GAY BUCHAREST
Discover this City with our Quick and Practical Guide to Visit the Best Attractions, Savor Typical Dishes and Have Fun in the Best Gay Bars. All this through the Rainbow Eyes of the World Mappers
What to See, Best Places to Sleep, Where to Eat and to Have Fun in BUCHAREST ?
Find it out with the World Mappers !
LGBT BUCHAREST
As of 2022, Romania is one of the last 6 countries belonging to the European Union to have no law on civil unions or de facto couples together with Poland, Bulgaria, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovakia.
Romania is generally socially conservative when it comes to the rights of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transsexual citizens. This is why homosexuality is still stigmatized within society. Despite this, the country has made significant progress in LGBT rights legislation since 2000.
Under Romanian law there is no protection for same-sex couples whether it is civil union or cohabitation, and, in Romanian law, marriage is defined as the union of "a man and a woman"
The Romanian Senate recently approved a bill against the so-called "LGBT propaganda", on the model of Hungarian legislation, itself inspired by Russia. Under the pretext of "protecting the children". In practice, educational programs or advertisements in solidarity with sexual minorities - such as a Coca-Cola advertisement with a couple of men - would be banned if the law were also passed in the House. TV shows like Friends or films like Bridget Jones, Harry Potter and Billy Eliot, which deal with homosexuality, would be limited to those over the age of 18. Public events may also be banned, such as the Pride March.
In Bucharest there are few gay clubs (some have closed in recent years), but they are a point of reference for the local gay community in a reality where homosexuality is still taboo.
WHAT TO SEE in BUCHAREST?
10 THINGS TO SEE in BUCHAREST
Palace of the Parliament (Casa Poporului)
Ceausescu's megalomaniac project on which over 20,000 men worked day and night for 12 years, creating the 2nd largest building in the world (behind only the Pentagon). With its 340 thousand square meters of surface, this mass is one of the most evident symbols of socialism in the world. The understated exterior does not anticipate what you will see inside: rooms with luxurious wallpapers, sumptuous carpets, chandeliers with hundreds of lights, gold-woven curtains (we had never seen such large curtains) and much more. To visit the building it is necessary to book at least 24 hours in advance. During the visit it is possible to see the roof, the basement and / or the most important rooms. We advise you not to miss the view of the city from the roof.
Bulevardul Unirii
The most important boulevard in Bucharest was built in 1984 following the example of the Champs-Elysées in Paris, to connect the Palace of the Parliament with Plaza Alba Iulia, in the heart of the city.
Orthodox Patriarchal Cathedral of Saints Constantine and Helen
Seat of the Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church and the most important temple in the city. It was built in the mid-17th century in the Brâncoveanu style, and on an artistic level it is a real gem. A stop not to be missed on a trip to Bucharest.
Lipscani District
The historic center of the city. Unlike the large boulevards of Bucharest, with obvious communist-style apartment buildings, in Lipscani you will find pedestrian streets, period buildings, small shops and a multitude of restaurants and cafes for a drink. Some essential stops are St. George Square, the bookstore Carturesti Carusel, la Calea Victoriei or the University Square.
People's Salvation Cathedral (Catedrala Mantuirii Neamului)
A true jewel of Bucharest, it is the largest Orthodox church in the world and with the height of 120 meters of its bell towers also the highest. Inside there is the largest Orthodox iconostasis in the world.
Arc de Triomphe (Arcul de Triumf)
It is located on Soseaua Kiseleff, one of the most important streets in Bucharest, and at first glance it will resemble the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, in a much smaller size. The current version dates back to 1936 and commemorates Romania's participation in the First World War.
Bucharest Opera House
One of the most beautiful buildings in the city. If you want to attend some shows, you can buy tickets on the official website of the Theater (at much cheaper prices than in other European countries). It is really worth it.
Stavropoleos Monastery
A monastery of Greek origin which, despite its small size, thanks to its frescoes, relics and Byzantine elements, is one of the great jewels of Bucharest and not to be missed if you are in the city. Our advice is to try to visit it during a ceremony to be enveloped by an overwhelming atmosphere.
Romanian Athenaeum (Ateneul Român)
It is simply one of the most beautiful buildings you will find in Bucharest (and probably in all of Romania) and a place of great historical and cultural importance. It was, in fact, the place where Greater Romania was born, uniting different historical regions with the Ancient Kingdom of Romania.
