Located between the Transylvanian Mountains and the Black Sea, Bucharest is mistakenly an overlooked tourist destination. Its true beauty hidden behind old communal buildings requires tourists to dig deeper into the city’s colourful history and culture to discover the famous ‘Little Paris’. With a steady pace of development underway, Bucharest has become a busy metropolis and the center of all economic and social life in Romania. Wide boulevards lined with luscious trees, cafes, bars, shopping plazas and wide parks have lifted Bucharest out of the old times and made it come to the standards expected of a European capital.
The most engaging entertainment for children in Bucharest is the small Zoo with various species of birds and reptiles. Children spend all day at the zoo playing with their favorite birds, giraffes, elephants and goats. The Bucharest Zoo, though small, maintains its facilities very well to provide a good time for children. Address: 4, Vadul Moldovei Str, Bucharest-1
One of the largest parks in Bucharest, Herastrau is a good place to take your kids to have a fun filled afternoon. The park also has boat riding facility and has acres of open space for picnics, running around and having fun with your children.
Ice skating offers a very exciting activity for children. With the chilly winters in Bucharest ice skating is possible almost everywhere! However, special rinks are present at Patinoarul Floreasca and Stadionul Lia Manoliu and skates can be rented for a certain period of time.
A commendable effort to showcase the traditional Romanian way of life that is depicted in the Village Museum. The open air museum houses about 300 buildings related to various aspects of history such as churches, mills, workshops, furniture shops, pottery and clothing that are all laid out in a natural environment. Various cultural festivals are also hosted by the museum for tourists to experience life the Romanian way. The village museum closes at 9pm in the summer.
One of the most famous corners of Bucharest is the revolution square where majority of the most important monuments are located. The square is home to the Art Museum, Royal Palace and the Romanian Athenaeum. Revolution square has also been a meeting point during wars and major regimes and therefore has a very significant historical presence in the country. One the other side of the square is also located the library of the University of Bucharest that provides a rich source of information to students and tourists.
To see Romanian architecture at its best, visit the Athenaeum concert hall one evening. The domed white building is ornate in its style and glamour and is host to various events and mega concerts in Bucharest. It was inaugurated in 1988 and today houses around 800 people at a time. In the park outside there is also a statue of a Romanian poet to depict the history that is attached to the building.
Another one of Bucharest’s historical depictions, Romanian Peasant museum holds traditional and folk festivals to exhibit Romanian culture and to preserve the way of life that prevailed for hundreds of years in the country. The museum has various rooms dedicated to a different facet of history such as decorations, tools, artifacts and clothing. Ticket: 6 RON for adults and 3 Ron for students.
The building of this museum was constructed in 1906 by Victor Stefanescu and has been declared an architectural monument because of its style and class. It was first built as part of the project of the Romanian Geology Institute and was later given an independent status. Today the collection in the museum is so varied that it houses about 80,000 samples of rock, minerals and fossils dating back to ancient times.
Providing some spirituality to the busy locals, Otetari Church has a discreet presence in the city center. The inside of the church is very warm with paintings and illustrations of God and Jesus. Made of pure white exterior, the most powerful symbol is perhaps the huge dome that adds immense beauty to the carvings inside it.
The National History Museum is an event by event history of the Romanian capital. The museum stresses on making Romanian history known to guests while making the chapters of history and past events of utmost importance to the locals. The evolution of Romanian society has been depicted with the help of exhibitions and displays.
POEM is a very flashy restaurant in Bucharest that has highly trained chefs for serving International food. The quality of food is exceptional and the way dishes are served, can double your appetite! The atmosphere of the dining halls is very comfortable and elegant with candles lit on each table and the etiquettes of fine dining are obvious with the dexterity of hall decorations and paintings. With most of Bucharest’s elite dining here, make sure you have booked a reservation before hand.
