One day in the capital of Romania is enough to discover all what is Bucharest famous for. This post-communist city holds a lot of stylish buildings where influence of French and Byzantine architecture, makes it a fascinating blend to see. If you are wandering what to visit in Bucharest in one day I will point few highlights of the capital of Romania. Moreover, I will mention some interesting facts that is Bucharest famous for. Let’s get started!
The most beautiful couryard in Bucharest.
What is Bucharest famous for?
The capital of Romania has lots of charming lanes through the Old Town which will make you discover the history on every step. It’s dynamically growing city as well as important commercial and industrial center. Wandering what is Bucharest famous for you need to know, that between mixture of building from different centuries there are many hidden cafés, forgotten architectural gems on tucked away corners. This makes the city of Bucharest unique. Here are more reasons for visiting Bucharest.
The Parliament is the world’s second largest building in the world.
The palace, also called the people’s house is not only the largest building in Europe, but second largest after the Penthagon. Parliament of Bucharest has nearly four million square feet and one thousand rooms, including seat of the Romanian Parliament, senate, the chamber of deputies, three museums and an international conference center. In terms of weight, it’s the heaviest building in the world.
You can have a tour inside the Parliament in Bucharest and maybe you will add it to another list of “the most-ies” due to the vastness and kitsch. It’s a paradox, that in the Communism times people were so poor so that they could only eat well if they had some relatives living sustainable life in the villages. What’s more, Bucharest had no electricity for few hours every day, to save the money. At the same time, the Parliament was built, holding a vast of gold, swarovski crystals and luxury furniture.
Parliament in Bucharest.
The cutest building in the city of Bucharest – Stavropoleos Church
Standing out of the modern architecture, this little Ortodox church hides inside of the Old Town of Bucharest. A Greek monk built it in the XIIIth century. Combination of Romanian and Byzantine elements and courtyard with candles will take you away from the city’s hassle and bassle for a moment. Monastery is a calm and peaceful place, where you can stop for a second to meditate. Marking Bucharest points of interest, you need to know, that it’s the most pretty building in the whole city.
Stavropoleos Church in Bucharest.
Bucharest is called little Paris
In some parts (like Calea Victoriei) you can see French influence on the buildings. Moreover, as it’s the capital of Romania is also a cultural center of the country. When you come to Bucharest from the airport, you will most likely pass next to the Triumphal Arch. The ‘Paris of the East’ has its own Arc de Triomphe – built in 1935 to commemorate the reunification of Romania in 1918. These are why people call the city of Bucharest the little Paris (again? I have just came back from Algeria, where the city of Oran was the little Paris). In parallel, Bucharest is also center of nightlife in the country. Most of the bars and clubs are concentrated in the city center. Why not going for some pub crawl? 
Bucharest has one of the most picturesque bookshops in the world
Beautifully restored 19th-century buildings with white stairs like a carousel is definitely one of the most stunning bookshops I have seen. The design is very minimal, and the contrast with colorful books makes it look very picturesque. You will find The Cărtureşti bookstore on Strada Lipscani 55 street. I don’t recommend buying there because it’s the most expensive of all, but getting in to take few pictures is obligatory while visiting Bucharest.
Fast internet and IT leaders
Bucharest is famous for having one of the fastest internet connections in Europe. The same with a huge development in the IT field. Lots of foreign companies like IBM have their offices in Bucharest as Romanians are really good in programming. Romanian is second, after english, the most spoken language in Microsoft.
Parks of Bucharest
Bucharest is famous for many beautiful parks. Even right in the center of Bucharest, you will find the Cismigiu park or Parcul Izvor – park right in front of the Palace of the Parliament. There are several parks out of the city center as well, where you can enjoy a walk or picnic out of a hassle of the city of Bucharest.
Bucharest is really cheap
I will be frank with you. The city of Bucharest is not a very beautiful example of European capitals. The glory of the “Paris of the East” passed long time ago, and the difficult communist period still carries its remains in the architecture. So what makes people come here? One of the reasons is the prices, which are really affordable. The cost of an one-way ticket in the bus or tram is around € 0,63. As in other central European countries, you can find a good price for local food and alcohol. For one litre of beer (‘bere’ in Romanian), you pay, on average €1,50. Having dinner is also relatively cheap in Bucharest. You pay only € 5 on average, per person in a regular restaurant.
One day trip from Bucharest to Dracula Castle
Another reason why tourists come to Romania is the Dracula. Among numerous Romanian castles, the one is Bran is the most visited, especially for one day trip to Dracula Castle. Nearly 4 hours ride from Bucharest will bring you to very beautiful area in the mountains, where the castle is. World most famous vampire brings annually over 800k visitors!
Bran Castle.
Walking Bucharest’s busy boulevards, it’s easy to forget that outside the capital, Romania is a largely agrarian with stunning nature and people holding centuries old traditions. The beauty of Romanian country-side and mountains are the definitely the highlights of the country.
