Flights from Podgorica to Bucharest: The Paris of the East

FLIGHTS PODGORICA – BUCHAREST

Famous for its wide three-lane boulevards, gorgeous Belle Époque buildings and its reputation as a city with a fantastic nightlife, which earned it the nickname “Little Paris” in the 1900s, Bucharest, the capital and largest city of Romania, is today a bustling metropolis. Legend has it that Bucharest, on the banks of the Dâmbovița River, was founded by a shepherd named Bucur, whose name literally means “joy.” Supposedly, the music of the shepherd’s flute enchanted the people, and his delicious grapes from the nearby vineyards won over the local merchants, who named the city after him.

TRAVELING TO BUCHAREST

Bucharest is the capital of Romania, located on the banks of the Dâmbovița River, which flows into the Argeș, a tributary of the Danube. Several lakes stretch across the city, and the small artificial Cișmigiu Lake, surrounded by the Cișmigiu Gardens, sits right in the center of Bucharest. The name Cișmigiu comes from the Turkish word çeşme, meaning “public fountain.” The Cișmigiu Gardens have a rich history, having been frequented by many poets and writers. Opened in 1847 and designed by a German architect, the gardens are now the city’s main place for recreation. More than 30,000 species of trees and plants were brought to the Cișmigiu Gardens from the Romanian mountains, while the park’s exotic plants came from the botanical gardens of Vienna.

Besides Cișmigiu Lake and park, Bucharest has several other large gardens, including Herăstrău Park and the Botanical Garden.

WHAT TO SEE IN BUCHAREST

The city has a number of beautiful buildings, wide boulevards, spacious parks and excellent places to go out. A Podgorica – Bucharest flight will get you to Bucharest quickly and affordably.

The Athenaeum – The Romanian Athenaeum was built in 1888 in the neoclassical style, on the initiative of a group of Romanian intellectuals, and today it is one of the symbols of Bucharest. The Athenaeum is home to the “George Enescu” Philharmonic. Many world-renowned musicians have performed in this acoustically exceptional building.

House of the Free Press – The impressive Casa Scânteii stands somewhat menacingly at the entrance to Bucharest. It once housed all of Bucharest’s printing presses and newspapers, and it still serves that purpose today.

The Triumphal Arch – Originally built of wood in 1922 to honor the Romanian soldiers who fought in World War I, the Bucharest Triumphal Arch we see today, made of Deva granite, dates from 1936. An interior staircase lets visitors climb to the top of the arch, which offers an outstanding view of the city.

Victory Avenue – the oldest and probably the most beautiful boulevard in the city. Built in 1692 to link the Old Princely Court with Mogoșoaia Palace, Victory Avenue was originally paved with oak beams. The street was named Calea Victoriei in 1878, after the Romanian War of Independence. A stroll along Victory Avenue, from the Victoria Palace to the Palace of National Unity, introduces you to some of Bucharest’s most magnificent buildings, such as the Cantacuzino Palace, historic Revolution Square, the Military Club, the National History Museum…

Cantacuzino Palace – Grigore Cantacuzino is believed to have been one of the richest citizens of Romania in 1899. As prime minister, he wanted to build the most elegant building in Bucharest. The Cantacuzino Palace was built in an eclectic French architectural style between 1898 and 1900, to designs by the architect Ion Berindey. Combining elements of neoclassical architecture, the palace features wrought-iron terraces, tall arched walls and a tall gate – with elegant wrought-iron doors flanked by two lions.

Revolution Square – gained worldwide fame when the global media broadcast the last moments of Nicolae Ceaușescu’s rule on December 21, 1989. Here, on the balcony of the former Communist Party headquarters, he stared in disbelief as the people below demanded that he step down. Yet the square’s significance goes back much further than the dramatic events of the 1989 revolution. On the far side of the square stands the former Royal Palace, now home to the National Museum, as well as the magnificent historic Athénée Palace hotel. At the southern end of the square you can visit the small but lovely Orthodox Kretzulescu Church.

