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    Berlitz Pocket Guide Bucharest (Travel Guide eBook)
    Berlitz Pocket Guide Bucharest (Travel Guide eBook)
    Berlitz Pocket Guide Bucharest (Travel Guide eBook)
    Ebook439 pages2 hours

    Berlitz Pocket Guide Bucharest (Travel Guide eBook)

    By Berlitz

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    About this ebook

    Berlitz Pocket Guide Bucharest

    The world-renowned pocket travel guide by Berlitz, now with a free bilingual dictionary.

    Part of our UEFA Euro 2020 guidebook series. If you're planning to visit the National Arena in Bucharest to watch Euro 2020 matches, then this pocket guidebook provides all the information you need to make the most of your trip, from ready-made itineraries to help you explore the city when you're not at the game, to essential advice about getting around.    

    Compact, concise and packed full of essential information about where to go and what to do, this is an ideal on-the-move guide for exploring Bucharest. From top tourist attractions like the Casa Poporului, the Peasant Museum and Herastrau Park, to cultural gems, including the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Atheneum and the elegant architecture of the Old Town, plan your perfect trip with this practical, all-in-one travel guide. 

    Features of this travel guide to Bucharest
    - Inspirational itineraries: discover the best destinations, sights and excursions, highlighted with stunning photography
    - Historical and cultural insights: delve into the city's rich history and culture, and learn all about its people, art and traditions
    - Practical full-colour map: with every major sight and listing highlighted, the full-colour maps make on-the-ground navigation easy
    - Key tips and essential information: from transport to tipping, we've got you covered
    - Dictionary: quick-reference bilingual language guide to help you with vocabulary 
    - Covers: The Old Town; Along Calea Victoriei; Aviatorilor and Herastrau Park; Cotroceni to Cismigiu; Civic Centre; The Outskirts of the City and Excursions

    Get the most out of your trip with: Berlitz Phrase Book & Dictionary Romanian

    About Berlitz: Berlitz draws on years of travel and language expertise to bring you a wide range of travel and language products, including travel guides, maps, phrase books, language-learning courses, dictionaries and kids' language products.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherInsight Guides
    Release dateFeb 1, 2020
    ISBN9781785732683
    Berlitz Pocket Guide Bucharest (Travel Guide eBook)
    Author

    Berlitz

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      Book preview

      Berlitz Pocket Guide Bucharest (Travel Guide eBook) - Berlitz

      How To Use This E-Book

      Getting Around the e-Book

      This Pocket Guide e-book is designed to give you inspiration and planning advice for your visit to Bucharest, and is also the perfect on-the-ground companion for your trip.

      The guide begins with our selection of Top 10 Attractions, plus a Perfect Itinerary feature to help you plan unmissable experiences. The Introduction and History chapters paint a vivid cultural portrait of Bucharest, and the Where to Go chapter gives a complete guide to all the sights worth visiting. You will find ideas for activities in the What to Do section, while the Eating Out chapter describes the local cuisine and gives listings of the best restaurants. The Travel Tips offer practical information to help you plan your trip. Finally, there are carefully selected hotel listings.

      In the Table of Contents and throughout this e-book you will see hyperlinked references. Just tap a hyperlink once to skip to the section you would like to read. Practical information and listings are also hyperlinked, so as long as you have an external connection to the internet, you can tap a link to go directly to the website for more information.

      Maps

      All key attractions and sights in Bucharest are numbered and cross-referenced to high-quality maps. Wherever you see the reference [map], tap once to go straight to the related map. You can also double-tap any map for a zoom view.

      Images

      You’ll find lots of beautiful high-resolution images that capture the essence of Bucharest. Simply double-tap an image to see it in full-screen.

      About Berlitz Pocket Guides

      The Berlitz story began in 1877 when Maximilian Berlitz devised his revolutionary method of language learning. More than 130 years later, Berlitz is a household name, famed not only for language schools but also as a provider of best-selling language and travel guides.

      Our wide-ranging travel products – printed travel guides and phrase books, as well as apps and ebooks – offer all the information you need for a perfect trip, and are regularly updated by our team of expert local authors. Their practical emphasis means they are perfect for use on the ground. Wherever you’re going – whether it’s on a short break, the trip of a lifetime, a cruise or a business trip – we offer the ideal guide for your needs.

