The best area to stay in Bucharest, Romania (2025)

Last Updated on September 18, 2025 by Ioana

Bucharest is the perfect place to start your Romania adventure since you’ll most likely fly in and out of here. I would suggest you spend 2-3 days here and then explore outside Bucharest, especially Transylvania. In this blog post I will share the best area to stay in Bucharest and some of my favorite hotels in Romania’s capital. This post contains affiliate links. When you make a purchase I may get a small commission at no extra cost to you. Find out more here.

Are you looking for help with planning your trip? Check out these helpful resources:

• Flights​​
• ​​Accommodation for all budgets​​
• ​​Rental cars​​
• Train tickets
• ​​Bus tickets​​
• ​​Activities, tours, and day trips​​
• eSIM for international data

Bucharest’s Old Town

Bucharest Old Town is the best location to stay in, especially when you visit Bucharest for the first time. That’s because you’ll be in the heart of Bucharest and most tourist attractions will be withing walking distance.

For example, the Palace of Parliament is a 20 minute walk away, the Cismigiu Gardens are a 10 minute walk, and Stavropoleos Monastery is a 5 minute walk.

In addition, you can enjoy the charm of the pre-communist era Bucharest here. You’ll find cobblestone streets, historic buildings, and some of the best restaurants and cafes in this neighborhood. 

Most of them have outdoor seating, so the Old Town is a great place for people watching and just relaxing. Romanians love the “la dolce vita” style as much as Italians, so we never say no to getting a coffee, drink, or food with our friends and families, especially during the summer.

Also, the Old Town has a lively nightlife, so it’s perfect for young people. You can find some of the best places for a night out here.

The Marmorosch Bucharest, Autograph Collection

The Marmorosch Bucharest, Autograph Collection is a 5-star hotel set in a restored former bank building right in the Old Town. Rooms are modern and stylish, with marble bathrooms and elegant details that nod to the building’s history. Facilities include a spa, indoor pool, and fitness center. 

The Vault restaurant and cocktail bar are set in the old bank vault, which is a unique experience. I think this is the best choice in Old Town if you want luxury, history, and a central location all in one.

I’ve never stayed here, but the next time I’m in Bucharest this is where I’ll book a room. I can’t wait to experience staying at this really cool hotel!

Concorde Old Bucharest Hotel

Concorde Old Bucharest Hotel is a 4-star hotel located right in the Old Town on one of its oldest streets. The rooms are bright and modern, and some of them have balconies that overlook the cobbled streets or the river. 

Breakfast is served in a glass atrium with city views, which makes for a great start to the day. I recommend this hotel if you want comfort and charm in the heart of Old Town.

Hotel CH Bucharest

The last time I was in Bucharest I stayed at Hotel CH Bucharest. It’s a 4-star hotel located a short walk from the Old Town in a more residential area. 

It’s also a more budget friendly hotel that still provides everything you would need from a hotel stay. The rooms have comfortable beds, air conditioning, free wifi, and flat-screen TVs.

The breakfast is served buffet style and it has plenty of options. I think the hotel offers good value for the money since it’s located in a central area.

Calea Victoriei

Calea Victoriei is one of the most elegant boulevards in Bucharest and another excellent area for first-time visitors. Here you’ll find grand architecture, museums, and plenty of shopping, plus many of the city’s top luxury hotels. 

It’s quieter than the Old Town at night, but it’s still a very central location. So you’ll be within walking distance to the historic center and other attractions such as the Parliament building or the Romanian Athenaeum. If you prefer a more refined base with a mix of culture and convenience, this is the place to stay.

Radisson Blu Hotel

Radisson Blu Hotel is a 5-star hotel located right on Calea Victoriei, near the Romanian Athenaeum and Revolution Square. The hotel has over 400 rooms and suites, many overlooking the city.

Facilities include an outdoor pool, large fitness center, casino, and multiple restaurants and bars. I think this is the best choice if you want a big international hotel with plenty of amenities and a central location.

Grand Hotel Continental Bucharest

Grand Hotel Continental Bucharest is a 5-star boutique-style hotel on Calea Victoriei. It’s located in a historic building from 1826. It underwent a renovation process and re-opened in 2009. 

During the renovation they preserved all details of the historic building and made sure they kept the elegant vibe of the place. Thus, the rooms are decorated in a classical style with antique furniture and marble bathrooms. 

The hotel has two restaurants, a piano bar, and a wellness center. This hotel is ideal if you prefer elegant, old-world luxury in a central location.

Hotel Capitol

Hotel Capitol is a 4-star hotel located in a historic building on Calea Victoriei. It’s very close to the University Square and the Old Town. Rooms are simple but comfortable, with high ceilings and large windows. 

The on-site restaurant serves Romanian and European dishes in a traditional setting. I think this hotel is a great mid-range option if you want to be on Calea Victoriei at a reasonable price.

FAQs about Romania and Bucharest

I highly encourage you to read this article I wrote about stereotypes about Romania and what my honest opinion is of them. It will help you understand our history and learn how things evolved and how the country developed over the last 35 years.

How can I get to Bucharest city center from Henri Coanda International Airport?

Bus

If you’re a fan of public transportation, you can take Bus Line 100. It has stops everywhere in Bucharest city center: Piata Unirii (Unirii Square), Piata Romana, Piata Victoriei, Universitate. This bus runs every 15 minutes during the day and every 30 minutes during the night.

You can pay by card on board (a one way trip costs less than a euro). The bus station is outside of the Arrivals terminal. Just follow the signs when you get out of the airport.