The best attribute about Balthazar is its interior. Set in a restored villa, the restaurant oozes class and has a very classical and elegant look to it. The varieties of French food available are immense and each is served with a look and taste of its own. Staff is exceptionally well trained and commendable service accompanies great food. All in all, Balthazar should be your first preference if French food is on your list.
Set in an old historical setting, the Jaristea is a very well inspired restaurant which takes its cues form old Bucharest. The theme, the food and the service all seem to date back to the olden times when Bucharest was small and flourished because of its heritage. Seating arrangement is done very thoughtfully with most tables in an enclosed cubicle for a private and luxurious dinner time with live music. Traditional Romanian specialties are cooked in old species and make the diners have a feel of the beautiful city in its olden times. Reservations are compulsory.
If you are off for lunch, City Grill for steaks is the best place in town. A very light and friendly atmosphere awaits you with the best steaks that are spiced and grilled to perfection. City Grill may be a little pricy but you are guaranteed to leave the place completely satisfied. The meal is presented very professionally with exotic drinks that are made especially at the Grill with herb toppings.
A place labeled for the ‘nouveau riche’, Casa di David come up to the expectations of all that visit it. Famous for its ambiance and Italian inspired food, the restaurant is always full of people trying out new varieties that the chefs create for the guests. Servings are small to entice your taste buds and try out more dishes. Make sure you take a good look at the wine list because each is exquisite and it’s hard to pick one!
Among the aristocratic embassies in the northern part of the city, Casa Doina has developed a unique aura and a class of its own. With the most sophisticated clientele as guests, Doina has given a very glamorous look to the 18th century villa it’s located in with high ceilings and well lit dining halls. The green summer garden is a special favorite for many guests, during the warm months, who enjoy socializing as part of dinner time. The menu is full of delicacies that one can experiment with or order their all time favorite.
A small but smart dining place decorated in lilacs and lovely drapes, the La Mandragora is a new favorite for the locals in Bucharest. All French dishes are prepared with a slight new taste of different herbs in them and the shinning bar in the corner adds a complete new course to your meal with its exquisite selection of wines. Even the rich ice cream assortment is better than regular ice cream with many more flavors!
A one of its kind restaurant, Count Dracula Club has a special presence of the Count every Tuesday. The entire aura and the building itself has been dedicated to this theme of black and red and the interior can spook you for a minute! Also, each room has a medieval theme of its ok like ‘coffin’ and ‘the cellar’. Count Dracula is famous for its grilled variety all around Bucharest.
A small and cozy place on the eastern side of town, Iancului has a very well blended traditional and wooden look. The furniture is modern and stylish together with a romantic aura that makes one feel relaxed and homely. A full three course meal can be selected for about 86 RON including deserts combined with a musical ambiance.
Bistro Atheneu runs more on its reputation than its ambiance. The owners have capitalized on its rugged and worn out interior and made it a theme in itself. You will find expired clocks, chimes and bells all around the place and an ancient cash register is proof enough that the place has been around since 1924. An extensive menu is also supported by good quality food and a well rounded service, all for 24 Lei.
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Standing stark against the communal atmosphere of the old Romania is this modern glass building hotel. Novotel has a reputation throughout the city for the most helpful and friendly staff that doesn’t hold back advice about how to explore Bucharest. Novotel has 258 rooms all of which are spacious, thoughtfully decorated and are pleasing to the eye. Bathrooms are laid out separately for joint use. Breakfast at Novotel is a big affair that comes with a price tag and includes a scrumptious buffet and a wide selection of juices and champagne. Room rates start from 310 Euros.
Lido Hotel is a kind of accommodation one would be most expecting in Bucharest. Operational since 1930, Lido is a grand hotel that has aged with the city hand in hand. All 119 rooms have a comfortable yet ancient feeling to them and are colored in pale soothing tones. They have all the amenities like AC, TV, minibar and hair dryers. One of the most attractive features of the rooms, as rated by tourists, is the small balcony overlooking the great city rising to life. Room rates start from 240 Euros; however, Lido is tourist friendly and offers discounts on advance booking.