      Our Berlitz Pocket Guides are the perfect choice if you need reliable, concise information in a handy format. We provide amazing value for money – these guides may be small, but they are packed with information. No wonder they have sold more than 45 million copies worldwide.

      © 2020 Apa Digital (CH) AG and Apa Publications (UK) Ltd

      Table of Contents

      Bucharest’s Top 10 Attractions

      Top Attraction #1

      Top Attraction #2

      Top Attraction #3

      Top Attraction #4

      Top Attraction #5

      Top Attraction #6

      Top Attraction #7

      Top Attraction #8

      Top Attraction #9

      Top Attraction #10

      A Perfect Day in Bucharest

      Introduction

      Geography

      Contemporary Bucharest and its people

      Climate

      Bucharest’s Attractions

      Prominent Romanians

      A Brief History

      Thracians and Dacians

      The Roman Years

      Slavs, Magyars and the Age of Invasion

      The Middle Ages: The Formation & Consolidation of the Principalities

      Vlad the Impaler

      17th and 18th Centuries

      19th Century: Independence

      Early 20th Century: World War I and Unification

      Between the Wars

      World War II

      The Communist Takeover and Gheorghe Gheorghiu-Dej

      1965–89: Nicolae Ceauşescu

      The Revolution and the Fall of Ceauşescu

      Romania Since 1989

      Historical Landmarks

      Where To Go

      Piața Universității and the Old Town

      Piața Universității

      Magheru

      Old Town

      The Civic Centre

      Piaţa Unirii

      Palace of Parliament

      Patriarchal Hill

      The Hidden Monasteries

      Old Jewish District

      Along Calea Victoriei

      From the river to Piaţa Revoluţiei

      Piaţa Revoluţiei

      Towards Piaţa Victoriei

      Aviatorilor and Herăstrău Park

      The Museums of Piaţa Victoriei

      Towards Herăstrău

      The Spring Palace

      Herăstrău Park

      The Village Museum

      Cotroceni to Cismigiu

      The Presidential Palace

      Eroilor

      Cismigiu

      Bucharest’s Outskirts

      Therme

      Snagov

      Mogoșoaia Palace

      Excursions from Bucharest

      Pitești and Curtea de Argeș

      Sinaia

      Braşov

      Constanța

      What To Do

      Sports

      Football

      Swimming

      Cycling

      Golf

      Skiing

      Hiking

      Shopping

      What to Buy

      Food and Drink

      Entertainment

      Opera, Classical Music and Ballet

      Theatre

      Cinema

      Rock and Pop

      Traditional Music

      Clubs and Bars

      Children’s Bucharest

      Calendar of Events

      Eating Out

      Where to Eat

      When to Eat

      Popular Dishes

      Starters (antreuri)

      Meat Dishes

      Fish

      Bread

      Dessert

      Vegetarians and Vegans

      What to Drink

      Wine (Vin)

      Cider (Cidru)

      Spirits (Tarie)

      Coffee (Cafea)

      Reading the Menu

      To Help You Order…

      Restaurants

      Piața Universității and the Old Town

      The Civic Centre

      Calea Victoriei

      Aviatorilor and Herăstrău Park

      Cotroceni and Cismigiu

      A–Z Travel Tips

      A

      Accommodation

      Airport

      B

      Budgeting for Your Trip

      C

      Car Hire

      Climate

      Clothing

      Crime and Safety

      D

      Driving

      E

      Electricity

      Embassies and Consulates

      Emergencies

      G

      Getting There

      Guides and Tours

      H

      Health and Medical Care

      L

      Language

      Left Luggage

      LGBTQ Travellers

      M

      Maps

      Media

      Money

      O

      Opening Times

      P

      Police

      Post Offices

      Public Holidays

      R

      Religion

      T

      Telephones

      Time Zones

      Tipping

      Toilets

      Tourist Information

      Transport

      Travellers with Disabilities

      V

      Visas and Entry Requirements

      W

      Websites

      Y

      Youth Hostels

      Recommended Hotels

      Piața Universității and the Old Town

      The Civic Centre

      Calea Victoriei

      Aviatorilor and Herăstrău Park

      Cotroceni and Cismigiu

      Dictionary

      English–Romanian

      Romanian–English

      Bucharest’s Top 10 Attractions

      Top Attraction #1

      iStock

      Parliament

      Take a tour of one of the largest buildings in the world. For more information, click here.

