Bucharest Should Be Your Next Destination: Here’s Why

Most people don’t consider Bucharest among top destinations in Europe, but this is a mistake. Bucharest, Romania is a beautiful, cuturally rich city that more tourists are discovering each year. Nonetheless, it’s still not so busy with tourists that you can’t enjoy a trip there. Here are some of the reasons you should consider adding Bucharest to your next European itinerary.

Fascinating History

Most people know Bucharest because of its Communist history, but Romanian history runs much deeper than that. In fact, the area surrounding Bucharest was settled as far back as Roman times! Over the centuries, wars and invaders helped shape the different regions of Romania, and Bucharest became the capital of the then-territories in 1862. Since the fall of Communism in 1989, Romania has been a democracy with a capitalist free market.

Amazing Architecture

Throughout the centuries, Bucharest has had many architectural influences, and many buildings stand from these different eras. From Neo-Classical and Baroque mansions to Communist blocks and Brutalist megaliths, Bucharest is easily one of the most beautiful cities in Europe – it’s almost like Paris without the crowds!

Delicious, Hearty Food

Romanian food is hearty and rich, perfect for a cold winter night. Popular dishes include cabbage rolls (sarmale), fried dough with sweet cheese (plăcinte cu brânză dulce), and potato goulash with smoked meat (gulaș de cartofi cu afumătură). You can also pair any dish with Țuică, the plum brandy specialty you can only find in Romania.

Hip Craft Beer

Craft beer is having a moment in Romania right now. There are some amazing breweries, including Sikaru and Ground Zero, making spectacular IPAs and Wits you can find in several brew pubs and bars around Bucharest. They aren’t widely spread, but if you find them on the menu, be sure to open a bottle. Or, visit in September when the Bucharest Craft Beer Festival happens each year.

Public Transportation

Despite any reputation Bucharest might have based on its past, the city is surprisingly easy to travel around. In addition to being able to walk nearly everywhere in the city center (Old Town), you can also take the metro or bus system – both of which are affordable and cover a major part of the city. When it comes to sightseeing, it’s easy to see all the major spots without spending a lot of time or money.

Valerie Stimac is a roaming writer who spent several weeks in Bucharest during August. You can find her writing on Travel + Leisure, AFAR, and Roads & Kingdom, as well as her blog, Valerie & Valise. You can also read her Ultimate Guide to Travel in Bucharest.

Source : https://parachute.mapquest.com