Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Bucharest
POP 2,100,000
Includes ยป
Why Go?
Romania's capital gets a bad rap, but in fact it's dynamic, energetic and more than a little
bit funky. It's where still-unreconstructed communism meets unbridled capitalism; where
the soporific forces of the EU meet the passions of the Balkans and Middle East. Many
travellers give the city just a night or two before heading off to Transylvania, but we think
that's not enough. Budget at least a few days to take in the good museums, stroll the parks
and hang out at trendy cafes. While much of the centre is modern and garish, you will find
some splendid 17th- and 18th-century Orthodox churches tucked away in quiet corners,
and graceful art-nouveau villas. Communism changed the face of the city for good, and
nowhere is this more evident than at the gargantuan Palace of Parliament, the craziest and
arguably crassest tribute to dictatorial megalomania you'll ever see.
