We travelled to Bucharest, the capital of Romania with our 15 year Teensetter for the weekend.
Bucharest, Romania’s captivating capital, effortlessly layers dramatic 20th-century history with a vibrant modern pulse.
Known historically as the “Little Paris of the East,” the city’s architectural brilliance.
Our first stop was visiting the Romanian Athenaeum. A stunning concert hall designed by French architect Albert Galleron and opened in 1888. This neoclassical crown jewel features a majestic dome and an ornate circular hall wrapped in a monumental fresco that narrates the country’s history. A shame we didn’t have time to attend a performance but we’ll be back !
Our teensetter was of course hungry and we had heard about these incredible burgers at Smash Baby Burger. Renowned by locals for serving the crispest, juiciest smash patties in town, their popular Calea Victoriei spot serves up fast, high-energy comfort food on soft potato buns. Our teensetter was in heaven!
On our way to the Old Town we came across the Odeon Theatre (Teatrul Odeon) along Calea Victoriei is famous for having original bullet hole markings still visibly scarred into the stone from the bloody 1989 Romanian Revolution. Our teensetter was beyond fascinated.
We took a short stroll to the Piața Revoluției (Revolution Square), a sobering site deeply tied to Romania’s political transformation.
It was here that the 1989 uprisings erupted, culminating in the fall of the communist regime.
The square is surrounded by historic landmarks and heavy memories, our Teensetter was promptly googling who was Nicolae Ceaușescu and what was the significance of the square.
As I have a sweet tooth I was itching to visit the famous Casa Capșa (Cofetăria Capșa) on Calea Victoriei. Operating since the 19th century, this historic legendary café and pastry shop was once the ultimate bohemian meeting place for Romanian writers and elites, famed for its refined ambiance and classic chocolate confections.
I have to say it was disappointing. The desserts were average and the service was non attentive, and it felt like it was a sausage machine. Nothing like I anticipated.
Calea Victoriei is Bucharest’s historic avenue, blending majestic Belle Époque palaces, neoclassical landmarks, and Art Deco skyscrapers with vibrant modern cafés, restaurants, and boutiques.
We continued our stroll along the Calea Victoria absorbing the stunning architecture and vibrancy of the Bucharest.
Bucharest is an incredibly safe city and family orientated. We even sat watched a couple of young guys playing tennis in the heart of the city streets.
Our Teensetter was intrigued to visit the Palace of the Parliament weighing 4.1 million tonnes – the world’s heaviest building. Also the world’s 2nd largest administrative building after the Pentagon. We did not have time to tour the inside as it takes 2.5 hours !
Walking along the Dâmbovița River returning to the Old Town our teensetter was in a talkative mood. I love this about travel. It allows us time to connect and subjects come to the surface that have been simmering away. Our Teensetter shared what he’d been watching on TV and the triumphs and tribulations of the main characters.
We ended up arriving early to the Old Town and visited The Orthodox church located directly across the street from the famous Caru’ cu Bere restaurant called the “Stavropoleos” Monastery.
Built in 1724 by a Greek monk named Ioanichie Stratonikeas, it is celebrated as a masterpiece of the Brâncovenesc style, a unique Romanian architectural blend of Byzantine, Ottoman, and late Italian Renaissance elements.
We have reserved dinner at the tourist hot spot Caru cu bere which means ‘The cart with beer’. A historic landmark Neo-Gothic restaurant located in the heart of Bucharest’s bustling Old Town. Founded in 1879 serving traditional Romanian food and house-brewed beer beneath spectacular vaulted ceilings and stained-glass windows with live entertainment.
Brian had the ‘Ciolan national’ (pork knuckle) and our teensetter ate the signature marinated pork ribs called ‘Mancarea Ducelui’ and l ate the ‘Snitel din Cotlet de Vitel’ (veal cutlet schitzel). The meals were massive!!
We all tried the traditional Romanian ‘Papanasi’ dessert. This was definitely the food highlight for the day. Papanasi consists fried cottage cheese doughnuts smothered in sweetened sour cream and blueberry jam. Yum!
Although a tourist hot spot the restaurants atmosphere is lively and festive. A place you visit once and then find more off the beaten track restaurants to enjoy.
As we left the restaurant we were surprised to find we were immersed in the Spotlight Festival. An evening display in the springtime when the city truly comes alive after dark. This annual event transforms the historic facades of Calea Victoriei into a vibrant, open-air digital art canvas.
A fabulous Bucharest weekend blends grand Belle Époque palaces, massive communist history, delicious food, and vibrant nightlife.
