Is Bucharest An Ideal Tourist Destination?

Bucharest, the capital city of Romania, may not be an ideal tourist destination for everyone and it is certainly not a typical place for most Americans and Western Europeans to spend a holiday. For many, the city will not be appealing, due to the drab, Communist era architecture, the run-down nature of some districts and the on-going problem of aggressive panhandlers and stray dogs. Nevertheless, for those looking for a little adventure and for anyone who might appreciate a different, non-standard vacation, as opposed to your run of the mill trip to large, western European cities, Bucharest might just do the trick.

Although you may not find as many prominent tourist sites as in other large, European cities, the "Casa Poporului," or the Romanian parliament built by former Communist dictator Nicolae Ceausescu in 1987, is a must-see. It remains one of the largest buildings in the world and it is possible to take a tour of the inside. Additionally, a visit to the Village Museum can be a great way to take a look into traditional, Romanian village life. This is a massive outdoor museum and is well worth a visit. The National History Museum, one of the most prominent in the city, is also open to visitors and is a great way to discover Romania's history.

There are also a number of old Orthodox churches open to visitors, including the Curtea Veche, built in 1559, and the Stavropoleos Church, a beautiful 18th century place of worship located in Bucharest's historic district.

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