The only moderate thing about this hotel is its location. Hotel Elisabeta is a luxurious accommodation that offers a wide variety of services and facilities to please its guests. Set in the heart of the city, the hotel is a rich combination of taste, color and style with its high standard rooms, lobby and dining areas. The staff at K+K knows how to satisfy its guests which good advice and excellent customer service. There are 67 units in the building that are equipped with all amenities and have a price tag of 274 Euros per night.
Perhaps the most auspicious and classy hotel in Bucharest, Capsa has its ties to famous political figures and leaders of history because it was inaugurated in 1852 and has since been a special favorite for recognized people. Capsa welcomes you with an unmatched aura of authority with crystal chandeliers, marble staircases and a wide lobby. It has 61 rooms all of which are spacious and decorated tastefully with wall tapestries, high ceilings and lush carpets. Room rates start at 230 Euros excluding breakfast, but discounts are offered regularly.
One of the most famous 5 start hotels in Bucharest, the Athenee Palace has an array of activities and entertainment on their cards for u. Just minutes away from cafes, museums and theaters, the hotel is a top choice for most business executives and the high budget travelers. The rooms offer all amenities along with internet access and exceptional room service. Additional facilities: sauna, warm pool and Jacuzzi, gym, beauty center, casino, 3 restaurants and bar. Address: 1-3 Episcopiei St., District, 1010292 Phone: +40 213 033 777
Hotel Amzei is incomparable to all others in terms of style. The rooms are the best in Bucharest to spend nights in great comfort. They are styled in high quality linen, plush furniture and soft tones. The building has a look of a 20th century mansion, big enough to house 22 units, a restaurant, bar and various other facilities. Prices start from $294 and go up with additional amenities. Amzei is also very close to most of the major sights in the city. If you are travelling to Bucharest for the first time and want to have a luxurious stay, opt for this hotel to feel free of all accommodation worries.
Set in a modern high rise building is the franchised 5 star Intercontinental Hotel with 25 floors and 283 rooms. This modern building stands out in the face of others with its tall architecture and plush rooms decorated in white Italian walnut furniture. Each room is designed to give a breath taking view of the city and to enjoy the peaceful sunrise from the wide windows. If you are looking for extreme luxury during your stay, Intercontinental will provide you with ‘over the top’ facilities and comfort.
One of the most perfectly located midrange hotels is the Hotel Camelia that is walking distance from the station, one of the major entrances and the city center. Camelia is a well secured place with cameras and guards at the entrance to give the guests a sense of security about the hotel. Within it, rooms are comfortable and decorated with wooden furniture that gives the place an elite look. Basic amenities include TV, cable, Wi-Fi and telephones and for a single night the rates are 107 Euros.
Hotel Opera is good value for money. It has 33 units, all clean and presentable and is equipped with internet access, AC, hair dryer, minibar, TV and coffee makers. The hotel has a sophisticated eura and is complemented by its central location in the city.
This moderately priced hotel is located in an attractive part of the city center. It has only 15 units but each is decorated exquisitely with good furniture, wooden floors, air conditioning and fine draperies. Each room has a DVD player, internet and TV and more amenities can be called for through room service. Rembrandt Hotel will provide you with a comfortable and luxurious stay in Romania at a good price that includes breakfast.
Bucharest is a city of extreme temperatures; therefore it is most advisable that one should visit in either May or September. Summer months of July and August are too warm with frequent power shortages and from December to February the city is blanketed with snow. If you like a cold environment and wish your Christmas to be as snowy as a fairy tale, your wish will come true in Bucharest!
