🇷🇴 Destination Spotlight: Bucharest, Romania
Did you know Romania has its own Arc de Triomphe?
Yes, like the one in Paris. Romania’s Arcul de Triumf, built in the early 1920s to commemorate the country’s victory in World War I, stands tall in northern Bucharest as a symbol of resilience and national pride.
And the Arc is just the start. Bucharest might not be on every traveler’s radar (particularly my fellow US-based travelers), but this Eastern European gem has been one of my favorite solo travel experiences to date and will always hold a special place in my heart.
Date of Travel: Summer 2023
Why Bucharest?
People often ask why and how I choose my solo destinations, and that question resounded in the case of Bucharest. This time, I quite literally dropped a pin on the (virtual) map - I’m a firm believer everyone needs to try this at some point in their live - and embraced the unknown. And I’m so glad I did.
Bucharest is a city that invites exploration, both in its layered history and modern quirks. It’s walkable, welcoming, and wildly underrated. I stayed in an Airbnb right in the heart of Old Town, which I highly recommend for any solo traveler or small group. Not only was it safe and quiet, but it had everything I needed. Most importantly, it let me walk to nearly every destination on my list. For the few that weren’t accessible on foot (including airport transit), Uber was easy, safe, and affordable.
Bucharest Must-Do’s
Therme Bucharest
This was honestly the highlight of the entire trip. I visited during the day, and the place felt like a futuristic spa-meets-greenhouse sanctuary: palm trees, mineral pools, infrared saunas, and tropical air that wraps around you the moment you step in. But scroll other photos online: by night (which I didn’t experience firsthand), it transforms into a glowing jungle-club hybrid, complete with colored lights, DJ sets, and floating cocktails. Just 30 minutes from the city, Therme Bucharest is easy to reach and shockingly affordable for what it offers. Perfect for rejuvenating mid-travel, especially if you’ve been on the go or just want to feel transported for a few hours.
Bookstores, bookstores, and more bookstores! Especially Cărturești Carusel.
Bucharest is home to some of the most beautiful bookstores in the world, and wandering through them feels like stepping into a storybook. Cărturești Carusel, nestled in a 19th-century building in Old Town, is a dreamy mix of spiral staircases, soft lighting, and floor-to-ceiling shelves that make you want to linger. Beyond a bookstore, it’s a cultural space, a coffee shop, and a quiet escape all in one. Whether you’re buying a book or just browsing the shelves for inspiration, it's a must-stop for readers, writers, and romantics alike.
Bucharest Fountains
Bucharest’s fountains - especially those along Unirii Boulevard - aren’t just decorative, they’re a full-on experience. At night, they come alive with coordinated light and music shows that rival some of the best in Europe. With over 40 individual fountains choreographed into a stunning spectacle, it’s an unexpected and totally free highlight of the city. The shows typically run on weekend evenings from spring through early fall, making it a perfect post-dinner stroll or photo stop. Bring a snack, grab a spot near the central roundabout, and enjoy the show.
Art Safari Bucharest
I’m a sucker for any exhibit about human connection. This one, tucked inside Art Safari, was full of hand-written love notes in different languages and totally unexpected in the best way.
Located in the heart of Bucharest, Art Safari is one of Romania’s most vibrant and accessible art experiences, blending classical masterpieces with bold contemporary installations inside an architecturally stunning space. The museum operates as a rotating exhibition hub, hosting everything from international retrospectives and themed collections to immersive experiences like the “Love Stories” exhibit I visited in 2023. Whether you’re an art aficionado or a curious traveler, you’ll find thoughtfully curated works across Romanian and global artists, often organized into interactive or multisensory displays.
Cișmigiu Gardens
Cișmigiu Gardens is Bucharest’s oldest and most beloved public park - a peaceful green oasis tucked right in the city center. With tree-lined walkways, a tranquil lake, charming bridges, and plenty of benches for people-watching, it’s the perfect spot to slow down after (or before) a day of sightseeing. Whether you're renting a rowboat, grabbing a snack from a nearby kiosk, or just enjoying a quiet stroll, Cișmigiu offers a refreshing contrast to the city’s bustling energy and a glimpse into local daily life.
I rented a rowboat and enjoyed much needed peaceful time on the water during my first afternoon in Bucharest. And (unpictured), I closed out my trip with happy hour and an early dinner along the water a few days later.
Romanian Palace of Parliament
To say this building is massive is an understatement. It’s the heaviest building in the world, one of the largest government structures, and a powerful window into Romania’s past under communist rule. Commissioned by Nicolae Ceaușescu during the 1980s, the Palace of the Parliament was designed as a symbol of authoritarian power and national pride - though at a tremendous cost to the country. Entire neighborhoods were demolished to make way for its construction, and it remains a deeply complex monument in Romanian history. Today, visitors can tour select areas of the building, gaining insight into both its opulent interiors and the political era that shaped it.
Sarmale at Caru' cu Bere
Sarmale (cabbage rolls stuffed with beef and rice) are a must-try traditional dish, and Caru' cu Bere is the place to try them. The building alone is worth the visit - ornate, historic, and deeply Romanian, with stained glass windows, carved wood interiors, and a beer hall atmosphere that feels straight out of another era. The menu features other hearty Romanian classics too, like polenta, mici (grilled sausages), and cozonac (sweet bread), often paired with their house-brewed beer. You might even get an impromptu dance performance during dinner - live folk music and swirling skirts included. It’s touristy, yes, but in all the right ways.
Bonus Adventures: Day Trips from Bucharest
🇧🇬 Bulgaria: A One-Day Border Hop
Thanks to Viator, I joined a small group for a full-day tour to northern Bulgaria. There were just five of us, and our Romanian guide was incredible. He was efficient at the border, fluent in shortcuts, and full of context throughout. We visited:
Basarbovo Monastery (a cave monastery built into the rocks)
Veliko Tarnovo, a hilltop medieval town full of charm
And enjoyed a few road-trip detours that gave us a more contemporary, local experience
Even with language gaps among our group, it was one of the most fun and fulfilling days of the trip.
🧛♂️ Transylvania: Castles, Mountains & Myths
I also used Viator to book a full-day tour to Transylvania, and it completely delivered. The highlight was Bran Castle (not pictured here FYI) - often referred to as Dracula’s Castle - with its dramatic perch, narrow staircases, and gothic charm. While the Dracula connection is mostly legend, the atmosphere feels straight out of a novel. The drive through the Carpathian Mountains was breathtaking, and we stopped in Brașov, a colorful medieval town with cobblestone streets and a cozy main square perfect for a quick bite or coffee. It made for a full but seamless day trip from Bucharest - and offered a totally different side of Romania that’s well worth the detour.
Gânduri Finale (Final Thoughts):
Bucharest may not be the first place people think of when planning a European trip - but it should be on your list! Whether you’re craving thermal spas, old-world architecture, walkable streets, or easy access to cross-border adventures, it delivers and then some.
I’ll be sharing more posts from other trips in this new Destination Spotlight series.
Until then: save this one if Romania is on your radar. 🇷🇴
