Bucharest top attractions are well-known but if you’re the kind of traveler who loves to find something special in every place you go, then you’ll want to discover Bucharest unusual attractions. And this post will help you do it!
1. Carturesti Carusel
This is one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world. Originally built in 1903 as a home for a rich Greek banker, it was confiscated by the Communists in the 1950s. The building was used as a general store and later fell into disrepair before being abandoned. After the fall of the Communist regime, the original owner fought a 24-year court battle to have his property returned to him. Finally, in 2007 he was granted ownership and began the renovations and reconstruction of the building. The Carousel of Light bookstore was created, a three-floor masterpiece with elegantly curved balconies on each level looking down on the open space below. Don’t miss the tea house on the top floor.
The Cartureti Carusel, at Strada Lipscani 55, is open Monday to Wednesday from 10:00-22:00. Thursday and Sunday from 10:00-22:30, and Friday & Saturday from 10:00-midnight. If you visit in the morning you’ll find it less crowded.
2. Zlatari Church
The reason this church makes it onto my list of Bucharest unusual attractions isn’t because of its quaint interior and gold dripping from every wall. It is because the small church holds the relics of Saint Cyprian the Mage, the patron saint of witches, sorcerers, and necromancers. The saint, who was also considered a magician, lived in the 3rd century and what remains of him is his arm. Preserved in the church is the saint’s “magic” arm which is believed to have the power to lift curses – if you touch it.
3. Dimitrie Leonida Technical Museum
If you like cars you’ll love this place! The museum was purpose-built in 1909 to hold the newest (at the time) inventions of scientific wonders. Dimitrie Leonida was an engineer who founded the first Romanian engineering school in 1908. The museum features many of the inventions made at the beginning of the 20th century such as motorized carriages, tiny cars, Soviet-style cars, motorbikes,
4. Miau Cat Cafe Bucharest Unusual Attractions
Visit this great cat hangout and enjoy a drink while you’re playing with the cats. If you want to you can even adopt a cat. Open Tuesday to Sunday this is a really offbeat Bucharest attraction if you’re into animals. Find out more on their website Miau Cafe.
5. Graffiti Walls Gallery
Bucharest has some outstanding graffiti art which has always been used to pass social comment and send a message, even at times when it might not have been legal. As one of the alternative attractions Bucharest has to offer you can take a graffiti tour. But if you want to explore independently then the best place to start is on Arthur Verona Street (also known as Graffiti Walls Gallery) where there is a concentration of 10 graffiti art pieces.
From Arthur Verona Strada continue through Park Gradina Icoanei and turn left onto Strada General Eremia Grigorescu to see the Make a Point mural at #10. Then in an area with several eateries visit Graffiti Urban, on Calea Griviței 13 where there are several murals created by a group of local artists. Another place to see graffiti art in Bucharest is at the Film Garden, located at 7 Lahovari Street near Roman Square. But there are many more murals to see while you discover Bucharest unusual attractions.
6. Politehnica Metro Station
I love catching the metro when I travel, it just gives you a taste of “real” life in the city and what residents must experience on a day-to-day basis. When I was in Moscow I discovered the incredible metro stations all with a theme and opulantly decorated, and in Bucharest, there are a few metro stations not worth missing. Politehnica Metro Station, built in 1983, is unique because of its floor of marble from the Apuseni Mountains. Stop for a minute to look down and see the 80 million-year-old fossils trapped in the marble. Some are from the late Jurassic period. This station is on the M2 line close to Afi Mall.
7. Piata Romana
If you want to see another unusual metro station take M2 to the Piata Romana station. Here you will see a station with an extremely narrow platform. Legend has it that the plans for the station were shown to the dictator’s wife, Elena Ceausescu and she said the people of Bucharest had started to get fat, and needed to walk more. So she demanded that one station, Piata Romana be left out of the plan.
The engineers saw this station as essential, and so they defied orders and continued construction in secret, hiding the work that was going on underground. When the metro line opened the trains didn’t stop at Piata Romana, but after about a year, the public started complaining and asking for the station to be opened. Eventually, it was officially opened in 1988, just a year before the Ceausescu couple were executed in the Romanian Revolution.
8. Little Armenia
Explore the neighborhood inhabited by Bucharest’s Armenian community. The highlight of this area is the Armenian Church, a 100-year-old structure, richly decorated, Another smaller Armenian church is Biserica Olari din Bucuresti which is adorned with gold, chandeliers, and every possible decoration.
9. Carturesti Verona
Tucked behind the Graffiti Walls Gallery at Strada Pictor Arthur Verona 13-15, is another of Bucharest unusual attractions, a gorgeous library that is quieter, and lesser-known than the Carusel. The bookshop is in an old house that has been converted to make it a library. Each room has a warm cosy feel, with many comfortable places to sit and read. The store sells books and gifts, plus there is a cafe in one of the rooms.
10. Umbrella Street
Not really a Bucharest unusual attraction anymore because it is no longer a secret spot, in fact there are now umbrella streets in most of Europe’s capital cities. The name of Bucharest’s umbrella street is Pasajul Victori and although it may not be a hidden gem having been discovered by social media, it does have a secret underground bar. See if you can find it.
11. Pasajul Macca and Pasajul Vilacrosse
These two extraordinary passages are stunningly beautiful Bucharest unusual attractions. They are covered and the walls are ornately decorated. The passage is home to quaint cafes that will remind you of Paris. Another passage that unfortunately has not been preserved like the other two is the English Passage. But it might still interest you just for the chance of visiting the traditional hat maker (millinery) at the end of the passage.
12. Bucharest Markets
The Bucharest Bazaar is a quirky flea market selling everything including jewelry, books, and antiques. It is open from 10:00 daily at Strada Covaci 10. Another colorful market that is one of the Insta-worthy Bucharest unusual attractions is Obar Market. Here they sell fresh produce in a two-story building. It’s not a gentrified market where you can get ready-cooked food but it is worth visiting just to see the locals on their home turf. The antiques market in Bucharest is located at Strada Doamnei 11, inside an abandoned building which is worth seeing even if you’re not into buying antiques. For more Bucharest shopping tips take a look at these Bucharest essentials.
All sounds most interesting and worthwhile checking out.
This would be an interesting city to explore especially if you love old European architecture.
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