10 things to know before you visit Bucharest (2022)
Last updated:
15 June 2022
1. Metro is the quickest way around… and the cheapest
The city center stop is “Universitate” or the long form “Piata Universitatii” and offers you a quick link to any parts of Bucharest. You can buy several passes.
2 trips / 5 RON (~1.01 €)
10 trips / 20 RON (~4.04 €)
One day pass / 8 RON (~1.62 €)
One week pass / 25 RON (~5.05 €)
2. Parking is available downtown and doesn't cost a fortune
Public parking can be found at street level, free or paid. Underground public parking is paid. Each of our rentals are having public parking in front of the building or few meters away, we will help you finding a spot
Paid at street level: Monday to Friday, 08:00 - 18:00 10 RON (~2.02 €)/hour ; outside this schedule, is free.
Underground parking (Intercontinental or Universitate): 5 RON (~1.01 €)/first hour, 4 RON (~0.80 €) /following hours to a maximum of 40 RON (~8.10 €)/24h.
3. RON is the currency and not Euro
The exchange rate today is 4.95 RON/€.
4. Sundays are not dead
Unlike most European cities, in Bucharest almost everything is open 7 days a week, including Sundays, until late in the evening. Shopping malls and supermarkets are open daily ‘til 22:00. Some small stores close Sunday around 15:00.
5. Supermarkets in downtown
Within 2 minutes walking from any of our apartments there is a supermarket and a 24-hours minimarket, called “non stop”. The opening hours are daily until 22:00 (excepting Saturday, when it close at 14:00)). Mega Image is the largest supermarket chain and the most present in the center.
6. Open-air food markets are great
The most authentic, older and biggest market in Bucharest is “Obor”. It has a corresponding metro station, “Obor”, which is 2 stops away from “Universitate”. In the center, there is a good, but smaller fresh produce market, open Thursday to Sunday, located on Str. Edgar Quiet.
7. WiFi & Mobile
All our apartments have fast & reliable WiFi. In the city, almost all places have free WiFi, including in the airport. If you want a Romanian SIM, buy a prepaid one. It’s cheap and comes with mobile data as well.
8. “Caru cu bere” is not overrated
This restaurant in the Old Town, housed in a historical building and it seems overrated on the Internet, but trust us – is a good one. Us - locals, eat there. No need to make a reservation, just go there and if is full, wait or sit by the bar for few minutes until a table opens up. The prices are fair, the artistic shows are authentic and the house beer is excellent.
9. Vegetarians will not starve to death
Even if Romanian cuisine is mostly meat based, almost all restaurants have at least few good vegetarian options in the menu, from soups to deserts. Even in the supermarkets you will find vegetarian & raw vegan options. In the center, "Sinbad" (Str. Lipscani nr 19) has very tasty vegetarian options, while "Aubergine" (Str. Smardan nr 33, in Old Town) has good vegan options. Or you can cook at home, since all our Bucharest holiday apartments have kitchens “ready for cooking”, just buy some groceries.
10. English speaking
The majority of people under 50 speak English, at least at a basic level. No worries, we do speak English fluently
Be a local for few days, renting a central apartment
Cellini 2
Special offer
Short term studio rental in city center, next to Hotel Intercontinental
5
reviews
5.0
Exceptional
City center: University Square
from
35€
Spring Time 1
Special offer
Ideal for monthly rentals or corporate accommodation, next to Lipscani and Old Town
38
reviews
4.7
Excellent
City center: Old Town - Lipscani
from
56€
Dalles
Comfortable self-catering apartment in city centre, near University Square