Articles (1839)

Ivanciu Gherasi Inn, between history and legend: how the ancestor of Bucharest’s famous InterContinental Athénée Palace disappeared

In the heart of Bucharest, at the intersection of Calea Victoriei and Episcopiei Street, stands today one of the capital’s best-known hotels: Athénée Palace, which became part of the InterContinental brand in 2023. The building is connected to the diplomatic, political, and social history of the city, to foreign journalists, businesspeople, artists...

What legends have surrounded Pasărea Monastery for more than 200 years: the oak tree, the abbot, the marriages untied, and the famous migrating bird

Approximately 20 kilometers from Bucharest, in a landscape where the forest, water, and tranquility create the impression of a world detached from the hustle and bustle of the capital, lies Pasărea Monastery. The monastic settlement in Brănești commune, Ilfov County, is one of the best-known places of prayer near Bucharest and, at the same time, a...

Bucharest neighborhoods with the strongest infrastructure for a family with a preschool-age child, 2026

For a parent with a child of kindergarten age, the right neighborhood comes down to three things: the size of the nearby park, the number of state kindergartens in the area, and the actual walking time to the nearest metro station. Six neighborhoods, with their verified 2026 figures, are examined below on these criteria.Titan (District 3): the most...

How much does parking cost at Bucharest shopping malls in 2026: AFI, Promenada, Veranda, Mall Vitan, Mega Mall, Sun Plaza

In Bucharest, finding a parking space has become one of the everyday problems faced by drivers, while shopping center parking lots have come to be used not only by customers going shopping, but also by people who work or live in the respective areas. In this context, several shopping malls in the Capital offer monthly subscriptions for drivers who...

Where to buy clothes, schoolbags and school supplies in Bucharest without spending too much money

The beginning of a new school year comes, almost every time, with a long shopping list: clothes for school days, shoes, a schoolbag, pencil case, notebooks, writing instruments, art supplies and all kinds of accessories that children consider essential. For parents, however, all these purchases can mean a significant expense, especially when there...

10 Swimming Pools in Bucharest Where You Can Swim Without Being a Competitive Athlete

Bucharest provides plenty of opportunities to work up a sweat while standing still, what with the long traffic lights, crowded platforms and meetings that somehow discover one more item on the agenda. Swimming offers a rather more elegant alternative. You get into the water, leave your phone in a locker and, for at least an hour, the only notificat...

School Supplies at the Start of the Year: How to Save Money if You Live in Bucharest

We already broke down what a Bucharest parent actually pays at the start of the school year: somewhere between 400 and 900 lei just for supplies and clothes, plus a few hundred more if tutoring enters the picture. The good news is that number isn't fixed. Part of it comes down to how early you move and how many sources you check before buying.State...

The story of maestro Ștefan Tapalagă: from national fencing champion to the great actor of Bucharest

Ștefan Tapalagă holds a special place in the history of Romanian theatre, cinema and entertainment. An actor with a distinctive expressiveness, endowed with spontaneity, intelligence on stage and an unmistakable sense of humour, he managed to create memorable characters both on stage and in front of the film cameras or radio microphones. His story...

Comana Adventure Park, the fairytale place for thrill-seekers of all ages near Bucharest

Approximately 35–40 kilometres from Bucharest, in a setting dominated by forest, water and rich vegetation, Comana Adventure Park is one of the destinations suitable for those who want to exchange the city's hustle and bustle for a day spent outdoors. Located within the Casa Comana estate, in Giurgiu County, the park transforms nature into a real p...

What Bucharest Parents Actually Pay at the Start of School, in a "Free" Education System

Romania's constitution guarantees free state education. The school-supply list tells a different story. The 2026-2027 school year starts on September 7, and until then, families across Bucharest go through the same routine: lists handwritten by teachers, queues at Diverta or Cărturești, prices compared on a phone while the kid picks out markers. He...