A city destined for greatness steps away from a turbulent past in the most beautiful way. Bucharest should be on your short list and for good reason. Though communism will have forever left its mark on the city, it doesn’t mean it’s forever this way — it’s changing and has changed. Dubbed as the “Little Paris of the East,” Bucharest is a feast for the eyes. Its combination of crumbling facades with grand boulevards that rival any street in Paris makes this corner of Europe an open invitation into Balkan history. 
You feel the energy in the city ripple through your body. It’s hard not to gravitate to the bustling cafes in old town that seem to be spilling out with locals. It’s hard not to cozy up in a design-forward coffee shop where a new generation creates a life and a culture for themselves. It’s inspiring, and you could spend hours taking it in. 
Through its elegant buildings, there’s plenty of Romania’s history to be found. You could easily spend three nights here and still not see the whole city, and sometimes pushing your flight back a day is justified. 17th and 18th century churches seem to be lurking in every corner, often hidden from sight. Protected, they still hold their true character and design showcasing the golden gems from decades ago. 
Amidst it all, there’s one building that surely stands out amongst the rest. It’s the Palace of the Parliament and with 1100 rooms, it’s hard to miss. You can step inside the largest administrative building in the world with a guided tour to take a glimpse at this incredible Romanian masterpiece. The cool part? It was designed by a 28 year-old female architect. 
Welcome to Bucharest, a city waiting to pleasantly surprise you in ways you could have never imagined. 
Checkout 10 tips for your first trip to Europe!
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PS — Are You Booking a Trip Soon? Use My Booking Checklist!
These are the sites I use most to book my own trips. Using the links below is a great way to support Bon Traveler’s travel journalism at no extra cost to you. If you need help organizing your itinerary, get my free travel itinerary template here.
1. Book Your Accommodations
I use Booking.com for hotels and Airbnb for vacation rentals. They have the biggest inventory and consistently offer the best rates.
2. Book Your Rental Car
Self-driving is the best way to explore most destinations. I use Discover Cars for our rental cars, select full coverage insurance, and opt for a reputable company like Alamo, Hertz, or Sixt.
3. Book Your Tours & Experiences
I use Viator, Airbnb, and Get Your Guide to find the best tours and experiences. They are my favorite tour search engines. I always check all three as their inventory varies depending on the destination.
4. Book Your Private Transfers
For easy, reliable private transfers, I use Welcome Pickups. It’s my go-to for arranging a driver in advance — whether it’s an airport pickup, a hotel-to-hotel transfer, or a day trip. The experience is seamless, with English-speaking drivers and upfront pricing, so you can travel stress-free at every stage of your trip.
5. Get Cell Data for Your Trip
I use Holafly for international cell data. Their unlimited data eSIMs are easy to install, activate instantly on arrival, and let you skip local SIM cards and expensive roaming fees.
6. Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
I never leave the country without travel insurance. It provides comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong (ie. illness, injury, theft, or cancellations).
My favorite companies that offer the best coverage and rates are:
- World Nomads (best for all-around)
- Safety Wing (best for frequent travelers)
Xx,
Jessica