A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bucharest vs. Plitvice Lakes National Park for Families, Couples, Backpackers, and Food

Should you visit Bucharest or Plitvice Lakes National Park?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Bucharest and Plitvice Lakes National Park. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Bucharest

Bucharest is a charming, historical, and less touristy city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include museums, nightlife, and food.

Plitvice Lakes National Park

Plitvice Lakes National Park is a scenic, world-famous, and spectacular national park. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. And you can't forget about the hiking.

Bucharest and Plitvice Lakes National Park: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bucharest or Plitvice Lakes National Park?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Bucharest. Although Bucharest and Plitvice Lakes National Park are popular destinations, Bucharest has more sights and attractions for tourists. Bucharest is very popular for its museums, food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Plitvice Lakes National Park attracts visitors for its hiking and impressive beauty. Plitvice Lakes National Park is more touristy than Bucharest and is popular for its stunning natural scenery which includes 16 beautiful terraced lakes. Bucharest is famous for its wide avenues and longstanding religious institutions. It is also well known for The Palace of Parliament.

How is Bucharest different from Plitvice Lakes National Park?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Plitvice Lakes National Park and Bucharest. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Bucharest or Plitvice Lakes National Park?

Bucharest is very good for its historical sights. However, Plitvice Lakes National Park does not have museums and landmarks.

Bucharest is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. The city is rich in landmarks and historical buildings. Popular sights include the Romanian Athenaeum, the Palace of the Parliament, Stavropoleos Church, and Curtea Veche.

Plitvice Lakes National Park does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Bucharest or Plitvice Lakes National Park? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Bucharest is very good for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Plitvice Lakes National Park is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Bucharest. Many Romanian recipes have been passed down through the generations and they still use traditional flavors. You'll see some German or Hungarian influences, but the flavors are still uniquely Romanian. Popular dishes include ciorba (tripe soup), cabbage rolls, and mici (grilled meat rolls).

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Plitvice Lakes National Park. You'll find a few tourist cafes near the lakes that serve grilled meats and other simple dishes. You can also grab a snack from the food stalls that are near the entrance to the park.

Is Bucharest or Plitvice Lakes National Park Better for Nightlife?

Bucharest is very good for nightlife. However, Plitvice Lakes National Park is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

If you're looking for night time activities Bucharest has a few options to choose from. The city has come to life with its party scene, with many bars and clubs that you can choose from. There are rooftop bars, chic dance clubs, and cozy pubs where you can pass the evening. You'll find most of the upscale clubs in the northern part of the city, with a more casual scene found in the downtown areas around Universitate and Romanā.

Plitvice Lakes National Park is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Bucharest or Plitvice Lakes National Park Better for its Old Town?

Bucharest is very good for its historic old town. However, Plitvice Lakes National Park does not have a historic old town.

Bucharest is a good destination for visiting its old town. The old town dates back to the 15th and 16th centuries, with much of the historical charm seen in the architecture. Many of the buildings have been restored, but others are still awaiting repairs. This gives the area a sense of authenticity that you often miss in other old towns.

Plitvice Lakes National Park does not have a historic old town.

Is Bucharest or Plitvice Lakes National Park Better for Hiking?

Plitvice Lakes National Park is well known for its hiking experiences. However, Bucharest is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Plitvice Lakes National Park. There are eight different walking routes that range in length from 3 kilometers to 18 kilometers. They take between 3 and 8 hours and are well marked.

Bucharest is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Bucharest or Plitvice Lakes National Park?

Bucharest is very good for shopping. However, Plitvice Lakes National Park is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Bucharest. The residents love fashion, and you'll find many shopping centers around town where you can find a good deal. In addition to the many malls, there are also antique shops, flea markets and boutique clothing stores where you might find a hidden gem.

Plitvice Lakes National Park is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Bucharest or Plitvice Lakes National Park Better for Families?

Plitvice Lakes National Park is well known for its family-friendly activities. However, Bucharest is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

Plitvice Lakes National Park is a very kid-friendly national park. It's a fun place to explore with kids, but if you're traveling with young ones, keep a close eye on them. Also take note that it's not stroller-friendly and make sure that you arrive early to avoid the crowds.

For families, Bucharest is not always the best place to visit. Kid-friendly activities include kid's play areas, museums such as the Museum of the Senses, and water centered activities like rowing in the park or visiting the wellness center Therme.

Is Bucharest or Plitvice Lakes National Park Better for Couples?

Plitvice Lakes National Park is well known for its romantic activities. However, Bucharest is not particularly known for couples.

Couples visit Plitvice Lakes National Park frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. It's a natural wonder that is beautiful and romantic to explore as a couple. It can get crowded, as it's a top tourist destination is Croatia, so make sure you arrive early to avoid the peak times.

Bucharest is not always the best place to visit for a couple. The city has some romantic settings such as wandering down Victory Avenue or exploring the historic Cotroceni Neighbourhood. There are also several gardens and a number of nice cafes to explore.

Is Bucharest or Plitvice Lakes National Park Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Plitvice Lakes National Park is well known for backpackers. Also, Bucharest is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plitvice Lakes National Park is a great national park to visit for backpackers. There are three hotels within the park and a handful of hostels nearby. There's also some camping options in the area.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Bucharest. The city is affordable, but it's often overlooked by backpackers. Part of the charm for many is the sense of authenticity that can often be hard to find in travel these days.

