With a centuries-old history and a vast cultural and architectural heritage, the capital of Romania, Bucharest, is a colorful city, with numerous tourist attractions and activities. Even if you’re exploring the city during the day, or as the sun sets, the city can surprise you at any moment. Some streets preserve the atmosphere of past centuries and exploring them is like a journey into the past. The mix of culture, nightlife and numerous cafes and urban spaces can make any visitor fall in love with Bucharest. Here are a few things to consider when visiting the city.
Good to know in Bucharest
Safety
Bucharest is generally a safe city for both tourists and its residents, with people generally being welcoming and willing to help with information. However, as in any city, there are places where a little vigilance is beneficial, like dark narrow streets, especially during the night.
The most common form of scaming is taxi drivers who, especially in the Old Town or at the North Railway Station, may charge much higher fares than normal for a ride. Therefore, it’s advisable to use ride-sharing services like Bolt or Uber or the public transportation network.
Attention should also be paid to pickpockets who can snatch various items in crowded places. It doesn’t happen often, but it’s a good practice to keep valuable items like money, cards, and documents secure.
The emergency number for police, firefighters, and ambulance services is 112.
Public Transportation
Getting from one point to another in the city is relatively easy, especially since most tourist attractions are close to each other. Here are some recommendations:
- Uber/Bolt: Ride-sharing applications work well in the city and are useful for getting to various parts of the city while avoiding taxi drivers.
- Bus/Tram/Trolley: Public transportation is well-optimized in the city, managed by STB (Bucharest Transportation Society). Ticket payments and real-time schedules can be accessed through the INFOTB app, available on both IOS and Android. Night transport is also available, and all information can be found on stb.ro or in the app. In Bucharest, all STB vehicles (bus, tram, trolleybus) are equipped with contactless validators. That means you can simply tap your bank card, phone, or smartwatch (via Apple Pay, Google Pay, etc.) directly on the validator when boarding.
- The main gateway to Bucharest by air is Henri Coandă International Airport, located in Otopeni. From there, you can take STB bus line 100 (formerly 783) or a train from the nearby station to Gara de Nord, Bucharest main railway station. The ticket is 5 lei, and trains run every 40 minutes, taking approximately 25 minutes to reach Gara de Nord.
- The metro is also a good way to get around the city, covering the city center and several neighbourhoods as well. There are five metro lines, and the map and fare information can be found on metrorex.ro. There is no metro service during the night; trains operate between 5:00 AM and 11:30 PM.
- Bicycles and Electric Scooters: Several apps offer electric scooter rentals, including Uber, Bolt, Lime, and Splash, through their respective apps. It’s recommended to use these vehicles in designated areas and lanes.
Nightlife / Restaurants / Bars / Cafes
Bucharest is a vivid city during the night, and there are many places to enjoy a good meal, speciality coffee, or a refreshing cocktail. The main entertainment area in the city is the Old Town, where you’ll find numerous clubs and pubs. Calea Victoriei also offers cafes and restaurants, and people often go for a walk there.
Any local will be happy to help you with recommendations for restaurants or places to grab a cold drink. Bucharest offers a variety of restaurants representing cuisines from around the world, where you can try traditional dishes as well as Oriental or European.
For those in hurry, there are also numerous fast-food restaurants or bakeries where you can buy products and enjoy them on the road.