Train

You can also take the train from the airport to Bucharest North Railway Station. The train runs 24/7 every 40 minutes. The trip takes about 20 minutes.

​From the railway station you can take the subway to get to wherever you need to go. Or, of course, you can order a car through a ride sharing app.

Taxi / Uber / Bolt

This is the most convenient option to get to the city from Bucharest airport since it leaves you right in front of your hotel. Uber and Bolt both operate in Romania, so if you’re coming from Europe or the US you can use the same apps to get a car in Romania as well.

Alternatively you can also schedule a private transfer.

How to get cell phone data when visiting Romania from abroad?

The cheapest and most convenient way to get data while visiting from abroad is to buy an eSIM. An eSIM is a digital SIM that lets you activate a data plan from a provider without having to use a physical SIM card. They are super easy to use.

I use Airalo. You can go to their website, select the country you’re traveling to, select how many GB of data you want, and how many days you want the eSIM to be active for. After you pay you will receive a confirmation email with instructions on how to activate the eSIM.

You can activate it on your phone and the process takes under 1 minute. Once the eSIM is activated you don’t have to do anything else. When you’re at your destination you will automatically get data.

Is Romania safe for a solo female traveler?

Yes, Romania is safe for solo female travelers. This is probably the number one question I’m being asked about Romania, so let me give you the full answer here.

One of the stereotypes about Romania is that it’s not a safe country. A lot of people still avoid visiting because of this.

This was true in the first 10-20 years after the fall of communism (1989 – 2009). 

After the 1989 Revolution everyone was trying to make money and stop living in scarcity. And because there was so much corruption and no systems put in place to help people, some people had to resort to scamming and stealing.

Back in the day pickpockets would steal money from you at the airport, on the street, literally anywhere. There is even a song by Romanian rapper Puya saying something like “when you land in Romania, make sure to keep your money close to you”.

Taxi drivers used to scam tourists as well. They would always ask for more money than what the price actually was.

But things have evolved so much and are so different now. We are part of the EU and Schengen. The country developed tremendously and the economy has been growing consistently. 

So these things don’t happen anymore because people don’t need to resort to scamming and stealing to live a decent life. That’s why debunking myths about Romania is so important. 

I live in Romania again after being in NYC for 14 years and traveling all over Western Europe and I feel safer in Romania than I felt in Western Europe or the US.

Should I visit solo or join a small group tour?

It depends on how you like to explore. Romania is a safe country, so you can definitely visit solo. But you’ll have more stress since you have to plan everything yourself.

I am hosting a Romania group trip every year. The tour date is the last week of August – first week of September. Except for 2 days in Bucharest, all other days are spent in Transylvania and the itinerary includes everything listed in this blog post.

It’s a great choice if you’re mid 20’s – mid 40’s and would like to explore with a like-minded group of people.

When is the best time to visit Bucharest?

All seasons are great, but it depends what types of activities you’re looking for. 

The spring and summer months are great if you want to prioritize exploring the outdoors. Fall is perfect if you want to also see the leaves changing color. And winter is a good choice if you want to see the Christmas market, ski, and snowboard in the resorts about a 3 hour drive from Bucharest.

What is the currency in Romania?

While Romania has been part of the European Union since 2007, it is not in the Eurozone yet. Our currency is the Romanian leu. 1 euro = 5 lei.

Do I need cash for my trip to Romania?

Yes, you do. While you can pay with a credit card in every city in Romania, places in the countryside or smaller mom-and-pop businesses are still cash-only.

So if you want to eat at a traditional local eatery that’s not in the city, or if you want to buy souvenirs or tip your tour guides make sure you have cash.

Pro tip: always get cash from an ATM in the airport instead of going to an exchange place. Your bank will always have better exchange rates when taking out cash in a foreign currency from an ATM.

Do I have to tip in Romania?

Tipping is not mandatory, but it is highly encouraged. I usually leave 5-10 lei (the equivalent of 1-2 euros) as tip when I eat out. They highly appreciate it when you do this.

Do I need to book tickets for attractions in advance?

You can book tickets online in advance of your trip if you want to have peace of mind, especially for activities that have limited spots and can sell out, like bear watching.

You can buy entry tickets to castles and other attractions from the ticket office on the day you visit. The chance of them being completely sold out is very small.

What language do people speak in Romania?

The official language in Romania is Romanian. Contrary to popular belief, Romanian sounds nothing like Russian.

Romanian is a romance language. That means that it has Latin roots, and it is very similar to Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese and Catalan. For example, the word “good” is “bun” in Romanian, “bueno” in Spanish, “buon” in Italian, and “bon” in French. Do you see the resemblance?

Romanian has some Slavic influences, so there will be words that don’t sound anything like their Spanish or French counterparts. One example is the word for “snow”, “zăpadă”. This is a Slavic word, and it is quite different from “nieve” in Spanish or “neige” in French.

However, overall, Romanian is very similar to its romance language cousins, and it sounds nothing like Russian.

Do people speak English in Romania?

Yes, they do. Pretty much everyone speaks English in Romania nowadays, especially the younger folks.

Most people also speak a little Spanish because Latin-American soap operas were very popular in Romania at the beginning of the 2000’s. And since Romanian is similar to Spanish we all picked up Spanish. 

That’s how I learned Spanish. And I am also able to understand bits and pieces of all other romance languages.

What Romanian words should I learn before my trip?

• Buna (pronounced boo – nuh) = hello 
• La revedere = goodbye
• Multumesc = thank you. But you can also say merci (the short form of multumesc, pronounced exactly like the French word).
• Da= yes
• Nu = no
• Card = credit card

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