Since 2007 when Romania became an EU member, EU citizens can use a national identity card or a passport for traveling to Romania. For the list of countries whose nationals, holders of simple travel documents, must be in possession of a visa upon entry in the Romanian territory (list drafted according to the provisions of EC Regulation no. 539/2001), as well as for the exceptions to the obligation of getting a Romanian visa, please visit the official website of Romania`s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the “Romanian Visa” Section at: http://www.mae.ro/en/node/2040.

With an official population of approximately 2 million inhabitants (and unofficial estimates of over 3 million), Bucharest is the sixth largest city in Europe, after London, Paris, Berlin, Madrid and Rome. The city offers an incredible blend of European culture, but without the crowds that are so typical to well-known tourist destinations.
Situated at the crossroads of Central and South-Eastern Europe, Bucharest is a city of cultural contrasts. In just a few hours, a traveler can experience both the urban atmosphere of narrow streets with Beaux-Art buildings and elegant cafés as well as the simplicity of rural art and life in one of Europe’s largest open-air museums – the Village Museum. Beautiful byzantine churches dating from the late Middle Ages, such as the Radu Voda monastery, are just blocks away from the Palace of the Parliament, the largest civilian building in the world and a symbol of the communist “Golden Age”. In less than ten minutes, one can go from the vibrant streets in Bucharest’s historic centre, with their numerous shops, bars, restaurants and clubs to beautiful and tranquil nineteen century parks such as Cismigiu and Gradina Icoanei.  And the city’s most well-known clubbing area is situated right next to the ruins of the Old Princely Court, built in the fifteenth century by Vlad the Impaler and now operating as a museum.
It is thus not surprising that Bucharest has been known for over two centuries as “Little Paris” or “Paris of the East”. Its impressive architecture, its bohemian atmosphere and the busy lifestyle of its inhabitants bare much resemblance to that of the French capital. But Bucharest has a life of its own – a life that is strongly rooted in its turbulent past and still reflects the daunting years of communism. Still, it is a life that boasts energy, optimism and vitality. A visit to Bucharest will be more than a tourist experience – it will be a life experience.

The city`s unique charm is perhaps best reflected by its historical center: the area of Lipscani - named after the numerous German traders from Lipsca or Leipzig that used to own shops here in the 18th and 19th centuries. Today, Lipscani hosts a variety of art galleries, antique shops, coffeehouses and restaurants. The historical center is also home to the remains of the Old Princely Court and Church built in the 15th century by Vlad Tepes (known as Dracula due to the fact that he was a source of inspiration for Bram Stoker’s book), as well as to other historical landmarks, such as the History Museum, the National Bank of Romania and the CEC Palace. Moreover, the center is home to some of the best restaurants in Bucharest, several of which are hosted in spectacular historical buildings: Manuc`s Inn (Hanul lui Manuc), the Beer Cart (Caru’ cu Bere), the Beer Maker’s Inn (Hanu’ Berarilor – Casa Soare), or the Linden Tree Inn (Hanul cu Tei).  Overall, the city’s main attractions include:

-       the “Dimitrie Gusti” National Village Museum (http://muzeul-satului.ro/en/), one of the largest open-air museum in Europe;
-       the National Museum of Art (https://www.mnar.arts.ro/en/visit)
-       the Palace of Parliament, one of the largest buildings in the world (http://cic.cdep.ro/en/opening-hours-and-tariffs)
-       the Romanian Peasant’s Museum (http://www.muzeultaranuluiroman.ro/home.html)
-       the Romanian Athenaeum
-       the Cotroceni Palace / National Museum (http://www.muzeulcotroceni.ro/index_eng.html)
-       the House of the Free Press
-       the Arch of Triumph
-       Victoriei Avenue – one of the oldest and one of the most beautiful streets in the city, home to the Cantacuzino Palace (“George Enescu” Museum), the historical Revolution Square, the Military Club, the National History Museum, the Romanian Athenaeum, the Athenee Palace Hotel, Kretzulescu Church, the Royal Palace Great Concert Hall, the Palace of the Savings Bank and many others.
Other wonderful places to visit in Bucharest are its historic churches (such as the Apostles` Church, the Metropolitan Church, the Stavropoleos Church, St. Joseph`s Cathedral, St. Nicolas Church) and its beautiful parks and gardens - like the Cismigiu Garden, the Botanical Garden, Herastrau Park or Carol I Park.

For getting familiar with the city`s central area and its main places of interest in less than one hour, hop-on, hop-off bus tours are available daily during the warm season by new double-decker buses. Also, there are a number of tour-operators offering guided tours and experiences:

- the “Dimitrie Gusti” National Village Museum (http://muzeul-satului.ro/en/), one of the largest open-air museum in Europe;
- the National Museum of Art (https://www.mnar.arts.ro/en/visit)
- the Palace of Parliament, one of the largest buildings in the world (http://cic.cdep.ro/en/opening-hours-and-tariffs)
- the Romanian Peasant’s Museum (http://www.muzeultaranuluiroman.ro/home.html)
- the Romanian Athenaeum
- the Cotroceni Palace / National Museum (http://www.muzeulcotroceni.ro/index_eng.html)
- the House of the Free Press
- the Arch of Triumph
- Victoriei Avenue – one of the oldest and one of the most beautiful streets in the city, home to the Cantacuzino Palace (“George Enescu” Museum), the historical Revolution Square, the Military Club, the National History Museum, the Romanian Athenaeum, the Athenee Palace Hotel, Kretzulescu Church, the Royal Palace Great Concert Hall, the Palace of the Savings Bank and many others.
Other wonderful places to visit in Bucharest are its historic churches (such as the Apostles` Church, the Metropolitan Church, the Stavropoleos Church, St. Joseph`s Cathedral, St. Nicolas Church) and its beautiful parks and gardens - like the Cismigiu Garden, the Botanical Garden, Herastrau Park or Carol I Park.