PL Pszczoła kocha przyrodę, kwiaty oraz herbatę. Najbardziej sprawia jej przyjemność życie i podróże w rytmie slow, bez pośpiechu. Stara się podróżować bardziej ekologicznie i inspirować do tego innych. Lubi poznawać inne kultury, tradycje, spędzać czas z lokalnymi i kosztować ich przysmaków. Jej ulubione miejsca w każdej podróży to uliczne bazary.
ENG The Bee is a nature lover and tea addict. Loves the idea of slow life and responsible traveling, constantly trying to improve to bee more eco-friendly. Appreciates old cultures and traditions, loves to immerse with locals, listen to ethnic music as well as taste regional food and drinks. Her favorite spots while traveling are family houses and street markets.
What a fascinating blend of architectural styles! And that’s such a beautiful bookstore as well.. I think Romania is still so underrated and a lot of people associate it with its communist past. But it looks like it’s just as worth visiting as some of the more well-known European cities.
Well, indeed communist buildngs are still the majority. But the old part of a blend fascinating to see.
Hi, just chiming in about the Palace of Parliament. This enormous palace was built during communism because Nicolae Ceausescu, who was the `president` at that time basically wanted to have something to brag about. It was the communist mentality to tell the outside world that everything was nice and peachy in the country will people were literally eating only small portions of food and had to endure cold in their own homes during winter. That’s something that was very common in most communist countries if I’m not mistaken. Things were crazy back then. There are stories that when Ceausescu came to visit o city or even a village, the local authorities would go overboard to make everything look nice. Everybody had to go and help clean the roads, paint their houses or even plant trees where there were none.
Thank you so much for your contribution and info Luminita :*
Romania is a nice countries I like to be there
I always thought that Bucharest would be really expensive like other places in Europe, but now that I know it’s not I need to get there ASAP! I’ve always adored the architecture there and only ever got to see it from the airport. What I’m most interested to see is the Stavropoleos Church. It looks absolutely lovely and peaceful. I also need to tell my bookworm friend about the book shop! She would die over how gorgeous it is!
Thank you Amanda :*
I saw pictures of the Parliament before and wonder how on earth they could build it under communism. Thank you for sharing information about it. I agree with you, the church is cute and the bookstore is a must-do even for only window shopping and taking pictures. And I can’t believe the number of visitors every year to the Dracula Castle. I think they have enough money for maintenance then.
You are right it’s a mystery, and every country in Europe which was under communism has a lot of the mysteries like that… unfortunately
Too old to travel now…..want to learn about places and way of life.
See pictures of the Bookstore and CHURCH.
Naaa, it’s never too late to travel and explore, just the way of traveling is changing
I would definitely like to visit Bucharest after reading this post. It looks like a great place to enjoy a short and affordable city break. Dracula’s Castle looks like a must! I was also interested about the facts about the IT industry- I never knew it was so strong.
What a lovely post about Bucharest. This article really gives a taste of what this city has to offer. My only remark is that the Old Town is now overrun with tourists and there are many other areas full of grand bell Epoque villas and history, but those are kinda off-the-beaten-path. Good thing I had a local with me to share all these things when I visited.
I’ve never been to Romania but after reading your post, it’s definitely on my list! Thank you for sharing some fascinating points.
You are welcome Clarissa! Hope you can make it!
The Parliament building in Bucharest really is big – so I can see why it is the 2nd largest building. While its glory time as little Paris may have passed, you’re right that the cheap prices are attractive. Maybe it just has to find its groove since so many former communist countries are re-branding themselves.
Crazy cheap there, that’s amazing. I thought it was so funny that they have the fastest internet there – random but cool! I bet this city would be neat to check out, however, I don’t think I would make it the main part of a trip to Romania.
Romanians are so proud of their fast internet, I heard it from so many people, so I decided to mention it 😀
I would love to visit Bucharest one day as it has so many beautiful things to do. I never knew that Parliament of Bucharest is second largest in the world. It is really majestic and impressive. Also it is great to see French influence in buildings of thus beautiful city.
It’s an interesting city, indeed, a big mixture of architecture. It didn’t impress me that much tho
The Church is indeed cute from what I see in the picture. Dracula castle is going on top of my list, who wouldn’t want to explore the abode one of this famous vampire. Lovely list of things to do in Bucharest, saving them for future reference as I haven’t visited Bucharest yet.
Thank you Suma :*
I loved reading this and the pictures. My great grandparents were from Romania.
Really happy to read that <3 thank you for sharing
Great article, I would love to visit.
I would like to visit Romania & want to see its culture, places, Castle of Dracula & many other places of interest.
It’s a very interesting country, not many people appreciate it, but has a lot to see and beautiful nature.