Lifestyle in Bucharest

Once proudly known as the Paris of the East, Bucharest was frequently overlooked in favour of other European capitals during its communist era. Since then, Bucharest has regained much of its lustre and now demonstrates the many contrasts between its dramatic past and present-day rejuvenation.

This is most evident in the city’s architecture. Old churches rest in the shadows of communist-era apartment blocks, while French palaces sit alongside glass office buildings and beautiful parks.

A colourful metropolis behind a grey facade, there are various options when it comes to shopping and lifestyle in Bucharest. Although the city seems typically Eastern European in some ways, it’s a distinctively Romanian culture paired with international influences.

Shopping in Bucharest

Shopping in Bucharest ranges from large modern malls to low-key local markets. Piata Obor is one of Bucharest’s largest outdoor markets and offers all sorts of food items. The Vitan Flea Market is held every Sunday from 7am until 2.30pm, and has thousands of sellers offering everything from antiques to vintage finds. The Antiquities Collectors Market at University Square, held every second and fourth weekend of the month, is another excellent spot for antique hunters.

Shopaholics will also enjoy their time in Lipscani’s historical centre, thanks to the merchants selling their wares in front of the high-end boutiques. Calea Victoriei is one of the most prestigious shopping areas in Bucharest. It’s home to upscale hotels, boutiques and museums, and expats will also find many high-end fashion brands available here.

Entertainment and eating out in Bucharest

Romanian cuisine is a mix of cultural influences, including Greek, Turkish, German and Hungarian. Traditional Romanian food is meat-based and hearty, with dishes that can be quite rich. Soups are popular, and cabbage makes a regular appearance.

Eating out in Bucharest has a burgeoning café culture and offers residents an array of restaurants catering to every budget and palate. Lipscani is a popular area for dining out in Bucharest, while Strada Episcopiei is also home to numerous restaurants.

Romanians love to cook, and locals often prefer eating at home over going out. Meals are frequently shared at a dinner table with extended family and friends, so it’s quite common to be invited over for a meal.

Nightlife in Bucharest

Bucharest has a lively and varied nightlife scene, with everything from chic cafés to trendy nightclubs and raucous bars. There is a great selection of live music clubs and venues, while philharmonic orchestras, operas and ballets entertain the city in more refined settings.

Once derelict and crumbling, Lipscani is now a focal point of Bucharest’s nightlife scene. With a selection of eateries, bars and clubs, the cobbled streets are regularly teeming with partygoers until the early hours of summer mornings. The area is also generally safe to walk in at night.

Home to Bucharest’s unofficial red-light district, Centrul Vechi (Old Town) is also another lively spot located in Bucharest’s centre. The Old Town is teeming with bars, clubs and restaurants to entertain expats from all walks.

Outdoor activities and sports in Bucharest

Known for its beautiful gardens, the outdoor activities in Bucharest are centred around the city’s lush parks, which are places of refuge for locals during the hot summer months.

Cișmigiu Gardens, founded in the mid-1800s, boast a lake for visitors to paddle on in the summer and an ice rink to skate on in winter. Herăstrău is another well-known green space, offering a bar, restaurant and sports complex set against the backdrop of a picturesque lake. Visitors can hire rowboats or visit the nearby theme park.

The Botanical Garden and Carol Park are other popular green spaces in Bucharest, where families love gathering for picnics in the summer, while others go to the parks to enjoy a game of chess or catch up with old friends.

For sports enthusiasts, Bucharest is home to several prominent football teams, including FCSB, FC Dinamo Bucharest, and FC Rapid Bucharest. The National Arena (Arena Nationala) serves as the main stadium for major matches and is home to both FCSB and FC Dinamo. The stadium regularly hosts Liga 1 matches and international fixtures, which offer excellent opportunities to experience Romanian football culture.

Meeting people and making friends in Bucharest

Building new relationships and friendships is one of the most daunting aspects of moving to a new city. Meeting people and making friends in Bucharest becomes easier when you know where to look and what opportunities are available. Many expats find success joining hobby groups, language exchanges, or volunteer organisations that align with their interests.

Shared interests provide natural conversation starters and lasting connections. The city has plenty of numerous parks, sports facilities, cultural venues, and community centres that all give you plenty of opportunities to meet like-minded people.

Professional networking events are common in Bucharest’s business districts, particularly around Calea Victoriei and the northern areas of the city. These events cater to the international business community and offer excellent opportunities for career-minded expats to build both professional and personal relationships.

Online platforms like Meetup host regular gatherings for various interests, from hiking groups to book clubs. Social media groups also play a role in connecting expats, with many Facebook groups dedicated to different communities and interests in Bucharest.

Several established organisations specifically cater to the international community, offering structured ways to meet people while contributing to charitable causes or learning more about Romanian culture.

Useful links

• Meetup: Bucharest Groups
• International Women’s Association Bucharest
• British Football School Romania