• Location: Bucharest is located in the southeastern part of Romania on the bank of the famous River Dambovita. Its location is strategic as, being the 6th largest city in the European Union; it is an industrial and transportation hub for Eastern Europe. • Dialing codes: +40(international code), 21(area code) • Emergency: Police, Ambulance, Fire fighters, 112 • Airport Enquiry: Bucharest Henri Coanda Airport +40 21 204 1200 Bucharest Baneasa International Airport +40 21 2320020 • Population: 2 million in the City proper and 2.4 million in the urban areas. • Density: 8,510/km2 • Language: The official language of the city is Romanian however, the urban elite prefer speaking English. In other small parts of the city, Chinese, Arabic, French and Spanish are also spoken well by the natives and previous immigrants to Romania. • Time Zone: UTC+2, April to October UTC+3 • Annual Rainfall: 530mm • Highest summer temperature: 40 degrees • Lowest winter temperature: -6 degrees • Exchange rates: Lei (code: RON)
1st January: New Year’s Day 2nd January: Second Day celebration of New Year 4th April: Orthodox Easter 1st May: Labor Day 23rd May: Pentcost 15th August: Dormition of the Virgin Mary 1st December: National Day 25th December: Christmas 26th December: Second Day of Christmas
Month Min Temp ° Max Temp ° January: -6 0 February: -5 3 March: 0 9 April: 6 18 May: 11 24 June: 15 28 July: 17 30 August: 16 30 September: 13 26 October: 8 18 November: 4 10 December: -3 3
Romanians are ranked as one of the friendliest people in the world. They are recognized as cheerful, fun loving, warm, hospitable and witty. These characteristics explain the tremendous nightlife that Bucharest has in the form of bars and night clubs. However, the rich history that the country is tied to has led the locals to have a strong belief in ethics, culture and traditional values. Bucharest has also bred great sportsmen, artists and heroes of the likes of Constantin Brancusi, Angela Gheorghiu, Nadia Comaneci and Eugen Ionesco to name a few. Bucharest has a growing population of youth and teens that is well educated and urbanized. It is these people who are the future for Bucharest and will carve its way for higher ranks among tourism and economics.
Located between the Transylvanian Mountains and the Black Sea, Bucharest is mistakenly an overlooked tourist destination. Its true beauty hidden behind old communal buildings requires tourists to dig deeper into the city’s colourful history and culture to discover the famous ‘Little Paris’. With a steady pace of development underway, Bucharest has become a busy metropolis and the center of all economic and social life in Romania. Wide boulevards lined with luscious trees, cafes, bars, shopping plazas and wide parks have lifted Bucharest out of the old times and made it come to the standards expected of a European capital. Rejoining the EU in 2007 has initiated a number of development projects in the city to further increase tourism and boost the economy.
Romanian legend narrates vivid accounts of a shepherd named ‘Burr’ (joy) after whom Bucharest was named. The shepherd was famous for the wine he sold from the city’s vineyards and the melodious tunes he played on his flute. He created a small settlement which was later named Bucharest. In the early years, Bucharest had French styled buildings and houses which were later remodeled in the 19th century. With good architecture and infrastructure, the city had become a commercial center for trading and development until it was taken over by the communists. Several years down the road the only reminder of the communist regime is the “House of People” now known as the Palace of Parliament. The House was built magnificently with locally produced materials over an area that stands second largest in the world after the Pentagon. Over the years post Independence War (1877), Bucharest underwent many changes in its infrastructure. Electric systems were installed in major buildings; roads like the Podul Mogosoaiei were widened. The first cinema was built along with theaters and art schools. However, the Second World War had a devastating effect on the infrastructure of the city and reformation had to start anew.
A beautiful antique shop in Bucharest standing tall for 25 years is Thomas Antiques that has a huge collection of antique jewels, ornaments, furniture, books, watches and decorative items. With the popularity of antique collections on the rise, these pieces fetch a good price for their quality and the depiction of Romanian history. Tourists with the right taste for antiques throng Thomas’ for it’s uniquely designed collectable. Address: Str. Covaci 19 (Lipscani area) Phone: +4 0752 440 818
Men’s fashion apparel are designed with utmost care and attention is paid to small details at Caresse. This shop is well renowned around the city for its cut, colors and styles and it is committed to prove that fashion extends to men as well. With high quality clothes, the price tag is also substantial.