Herastrau Park & Satului Museum
The green lung of the city, where in addition to walking and enjoying the lake, you will find the Satului Ethnographic Museum, to deepen the history and traditions of Romania. Do you want to get to know the culture of all of Romania without leaving Bucharest? The Satului Museum is the ideal place. This open-air ethnographic museum brings together examples of buildings from all Romanian regions on an area of approximately 100,000 square meters. A journey through the Romanian territory and its evolution over time thanks to over 300 buildings, more than 50 thousand objects of daily use, such as clothes, photos, manuscripts and work tools.
SUGGESTED ITINERARIES
Visiting this city at its best depends essentially on how long you have to fully enjoy it. Here is a solution based on the number of days available to you:
Day 1 - Bucarest Completa - Google Maps
Extra - Mogosoaia Palace (by Car, Taxi or Uber) - Google Maps
(By opening the Maps with Google, you can easily follow our path)
5 BEST EXCURSIONS from BUCHAREST
We advise you to book the best excursions here: Viator - Musement - Get Your Guide
Transylvania (Peleș Castle, Bran Castle & Brașov)
Mogosoaia Palace
Piatra Craiului Mountains
Rasnov Citadel
Slanic Salt Mine
Click'nGo - Click on Hotels, Restaurants, Bars & Clubs
to find them on the Map or visit their Website
WHERE TO SLEEP in BUCHAREST?
10 BEST GAY FRIENDLY HOTELS in BUCHAREST
Hotel MyContinental București Gara de Nord *** ® Tested by World Mappers
WHERE TO EAT in BUCHAREST?
10 BEST RESTAURANTS in BUCHAREST Quality / Price
€€€ - Casa Doina ® Tested by World Mappers
€€ - Caru' cu bere (our Favourite!) ® Tested by World Mappers
€€ - Restaurant Hanu' lui Manuc ® Tested by World Mappers
€€ - Vatra Restaurant (Taste the Delicious and Typical Sarmale cu mamaliga) ® Tested by World Mappers
€€ - La Copac
€€ - Hop Garden
€€ - Lacrimi și Sfinți
€€ - Ciorbarie
€€ - Pajo Garden
GAY NIGHTLIFE in BUCHAREST
BEST GAY PLACES, BARS & CLUBS in BUCHAREST
Soho Cruising Caffe / Bar (Gay Bar) ® Tested by World Mappers
Q Club (Gay Friendly Club) ® Tested by World Mappers
MozaiQ (Gay Friendly Non-Governmental Organization)
Thor’s Hammer Gay Bar (Gay Bar) - Temporarily Closed
TRAVEL TIPS about BUCHAREST by World Mappers
BEWARE OF TAXISTS! Unfortunately it is known that in Bucharest some taxi drivers try to scam tourists or travelers. In fact, it happened to us too: we got into the taxi of a lady who immediately started laughing and joking with us, very nice, too bad that in the meantime the odometer and taximeter had been tampered with and that the price quickly skyrocketed. Always ask before boarding how many LEI / RON the ride costs more or less and always check that the taximeter is working correctly. Remember: Taxis do not accept cards, only cash!
Located just 10 kilometers from Bucharest, Mogoşoaia Palace has become a favorite excursion for travelers visiting the city. The palace was built in 1698 by Prince Constantine Brâncoveanu, a lover of art and architecture, and known as one of the key figures in the emergence of the Romanian Renaissance architectural style. The Mogosoaia Palace is one of his greatest masterpieces. Today the palace is a cultural center and a Brancován art museum. It hosts exhibitions in ten rooms and is home to various conferences and cultural events.
While visiting Bucharest, it is impossible not to visit Macca - Vilacrosse Passage, it is a covered passage with a lot of clubs and bars where you can have a cocktail or smoke shisha - narghilé.
It's not exactly in Bucharest (about 170km), but Bran Castle, a Transylvanian fortress known as Dracula's Castle, is a must-see if you're in Romania. This castle is related to Vlad Tepes, also known as Vlad the Impaler, who gave rise to the legend of Dracula. During the visit you will be able to find out much more about the relationship between myth, legend, history and reality of this famous character.
Another place not to be missed is the Peles Castle, one of the most important buildings of the second half of the 19th century in Europe. More than 300,000 people a year come to see this jewel of Romanian architecture, which used to be a royal residence. Built in 1873, it was the first castle in the world to have electricity and an elevator opening the doors to modernity in royal buildings.
If you go to Bucharest, don't miss the Bucharest Thermal Baths, just 15 minutes from the city and 10 minutes from Bucharest Otopeni Airport. A huge Spa with 9 pools, 6 saunas, 4 Turkish baths, 16 slides and the largest botanical garden in Romania. Open all year round, with a water temperature ranging from 29ºC to 33ºC. All this makes the Bucharest Thermal Baths the largest center of relaxation and entertainment in Europe. Bucharest's hot springs are a mix of fun and medicinal methods that will leave you refreshed after your visit. If you don't have a car, the thermal baths can also be reached by free buses that leave near the Arc de Triomphe in Bucharest. We didn't think twice and went to the Bucharest Thermal Baths by free bus.
