trails).
4. Nightlife:
   • The Old Town remains the heart of nightlife, but newer areas like Dorobanți and Floreasca offer upscale bars and lounges.
   • Electronic music lovers should check out Control Club and Guesthouse, which attract international DJs (Bucharest Travel Guide: Landmarks, Nightlife, and Hidden Gems).
5. Shopping:
   • Aside from malls, Romanian designer boutiques are booming. Check out Concept Store on Calea Victoriei for local fashion (Bucharest: What To Know Before Visiting | Balkan Trails).
6. Sightseeing:
   • Add the Dimitrie Gusti Village Museum for a unique look at Romanian rural life (Bucharest Travel Guide: Landmarks, Nightlife, and Hidden Gems).
   • Manuc's Inn, one of the oldest inns in the region, is now fully renovated and a must-visit (Bucharest: What To Know Before Visiting | Balkan Trails).
7. Best Time to Visit:
   • Christmas Markets in December are growing in popularity, with Constitution Square hosting the biggest one (Bucharest: What To Know Before Visiting | Balkan Trails).
8. Safety:
   • The Old Town is safe but has a rise in petty theft at night. Be cautious when using non-bank ATMs such as those branded 'euro ATM' (Bucharest: What To Know Before Visiting | Balkan Trails).
9. Common Phrases
   • Brush up on essential Romanian phrases to make your trip smoother. From greetings to navigating daily interactions, a few simple phrases will go a long way in Bucharest.
10. Safety
    • While Bucharest is extremely safe for travelers, it's sensible to exercise caution. By taking basic safety precautions and staying vigilant, you can enjoy a secure and memorable visit to Romania's bustling capital, e.g. not carrying phones in your back pocket on buses, or walking around with unzipped bags, leaving your personal stuff on a table in a coffee shop while you use the bathroom and so on. You can check the surprisingly low crime rates compared to any other city at Numbeo.