      Top Attraction #2

      Shutterstock

      Spring Palace

      The former residence of Nicolae Ceaușescu, preserved as a study in extravagant kitsch. For more information, click here.

      Top Attraction #3

      iStock

      Village Museum

      Discover the diverse architecture of the Romanian countryside. For more information, click here.

      Top Attraction #4

      Shutterstock

      Therme

      Relax at the largest thermal bath complex in Central and Eastern Europe. For more information, click here.

      Top Attraction #5

      iStock

      Herăstrău Park

      Take a boat trip on the lake at the centre of this gorgeous green oasis. For more information, click here.

      Top Attraction #6

      iStock

      Caru cu Bere

      Eat fine Romanian food in sumptuous surroundings. For more information, click here.

      Top Attraction #7

      iStock

      Stavropoleos Church

      Find peaceful respite from the busy Old Town in this exquisitely decorated 18th-century church. For more information, click here.

      Top Attraction #8

      iStock

      Ateneul Român

      Grab tickets for a concert at Romania’s finest music venue. For more information, click here.

      Top Attraction #9

      iStock

      Piața Unirii

      Watch the spectacular dancing fountains. For more information, click here.

      Top Attraction #10

      Getty Images

      Cotroceni Palace

      Admire the exquisite taste of Queen Marie, Romania’s English queen. For more information, click here.

      A Perfect Day in Bucharest

      9.00am

      Breakfast

      Have breakfast on the terrace of the Amsterdam Grand Cafe, in the shadow of the national bank in heart of Bucharest’s bustling Old Town.

      10.00am

      Old Town

      Wander the streets of the Old Town and admire the eclectic architecture before the lunchtime crowds descend on the area.

      11.00am

      Parliament

      Take the guided tour of Romania’s largest building, making sure you grab some perfect shots of the city centre from the balcony.

      12.30pm

      Caru cu Bere

      Try some traditional Romanian food in this historic restaurant (for more information, click here) – the interior is a must-see.

      1.30pm

      Calea Victoriei

      Stroll along the city’s finest street, taking in the sights of the 1989 revolution and the many historical buildings, including the former Royal Palace, as well as browsing its high-end shops.

      2.30pm

      Village Museum

      Explore the many houses, churches, windmills and farm buildings that showcase the inventive spirit of the Romanian people, and pick up some handmade, traditional crafts in the museum shop.

      4.00pm

      Spring Palace

      Remain aghast at the kitsch opulence in which Romania’s communist leaders lived while the rest of the country went hungry.

      6.00pm

      A concert at the Ateneul Român

      See one of Europe’s finest orchestras, the George Enescu Philharmonic, perform at one of the continent’s most lavish concert halls.

      8.30pm

      Finish the day with dinner at Romania’s best restaurant (for more information, click here), before heading to Piața Unirii to watch the spectacular dancing fountains.

      Introduction

      Bucharest’s locals love nothing more than teasing visitors from other parts of Romania, and will often do so by declaring – with tongue only partly in cheek – that the capital is the country’s only city. ‘Everything else is just a big village’, they say. And they are at least partially right. With an official population of just under 2 million (and an unofficial population which is far higher), Bucharest is four times larger than any other city in the country, and – in what remains a highly-centralised state – the focal point of Romanian politics, business, culture, religion and sport. For the visitor, it is an often bewildering mix of the Western and the Oriental, the modern and the traditional. This city of extremes, where state-of-the-art Teslas must navigate potholed roads, will frustrate and delight in equal measure. Badly administered for decades it creaks and often appears on the verge of collapsing entirely, but has enough charm and attractions to make it an appealing destination for all but the most jaded traveller.

