If you have planned your trip to Bucharest for the holidays, you are in for a wonderful experience. Bucharest is an entertaining city all year round, but the holidays make it extra fun.
Here are a few things you can do during the holidays in Romania’s capital city:
Visit the Christmas Fair
The annual Christmas fair is a chance for locals and tourists to get into the holiday mood. Hosted in front of the Palace of Parliament (Piata Constitutiei), it is the perfect place to get a complete holiday experience. There is an ice rink, food and beverage stands, gift stands, a carousel and, of course, Santa is waiting for children to tell him what they want for Christmas.
The fair is open daily from 11:00 until 22:00, until December 26th.
TIP: If you want to have the full fair experience, it is best to visit during the weekend evenings, when the stage hosts different singers and bands and the lights of the fair are on. But be warned, there is likely to be a crowd. For a leisurely experience, weekdays are best.
Take a ride through the city at night to see the lights
All the main boulevards are lit up during the holidays, so taking a night ride can be fun and romantic. Rent a car and drive around the city center (or you can take a Lime scooter if you are not afraid of the cold). Start from the Balcescu Boulevard, driving through Vasile Lascar Boulevard, Aviatorilor Boulevard and circle back on Kiseleff Boulevard and down the Victoriei Avenue.
Listen to a Christmas concert at St Joseph’s Cathedral
St. Joseph’s cathedral is known for its carols and organ concerts during the winter holidays. Check online to see when the next concert is. You can visit their Facebook page here.
Take a day trip to the castles
If you are here for several days, don’t miss a trip to Bran and Peles. The two castles are worthy the trip and the snow adds to their mistery and elegance. You can see both in the same day, and we recommend taking a guided trip. Contact us to book a trip for you (it also includes a stop in Brasov, where you can visit their Christmas fair as well).
Party like the Romanians on New Year's Eve
Romanians like to party and they celebrate New Year's Eve in style. If you have a bigger budget dedicated for the night between years, you can buy a ticket to one of the classy clubs in Bucharest and enjoy a lavish New Year's Eve party. If you wish to have a more budget friendly NYE, you can always go to the Old City and migrate between clubs until you find the one that better suits your music taste. Also, if you are one for a concert on NYE, the city hall is hosting a concert in Piata Constitutiei (the one where the Xmas fair is). For this one, the entrance is free.
TIP: Taxis are very expensive on NYE. This applies for UBER and BOLT too. We recommend staying out until the morning so you can take the subway back. Or get some warm clothes and comfy shoes and walk home.
Relax like a pro
Just outside Bucharest there is a huge spa center where you can enjoy a swim, relax in dry and wet saunas and have drinks right in the pool. The best part is there is a free bus that takes you there. You can board it in Piata Romana. Just look for the bus that says THERME and get ready to relax.
Finally, do not forget to enjoy yourself, no matter the activities you choose. And if you haven't booked your accommodation, do it now by clicking here.
Also, another thing to keep in mind is that throughout the holidays streets can get pretty busy and shopping centers and other spots can be crowded, so arm yourself with patience and holiday cheer.
Our flats are located in Bucharest zone 0, so there are many trendy places in the area where you can have some amazing culinary experiences. All of the places that we recommend are 5-10 minutes away, walking distance, making them very convenient for any meal.
Whether you are looking for a cozy brunch place, or just an afternoon snack, M60 and Dianei are some great hip places to eat. If you are a coffee and pastry lover, you should definitely try the French Bakery, which is known as one of the top bakeries in Bucharest. If you have a sweet tooth, you should try Mara Mura, known for its friendly atmosphere and delicious cakes. Our personal favorite is the Pavlova cake, which you should definitely try if your are looking for a treat.
Caju restaurant is perfect for a fancier dinner, as they offer all customers a great gourmet experience. If you are lucky, you might even get the chance to meet celebrity Romanian Chef Joseph Hadad, known for his amazing cooking throughout the country. If you are searching for a stylish place to have drinks before going out, then Salon Golescu is also a must, especially for cocktail lovers!
Last but not least, Bucharest also has to offer amazing artisanal beer. If you are a fan of this drink, then you should check out Gambrinus, where you can taste several kinds of delicious beer.
As Bucharest is Romania’s capital, you can imagine that it is filled with several historical and cultural experiences that are not to be missed. We will recommend some museums and monuments that are perfect for a one-day tour of Bucharest. Firstly, if you get the chance, you should definitely visit the imposing Palace of Parliament building, which is the heaviest building in the world.
During the tour you will get the chance to learn more about communist history and reflect upon that period through a Romanian perspective. Another great tourist attraction is the Dimitrie Gusti Village Museum located on the shore of Herastrau Lake.
You will get the chance to see various traditional houses coming from different regions of Romania. This place is perfect for architecture lovers! Afterwards, you can also take a walk around the beautiful Herastrau Park that has lots of nice restaurants and coffee shops.
If you are interested in the traditional peasant lifestyle, you should also visit the Museum of the Romanian Peasant. Its explosion of traditional Romanian folk costumes is particularly impressive. Lastly, the Museum of Senses also represents a fun tourist attraction.
As it is modern and interactive, the museum is perfect for families with kids, looking for an entertaining Sunday afternoon.
If you are an antique lover, or perhaps just want to do some vintage shopping, Lipscani Street is perfect for you.
Located in Bucharest’s old city center, some of the shops will hold real treasures, you just have to keep looking with determination! Not to mention that the Old City Centre is an area not to be missed, with beautiful architecture and great bars and restaurants. If you are looking for more luxurious shopping, then you should visit Calea Dorobanti where some of Bucharest’s best shops are situated. The area is also filled with trendy cafes and restaurants, perfect for a break from your shopping spree!
Apart from this, Bucharest has some great malls, including AFI Palace Cotroceni and Baneasa Shopping Cenre. Those places include any brand that you can think of, and the usual facilities that you could expect in a mall. Apart from this, they both have beautiful cinemas where you can watch the most recent movies.
