Bucharest is a FAB city – Fascinating Affordable Beautiful

As far as city breaks go, my recent (July 2018) 5-day visit to Bucharest with my travel companion must rank as one of the best experiences! It all started with another great deal from British Airways Holidays and the inspired choice of Grand Hotel Continental for our stay!

Grand Hotel Continental 

It’s a 5* hotel through and through – from the imposing exteriors to the friendly welcome at the reception desk! If first impressions count for anything, we were disposed to enjoy our stay from the start and we were certainly not disappointed 

Grand Hotel Continental may not be the only 5* hotel in town, but what sets it apart from the others is its historic building. Built in the late 19th century, it exudes the elegant glamour of a bygone era.  

The palatial setting is matched by the convenient location. On Calea Victoriei (Victoria Avenue) where the hotel is located there are many famous landmarks within walking distance. It means that we could take the sight seeing in bit sizes, getting back to the hotel for a pit stop and a quick shower when it got too hot!

Our twin-bedded room was spacious and quiet (including the air conditioning) that was great for a comfortable night’s sleep. Although the bathroom had a glass door (with opaque panel in the middle) it’s separated from the bedroom by the entrance hall with a large mirror-fronted wardrobe.

The continental breakfast served at the bistro downstairs had a good selection which was regularly replenished.

On the occasion when we returned very late from an excursion and had room service, our order was quickly delivered. It was very reasonably priced too. We would have liked to round up our lovely experience at the hotel by having dinner at Concerto Restaurant on our last night but unfortunately it was a Saturday and it was closed

The hotel really ticks all the boxes as a base for a wonderful city break.  It may look prohibitively  expensive, but it’s amazing how affordable it could be by booking early!

Palace of Parliament

The first destination on our first full day in Bucharest was the Palace of Parliament, the second largest administrative building in the world after The Pentagon. It’s a relatively short walk from the hotel.

It’s a colossal structure, impressive for its size rather than the architecture, by comparison to other stately old buildings. However it would have been nice to see the inside to have a view of the city from the roof. Unfortunately it could only be accessed by a guided tour which was sold out on the days that we’re around.

It is ironic that with some really beautiful  historic buildings around, Palace of Parliament, which is essentially a functional office building, has tourists like us flocking to see it. Saying that, it’s a must-see because it’s an important landmark of the Ceaușescu era. That out of the way, we went on the explore this amazing city 

Arcul de Triumf

Based on the Paris model this 3rd and latest version is still used for military parades. It was by sheer luck that I was able to take this photo when our taxi from the airport stopped at the traffic lights! 

There are many beautiful buildings in Bucharest!!

CEC palace – it’s the headquarter of CEC Bank

Museum of Romanian History– it’s right opposite CEC across the road

Central University Library of Bucharest 

National Museum of Art of Romania

It’s housed in part of a former palace. It’s an interesting place to spend a couple of hours when it’s too hot or too cloudy outside. Unfortunately the part housing the Royal Dining Room, Throne Hall and Voïevods Stair case is only open every Tuesday

By the way ALL the museums in Bucharest are closed on Monday 

National Bank of Romania

Romanian Athenaeum

Palace of Justice on the bank of  Dâmbovița River

Apart from stately buildings there are some really innovative places in Bucharest

Cărturești Carusel 

It must be one of the coolest bookstores in the world! 

Manuc’s Inn

It’s the oldest operating hotel building in Bucharest, closed in 2007 but has since been beautifully restored.

The shady central courtyard is a great place for a mid morning cool drink and a piece of chocolate cake with drunken cherries which was so rich that even two of us could not finish one portion! 

Pasajul Victoria

The alleyway with colourful umbrellas just off Calea Victoriei. It looked great at dusk as in daylight!

Pasajul Macca-Vilacrosse 

Not far from Pasajul Victoria is Pasajul Macca-Vilacrosse, a Y-shaped glass covered passages with restaurants, bistros, cafes and bars on either side.

 

Café Bistro Vilacrosse

We stopped here for an afternoon cappuccino and a tiramisu (so big that we had one to share). When I asked to use the bathroom, I was baffled by the sign – until I realised it was through the red telephone box! 😂

And how about a pub that’s like a church inside? 

This one is on the street by the side of Museum of Romanian History

The Old Town

There’re lots of restaurants and cafes with colourful decorations and amusing signs 

Stavropoleos Monastery & the pretty courtyard

Sole Restaurant 

It’s on the 15th floor of ING Bank with a view of the city. The food was good and reasonably priced 

Cișmigiu Park 

Cișmigiu Park is a lovely green space right in the city for the recreation of the locals, young and old

University Square 

Revolution Square and various commemorations of the 1989 Revolution 

Memorial of Rebirth commemorates the struggles and victims of the Romanian Revolution of 1989, which overthrew Communism.

The “21st December 1989” Square is located next to the main building of the University of Bucharest – This is where the revolution in 1989 has unfolded

There’re many more interesting churches, buildings and places around Bucharest than can be featured here. Suffice it to say that there are more to the city than the Palace of Parliament!😬

Last and the most important, I got the fridge magnets and photos 📸