Yahoo Lifestyle Bucharest travel guide: what to do and where to stay in Romania’s capital
Anyone for a spa break? How about a destination rich with culture, history and good food, too? Then get ready to add Bucharest to your bucket list. It’s the capital city of Romania (aka the birthplace of Dracula), home to Europe’s largest relaxation centre (with 10 thermal pools, 10 saunas, plus 17 waterslides) and it’s super affordable (we’re talking flights for less than £17 each way). So, if it's not on your radar, it should be.
If you’re on TikTok chances are you’ve already seen a little of what this city has to offer. Therme Bucharest, the aforementioned spa, has featured in countless viral videos recently. But it’s just one of the capital’s many attractions, as we discovered during a weekend break.
It’s no exaggeration to say Bucharest, or ‘Little Paris’ as it’s often known, offers a one-of-a-kind city break. But how should you spend your time there? From the lowdown on spa treatments to coffee shop recommendations (Bucharest has a reputation for speciality brews), here’s everything we loved during our stay, plus how to snag bargain flights.
Getting there and getting around
With a flight time of approximately three hours, Bucharest makes for a great weekend break for UK tourists (although you could certainly enjoy a longer visit).
Wizz Air flies from London Luton Airport for as little as £16.51 one way; the airline also flies to the city from five other UK destinations although prices vary (with single fares starting from £19.91 from London Gatwick, £35.99 from Birmingham, £44.99 from Leeds, £19.91 from Glasgow and £35.99 from Liverpool).
Once you’re arrived, you’ll find the city is well-connected. That said, it’s worth planning your route from the airport ahead of time. You’ll benefit from downloading Uber if you’re not using public transport (to avoid inflated taxi fares), otherwise, it’s worth checking out the STB bus line 442, which runs between the International Airport and destinations like Therme Bucharest.
Where to stay
We stayed at the Peakture Hotel and couldn’t recommend it more. A luxury hotel this is not. But the property was spotless, the staff were very friendly and the rooms were comfortable. Best of all, the hotel is within walking distance of the Old Town and the majority of the attractions most tourists visit. We opted for a “Cosy City View” room which starts at £74, and we would happily stay there again.
Other popular hotels include The Marmorosch Bucharest, part of the Autograph Collection, and Epoque Hotel Relais & Chateaux if you're looking for a boutique option.
What to do in Bucharest
Spend a day at the spa
Therme Bucharest might just be one of the most impressive spas in Europe. It’s certainly one of the largest, and with three main areas, you could easily spend the whole day in the relaxing centre. But what’s the difference between the zones? We’re glad you asked.
The Palm
Let’s start with The Palm - the area you’ve probably seen on TikTok. Think thermal pools, swim-up bars, hydromassage bars, and mineral pools. Oh, and palm trees. Far too many Insta-worthy palm trees to count (we’re not kidding, there are 1,500 in the entire complex).
So, you’ll feel seriously relaxed, even before you swim through to the outdoor thermal pool or stretch out on a sunlounger, later grabbing a bite to eat from the on-site restaurant.
Owing to the sheer size of The Palm, you shouldn’t expect a silent spa experience. Like we said, there are swim-up bars. In other words, guests are there for a good time, as well as a restorative one. But we’re willing to bet you’ll still leave feeling very well-rested. We spotted lots of guests enjoying what must have been the best nap of their lives on the poolside cabanas, and if you want to get away from it all, there’s always Elysium…
Elysium
In short, Elysium is the place to be if you’re looking for some serious R&R. With several themed saunas (there are 10 in the entire Therme complex), you can literally feel your stress melt away in this area. The cinema sauna and Himalayan salt sauna are just a few of the highlights, and if saunas aren’t your thing, there’s also a vitaminised selenium pool.
But the real star of the show is the treatments on offer if you’re willing to pay a little extra. In Elysium, you can book massages for 369 lei (approximately £63). We can personally vouch for the mineral massage, the perfect way to wind down after a busy day of fun. Just maybe don’t make a dinner reservation right after your appointment, as the treatment includes a mud massage…
Talking of dining, if you have opted for access to Elysium, you’ll want to make the most of The Mango Tree, Elysium’s à la carte restaurant..