Nothing like some glitz and glamour to go with your stylish clothes, Cellini offers the best jewelry designs in town. The quality of gold, variety of cuts and the authenticity of designs are like no other jeweler in Bucharest. If you wish to attend some glamorous parties while in Bucharest, take your pick at Cellini.
Spur your appetite for antiques with the quality auctions organized here at good prices. The antique collection at Hanul is vast with all sorts of ornaments and artifacts that are in demand with locals and tourists as souvenirs. Piano and violin concerts are also held in the house to entertain guests and to keep a light atmosphere during auctions.
Excellent collection of ready to wear summer clothes that stand out from all others! DIKA prides itself for the new designs that it introduces to the market for skirts, shirts and casual dresses. The clothes are high in demand with the youth of the city because of stylish cuts and vibrant summery colors. Clothes collection is said to be Greek style.
An international chain of stores, Frey Wille jewelry shops are found in the most expensive blocks and neighborhoods around the world. The shop displays a breath taking variety of jewels for men and women that are available in various sizes and colors. The jewelry can be made to order or can be purchased at the spot. Frey Wille’s pen collection is something of a spectacle that comes with a hefty price tag!
Exquisite gold designs imported from Italy are exhibited at Marci Gold. You will hardly find such gold jewelry in any other shop across town and that is the reason why only the most tasteful jewel fanatics with heavy pockets visit the shop. If you like window shopping, Marci will leave you dazzled!
Local music lovers will have a lot to say about Muzica. One of the biggest collections of folk, classical, pop, rock and hip hop music is displayed at this store and visitors who want to give Romanian music a chance to prove itself are often found in this store. The staff is well versed with new releases and has a good taste in music selection. Composers and albums that one may find on the charts include Maria Tanase, Compact and Iris, La Familia, Paraziti and Bustaflex.
Another of Bucharest’s antique shops, Galeria de Arta has some good ornaments and antique jewelry that has to be dug in for. The shop has two stories full of antique goods and each has a unique stone or carving style to it. Make sure to bargain for the pieces you buy and get a bulk quantity price for the goods.
To spend a relaxing weekend in Bucharest, make sure to get a pile of CDs from Diverta that has a good collection of local and international music. The CDs are available in English and Romanian music as well. Besides this a limited collection of stationery and books adds a dose of variety to the small shop.
Whether you are an art fanatic or not, visiting this museum is a must. The paintings in this former Royal Palace building date back to as far as the 14th century. Most of the work had remained undiscovered and is now put up in the Romanian Art Museum. Romanian and European art belonging to modern, classical and contemporary categories is exhibited at its best. Tickets: 2.5 Euro
An architectural beauty, this palace was built in the 20th century for the famous Cretulescu family of Bucharest. The palace is now visited for its history presence and the artistic architectural designs by Petre Antonescu (1873-1965). If you are short on time, have a look at the palace at least from the outside to get a feel of its beauty.
The Old Court Museum, in the historical city center, is of great significance to Romania. It was around these fortifications that Bucharest began its journey towards urbanization and development. The Old Court has preserved artifacts and actual pieces of the ruined buildings and the Crown Place of the Wallachian Princess, dating as early as the 16th century.
Despite the immense development plans taking place in the city, Stavropoleos Church has the same old and soft aura to its structure. Located in the old center, the church has a number of decorations and sculptures that are worth admiration and have been present for time immemorial.
Built in 1884, the Botanical Gardens in Bucharest have a large collection of 10,000 plants and the garden itself is huge. An entire day can be spent here observing the various varieties of plants and how they are managed. The collection has grown over the years to include various extinct varieties from all around the world. Apart from the green houses, an indoor tropical exhibition also takes place to introduce new plant species.
