Europe

Romania

At a glance

A Latin language in Eastern Europe

Romanian is a Romance language, related to Italian, Spanish, French, and Portuguese, but influenced by Slavic, Hungarian, Turkish, and other neighbouring languages.

English in Bucharest

In the capital, many people speak English, especially in hotels, restaurants, tourist areas, and among younger Romanians, making Bucharest relatively easy for visitors to mov around.

Dracula and Transylvania

Romania is linked to Dracula and Transylvania, but the country offers much more than the legend, from medieval towns and castles to mountains, churches, and a distinct cultural identity.

Little Paris and New Berlin

Bucharest is often called “Little Paris” because of its elegant architecture, while its newer reputation as “New Berlin” is due to the city’s creative energy, street art, and urban identity.

Michael Jackson in Bucharest

After the 1989 Revolution, Michael Jackson was one of the first major western artists to perform in Bucharest. A monument in King Michael I Park later commemorated his contribution, and the nearby street was renamed Michael Jackson Alley.

Orthodox heritage

Romania is a majority Orthodox Christian country, and Bucharest’s churches show this heritage through frescoes, icons, carved interiors, and decorated religious spaces.

A visual journey through Bucharest

Bucharest

Dâmbovița River in Bucharest, Romania — **The Dâmbovița River gives Bucharest a quieter urban view.** I found myself walking along the river as I visited several sights such as the Statue of George Enescu and the National Museum of Romanian History. The river walk is a nice alternative to sidewalks. Its not an attraction in itself, but you will probably see it if you walk around the city.

Strada Șelari in Bucharest Old Town, Romania — **Strada Șelari is one of Bucharest’s oldest and liveliest streets.** First mentioned in 1678, it sits in the heart of the Old Town and forms part of the Lipscani district, once the commercial centre of the city. Today, it mixes historic character with cafés, bars, restaurants, and everyday movement. There is a lot going on here, especially in the evenings.

Palace of the Parliament

Palace of Parliament exterior in Bucharest, Romania — **The Palace of Parliament is impossible to ignore.** Built under Nicolae Ceaușescu, it is one of the largest administrative buildings in the world. From outside, the structure can feel severe, but its scale is extraordinary.

Grand hall inside the Palace of Parliament in Bucharest, Romania — **Inside the Palace of Parliament, the atmosphere changes completely.** The rooms are filled with marble, chandeliers, columns, gold details, and formal spaces that show the scale and ambition behind the building.

Conference room inside the Palace of Parliament in Bucharest, Romania — **The guided tour gives context to the building’s political history.** The rooms are impressive, but the story behind them is just as important. I would highly recommend the tour that explains the architecture and symbolism of the building.

Chandelier inside the Palace of Parliament in Bucharest, Romania — **The details inside the Palace of Parliament are unexpectedly ornate.** Chandeliers, carved ceilings, and decorative finishes show the luxury built into the interiors and this is an interesting contrast with the building’s heavy exterior.

Interior hall inside the Palace of Parliament in Bucharest, Romania — **The Palace of Parliament is best experienced with time and comfortable shoes.** The visit involves a lot of walking, stairs, and airport-style security. Liquids over 100ml are not allowed, but vending machines are available inside.