Why Bucharest May Not Be Your Ideal Destination

Checking out what Bucharest has to offer

I’m working my way through the countries of Europe and I want to see them all. I have to admit that some are less tempting to visit and Rumania was on of them but when I found a half marathon I Bucharest fitting my plans I booked it and decided to go for a solo trip over a weekend in Bucharest. A late Friday flight from Zurich to Bucharest brought me there. It was not a very nice flight people around me showed zero respekt talked very loud and taking more space than theirs although asking them to tone down because I wanted to sleep. Arrived just after midnight and took an Uber to my hotel. The Uber driver was absolutely arrogant and got annoyed when I could not find his car although it was parked at an invisible place. Then he was on the phone the whole ride. The same unfriendly approach continued upon check in at the hotel and my first impression was not the best.

Waking up in a new city

After a short but good nights sleep I went to the breakfast at one major hotel chain where I stayed. Next unfriendly service encounter when the breakfast staff screamed at me to come to his desk and give my room number while asking a waitress where to register. Without even seeing the city I was a bit pissed off.

Was also out for a shakeout run in the neighborhood and that was fine. Found a little lake during my 5K loop and it became obvious this place is not up to EU standard. Took the metro a few stations to the big palace which was top on my sightseeing list. The whole weekend was a running weekend and 5 and 10K took place while I went there so watched that a little and of course the palace. One of the largest if not the largest buildings in Europe. Built during the communist era founded by government money. It was impressive. You could of course go in also for a guided tour but I wasn’t in mode for it.

Walked around a bit more and stopped for a coffee and cake at a nice Soviet inspired boulevard. Also here the service was totally non existing. Kept on doing people watching and thinking. Mostly about people and how life in Rumania is. I don’t know someone from there I think. Continued my walk towards the old town which I had read would be cozy.

It was not very cozy. I don’t know what the comparison was against but compared to Stockholm or Switzerland it felt like a party street for white trash people. Sorry. Some run down bars and homeless people on the streets. Another drunk guy standing peeing against a wall started to scream after me. Just ignored and kept on walking. My goal was to visit the communist museum and that was a small little gem. Best thing I did during the trip. The collection of stories and objects from the era was well portraited and I enjoyed it.

Tired out another coffee place which was good and looked very trendy before doing a small carb load prior the run. Had a pizza at a place with good reviews and seemed to be very trendy but also here staff was very unfriendly. You almost had to excuse yourself that you were a guest there. Not very nice and the food was mediocre. At this point I had enough of the city and took the metro back.

Half marathon day

Race day and it didn’t started to early which was good. Had a coffee, banana and yoghurt at the hotel before heading out. It was raining but hot which equals great race weather in my point of view. Motivation wise I was somewhere else. Had another run some days later, Flughafen run 17K with my colleague which I hoped to do good at so took this one as an easy long run. Pushed the first 10K and then slowed down. The course was bringing you through all major sites and was almost flat. Would be ideal for those chasing personal bests. Finished below 1:45 on the 21K. Concluded that the race was the best thing in Bucharest. The race was good though and I can recommend it. OMV Bucharest half marathon is the name.

Strolled around a little bit in the city with the medal around my neck, had a Taiwan milk tea and looked forward to leave. Took a long shower and went back very early to the airport. This place was not for me. Didn’t liked the vibe. Didn’t liked the city. Wouldn’t recommend and will not voluntary travel back. Either I missed out something or it is simply not for me because I heard it is an upcoming destination for weekend trips. The Dracula castle which requires a day trip is also very popular but neither that has been a temping place for me to visit. Anyone else who has been to Bucharest and if so what was your experience?