Bucharest holidays

Wine bars, trendy cafés and a big street-art scene are all for the taking on city breaks to Bucharest.

Bucharest city breaks

Skip back a decade or so and Bucharest probably wasn’t on the radar of most European city breakers. Fast forward to today though, and it’s a completely different story. Romania’s capital has had a bit of a renaissance in recent years, with streetside cafés, lively nightlife and a trendy street-art scene setting it up as one of the continent’s coolest capitals. What’s more, it’s got a super compact centre, so you’ll have no trouble getting from A to B on foot. And, if you’re not already hooked, how about if we tell you that your spending money will go loads further here than it would in most European capitals – it’s widely ranked among the top 10 cheapest capital in the continent.

Staying central

Shopping, sights and nightlife – an all-important trio for most city breakers. Pick a hotel somewhere near Bucharest Old Town and you’ll have all three at your fingertips. The Carturesti Carusel and the Caru’ ce Bere are must-sees – the latter’s a little bit of a Romanian relic, that’s been pulling pints from its brewery for more than 130 years, and the recipe’s not changed since the day it opened its doors. Elsewhere, the clue’s in the name at the Carturesti Carusel – its title translates as ‘The Most Beautiful Bookshop in the World’, and the interiors look like the lofty atrium of a luxury cruise liner.

Coffees and cocktails

Café cultures become a trend across Europe in recent years, and Bucharest is no exception to the rule. There are coffee shops pitched on practically every street corner, so if caffeine’s required before kicking off your day you won’t have far to go to get your fix. You’re in luck if you need a boost after a busy day, too – most cafés stay open into the night, with caffeine-infused cocktails on hand for a pick-me-up before you head back to your hotel.