Paris is on everyone’s bucket list. From fashion and cafes to some of the most romantic backdrops on the planet, the City of Love ticks all the boxes for a perfect city break.
However, like several European destinations, the French capital is grappling with the effects of overtourism.
City bosses recently hiked tourist taxes and banned key boxes in a bid to fight illegal short-term rentals. As of 2024, 3-star hotels in Paris charge a levy of €5.20 (£3.90) per person per night, while 4-star accommodations are higher, at €8.45 (£7.19).
At Metro, we’re all about promoting sustainable travel and putting ‘hidden gems’ on the map, as long as the destination is truly eager for visitors.
So when we heard about the ‘Paris of the East,’ an underrated city with flights from the UK for just £40, we wanted to share it with our readers.
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Bucharest has the beautiful buildings, tree-lined boulevards and swish cafes we associate with Paris — at a dramatically cheaper price.
Recently ranked 9th in The Times’ roundup of ’24 of the best affordable city breaks in Europe’, Romania’s capital and largest city is actively welcoming tourists.
The government is pouring money into accommodation and public transport in a bid to attract travellers, while other countries are pushing them away.
During the 19th and 20th centuries, Bucharest was a hotspot for French artists and intellectuals, who frequented the city. At the time, society mirrored the Parisian way, with a focus on fashion, elegance and sophistication. Likewise, prominent Romanian artists, including Constantin Brâncuși, studied in Bucharest before making their names in Paris.
Visually, the city earned its ‘Little Paris’ nickname thanks to its architectural similarities with France’s capital.
Of the many buildings and landmarks influenced by the French, the most obvious is the Arcul de Triumf, Romania’s version of the Arc de Triomphe.
Fancy a trip to this affordable alternative? Here’s everything you need to know about Bucharest.
What to do in Bucharest
The streets of Bucharest really do look like Paris; ornate flourishes of Neoclassical, Art Nouveau, Art Deco and Romanian Revival are on display on every corner.
A wander through the city’s expansive boulevards will take you to the Palace of the Parliament, the world’s heaviest building weighing roughly4,098,500 tonnes.
You can get a closer look at its size and grandeur on a guided tour, with ticket prices costing around 60 Romanian Leu (£12).
When in ‘Little Paris,’ it would be rude not to check out the Muzeul Micul Paris (Little Paris Museum), a fascinating destination for anyone interested in art, architecture, the Romanian bourgeoisie era.
The museum is filled with antique furniture, clothing, and perfume, from the ‘Belle Époque,’ the period of French and European history from 1871 until 1914. There’s also an antique gallery and a vintage photography studio, where you can experience an immersive journey into the past. Tickets cost 25 Lei (£4.18).
Step out of the time capsule and into nature with a walk around Herăstrau Park, on the northern side of the city. The lake is dotted with trendy restaurants and bars, the perfect perch for sundowners.
If you’re looking for something active, boat rentals and hydro-bicycles are also available along the shore.
Metro’s Alice Murphy spent a day at the park during a trip to Romania and said it is easily accessible by train, bus, taxi, or on foot.
She also recommends the Free Walking Tour of Bucharest, where you can learn about the city’s history and culture, and a visit to the National Village Museum to discover how people live in rural Romania.
Of course, no European city break is complete without a stroll around the Old Town.
Bucharest’s pedestrian-only area is very tourist-friendly and brimming with terraces, cafes, restaurants, and shops.
How to get to Bucharest
Wizz Air flies direct to Bucharest from London Stansted and London Luton for as little as £20 one-way.
Flying from another part of the UK? Ryanair flies from Leeds Bradford airport for £37, while Birmingham flies with Wizz Air for the same price.
A tempting twin city break
We’re suckers for an Old Town. Whether in Bruges or Krakow, there’s nothing we love more than wandering through narrow Medieval streets or plonking ourselves in local restaurants serving traditional food and drink.
But for Alice Murphy, Bucharest’s Old Town was verging on tacky.
Describing it as ‘stag central,’ she reports that an abundance of bars and clubs ruin what could have been a charming vibe.
However, if you’re looking for somewhere that’s escaped the hen and stag mob, Alice recommends Brasov.
A train ride away in Transylvania, you’ll find a smorgasbord of traditional charm and modern city life. Brasov’s Old Town, which has received UNESCO World Heritage status, is worlds away from its capital counterpart.
Embroidered with medieval buildings, including the Gothic Black Church and the Council House, the city is home to Rope Street, the narrowest street in Romania.
The Bucharest to Brasov train takes around 2 hours and 30 minutes, with prices ranging between £5 to £14.
Other ‘destination dupes’ worth checking out
Love Venice? Why not try ‘Venice of the Algarve,’ an ‘understated’ destination with flights from £28.
Further afield you’ll find the ‘Venice of the Middle East,’ a hidden gem that’s 32°C in April.
Elsewhere, the Spanish ‘mini Maldives’ has recently bagged a brand new TUI flight from a UK airport, while closer to home there’s the ‘Hawaii of the North,’ a little UK island with 240 hours of sunshine in May.
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