Is Bucharest or Plitvice Lakes National Park Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Bucharest is great for times when you don't have a car. However, Plitvice Lakes National Park is not a good destination for its public transit.

Visitors to Bucharest can move around easily with public transportation. Public transit options include trams, buses, and trolley buses.

Public transit is generally limited in Plitvice Lakes National Park. There are several bus stops near the park but the bus service is infrequent and can involve long trips.

Is Bucharest or Plitvice Lakes National Park a more walkable city?

Plitvice Lakes National Park is renowned for its high level of walkability. Also, Bucharest is still popular, but not quite as popular for its ease of walking around.

Getting around Plitvice Lakes National Park on foot is easy. The park is well organized into several walking routes that can be explored in a few hours.

Bucharest is a somewhat walkable city. Many of the tourist attractions are within a walkable area.

For even more information, also check out Is Bucharest Worth Visiting? and Is Plitvice Lakes National Park Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Plitvice Lakes National Park or Bucharest?

How long in Bucharest or Plitvice Lakes National Park?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Bucharest or Plitvice Lakes National Park to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Bucharest than Plitvice Lakes National Park because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Bucharest, and 1-2 days is enough time in Plitvice Lakes National Park.

Families should spend more time in Plitvice Lakes National Park than Bucharest. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Plitvice Lakes National Park, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

One day in Bucharest or Plitvice Lakes National Park?

In Bucharest, you'll find food and shopping. It offers something for everyone. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

You'll find around the national park of Plitvice Lakes National Park. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Plitvice Lakes National Park has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Bucharest or Plitvice Lakes National Park?

Bucharest is a fun place to experience. Your budget might influence how long you stay. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here.

You'll find around the world-famous destination of Plitvice Lakes National Park. Hikers are also drawn to this area. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this national park has to offer. This national park offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Bucharest or Plitvice Lakes National Park?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the historical destination of Bucharest. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

Travelers enjoy the when visiting the scenic national park of Plitvice Lakes National Park. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Bucharest or Plitvice Lakes National Park?

The undiscovered city of Bucharest offers nightlife and food. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Plitvice Lakes National Park is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Bucharest, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Romania, The Best 10-Day Tours in Croatia, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Croatia.

When comparing the travel costs between Bucharest and Plitvice Lakes National Park, we can see that Bucharest is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Bucharest Expensive? and Is Plitvice Lakes National Park Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Bucharest or Plitvice Lakes National Park?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Bucharest or Plitvice Lakes National Park in the Summer?

Both Plitvice Lakes National Park and Bucharest during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Bucharest for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Plitvice Lakes National Park in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Bucharest is generally around the same temperature as Plitvice Lakes National Park. Daily temperatures in Bucharest average around 23°C (73°F), and Plitvice Lakes National Park fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).

In Plitvice Lakes National Park, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Bucharest. In the summer, Bucharest often gets more sunshine than Plitvice Lakes National Park. Bucharest gets 289 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Plitvice Lakes National Park receives 266 hours of full sun.

Bucharest usually gets less rain in July than Plitvice Lakes National Park. Bucharest gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Plitvice Lakes National Park receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bucharest or Plitvice Lakes National Park in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Bucharest and Plitvice Lakes National Park. Many visitors come to Bucharest in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, most visitors come to Plitvice Lakes National Park for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Bucharest is around the same temperature as Plitvice Lakes National Park in the autumn. The daily temperature in Bucharest averages around 13°C (55°F) in October, and Plitvice Lakes National Park fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Bucharest usually receives more sunshine than Plitvice Lakes National Park during autumn. Bucharest gets 177 hours of sunny skies, while Plitvice Lakes National Park receives 133 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Bucharest usually receives less rain than Plitvice Lakes National Park. Bucharest gets 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Plitvice Lakes National Park receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Bucharest or Plitvice Lakes National Park in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Bucharest as well as Plitvice Lakes National Park. Most visitors come to Bucharest for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Plitvice Lakes National Park because of the cuisine.

The weather in Plitvice Lakes National Park can be very cold. Bucharest can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Bucharest is much colder than Plitvice Lakes National Park. Typically, the winter temperatures in Bucharest in January average around -1°C (29°F), and Plitvice Lakes National Park averages at about 1°C (35°F).

In the winter, Bucharest often gets more sunshine than Plitvice Lakes National Park. Bucharest gets 71 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Plitvice Lakes National Park receives 54 hours of full sun.

Bucharest usually gets less rain in January than Plitvice Lakes National Park. Bucharest gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Plitvice Lakes National Park receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bucharest or Plitvice Lakes National Park in the Spring?

Both Plitvice Lakes National Park and Bucharest are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Bucharest because of the activities around the city. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Plitvice Lakes National Park this time of year.

In April, Bucharest is generally around the same temperature as Plitvice Lakes National Park. Daily temperatures in Bucharest average around 12°C (54°F), and Plitvice Lakes National Park fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Bucharest usually receives more sunshine than Plitvice Lakes National Park during spring. Bucharest gets 185 hours of sunny skies, while Plitvice Lakes National Park receives 163 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Bucharest usually receives less rain than Plitvice Lakes National Park. Bucharest gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Plitvice Lakes National Park receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Plitvice Lakes National Park and Bucharest