Pretty city dubbed Eastern Europe’s ‘little Paris’ but much cheaper

Paris is famous for so many things. Known as the world’s romance capital it also draws in millions of tourists each and every year for everything from its stunning architecture to its Parisian gourmet delights.

It’s not as well known as the city of lights, but if you’re looking for a similar vibe without the hefty bill then Bucharest, the capital city of Romania, might be just the ticket.

Often known as the Little Paris of the East, its architecture has a distinctly French influence and there’s plenty to do for couples.

The huge metropolis – with around two million residents – stands on the River Dâmbovița in south-eastern Romania and it is the eighth biggest city in the European Union.

It’s also easy to get around – with four metro lines and a modern bus network.

Museums that should be on the top of your Bucharest bucket list include the Village Museum, Romanian Athenaeum and the Peasant Museum.

And one place that’s an absolute must visit is the Palace of Parliament which is the second-largest administrative building in the world after the Pentagon.

After all of the sightseeing you can kick back and relax too, including paying a visit to the Therme Spa.

It has saunas, mineral pools and waterslides as well as an indoor botanical garden.

The city’s Old Town is attractive with plenty of bars, restaurants and cafes to hop between on a romantic break.

Getting there is easy – including with budget Hungarian airline Wizz Air from Leeds-Bradford airport to the Romanian capital. Travel bloggers seem to love the place. Alexx from findingalexx.com loved it.

She wrote: “Romania’s captivating capital city offers an enticing combo of Parisian-style boulevards, hearty traditional cuisine and historical significance at a fantastically affordable price point. It’s one of the best city breaks in Europe in terms of bang for your buck!”

Kate from www.adventurouskate.com agrees. She said: “Bucharest is an awesome city.

“Bucharest is like Berlin. Alternative and gritty with epic nightlife. Bucharest is like Paris. Grand and elegant and pulsating with style.

“Bucharest is like Budapest. Weathered and proud and cultured.”

She added: “And on top of that, Bucharest is a very affordable European city, it’s well-connected in terms of flights, the food is delicious, and the people are absolutely lovely.”