Life in Romania, Living in Bucharest!

Romania is an Eastern Europe country with 4000 years of history, ancient fortress cities, very well-preserved old villages, beautiful people who are practicing very old traditions, wild nature, a fantastic coast and a stunning Danube Delta -the home to many species that are rare or missing in other European areas.

The weather in Romania – The climate is transitional between temperate and continental, with relatively low rainfall and large differences in temperature between the four seasons. Summers are hot, lasting from late May to mid-September. Those of you who want a break from the high temperatures may choose the Romanian mountains where the summer is more temperate with fewer hot days (over 19°C on low altitudes and 8°C in the peaks of the mountains). Winters are very cold (-20°C or below) and last from November to February. If you want to enjoy some snow and love winter sports, the mountains can offer all these things, most effective, in the months of November, December and January.

The capital of Romania is Bucharest with approx. 2,1 mil people. The second-largest city is Cluj-Napoca, followed by Timisoara, Iasi and Constanta.

Romanian legend has it that the city of Bucharest was founded on the banks of the Dambovita River by a shepherd named Bucur, whose name literarily means “joy.”

Places to visit in Bucharest:

The Palace of Parliament is the second largest administrative building in the world, right after the Pentagon in the United States. It is also the most expensive and the heaviest building in the world.
Bucharest is also called “Little Paris”. From 1900 – 1930 it was considered to be one of the most beautiful and modern European cities. It was very similar to Paris in terms of architecture and lifestyle.
Victory Way-Calea Victoriei is Bucharest’s oldest and arguably, most charming street. Between the two world wars, the Victory Way developed into one of the most fashionable streets in the city. Along this street you will discover some of the most stunning buildings in the city, including the Cantacuzino Palace, the Revolution Square, the Military Club,
National Savings Bank Palace and the National History Museum.
The Old Town is one of Bucharest’s earliest settlements, where structures date back to the 15th and 16th centuries. Throughout time, it was the seat of Romanian princes, a centre for trade, and a crossroads for travellers. Now the place is filled with cafes, restaurants, bookshops and theatres.
Romanian Athenaeum is the city’s most prestigious concert hall. The 19th-century building, designed by French architect Albert Galleron, resembles an ancient Greek temple. The 652-seat auditorium is known for its excellent acoustics and its fine art.
Old Princely Court – In the Old City, the Old Princely Court was the palatial residence of Wallachian princes, including Vlad Tepes, otherwise known as Vlad the Impaler, who inspired Bram Stoker’s tale of Dracula.
The Arch of Triumph – was dedicated to the Romanian soldiers who fought in World War I. It continues to serve its purpose of being the central point for military parades. Romanian soldiers march beneath it for big events, including the first of December, which is the country’s national holiday.
National Museum of Art – In the former Royal Palace, the National Museum of Art is Romania’s leading art museum housing the most complete collection of Romanian art, including medieval and modern art. The European Gallery next door has 15 rooms including works by El Greco, Monet, Rembrandt, Renoir, and Rubens.
Dimitrie Gusti National Village Museum – Founded in 1936, this unique open-air museum stretches through leafy Herastrau Park and represents the traditional way of life in Romania. Visitors can wander through 300 traditional buildings, including peasant homes with steep roofs, thatched barns, heavy log cabins, various types of churches, workshops, and mills – all of which have been transported from towns across every region of Romania.
Grigore Antipa Natural History Museum- Recently renovated, this museum is the largest natural history museum in Romania, housing collections of reptiles, fish, birds and mammals. More than 300,000 artifacts and specimens are on display, including a dinosaur fossil. A whole floor is dedicated to sea life and features examples of whales, dolphins and seals. The museum also contains a beautiful butterfly collection.
Parks in Bucharest – Bucharest has beautiful parks. The oldest city park, designed in the mid-19th century, is Cismigiu Garden. Designed by French landscape artist Eduard Redont and completed in 1906, Carol Park is considered one of the most beautiful parks in the capital. Spread over 400 acres, Herastrau Park is home to the Dimitrie Gusti National Village Museum, an open-air theatre, sports clubs, and many playgrounds for the children. Botanical Gardens– Opened in 1891, the garden features over 5,000 varieties of plants from Romania and around the world. The garden also encompasses a beautiful building in the Brancovenesc architectural style, housing the Botanical Garden Museum.