Discover Bucharest, the Exciting Capital of Romania

Bucharest, the capital of Romania, is an evolving and intriguing mix of eras. The city is made up of wide boulevards, century old villas, 18th century monasteries and unsightly communist built housing blocks.

It is in Bucharest that you will find the country's top museums and lots of green parks. You will also find the ongoing development of the crumbling historic center that gives optimism at a return to classiness.

Running between Piata Victoriei, Piata Romana, Piata Universitatii and Piata Unirii is the main boulevard. You will find the main train-station, Gara de Nord, a few kilometers northwest of central Bucharest.

What to see

Nicolae Ceausescu, after being inspired on a trip to Pyongyang and Beijing in the 1980's demolished an entire suburb of historic buildings to create B-dul Unirii. B-dul Unirii is quite frankly Romania's 'Champs Elysees' and deliberately built so that it is 6m longer.

Anchoring B-dul Unirii is the world's second largest administration building, the Palace of Parliament (the Pentagon is the largest). The Palace of Parliament was built in 1984, is unfinished and is home to 12 storeys and 3100 rooms. Even when taking one of the hourly 45- minute tours you will only get to see a handful of the opulent marble rooms.

Northwest of Piata Unirii you can see the Curtea Veche. This is the humble historic heart of Bucharest, which Ceausescu ruined and dates back to the 15^th century. Entry to Curtea Veche is between 10am and 5pm.

Close to the Curtea Veche is Hanul lui Manuc, a one-time shelter for merchants and today an active hotel.

Northwest of the Hanul lui Manuc is the National History Museum. Here you can see a treasury and dismantled replica of the 2^nd-century Roman Trafjan's Column, showing the Romans conquering Dacians in present day Romania.

Travel east a block and you will come to the Stavropoleos Church. Sitting on a street whose name means 'town of the cross' this church dates from 1724 and is by far and away the nicest church in Bucharest.

The balcony of the former Central Committee of the Communist Party is where Ceausescu made his infamous final public appearance. It was on December 21^st 1989 that Ceausescu vainly tried to make his final speech to crowds shouting "Down with Ceausescu".

Across the square from here is the huge Royal Palace, which was a royal residence from 1834 and is now the National Art Museum.

East of here and you will find the domed Ateneul Roman where prestigious concerts are held. The Ateneul Roman was built in 1888 and it was at this venue that George Enescu made his debut appearance.

Entertainment

Bucharest offers a wide range of entertainment ranging from bars, clubs, opera and classical music.

The liveliest bar scene can be found in the Str Lipscani area with bars such as the Fire club, La Butoaje and the Piranha Club.

There are many places to eat such as the Snack Attack, Bistro Vilacross, the Habibi and the Caru cu Bere.

Bucharest also has a Gay and Lesbian scene with the main venue being Queens. There is also a Gayfest that is usually in late May or early June.

Things to be aware of

Be aware of stray dogs of which there is an abundance. These dogs are on the whole docile but occasionally bite. Should you become a victim of a dog bite then get to a hospital within 36 hours for an anti-rabies injection.

Plus, beware of taxi drivers. As with the dogs' mostly docile but some can charge extortionately high prices. The worst can be found outside Gara de Nord.

Legitimate taxis will have their rates written on the side and these will range from 1.7 t0 3.3 lei per kilometer.

Source: Europe on a Shoestring - the Lonely Planet