"SECRET BUCHAREST"
Unusual and Particular Places to See in Bucharest
Outside the classic places to visit of the city, there is a "Secret Bucharest" that has simply bewitched us. Here are the 5 Things and Places to See in Secret Bucharest:
Pasajul Victoria / Umbrellas Street - Pasajul Victoriei, in the historic center of Bucharest, is characterized by dozens of colored shadows that transform this alley into one of the must-see places in the city.
Cărturești Carusel Bookstore - This once abandoned building is now one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world. Since 2007, in five years, this magnificent building originally built in 1903 has been rebuilt and created. The three floors of the shop span over 10,000 square feet that contain as many books. Open Monday to Wednesday from 10:00 to 22:00; Thursday and Sunday from 10:00 to 22:30; and Friday and Saturday from 10:00 to 24:00 To avoid the crowds, it is best to visit it in the morning hours. A place not to be missed if you are in Bucharest.
Monastero di Snagov - On a small island in a lake just outside Bucharest is the Snagov Monastery which, according to local tradition, is the burial place of Vlad the Impaler, who inspired Bram Stoker's Dracula.
Muzeul Micul Paris (Little Paris Museum) - This museum offers a journey into the era of the Belle Epoque in Romania. Admission is free, but donations to support the museum are accepted.
Rebirth Memorial - This memorial to the victims of the 1989 Romanian revolution is often compared to a spit-roasted potato. Officially it is the Memorial of the Rebirth, but the locals have given this monument some unusual nicknames such as "Potato on a stick" or "Potato on a skewer". The memorial is located inside the Revolution Square. The area is open 24/7, so you can stop by at any time, although it's best to go there during daylight hours.
the MOST BEAUTIFUL MARKETS in BUCHAREST
This market is full of very traditional stalls selling meat, cheese, fruit, vegetables and flowers. It is quite small but very nice, its prices are quite cheap.
It is one of the oldest markets in the city of Bucharest. It is not a very touristic place, it is mainly frequented by locals for their daily shopping.
This market is located inside a closed building. Here you will find fruits, vegetables, meat and pet food.
This market is located north-east of the center of Bucharest, inside a newly built multi-storey building, plus an outdoor area. Here you will find the spices of the Romanian region, assorted condiments, meats, cheeses, artisanal biscuits, pottery and much more.
GAY FRIENDLY TOURS
Do you want to discover the city more deeply through Bucharest's Best Gay Tours? We recommend the following local operators:
Gaily Tour - Tour Operator offering tours and excursions dedicated to the LGBT + community throughout Europe. Special Tours and Gay & Lesbian Friendly Guides ready to make you discover the beauties of this destination. Info & Booking: info@GailyTour.com
Bucharest • Gay Friendly Tour & Parliament's Secrets
Enjoy a very special LGBT friendly walking tour of Romania's Capital City, Bucharest. Used to be called “little Paris” and still housing spectacular architecture, Bucharest is a must-see attraction in Romania ! Meet our Gay or Lesbian friendly Tour Guide in Piața Unirii, that provides a good view toward the Palace of Parliament. Walk to the huge Palace, a monumental construction made during Romania’s communist past under the command of the megalomaniac dictator Ceausescu. You will not only be shocked by the sheer size of this building, but also by the story of how it was made, which saw over 20,000 houses destroyed in the central part of Bucharest. Continue through the Old Town, ìwith its quaint streets paved with cobblestones, its medieval Oriental inns, its small 19th century merchant houses and its imposing palaces. During the walk, you’ll see the essential sights from this famous quarter in Bucharest: the History Museum, the CEC Palace, Manuc’s Inn, the Macca Villacrosse Passage, the Roman Wolf Statue and KM 0 of Bucharest. Then reach the University Square and the Palace Square area where your tour will finish.Incluso:
* Gay or Lesbian Friendly Tour Guide for City Tour (3 hours)
* Entrance Fee – Parliament of Bucharest
Bucharest by Night • Gay Tour
Enjoy an enlightened Bucharest and an amazing walking tour through Bucharest's gay & lesbian bars and clubs to live on your skin the magic atmosphere and LGBT scene of the city. Enjoy your included drink (also alcohol free drink available) and own the night !
Incluso:
* Gay or Lesbian Tour Guide for Night Tour (2 hours)
* Aperitif in Gay Bar (1 Drink)
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