Summer has just arrived, and still the big heat seems not to have arrived yet, and also the seaside season is not yet at its peak. The weather is really nice and it is a pity to stay inside. Now I assume you are in Bucharest, and you are planning to spend a few days here, before you head off to Mamaia, or Vama Veche, according to your own taste and budget. You can't miss one or two open-air strolls while you're in Bucharest. I will give you a fair share of tips, to take your pick. But anyway, keep in mind that Bucharest is quite full of parks, large and small. This is why I selected a few, either the most famous or the most interesting.
1. Cișmigiu Park
The city's oldest park, Park Cișmigiu is situated in the very center of Bucharest, at a 10 minutes walk from Universitate metro station. Its innauguration took place about halfway through the XIXth century, and it keeps a very strong flavour of times past, visible in its flower arrangements, kiosks, gazebos, benches, alleys and statues.
On the lake in the middle of it, you can go boat rafting in summer and skating in winter. The park has a lot of older and newer legends associated with it, and it is said to have been one of the favourite places for inspiration of poet Mihai Eminescu.
On the lake in the middle of it, you can go boat rafting in summer and skating in winter. The park has a lot of older and newer legends associated with it, and it is said to have been one of the favourite places for inspiration of poet Mihai Eminescu.
Nowadays, the Cișmigiu also hosts lots of cultural events, such as the Europe Day in May, the Folklore Festival in June, book fairs, and during the past years, also the theatre festival dedicated to playwright Ion Luca Caragiale. If you are hungry, there is a nice restaurant overlooking the lake in the very center (they make great roast duck on cabbage :P ), plus various open air cafes and kiosks serving drinks, ice cream and snacks.
2. Bucharest Botanic Garden
You will find it accross the way from Cotroceni Palace (the President's residence). It may not be as glamorous as other botanic gardens in Europe, but it is one of those spots where tranquillity is at home, as it doesn't have the human traffic and commercial activities of the major parks.
It is the perfect place to find shadow and oxygen in the middle of summer, and stay and enjoy the colours of the flowers and the calming green of the trees. The entrance costs only 7 lei (less than 1.50 euro), and the spots not to be missed are the flowers alley, starting right at the entrance, the rose garden and the greenhouse.
It is the perfect place to find shadow and oxygen in the middle of summer, and stay and enjoy the colours of the flowers and the calming green of the trees. The entrance costs only 7 lei (less than 1.50 euro), and the spots not to be missed are the flowers alley, starting right at the entrance, the rose garden and the greenhouse.
3. Carol I Park
I would say this is the 'monumental' one, standing since the beginning of the XXth century, and marking the celebration of 40 years of reign of King Carol I. It is characterized by the wide and somehow imposing esplanade, but especially the Mausoleum where several historic personalities have been buried, and the Monument of the Unknown Soldier, dedicated to the soldiers who lost their lives in the 1st World War. If you spend more time around, you may even see the change of guards in front of the monument.
What is also interesting about this park is that even in its surroundings you will find cool spots. For example, on one side you will find a very beautiful castle, also known as the Țepeș Castle, which now belongs to the Army, and, unfortunately I would say, can only be visited a couple of times a year, namely Heroes Day, Army Day and the Night of the Museums. Which is a pity, for such beauty of a castle, and I honestly hope that things will change.
On the other side of the park, you will find Xenofon Street, the only stairway street in Bucharest. This street has been painted a few times with various artistic motifs, and now it's like a waterfall flowing through the woods. The paint is a bit deteriorated now, so we're waiting for some refreshing and some new ideas. ;)
3. The Old Court Museum (Curtea Veche)
An open air museum, for those who are into ruins... ehm, I mean archeology. It is the site of the fortified town from the reign of Vlad the Impaler, who is still there to greet you. ;) The site also has a very nice church by its side. The museum is currently closed for restoration, but you can be sure that I will keep you updated as soon as it opens.
I will be back in the next weeks with Part 2, where I saved the best for last, at least in my opinion. I will let you guess what places we are talking about... ;)