      Geography

      Historically, Romania was divided into three principalities: Wallachia, the area north of the Danube; Transylvania (or Ardeal), west of the Carpathians; and Moldavia in the north, the eastern part of which is today the Republic of Moldova. Largely flat and with few natural landmarks, set in the heart of the great Wallachian plain about 60km (37 miles) north of the Danube, the extent of Bucharest’s urban sprawl is visible from miles away: long before your plane lands at Henri Coanda International Airport. It will immediately strike you as a surprisingly green city: large parks and public gardens abound, although during the hot summer this matters little as its streets can be dusty and suffocating. Divided somewhat arbitrarily into six sectors (numbered, clockwise, from 1 to 6), Bucharest lacks a real centre or focal point.

      Basarab Overpass.

      iStock

      Contemporary Bucharest and its people

      During Romania’s communist period it was a privilege to live in Bucharest. A buletin de Bucuresti, which conferred residence rights on those lucky enough to possess one, became a sought-after item, so much so that in the 1970s a comedy film was made about one man’s Kafka-esque quest to procure such a document. These days, anyone can move to the capital, and each year thousands do. A vast new business district in the northern Pipera district has seen innumerable skyscrapers spring up over the past decade to house the international companies that employ the country’s most talented young people. As such, Bucharest remains a magnet for Romanians in search of fame and fortune, even though it must now compete with the attraction of emigration. Locals are far friendlier (at least to foreigners) than other Romanians would have you believe and everyone – and we mean everyone – under the age of 40 will speak at least a smattering of English. Most are fluent.

      Religion

      The overwhelming majority of the Romanian population, around 87 percent, is Orthodox Christian. In Bucharest the percentage is probably close to 100 percent. There is a significant Catholic minority in Transylvania, especially among the Hungarian population, while Protestants also make up a significant minority amongst the Saxon population of Transylvania. The current president, Klaus Iohannis, is Lutheran. Faith amongst Bucharest’s locals is strong; note how many Romanians ostentatiously cross themselves while passing a church on a bus, or tram. This faith is particularly visible at Easter, when it can appear that the entire city descends on its many churches for midnight Mass. Most are forced to listen to the service outside, as the churches are full. For the visitor, Easter is a wonderful opportunity to see just how devout Romanians have remained, despite the attempts of the communist regime to erode the influence of the church. It’s a genuinely collective cultural experience you will not forget.

      Climate

      In keeping with the ‘land of extremes’ theme, Bucharest has uncomfortably hot summers and very cold winters, with little in between. Temperatures in July and August often top 35°C 95°F and in winter can stay below freezing for weeks, sometimes even months, on end. Snow regularly covers the ground for long periods, but locals are a hardy bunch: the city does not grind to a halt at the first dusting of the white stuff. If you are looking for a white Christmas, Bucharest is a decent place to come. May and June are traditionally very wet, but the downpours – while violent and often capable of flooding streets in just a few minutes – never last too long.

      Downtown Bucharest in the snow.

      iStock

      Bucharest’s Attractions

      Not a particularly old city – it was founded only in the mid-15th century – Bucharest nevertheless packs a historical punch. The 1989 revolution usually takes top billing and numerous tours now take visitors around the sights of that brief but bloody conflict, when forces loyal to the dictator Nicolae Ceaușescu fought with those who wished to depose him. While the communist regime flattened much of the old city to make way for Ceaușescu’s megalomaniac vision of a new city for a new, communist man – of which the enormous parliament building is the most prominent legacy and the city’s most visited attraction – enough of old Bucharest remains to paint a picture of the city that was lost under the bulldozers of the 1980s. Art Deco apartment blocks and elegant Parisian-style villas line central streets, while the beautiful Orthodox churches of various eras provide respite from the bustle of the modern city. Bucharest’s nightlife is sensational, and for many people it is the city’s main selling point, flying in as they do from across Europe and the Middle East for hedonistic party weekends. Therme, Europe’s finest and most extensive thermal bath complex, just north of the city, has become a weekend destination in its own right.

      Old Court Church.

      iStock

      Prominent Romanians

      It is perhaps fitting that Bucharest’s finest house, on the

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