Where to stay in Bucharest: tips and the best neighborhoods to stay

Vanessa Korovina

Updated: 14 August 2025 ·

Where to stay in Bucharest: tips and the best neighborhoods to stay

where to stay in Bucharest useful information recommended areas tips
where to stay in Bucharest useful information recommended areas tips

Bucharest is divided into 6 different sectors, in Romanian Sectoarele Bucurestiului, which are further divided into smaller districts. The districts that are most interesting from a tourist perspective are District 1 (where you will find the Universitate neighborhood, Piata Romana, the long avenue Calea Victoriei, the Herăstrău Park, and the airport area), District 3 (home of the historic center, specifically the Lipscani neighborhood), District 4 (houses Piata Unirii with the famous Casa Poporului, or the Palace of the Parliament), and District 6 (where the residential neighborhood of Cotroceni is located).

Here's everything you need to know about where to stay in Bucharest. See also: What to see in Bucharest

Type | Recommended Accommodation 5 stars and luxury accommodations | Sheraton Bucharest Hotel ️ B&B and good quality hotels | Moxy Bucharest Old Town Hostels and budget accommodations | Bread&Breakfast Houses and apartments | Penthouse Complex

Useful tips: the best neighborhoods to stay

Ideal for | Area | Prices from Budget stay | Universitate | $35.00 Families with children | Lipscani | $50.00 Families with children | Piata Romana | $60.00 Families with children | Piata Victoriei | $60.00 Families with children | Cotroceni | $65.00 Families with children | Herastrau | $65.00 Young people | Lipscani | $50.00 Young people | Piata Unirii | $50.00 Young people | Universitate | $35.00

Avoid areas: the more peripheral neighborhoods, which are still notorious and not very safe. These include Ferentari, known as the Bronx of Bucharest, followed by the neighborhoods of Obor, Rahova, and Pantelimon, where incidents of petty crime often occur.

Bucharest is an affordable city, as you can find accommodations of any type at reasonable prices in most neighborhoods!

The most convenient and recommended neighborhood is Lipscani, the historic center, rich in attractions and well-connected to the rest of the city! Here you can find everything from luxury hotels to hostels!

If you're traveling with family, we always recommend staying in the historic center or in some quieter neighborhoods, like the luxurious Piata Romana, the residential area of Cotroceni, the northern areas around Herăstrău Park, and the northern section of the Calea Victoriei avenue.

Finally, Bucharest is also known for its vibrant nightlife! Therefore, if you are young and looking for fun, the best neighborhoods for you are always the historic center Lipscani and Piata Unirii, especially the lively neighborhood of Universitate, which is also known for its lower-than-average prices.

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Best accommodations: We have selected the best hotels, B&Bs, and hostels in Bucharest. Discover our recommendations and book on Booking

If you are in Bucharest for work or as a layover for other destinations, consider staying near the airport. Find the best options and selected hotels on booking.com

Lipscani

urban landscape Hungary Bucharest 1
urban landscape Hungary Bucharest 1

The historic center is definitely the best neighborhood to stay in Bucharest, especially if it's your first time visiting the capital. Here you will find numerous attractions, such as the famous Stravopoleos Monastery, and you'll be close to all the others! Additionally, you'll have all services at your fingertips!

It's a neighborhood suitable for everyone, both young people and families with children. In this case, it's better to focus your search toward the riverbank, which is a quieter area compared to the northern part of the neighborhood, bordering Universitate, where the nightlife is concentrated. Furthermore, if you book in advance, you can also find excellent deals! As mentioned before, Bucharest is very affordable, and you won't have issues if you are traveling on a budget.

The average prices in the neighborhood start from around $50.00 per night - compare the selection of the best accommodations on booking

Moxy Bucharest Old Town Located in the historic center of Bucharest, Moxy Bucharest Old Town is just 500 meters from the Stravopoleos Monastery and 800 meters from Piața...

Artsy Old Town Apartment Located right in the heart of Bucharest, close to Stavropoleos Church and Revolution Square, Artsy Old Town Apartment offers free WiFi, air...

Concorde Old Bucharest Hotel Situated in the historic center of Bucharest, Concorde Old Bucharest Hotel occupies a neoclassical building with views over the river or...

Hilton Garden Inn Bucharest Old Town Located in the historic center of Bucharest, just 400 meters from the National Theatre, Hilton Garden Inn Bucharest Old Town offers free WiFi,...

Piata Unirii

volkspalast palace bucharest 3
volkspalast palace bucharest 3

South of Lipscani, across the Dâmbovița River, you will find the beautiful Piata Unirii, one of the city's most beautiful squares! Here you will be in one of the most famous neighborhoods in Bucharest, especially due to the immense Palatul Parlamentului, the Palace of Parliament, one of the largest buildings in the world!

