They're Wrong! - AGP1337. Date of travel: Feb 2008
I am generally the world's most miserable traveller, fed up before I've been away for two days. The only place (apart from San Francisco) that this has not occurred is Romania. I love Bucharest, and have been six times. OK, on my last visit but one pickpocketing was tried, by a 12-ish year old boy. Not alarmed - I was well able to cope with it, and persisted in telling him to go away, finally raising my voice. There is less danger there than in London, as long as you are aware. The city has great character. I have also walked amongst the Stalinist blocks, and felt totally safe. The only problems have been when I went to Caecescu's grave with my camera. The second time I was told not to photograph it, then escorted by a 'guide' and shown the best place to take pictures. Worth it for less than £2, and they need it more than I do! Just be aware, and you'll be fine.

Definitely go to Bucharest - Martin Underwood. Date of travel: Nov 2007
Where to start, Bucharest has good food, good drink, friendly people relaxed pubs and attractive women. The town is a bit dirty but they are undertaking serious upgrades of the buildings and roads - good place to relax for a few days.

Great city of Bucharest - Phil Larkin. Date of travel: Oct 2007
Love the city of Bucharest. Go to the hot choc place in the shopping centre.

Bucharest - mixed feelings - L Judge. Date of travel: Aug 2007
I came away from Bucharest with the feeling that the city was very dirty, dusty and unfriendly in general. Street beggars are everywhere and it is the only place in the world where someone tried to pick my pocket. Amazing contrasts of great wealth, fabulously expensive shops and flash cars - then incredible poverty and a rather nasty seamy side at night. Parcul Cismigiu in Sector 1 is beautiful and a lovely place to sit and chill for a while. There is a restaurant in the park, but service is slow and the food very average in quality, but quite expensive. A lot of the restaurants are priced like any Western European one, but the standard of service is lower. Be very careful at night as there are a lot of very dark streets and alleys. The pavements are awful and flat sensible shoes are a must for walking around. Will I return? - I'll wait about 10 years and give them a chance to catch up with Bulgaria.

Bucharest: not worth a visit - Jessie. Date of travel: Aug 2007
Unfortunately, I had to fly into Bucharest on my way to Transylvania and my experience had few positive points. The hostel I stayed in was fantastic, very friendly and a great place to meet other travellers (Friends Hostel). Also, the food was very good and it is a central city to travel throughout Romania and other parts of eastern Europe. Transportation was very cheap. However, the city is populated with the rudest people I have ever encountered. I was actually told that "smart people do not wait in line" and every Romanian seems to abide by the mantra. I got into a yelling match with a cabbie who tried to charge me over $100 dollars for a 20 km ride in the first 20 minutes I arrived in the city. Service at the restaurants (and this was a problem throughout Romania, not just Bucharest) was TERRIBLE. Waiters were extremely rude and incompetent to boot. They seemed to forget that waitstaff's money is made from people who patronize their restaurants. The Tao Kismet hostel in Brasov also had horrendous service- every traveller I met staying there agreed. My guess is that tourism is exploding in Romania and the residents are still disgusted with tourists instead of embracing the money they bring in. Hungary was like this 4 years ago and has improved dramatically. Hopefully Romania is next in line.

Land of contrasts - Adam. Date of travel: Aug 2007
I guess Bucharest is the land of contrasts, you see incredible wealth one minute and the next minute a beggar on the corner. Safety is ok, as safe as London; if you don't go looking for trouble I guess you won't find it. I wouldn't recommend it for family vacations but for nightlife/clubbing/partying it's among the best I've seen, check out Gaia, Bellagio, Bamboo, Embryo, Bonton. As for the grim appearance of the city, everytime I go I notice that it's changing for the better. Can't wait to see it again in September!

Bucharest Blows - Jon. Date of travel: Jun 2006
I was unfortunate enough to stay one night in Bucharest in June 06. While i loved the rest of my time in Romania, Bucharest was a waste of time. The city is dirty and unappealing and many of the locals esp taxi drivers are just trying to fleece tourists. Skip Bucharest if at all possible and get to Wallachia and Transylvania.

Giles Hutton. Date of travel: May 2003
I didn't find all that much to interest me in Bucharest - its ok to go to for a day or 2, but there is no reason to stay longer. Its just a big dirty city that is supposed to have a Parisian feel, but other than the wide boulevards and an Arc de Triomphe there was no similarity.