A very interesting addition to the list of museums in Bucharest is the Natural History Museum in the center of the city. This museum has a collection of over 300,000 exhibits and illustrations that trace the evolution of the earth through history. The exhibits are very impressive and you are guaranteed to be lost in the display for hours. Some exhibits also show how species evolved and have adapted to newer environments in recent times. This place can be a good outing for children.
To promote medical research and development in Bucharest, the ROMMEDICA is held at the Romexpo. It exhibits the latest technology and processes in medicine that has found way into Europe. To stay abreast with international standards and cutting edge technology, most doctors and hospital representatives attend the expo.
Bucharest is still in its early stages of development to be one of Europe’s fast paced capitals. However with these conferences and the steady development that is taking place within the city and in Romania at large, travel operators, locals and tourism agencies are promoting Bucharest as a vacation spot. The tourism fair is a gathering of all institutions that are involved in facilitating tourists and helping them have a good time in Romania.
Romanian music fans gather at the Rokolectiv each year to listen to unique collections of electronic compositions. The event is hosted by Romania in the spring to give a chance to bands and individual singers to perform in concerts and gigs that are held around the city. Due to their popularity, concerts go on all night in places like The Ark and MNAC. Phone: +40 (0) 752 218 555
The aim of this convention is to provide you with the necessary amenities to make your homes more comfortable and to decorate them in style. Construct expo houses stalls for decorative items, furnisher and fittings, floor coverings, doors and windows, hardware and carpentry. This event has particular importance for Bucharest because of the steady change that is being executed in the construction plans of the city, moving it away from gray stone communal buildings to high rise glass scrapers.
Marking the beginning of spring, the B-EST International Film Festival is an extravagant event full of glamour and style. It showcases the best films and actors of the years and holds the reputation of being one of the biggest social gatherings in Bucharest. Nominations are made for the best documentaries and films and international winners from the Cannes and Venice awards are given special mentions. Phone: +40 212 312 858
A very adventurous guided tour, Bucharest by night will take you for a fun filled city exploration spree in the bright nightlights. You will visit monuments like the Palace of Parliament, Village Museum, Royal Palace, Triumph Arch and the Old District. The tour operators are well versed with Romanian and English and have good knowledge of the places’ history to enlighten you. The tour ends with a relaxing dinner at one of the most famous restaurants like Club Dracula or Carul cu bere where people mingle and a light chatter about the eventful day is the topic of discussion. Price for a single persons’ tour is as high as 185 Euro but with a group of people it falls to 70 Euro.
This travel agency in Bucharest offers extensive tours all around Bucharest and one can chose form a variety of tours depending on what they want to see the most in the city. The following is the address of the agency together with the tours it offers.
