Articles (893)

Șelari Street in the Old Town, kilometer zero of love: the Red-Light District, Zaraza’s end, Lady Păuna’s passions

The name of the street comes from the guild of saddlers, craftsmen who made saddles and accessories for horses. In past centuries, horses were essential for transport, trade, and daily life, and saddlers were seen as true artists of their craft. Their street was lively, full of merchants, workshops, and travelers. At the end of Șelari lay Podul Cal...

When life outdoes fiction: Sanda Țăranu gave up chemistry to become an actress, but ended up the most famous voice of Teleenciclopedia

In 2025, 60 years were marked since the launch of Teleenciclopedia, a show that became a cultural landmark for entire generations of Romanians. It is the longest-running production in the history of Romanian television, and its success is closely tied to an unmistakable voice—that of the incomparable Sanda Țăranu. Her career seems taken straight fr...

Fialkowsky Café, the decadent hangout of pre-war Bucharest where actors came to savor “wine mixed with witty words”

In the second half of the 19th century, Bucharest was rapidly transforming from an oriental-style market town into a European capital, with grand ambitions, imposing buildings, and an increasingly lively social life. Old traditions intertwined with novelties brought by Russian, Austrian, and French influences, while the city’s inhabitants sought pl...

The most unique “Mărțișor” in Bucharest. The Tudor Arghezi Memorial House, in whose courtyard the poet’s entire family is buried

Few places in Bucharest combine cultural memory, personal story, and traditional symbolism as harmoniously as the “Tudor Arghezi – Mărțișor” Memorial House. Located on the street that now bears his name, in the south of the capital, this house is not just a museum or a monument of interwar architecture. It represents, in fact, a piece of the soul o...

What you can eat in Bucharest as a foreign tourist. Recommended places and less suitable locations

Bucharest, the capital of Romania, is not only a city with a rich history and impressive architecture but also a place where gastronomy reflects cultural diversity and local traditions. For foreign tourists, discovering Bucharest’s cuisine can be a memorable experience that blends authentic Romanian flavors with international influences as well as...

Who was Petrache Poenaru and why several places or buildings in Bucharest bear his name

Petrache Poenaru remains one of the most important intellectuals and innovators of the 19th century in Romania. His name is associated with numerous achievements in education, science, and culture, and in Bucharest several buildings and metro stations today bear his imprint, commemorating his contributions. The former Semănătoarea metro station was...

Iuliu Maniu Boulevard in Bucharest, the third-longest thoroughfare of the Capital. Where its name comes from and how it became so important

Iuliu Maniu Boulevard is one of the best-known and busiest thoroughfares in Bucharest, a place crossed daily by thousands of drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians. Stretching 7.3 kilometers, it ranks third among the longest boulevards of the Capital, after Splaiul Unirii (10.8 km) and Timișoara Boulevard (7.5 km). Over time, the boulevard has played a...

Where Mihai Eminescu lived in Bucharest. Notes on the poet’s passage through different locations in the Capital

Mihai Eminescu’s life in Bucharest was marked by turmoil, creation, and suffering, but also by literary relationships that nurtured his talent. From the modest lodgings on Strada Speranței or near Caimata Church, to the more comfortable homes offered by his friends, all these places bore witness to an exceptional literary destiny. Today, Bucharest...

What It’s Like to Be a Student in Bucharest in 2025: Between Libraries, Coffee, Traffic, and New People

My mornings start with an alarm that rings too early and that small slice of silence between apartment blocks, just before traffic wakes up. I take the stairs with my laptop in my backpack, pass the sign on the landing—“please don’t leave bikes in the hallway”—and remind myself (again) to fix the light on my saddle. Bucharest teaches you fast that...

Rent in Bucharest during “back to campus”: what it costs in 2025, where to find cheaper options, and how to negotiate smart

September brings the peak search season for rentals in Bucharest. Demand driven by undergrads and postgrads temporarily pushes up prices for studios and one-bedrooms, especially around campuses (Regie–Leu, Grozăvești, Romană–Universitate, Timpuri Noi, Pallady). From March to July 2025, average asking rents rose about 5–6% versus 2024 citywide, with...