Summer in the city

If you have to cope with the summer heat in Bucharest, you can at least be sure that you won’t get bored. From festivals and concerts to film screenings and various other open-air performances, but also cool swimming pools and pedestrian areas, this summer’s agenda caters to all tastes.

By Oana Vasiliu

Herastrau Park to chill out Enjoy Gradina cu Filme

PARKS: THE BEST WAY TO CHILL

In north Bucharest, Herastrau Park offers both leisure and entertainment options. What’s more, the old summer theatre has been refurbished and it is hosting a series of live concerts. Near the old city centre, Cismigiu Gardens stand out as the right spot for relaxation for those who are downtown. Just a few streets away there’s Izvor Park, another good place to escape the heat.

Another spot on the list should be the Botanical Garden, a very chill alternative to the parks, which can get rather crowded. Every week, the garden hosts Weekend Sessions, a series of events that let visitors enjoy music, art, poetry, and fun.

SWIMMING POOLS

While some of the pools belong to the city’s best-known hotels, others are part of public or private health clubs. Regardless, most of them have nice bars that usually also serve food.

Check out Floreasca Swimming Pool, which also has a charming terrace, a bar serving delicious cocktails, and a kitchen that specialises in burgers. Also located in the up-and-coming neighbourhood of Floreasca, in north Bucharest, the Pescariu Sports&Spa complex offers a quiet retreat in an exclusive setting. It has an indoor swimming pool that’s open all year and three outdoor pools for the summertime.

Located on Calea Victoriei, one of Bucharest’s busiest roads, the Radisson Blu outdoor swimming pool also has a pool bar and a patio. Our recommendation? Head to the pool on Sundays for a brunch that features hearty food, fine wines, and scrumptious desserts.

You should also take a look at Europe’s largest wellness complex, Therme Bucuresti, a 15-minute drive from Bucharest, which starting this summer is offering a 30,000-sqm urban beach.

PEDESTRIAN AREAS

The “Open Streets – Bucharest, Urban Promenade” event, which closes several streets in Bucharest to vehicle traffic, is going to continue until October 16. Several pedestrian areas are set up in the central area of the city as part of this project, namely Calea Victoriei and adjacent streets, George Enescu Square, Universitatii Square, Unirii Boulevard, and Kiseleff Road. New streets are being added for pedestrian-only traffic each week; the City Hall announces each weekend’s programme on Fridays. Kiseleff Road hosts a street food festival each weekend, featuring plenty of food options—we’ve even spotted gluten-free products—as well as live concerts.

ARTS & MORE

Gradina cu filme (The movie garden – Lahovari Square) has a consistent schedule of film screenings, with Romanian, European, and international selections, plus concerts, stand-up comedy, and theatre plays.

Unteatru is putting on theatre performances in the garden at Casa Universitarilor (Romana Square), and also hosting events that bring live music, films, and children’s entertainment, all offering an overall vacation vibe. One of the most beloved summer music festivals is Summer Well (Aug 13-15), whose headliners this year are Arctic Monkeys. Many other famous international bands will create a wonderful party atmosphere at Domeniul Stirbey, alongside lots of fun festival activities. East European Comic Con is returning to Bucharest (Aug 26-28) and promises to be a cool cosplay event, with attendance by international actors, music, games, and all sorts of related entertainment options.