Tours by locals is a tour operator that specializes in providing private tours all around Bucharest with a local as your guide. The tour starts at 10am at your hotel and ends at 6pm at your doorstep. In the 8 hour duration the tour takes you around, The Village Museum, The Patriarchy Church, The Parliament Palace, The Revolution Square, The Romanian Atheneum, The Stavropoleos Church, The Old Princely Court, Sutu Palace (Bucharest Museum). A City of Contrasts Through Time- A variation of the whole day tour is this 3 hour tour in which special emphasis is paid to the architecture of the monuments and how they had been in the past and the significance they hold today. Other tour operators functioning in Bucharest are as follows
Address: Sos. Colentina Nr. 373 Phone: 0040212410280 Fax: 0040-21-241 02.10
Address: 9mai nr10 bl10A nr3 sector 6 Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania 07000 Phone: +4021-2219732 Fax: +4021 2219732
Address: Str. Constantin Manescu, Nr. 4- Sector 5
Address: Str. Maior Sofran Nr.11, Bucharest, Romania Phone: 004-0723170710 Fax: 004-0241657739
Address: Str. Lugoj Nr. 20, Sector 1, Bucharest Phone: (+40)-766.732.716 Fax: (+40) 31 425 49 12
Strada Fabrica de Gheață 14, Bucharest, Romania 021 241 1318
Perhaps the most convenient and hassle free way to go about Bucharest is in the Metro. The metro lines (M1, M2, M3, and M4) are spread throughout the city but have more stops in the peripheral areas as previously subways were used to transport workers to and from the city center. Modernization plans of the city have also benefited the metro network with new trains and state of the art technology to manage timely departures and arrivals at each stop. All the four train lines cover different parts of the city and M4 connects the city to the airport. The ride is comfortable, cheap and quick for locals as well as tourist planning to commute the city for sightseeing. Metro charges are as follows: 2 trips = 3 leis 10 trips = 9 leis Monthly pass = 23 leis
Bus stations and stops are found at every turn in Bucharest. The network is dense and busy because most people prefer to use buses to move around. Most new buses have a screen and automatic announcement systems that alert the passengers of an upcoming station. Most tourist prefer to travel on buses or trolleys compared to a subway because they want to enjoy the sightseeing and scenery if you are travelling to the suburbs. The most common form of getting a ticket to one of the buses is the paper ticket issued at the station which costs 1.3 lei. This ticket has to be validated once you are on the bus. However, most visitors and local prefer to buy an Activ card. This card can be loaded with various travel options as per your days’ plans. Buying the Activ card can help you be carefree and enjoy your trip. Travelers caught without either of these are heavily fined with a 50 lei penalty. So be sure to buy your ticket and validate it as soon as you are on the bus!
Travelling by car is another viable but less sought after option in Bucharest. Rent a car company offices are found throughout the city, however traffic and parking spaces discourage many tourist to choose this mode of transport. Nevertheless, if you are travelling with family and are familiar with ways and routes, car rental may be a good option. Euro Cars Phone: 0040727373799 Auto Rent Phone: +40734 403 403 Bucharest Rent A Car Phone: 004-0727644644 Fax: 004-0216652693
Driving around in Bucharest may well be a challenge of a lifetime! Though all driving rules are strictly in place, traffic in the city capital gets rowdy at peak hours and long traffic jams are the norm. Consequently, finding parking space is also a hassle that one may very well avoid by taking a bus or a tram. All in all, driving around Bucharest requires a lot of courage and patience!
Taxi travel is an easy way to roam around Bucharest. However, one must be careful to take only company owned taxis and not individual taxis. Company taxis have their rates for sitting and per km displayed on the back doors while the others don’t and, as one rider describes it, individual taxi charges are ‘nightmare rates’! Regular rates for taxis are: Sitting rate: 1.6 to 3 lei Per km rates: 1.4 to 3.6 lei These rates are much lower if you travel by taxi at night and much higher if your destination is outside the city center. Taxi companies are given below: Taxi 2000 Phone: 0722949494 Taxi Cobalcescu Phone: 0723399451 Taxi Meridian Phone: 0723.344.433 Taxi Confort Phone: 0723369455 Taxi Cristaxi Phone: 0723349461 Taxi Fly Phone: 0727739441
Bucharest has a major problem of pickpockets. Make sure to keep your valuables safe and use the hotel safe to keep them tucked away until needed. Avoid talking to strangers in the streets because they just might be cons and waiting to mug you. Despite this, Bucharest is a relatively safe city to be in because the police have strict laws against criminals and trespassers. Bucharest poses no health threats to tourists and if sought for, medical care is of great quality. To be equipped all the time, make sure to carry these emergency numbers with you. Police or Ambulance: 112 Baneasa Airport:(021) 9371 Emergency Hospital:(021) 962 sau (021) 599.23.00; (021) 599.23.08 BGS Ambulance: (private run facility) - (021) 9505 Otopeni Airport: (021) 204 1000; (021) 201 4000