This neighborhood is ideal especially for young people and those who want to save further! You will be just steps away from the historic center, and life mainly revolves around Piata Unirii and along Bulevardul Unirii, a street filled with pubs, accommodations, shops, and restaurants! Here, you will also find many apartments, perfect for those seeking a bit of independence without adhering to hotel schedules.

Finally, the Piata Unirii station is one of the main hubs for public transport, allowing you to move around the city with ease, and it's also well-connected to the airport!

The average prices in the neighborhood start from around $50.00 per night - compare the selection of the best accommodations on booking

Hotel Cantemir Located 1 km from the Patriarchal Cathedral and 1.1 km from Carol Park, Hotel Cantemir offers rooms with air conditioning and private bathrooms...

Central Apartment In a central area of Bucharest, close to Carol Park and Patriarchal Cathedral, Central Apartment offers free WiFi, air...

Bread&Breakfast Located in Bucharest, 12 minutes on foot from Carol Park, Bread&Breakfast offers accommodations with free WiFi. 1.3 km from the Palace...

PENTHOUSE COMPLEX 5 Apartments Just 300 meters from the Patriarchal Cathedral and 1.5 km from central Bucharest, PENTHOUSE COMPLEX 5 Apartments features air-conditioned accommodations with free WiFi...

Piata Romana

roman athenaeum 3
Photo by Pixi.

The Calea Victoriei avenue also runs through part of the Piata Romana neighborhood, one of the most elegant and exclusive neighborhoods in Bucharest! Here you will find beautiful 19th-century villas, along with attractions such as the Romanian Athenaeum, the famous neoclassical concert hall inaugurated in 1888. Nearby, you will also find the National Museum of Romanian Art.

It is an ideal neighborhood for families and those who want to enjoy the beauty of Bucharest. Here you will find beautiful green areas, exclusive hotels, elegant cafes, and luxury restaurants! Accordingly, prices will be slightly higher compared to the city average, but still very accessible!

As for transportation, the main stop is at Piața Romană, where the M2 metro line passes, which will get you directly to Piata Unirii in just 15 minutes.

The average prices in the neighborhood start from around $60.00 per night - compare the selection of the best accommodations on booking

Relax Comfort Suites Hotel The 3-star Relax Comfort Suites is located in a central position in Bucharest, near the National Theatre, the National Museum of Art, and the...

Emil Balaban Luxury Apart-Hotel Emil Balaban Luxury Apart-Hotel offers a garden and free WiFi in the center of Bucharest, near the Romanian Athenaeum and National Theatre...

Retro MidTown Apartment Located in the center of Bucharest, 600 meters from the Romanian Athenaeum and 900 meters from Revolution Square, Retro MidTown Apartment is a WiFi-enabled accommodation...

Sheraton Bucharest Hotel Located in the center of Bucharest, Sheraton Bucharest Hotel offers a full range of services, including high-speed free WiFi...

Universitate

bucuresti romania university square 1
Photo by Britchi Mirela.

Between the historic center Lipscani and the exclusive Piata Romana neighborhood lies the Universitate neighborhood, one of the liveliest, youthful, and characteristic areas of the city! Here is the headquarters of the University of Bucharest, and consequently, it is mainly frequented by university students and young people. At the same time, you will find many significant buildings, like the Bucharest National Theatre.

It is an ideal neighborhood for young people and those looking to save! Since this area is primarily inhabited by students, the accommodation costs are lower than average, with many apartments, guesthouses, and hostels available, but there are also hotels of quality. However, the area is not recommended for families, as it becomes one of the hotspots for nightlife, which continues throughout the night!

Finally, it is still a very central area: from Piata Universitate, the main square in the neighborhood, you can reach the National Museum of Romanian History in the historic center in just 5 minutes on foot, and Piata Unirii in 15 minutes. The area is served by the Universitate metro station, M2 line.

The average prices in the neighborhood start from around $35.00 per night - compare the selection of the best accommodations on booking

Hotel Duke Armeneasca City Center - Ex Tempo Located in a prime position in the center of Bucharest, Hotel Duke Armeneasca City Center - Ex Tempo is the ideal base for travelers...

Ultracentral Apartments Ultracentral Apartments offers air-conditioned accommodations in the center of Bucharest, just 300 meters from the Bucharest National Theatre and 500 meters from Revolution Square...

Universitate Residence Universitate Residence offers air-conditioned accommodations in the center of Bucharest, 600 meters from Revolution Square and 600 meters from Bucharest National Theatre...

Grand Hotel Continental Bucuresti Located centrally on Victoriei Street, in the heart of Bucharest, Grand Hotel Continental Bucuresti is just steps away from the Museum...

Piata Victoriei and Calea Victoriei

hotel continental calea victoriei
Photo by Mihai Petre.

From the Lipscani neighborhood, or the historic center, Calea Victoriei begins, the oldest paved road in the city. This elegant avenue crosses Lipscani, the university neighborhood, and Piata Romana, ending at Piata Victoriei.