In case you were wondering, you’re all good to head to dinner in your bikini, as you’ll be offered a cosy robe to wear during your visit. The restaurant specialises in Thai cuisine, and we’re happy to report it’s very tasty.
Galaxy
Thrill seekers of all ages will love Galaxy, where the rides are out of this world. Jokes aside, this really is the place to head for some serious family-friendly fun. There’s a wave pool, sand beach, and, best of all, 17 indoor slides. When Cosmopolitan visited, the Galaxy slide was a firm favourite. Apologies to anyone who heard us screaming!
Other attractions include the family-friendly pool bar, Himalayan salt library, and Greens Restaurant.
FYI, prices vary depending on the areas you plan to visit and age restrictions apply (The Palm only allows children under 3 or over 14, while Elysium is age 14 plus).
For adults, a one-day pass to all areas starts from 167 lei (or £29).
You’ll need to pack your own swimwear, towel and flip-flops, although all required items are available to purchase or rent.
See the sights
Look, we get it. It might be tempting to spend your whole stay at the spa but trust us when we say you’ll be missing out. Steeped in history, there’s plenty to see and do in the capital. Whether you’re a fan of beautiful architecture and speciality coffee or prefer courtyard beers and late nights, this vibrant capital city has something for everyone. It’s very walkable too, as the old town is located in the city centre, so it’s super easy to get out there and explore.
For culture lovers, the historic Stavropoleos Monastery is not to be missed. Dating back to the 18th century, the tiny church is known for its beautiful frescoes, and it homes a small number of nuns to this day. Or, if you’re keen for a spot of retail therapy, spend an afternoon exploring the old town. There are plenty of delightful shops, including a three-storey bookstore, Cărturești Carusel, plus cafes and bars, perfect for people-watching.
Take a tour
Hopefully, by now, you’re getting a small sense of all the attractions Bucharest has to offer. To make sure you don’t miss out, why not sign up for a walking tour? During our visit, we opted for a two hour guided tour — and our whole group agreed it was one of the highlights of the trip. Hosted by Walkabout Free Tour (free to book, though tips are appreciated) the two hour walk included historical, political and cultural landmarks.
We saw the Palace of Parliament (the second largest building of its kind in the world, second only to the Pentagon) and St Anthony’s Church (said to be the place to go if you’re looking to meet your soulmate). But, best of all, the tour gave us the chance to hear from our local tour guide, who talked us through Romania’s history, including life under Communist rule.
Bucharest is a city still recovering from its past but looking to the future, and it was such a joy to get to know Bucharest better, while taking in the city's eclectic architecture.
Called ‘Little Paris’ for its French architecture (Bucharest has its own version of the Arc de Triomphe), and recently nicknamed ‘new Berlin’ — it’s true Bucharest reminds you of various European cities, but there’s nowhere quite like it.
Enjoy a brew
We’re not just seriously obsessed with coffee… but we are obsessed with the seriously good coffee shops dotted all across Bucharest. In recent years, the city has developed quite the reputation for its brews — little wonder when it’s said to have more specialist cafes per person than Berlin or Copenhagen. Happy exploring!
Where to eat in Bucharest
Romania loves its food, so no visit would be complete without sampling at least a few local delicacies. Sorry if you’re vegetarian (like our writer), the local cuisine is rather meat-heavy, but we’re assured it’s very tasty. Our group enjoyed gulas ardelenesc (goulash), ciorba de perisoare (meatball soup), sarmale in foi de varza cu mamaliguta (stuffed cabbage rolls), and Papansi (cheese doughnuts) during a lunchtime trip to La Mama Restaurant.
We’re told other restaurants worth visiting include Caru’ cu bere, Vatra Restaurant and Taverna Covaci if you're looking for traditional Romanian food — or there’s Maya Fresh and Za’atar if you’re looking for more plant-based options.
Come evening we headed to FORK The Restaurant, a short drive from the old town but a trip well worth taking if you’re looking for fine dining with a view. Situated at the top of Ana Tower, with views across the city’s skyline, expect delicious food and a very impressive wine selection. Other popular nighttime spots include Paine & Vin and Wineful, and there are also plenty of beer houses to enjoy. As they say in Romania, noroc!
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