Areas and suburbs in Bucharest

The best places to live in Bucharest

When it comes to deciding which of the areas and suburbs in Bucharest best suit your needs, you must consider which factors are most important to you. With six distinct administrative districts, you’ll be spoilt for choice.

If you’re living in the city centre, you’ll have greater access to Romanian culture and modern life, but living here tends to be more expensive, and the demand for housing is generally higher. Conversely, if you appreciate quiet neighbourhoods, you’ll often find yourself drawn to Bucharest’s northern suburbs.

If you want to be able to travel freely between home and the office while accessing other sites of interest, consider areas that are well-connected to the metro network. Public transport in Bucharest is efficient and well-developed. You’ll have various options for getting around.

Public Transport in Bucharest

Family-friendly areas in Bucharest

Expats in search of leafy suburban living can choose from the beautiful neighbourhoods around King Michael I Park (formerly Herăstrău Park), Kiseleff Park or Floreasca Park in northern Bucharest. These areas are popular with expat families for their proximity to the city’s international schools and are well-connected to the city centre.

Domenii

A neighbourhood historically catering to expats, Domenii remains one of the most popular suburbs for expat families in Bucharest thanks to its proximity to King Michael I Park and the international schools in Pipera. Although there are some apartment buildings, expats moving here will likely live in villas. Some attractions include a selection of restaurants and a farmer’s market selling some of the best fresh produce in the city.

Primăverii

Located in north Bucharest, Primăverii is one of the city’s most affluent neighbourhoods and, according to local safety surveys, one of the safest areas in the capital. If you’re a fashionista or foodie, you’ll enjoy the international designer boutiques and a wide range of restaurants catering for all budgets and palates. You can also access the picturesque Lake Floreasca and Primăverii Palace. Metro and bus links serve the area, so commutes are straightforward.

Kiseleff and Dorobanți

Kiseleff and Dorobanți are among the city’s older and more exclusive neighbourhoods that are teeming with chic cafés. Most of the city’s embassies are found here. If you can afford it, you’ll find plenty of charming and stylish old villas with gardens and red brick and glass buildings in these areas. If you’re looking to commute into the city centre, you’ll be delighted to find that Dorobanți is home to four metro stations, a tram line and several bus lines.

International Schools in Bucharest

Areas for young and single expats in Bucharest

Bucharest’s downtown neighbourhoods offer all the benefits of restaurants, galleries, theatres and the energetic atmosphere that comes from living in the middle of the city. As such, the central area is the perfect choice if you’re a couple with small or no children or single and would like to mix with locals and discover Romanian culture.

Old Town Lipscani

Situated in the heart of Bucharest, Old Town is one of the most popular areas among expats, locals and tourists. Lipscani is a tourist hub located within the Old Town that is bustling with restaurants, clubs and bars. It’s the perfect home if you’re a party-loving expat looking to get your groove on. Although the prices are often some of the most expensive in Bucharest, many expats rent in Old Town Lipscani.

Icoanei

Home to stunning, authentically Romanian architecture and a fair few embassies, Icoanei is one of the safest neighbourhoods in Bucharest’s centre. You’ll have the opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors at the nearby Gradina Icoanei Park, as well as a range of restaurants sprinkled throughout the neighbourhood.

Piața Romană

Piața Romană is a trendy neighbourhood perched just outside the city centre. The area is a beautiful meeting point for the old and contemporary, as it boasts exquisite pre-war mansions and classic villas alongside Bucharest’s most fashionable cafés, bars and boutiques.

Lifestyle in Bucharest
Things to See and Do in Bucharest