Old Town
Cobbled lanes, Stavropoleos, Manuc's Inn and Cărturești Carusel. Loud after 10pm, so sleep elsewhere.
An independent city guide · Bucharest, Romania
hai,bucharest.
hai /haj/ · Romanian, interjection
Come on, let's go. It sounds like “hi”, but it's an invitation. Belle Époque streets, communist megastructures and parks the size of neighbourhoods, explained by people who live here.
Itineraries
Pick your days. We drew the route.
Each day is walkable, with one metro hop at most. Start late, end at a terrace.
Things to do
The short list, picked by locals.
Map
The city on one page.
SightsMuseumsParksFoodOpening hours checked Oct 2026
Neighborhoods
Four Bucharests in one city.
The city changes every few streets. Here is where to go for what.
Cotroceni
Quiet villas from Little Paris days, the Botanical Garden and Cotroceni Palace.
Dorobanți & Primăverii
Leafy boulevards, embassies, Ceaușescu's mansion and the city's big northern parks.
Herăstrău
Terraces and restaurants on the lake inside King Michael I Park, from relaxed bars to fine dining.
What to eat
Order like a local.
Romanian food is hearty, sour-creamy and built for cold winters. Here is what to try, and how to say it.
Good to know: portions are large and sour cream comes with almost everything. Tipping around 10% is normal in restaurants.
Plan your trip
From the plane to the city.
Train
Airport → Gara de Nord
Direct, 25–30 minutes, no stops on the way. The platform is just outside the terminal building.
- TicketsPay by card on board, or buy online or from the machines. Two companies run the line: Transferoviar (6.50 lei) and CFR Călători (11 lei). A ticket is valid only on the company that sold it.
- TimesTrains leave every 30–40 minutes. Check the next one on Google Maps or the CFR Călători app.
- Into townAt Gara de Nord, change to metro M1 or M4.
Bus 100
Airport → Piața Unirii
Stops near the centre and the Old Town. Board at the Departures level.
Bolt · Uber
Door to door
Usually the easiest option with luggage. Use the app instead of hailing a taxi outside.
Tip
Plan routes with Google Maps
It shows metro, bus and tram connections across the city, with stops and timetables. Pick "Public transport" in directions.
Questions visitors ask
The things everyone googles.
Is Bucharest safe?
Yes, very. The US State Department puts Romania at Level 1, its safest travel advisory, alongside Switzerland and Austria. On Numbeo's 2024 ranking, Bucharest came out safer than Lisbon, Vienna and London. Walking around at night is completely normal.
For getting around, Uber or Bolt is simply easier than a taxi: the price is fixed upfront, you pay in the app and there's no language barrier. Most taxi drivers are honest, but with an app you never have to wonder.
Can I drink the tap water?
The city's water company says tap water is drinkable. Older buildings can have old pipes, so many locals still buy bottled water.
How do I pay for the metro, buses and trams?
Just tap your contactless bank card or phone at the metro gate, or on the validator when you board a bus, tram or trolleybus. No ticket to buy, no app to install. A metro ride costs 5 lei. Rechargeable travel cards also exist, but you won't need one if you have a card or phone. To find the right line, use Google Maps directions with "Public transport".
What's on this weekend?
Our events calendar is on the way. Until then, the Romanian Athenaeum and the National Theatre publish their programmes online, and most festivals announce dates on their own sites.
What's on
An events calendar the city never had.
Concerts, festivals, markets and exhibitions in one place. It's the first thing visitors ask about, and nobody keeps a full list. We're building it.
Organising something in Bucharest? Tell us at contact@haibucharest.com and we'll add it when the calendar launches.