Lipscani District – you can probably get the best feel for Bucharest’s unique charm in the district known as Lipscani, a maze of streets between Calea Victoriei, Brătianu Boulevard, Regina Elisabeta Boulevard and the Dâmbovița River. Once a glamorous residential area, the old center has been redeveloped into a thriving neighborhood. In the early 1400s, most merchants and craftsmen – Romanians, Austrians, Greeks, Bulgarians, Serbs, Armenians and Jews – opened their shops in this part of town. The area soon took the name Lipsca, after Leipzig. Other streets were named after various crafts and guilds, such as Blănari – furriers, Covaci – blacksmiths, Gabroveni – knife makers and Cavafii Vechi – shoemakers. The mix of nations and cultures produced a mix of architectural styles, from Baroque through neoclassical to Art Nouveau. Today the Lipscani quarter is home to many galleries, antique shops and cafés. On a nice day you can wander its narrow cobblestone streets and imagine the shopkeepers standing outside their stores, calling passersby in to buy their goods and haggling over the final price. Don’t forget to stop by the rectangular courtyard of Hanul cu Tei, between Strada Lipscani and Strada Blănari, which is full of art shops and antique stores.

Old Princely Court and Church – in the heart of historic Bucharest lie the remains of the Old Princely Court (Curtea Veche), built in the 15th century by Vlad Țepeș, better known as Dracula. According to local lore, Vlad kept prisoners in a dungeon that started beneath the Princely Court and stretched under the city. Today only a few walls, arches, tombs and a Corinthian column remain. The Old Court Museum was founded in 1972, when archaeological excavations uncovered evidence of Bucharest’s earliest inhabitants – the remains of a fortress, along with Dacian pottery and Roman coins. The oldest document confirming the origin of the city’s name, issued on September 20, 1459 and signed by Prince Vlad Țepeș, was found here. Next to the court is the Old Court Church (Biserica Curtea Veche), dating from 1559 and considered the oldest in Bucharest. For two centuries, the church was used for the coronation of Romanian princes. Some original 16th-century frescoes have been preserved.

Parliament – the monumental Palace of the Parliament of Romania, formerly known as the People’s House, built by communist leader Nicolae Ceaușescu, is the second-largest administrative building in the world after the Pentagon. According to Guinness World Records, Bucharest’s Palace of the Parliament is the largest civilian administrative building and the most expensive administrative building ever built, constructed at enormous effort. The palace was designed and nearly completed during Ceaușescu’s rule as the seat of political and administrative power. It was built by 20,000 workers and 700 architects. It has 12 floors, 1,100 rooms, a 100-meter-long hallway and four underground levels, including a huge nuclear bunker. The building was constructed entirely from Romanian materials and showcases the craftsmanship of Romania’s finest artisans. The Parliament tour covers a small part of its lavishly decorated rooms, grand halls and chambers used by the Senate when it was not in session. The interior is a luxurious display of crystal chandeliers, mosaics, oak paneling, marble, gold leaf, stained-glass windows and floors covered with sumptuous carpets.

Bucharest has many more buildings that make it the “Paris of the East” and that are sure to fascinate you, but I recommend taking a little time to enjoy a beer under the beautiful painted vaults of Caru’ cu Bere, the most famous beer hall in the Old Town. It may be a tourist trap, but it’s hard to resist the fun of live music and watching locals in traditional costume.

FLIGHTS PODGORICA – BUCHAREST

A Podgorica – Bucharest flight can be purchased for as little as about 115 euros. Flights from Podgorica to Bucharest are available with a connection or, on certain dates, as a direct flight – check our search for current flights and prices. Flights from Podgorica to Bucharest are available with a connection or, on certain dates, as a direct flight – check our search for current flights and prices. Podgorica – Bucharest flights with a connection are available all seven days of the week. The cheapest Podgorica – Bucharest fare is offered by Aegean Airlines. If you are searching for deals on your own, the airport code is BUH, and Bucharest is spelled: Bucharest.

Henri Coandă International Airport is located in the town of Otopeni, 16.5 km north of central Bucharest. Around 4.5 million passengers pass through the airport each year. During World War II the airport was used by the forces of the Third Reich, and until 1965 it served as a military airfield, while Băneasa Airport handled civilian traffic at the time. Henri Coandă was a highly successful and famous Romanian inventor and physicist, a pioneer of aerodynamics. Bucharest has several airports (three major ones), and the largest and most important is Henri Coandă, formerly known as Otopeni. The airport is connected to the city center by a suburban rail line. Lines 780 and 783 run to the railway station or to the city center. Line 783 also runs at night (every 40 minutes).

I wish you many wonderful moments in this fascinating city.