Global Staci

Having spent a couple days in Romania’s capital city at the end of my two-week tour of building houses in Cluj and around Transylvania, I’m not sure why it gets a bad rap. Sure, it’s a rather large city. But I like gritty urban environs just as much as I like glacial lakes and mountain air. Granted my visit was short and the weather in June was divine, but I’m sure glad I didn’t skip this one.

[PRO TIP: Uber is a great way to get around if walking isn’t possible.]

I pre-booked a custom designed walking tour with When in Bucharest, owned by Alina Brasoveanu Ph.D. She was an excellent resource, although we have yet to meet! Our guide’s enthusiasm for his country, city and its history was bar none. Check out these helpful tips from their blog. Noteworthy stops on our itinerary were the Stavropoleos Church, Victory Avenue, Icon Garden, Revolution Square, The English Passage, Victoria Passage, Villacross Passage and the Macca House.

Neoclassical and Beaux-Arts buildings juxtapose communist-style concrete block buildings, which surprisingly many residents prefer for their straightforward box construction and easy maintenance. By European standards, Bucharest is a relatively young city, and in recent years has become a tech hub for startups as well as digital nomads.

Shopping: – Cărturești Verona Bookshop (e.g. the other Carturesti Bookshop aka Carusel), for fun Romanian souvenirs duck into My Romanian Store [6 Episcopiei St] or the shops on Smârdan and Franceză Streets in Old Town. For unique, sustainably, and beautifully made garments by Romanian designers Altrntv [Blvd. Regina Elisabeta 26], a few shops away is TinaR [Blvd. Regina Elisabeta 36]

Eating/Drinking: Caru cu Bere (Beerhouse since 1800s), Lacrimi si Sfinti (traditional Romanian organic food), A MUST if the weather allows for a rooftop experience book a table in advance at Linea/Closer to the Moon. At the east end of the English Passage there’s a small window the sells the most delicious strudel and plăcintă, traditional Romanian sweet and savory pastries.

[PRO TIP: Tipping is customary in Romania.]

[PRO TIP: Try these delicious traditional Romanian dishes: Sarmale în foi de varzăê—Sauerkraut rolls stuffed with pork-minced meat, rice, onion and thyme, with tomato sauce, served with polenta, sour cream and a hot pepper on the side (also can be vegetarian) and Papanași—all over the country this fantastic desert is made of fried dough and sweet fruity topping!]

Lodging: I stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn Bucharest Old Town [12 Doamnei Street, Sector 3] and some of my friends stayed just down the street at the Moxy. Frankly, I didn’t book the Moxy only because I read a lot of online reviews complaining about sleep-disturbing noise. My friends didn’t have that problem! Both hotels are well located within the pedestrian friendly Old City center.