Once, it was home to the wealthiest families in Budapest, and even today, the northern section and the square itself represent an ideal area for families traveling and those seeking elegance and comfort! Along the avenue, there are numerous shops, including international ones, many restaurants, and countless venues, every service is at your fingertips! Additionally, due to the elegant buildings lining the street, it is a very classy area!

As previously mentioned, the avenue runs from south to north for a total length of about 2 km. Along the entire route, there are also numerous bus, tram, and metro stops, and the Piata Victoriei station is one of the main transportation hubs!

The average prices in the neighborhood start from around $60.00 per night - compare the selection of the best accommodations on booking

Iancu Apartments Located 600 meters from the center of Bucharest, Iancu Apartments offers accommodations equipped with free WiFi and a flat-screen TV. The Romanian Athenaeum is 600 meters away...

Pop Up ApartHotel In a prime location in the center of Bucharest, with views of the city and free WiFi, Pop Up ApartHotel offers accommodations...

Venis Boutique Hotel Located in Bucharest, 300 meters from Victoriei Metro Station and 500 meters from Victory Square, Venis Boutique Hotel features a restaurant....

Hotel Minerva Hotel Minerva enjoys a top location in the center of Bucharest, 300 meters from Romana Square and Victoriei Square. Free Wi-Fi is available. The...

Cotroceni

botanical garden bucharest
Photo by CristianChirita.

To the west of the historic center and the Palace of Parliament lies the Cotroceni neighborhood, considered one of the coolest neighborhoods in Europe! Among green spaces and nature, you will also find numerous museums, such as the Cotroceni National Museum and the Palatul Cotroceni, the official residence of the President. Not only that, you can also visit the beautiful botanical gardens of the capital, the Grădina Botanică Dimitrie Brândză.

Given its features, it is an ideal neighborhood for families and those seeking tranquility, away from the city traffic and completely immersed in greenery. The accommodations here mainly consist of hotels equipped with all services, and along the Bulevardul Eroii Sanitari, there are shops, local venues, and restaurants.

Finally, staying here, you will need to use public transport, but the area is excellently connected to the center: the main metro stop is Eroilor, where lines M1 and M3 pass, taking you to Piata Unirii in just 5 minutes.

The average prices in the neighborhood start from around $65.00 per night - compare the selection of the best accommodations on booking

12 Residence Cotroceni Located in Bucharest and just 900 meters from the Bucharest Botanical Garden, 12 Residence Cotroceni offers express check-in and check-out, non-smoking rooms...

Vila Cotroceni Boutique Apartments Situated in the heart of Bucharest, Vila Cotroceni Boutique Apartments offers free WiFi and a garden 3.5 km from the historic center. These accommodations...

CoquetteHouse Cotroceni Palace With views of the city, CoquetteHouse Cotroceni Palace offers accommodation with a balcony and electric kettle, about 1.1 km from the National Museum...

JW Marriott Bucharest Grand Hotel Characterized by sophisticated comforts and European elegance, JW Marriott Bucharest Grand Hotel offers 402 deluxe rooms, 6 restaurants,...

Herastrau

bucharest arch of triumph landscape 1
bucharest arch of triumph landscape 1

This area develops around the wonderful Herăstrău Park, where attractions such as the Arch of Triumph and the famous "Dimitrie Gusti" National Village Museum are located.

They are ideal neighborhoods for those who want to avoid the more touristy areas and live a more relaxed experience immersed in greenery, perfect for families.

One downside is certainly the distance from the center, from here you will necessarily need to use public transport. Taking the Aviatorilor stop (at the entrance of the park and not far from the Arch of Triumph) as a reference, you can reach Piata Unirii with metro M1 in about 20 minutes.

The average prices in the neighborhood start from around $65.00 per night - compare the selection of the best accommodations on booking

Hotel Herastrau Set in Herastrau Park in Bucharest, Hotel Herastrau offers accommodation with a restaurant, free private parking, a bar, and a shared lounge. This...

Vila A&B Located in Bucharest, 600 m from Herastrau Park, Vila A&B offers free WiFi and a garden with barbecue. Just 200 m away, you will find...

Avis Hotel By WS Group Avis Boutique Hotel Bucuresti is located just a 3-minute walk from Bucharest-Băneasa Airport and a 7-minute drive from...

Pullman Bucharest World Trade Center Located next to Herastrau Park and the ROMEXPO exhibition center in the commercial center, Pullman Bucharest is only a 5-minute drive from central...

Countries near Bucharest where to stay

green park trees autumn city 2 1
green park trees autumn city 2 1

During a trip to Budapest, the best solution is always to stay in the city. In the historic center and the surrounding neighborhoods, as we have already seen, there are numerous accommodations of various types, suitable for all budgets.

Staying in the vicinity is discouraged, especially for convenience and simplicity. Staying in the city will allow you to comfortably use public transport and move around on foot; staying outside will require you to use the train to reach the city center when available, which poses language barriers and timing issues.

Map of accommodation prices in Bucharest