If you know me, you know I love a good city break and you will see I have done many. Busy streets, hidden corners, great food and that slightly chaotic energy that makes a place feel alive. Bucharest completely caught me off guard and ended up being one of those cities that will stay with me.
What I loved most was how real it felt. Cobbled streets lead you to buzzing bars of which I did of course visit to see what they offered and they had a great range, quiet churches, and there are these lovely green parks where you can slow down and just wander. It is a little rough around the edges in places, but that is part of the charm, as it feels full of stories and personality rather than polished for show.
One of the most memorable parts of the trip was a day out to Transylvania. It is a long day, but it was absolutely worth it. Visiting Bran Castle, seeing the fairytale beauty of Peles Castle and wandering through the medieval streets of Brasov felt like stepping into another world. Standing in front of the Black Church with mountains rising behind it was one of those moments where you just stop and take it all in. This was easily the highlight of the whole trip for me.
Then there is Therme Bucharest, which I could talk about forever. It is the kind of place that works for everyone whether you are travelling solo, with friends, family or your partner. Mineral pools, swim up bars, waterslides, relaxation areas and so many different saunas, all with their own atmosphere. You can spend a full day there without even noticing the time pass. We loved it so much we went back again and I just felt amazing.
For a capital city, Bucharest is also incredibly affordable. Eating out, shopping and getting around all felt great value, which makes exploring even more enjoyable.
Bucharest is not glossy or predictable, and that is exactly why I loved it. It is warm, full of contrast and quietly charming. If you love cities with soul and a bit of beautiful chaos, this one really delivers and I already know I will be back.
