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If you’re for the first time in Bucharest and have no idea where to go or what to do first, you wonder puzzled what you could visit so that to get in touch with the city’s vibration, customs and rhythm of life or simply want to enter into the specific buzz of an Eastern European capital, you must certainly visit the the Old Town!
Starting from Henri Coanda International Airport, you may choose between taking a taxi or a bus, which will take you directly to the city center. If you're impatient, we suggest that you choose a taxi and if the traffic is friendly, you will get to the scene in about thirty minutes. Name your destination: Old Town, Doamnei Street! Your adventure will begin on this narrow street, whose name is given by a place of worship - Doamnei Church, hiding among countless other historical monuments, museums, theaters, universities, and let’s not forget to mention so that you'll not have a less pleasant surprise, chaotically parked cars.
Doamnei Street intersects Smârdan Street, a beautiful street with plenty hotels located into historical buildings, stylish terraces and bistros, hosting also one of the most prominent attraction, a symbol building for Bucharest - the National Bank of Romania. The old National Bank of Romania Palace (BNR Palace), nowadays restored, was built by Albert Galleron and Cassien Bernard, both former students of Charles Garnier, the creator of the famous Opera Garnier, also known as the Paris Opera. No wonder Bucharest was called Little Paris!
Now, we’ll try not to overwhelm you with too much information on the beautiful monuments of the Old Town, instead we give you a few pointers, just enough to tickle your curiosity and you, thirsty traveler, to look for whatever seems appealing and beautiful to your soul.
Hereinafter, because we reffered alot to the architecture, streets and places of worship, feel free to discover more on your own but, thinking that you might be starving, there is a wide variety of bars, bistros and restaurants with both traditional Romanian and international cuisine to please your appetite!
The most appreciated Romanian restaurant with interbelic atmosphere and delicious food is “Caru cu Bere”, on Stavropoleous St. Two steps from interbelic Bucharest, you'll find St. Patrick Irish Pub and Restaurant, on Smârdan St., where you can choose from a wide range of beers and a diverse menu that will indulge your senses. And of course, here you can find a specific Irish pub atmosphere: joy, noise, good vibe! Pretentious tourists can try the freshness of Japanese food at Sushi Ko, on Stavropoleous St., in a warm, quiet and friendly atmosphere.
Morevover, unless you are very demanding, there is always the street food, less expensive, good and fresh, the smell of Vienna sausages in fluffy bun, seasoned with pickled cucumbers or classic mustard invites you right on the corner of the National Bank; we already know that it will be hard to resist! Sticking to the same category - street-food - you'll find a small, crammed, tavern on a street corner (Gabroveni Street) serving Greek food. Here you can enjoy quietly a rich and tasty Gyros on the rhythm of traditional Greek music, charmingly played live at the bouzouki by the owner of the place. All streets in Old Town hide special places where that serve delicious Romanian cuisine (we suggest, Caru' cu bere or Crama Domneasca, as these are the most appreciated by tourists), or you can choose Lebanese, Turkish, Italian, French, Hungarian food and more. As your heart desires!
We let you now take a stroll for a while to discover the narrow, crowded streets (Selari, Gabroveni, Lipscani, furs, Stavropoleous, French, etc.), enter the stores with hand-made products, souvenirs, clothes, shoes, jewelry, antiques and enjoy the old architecture buildings, historical monuments built in the 18th century, some restored, others in poor condition, a mixture of old and new that will surprise you, probably initially revolt you and afterwards completely charm you. You just have to let yourself carried away with the energy of the place and keep in mind that Bucharest is a growing rapidly city, with a rich and tumultuous history that left its mark visible on every street corner, on the balconies of historical buildings, on the alleys with cubic stone, randomly on windows with ottoman ornaments.
Besides its architectural, cultural and gastronomic wealth, the Old Town is the heart of Bucharest parties, both during the day and especially at night, when it turns into the busiest place in the city.
Here you can relax in a chic bar, drinking a glass of wine while listening to jazz music (55 Jazz Bar, French St.), or you can go out for a beer with friends in one of the many rock music bars (Fire Club or Mojo, Gabroveni St.). If you're talented and feel energetic after a few hours spent at the terrace, sipping a cocktail, you can go to a karaoke club (True Social Club, strada French St. or The Drunken Lords, Şelari St.), a stand-up comedy club (Cafe Deko, Covaci St.), or dance until dawn in a club (Bordello’s Pub or Finnish Club, Şelari St.; Biutiful, Gabroveni St. or Freddo Club and Lounge, Smârdan St.). It's almost impossible not to find a place to please you, no matter how demanding you are! The most important thing you should know is that you'll definitely want to come back the next day. For sure you’ll find other new places and not get bored. Also, if you're a single traveler, do not worry, Romanians are friendly, noisy and, especially, jolly!
Translated by Raluca Pintilie
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