Bucharest, Romania

Bucharest from the point of view of the Palace of the Parliament. © 2016 Ralph Grizzle
Bucharest is Romania’s capital city, as well as the largest city. It is home to more than 2.4 million people in the urban area, making it one of the largest cities in the southeastern portion of Europe. It’s still growing, and you can see a unique blend of the modern and the historical in terms of the architecture and the culture of the city.
Getting around town is easy with the robust public transportation system, such as the buses, trolleys, trams, and subway. You can take taxis to different locations as well.
Your Cruise Ship Docks…
The cruise ships will generally dock near Portului St. 1 in Giurgu, a small town that is only a short distance south of Bucharest.
When in Bucharest…
Bucharest has a wonderful range of things that you can see and do, so you will want to plan your itinerary carefully so you can get to see everything that you want. Here are some of the best locations to visit.
- Parliament Palace – This is the largest parliament building in the world and it is right in the center of Bucharest. The 12-story building was created in 1984 and is quite impressive. You can take a tour, which will last between 30 and 45 minutes.
- Romanian Athenaeum – The building, which is quite beautiful, is where the George Enescu Philharmonic is located.
- Village Museum – This open air museum features hundreds of traditional buildings from Romania’s past to show what life was like in the country. The museum was built in 1934 and remains very popular with visitors
- National Museum of Contemporary Art – The museum, which is inside Parliament Palace, features an array of work from newer artists.
- National History Museum – If you want to know more about the history of Romania, this is the place to visit.
- Walk and Visit the Parks – Simply walking, on a free or paid tour, will give you an up close look at the city today. You can also visit Carol Park, the Botanical Gardens, Titan Park, and more on your visit.
What Do River Cruisers Need to Know?
The official language of the city is Romanian. However, you will find that many of the younger people in the city actually speak English. Those who are a bit older can often speak French, Spanish, or Italian. You may want to learn at least a few basic words in Romanian to help you get by, but you may not need it in this multicultural and multilingual city.
As with any larger city, there is a chance of crime. It’s not common that tourists become victims, so you shouldn’t need to worry too much. Just use some common sense and always be vigilant of where you are and what you are doing.
The climate in the summer is hot and the climate in the winter is cold. Make sure you pack appropriate clothing for when you travel so you are always nice and comfortable.
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