Bucharest, found by the Dâmbovița River, is the capital city of Romania and home to over two million people.
An unfortunate victim of frequent natural disasters in the past, the city has faced major reconstruction but never fails to recover from its woes and remains one of the most important cities in Eastern Europe. In visiting the Romanian capital, you can look forward to an unusual blend of cultural intrigue and the industrial working class.
Bucharest thrives from its many industrial areas, and is also by far the most commercially attractive proposition for an aspiring Romanian business. The hub of city life is rarely forgotten amidst the densely packed residential tower blocks that you can find in abundance. While this might sound like a slightly off-putting as a potential holiday destination, Bucharest is a city of versatility and differing tastes. Theres something for everybody.
In stark contrast to the cogs of industrialised development, Bucharest also houses some of the finest art on the continent. The city has been crafted in to a paradise of architectural achievement and is often referred to as The Paris of The East. Such accolades could only come the way of a richly cultured city and Bucharest delivers in style.
Visiting Bucharest during the sweltering height of the summer season is a risky venture indeed. The lack of good air conditioning and soaring temperatures are capable of rendering an unprepared tourist in to a state of shock upon arriving. The city isnt geared towards the tourism industry and any visitor should understand that Bucharest aims first to satisfy its own. Thats not to say that it doesnt make a great place to visit though.
In many ways, the city is a combination of differences. You can walk down one street and find yourself glimpsing the strong hints of Stalin-esque architecture, but the next may bring a complete upheaval of tradition in the form of industrial apartment blocks. There is plenty of intriguing art on display and the many museums cater for those wishing to dig deeper in to the history of Romania, and its capital city.
For fans of sheer breathtaking scale, The Palace of the Parliament may be just the kind of attraction that appeals. With an astonishing 1100 rooms and 12 storeys, its the third largest building of any kind in the world and the largest in Europe. Tourists can drop by the site for the novelty of seeing the vast building, but the actual palace is rarely accessible with private conventions being hosted there on a regular basis. Public tours are available on a limited basis and can be arranged in one of many different languages for those who wish to view the ins and outs of the structure.
The National Museum of Contemporary Art can be accessed through the Palace of the Parliament. Hosting, as youd expect, a variety of stylish artistic pieces which perfectly sum up modern day Bucharest, the museum is definitely worth the visit.
For those who wish to experience a more extensive tribute to Romanias past, The National Museum of Art of Romania can be located with its cultural pieces and historic sculptures. Work of the great Constantin Brâncuși is held there alongside some of the most famous Romanian art. There are plenty of smaller museums scattered throughout Bucharest, all of which can be accessed through one of the cleanest and most efficient transport infrastructures in the world.
The Bucharest Metro represents the foundation of the transport system the third largest in Europe. A canal runs through the heart of the city but in truth, Bucharest has never truly capitalised on its potential and waterway travel has traditionally been left to the other Romanian cities.
Tourists interested in making a trip to Bucharest would be well advised to book outside of peak summer season. The landmarks can be appreciated and explored during any time of the year, but rising summer temperatures make it a much more favourable destination during the spring or autumn.
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