A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bucharest vs. Portland for Backpackers, Attractions, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Bucharest or Portland?

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 Portland. 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 less touristy, undiscovered, and cultural city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums. See Bucharest travel costs.

Portland

Portland is a laid-back, progressive, and quirky city. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. Portland is a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the hiking, shopping, and nightlife. See Portland travel costs.

Bucharest and Portland: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bucharest or Portland?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Bucharest than Portland. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Bucharest is very popular for its museums and attractions, food, historical sights, and big city activities, while Portland attracts visitors for its music, hiking, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Portland is more touristy than Bucharest and is popular for its independent and vintage shops, thriving art scene, lush parks and gardens, progressive and quirky personality, and easy access to amazing natural beauty. 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 Portland?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Portland 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 Portland?

Bucharest is a city with good options for its museums and history. However, Portland is lacking in good options for its 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.

Portland offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. Visitors usually come for the city's outdoor recreation and eclectic personality more than the landmarks and museums. There are a few places to visit on a rainy day though including Pittock Mansion, the Portland Art Museum, and the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry.

Is the Food Better in Bucharest or Portland? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Bucharest is a city with good options for its restaurants. However, Portland is lacking in good options for its restaurant scene.

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 Portland. The town is more famous for it's craft beer than it's food, but there are still a number of local restaurants that offer unique Oregon dishes. You'll find no shortage of vegetarian and vegan options on most menus. There is also a big farm-to-table scene with many farmers markets around town as well.

Is Bucharest or Portland Better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in Bucharest and Portland.

Bucharest has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. 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.

If you're looking for night time activities Portland has a few options to choose from. Famously, this town's nightlife is all about the craft beer and local breweries. Make sure you check out Bailey's Taproom, The Big Legrowlski, and The Commons Brewery.

Is Bucharest or Portland Better for Music?

Portland is a good destination for its live music scene. However, Bucharest is not a live music destination.

You don't have to look far to find a unique music venue in Portland. The town has a thriving live music and international folk dancing scene.

Bucharest is not a live music destination.

Is Bucharest or Portland Better for its Old Town?

Bucharest is a city with good options for its historic old town. However, Portland 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.

Portland does not have a historic old town.

Is Bucharest or Portland Better for Hiking?

Portland is well known for its hiking experiences. However, Bucharest is not a hiking destination.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Portland. Just outside of town you'll find amazing hikes and stunning natural beauty. In town there are many urban hikes through parks and gardens, but in just a short drive you also have access to Mount Hood and many of the region's most beautiful hikes around the Columbia River Gorge.

Bucharest is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Bucharest or Portland?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Portland and Bucharest.

Bucharest offers some nice shopping areas. 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.

Portland has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. To fully experience shopping in town, head to the local vendors and thrift shops. There are many vintage clothing shops, book stores, and independent sellers around town. The city is also full of farmers markets. For some of the most interesting shopping, check out the Pearl District, Pioneer Place, Union Way, and Downtown neighborhoods.

Is Bucharest or Portland More Beautiful?

Portland is a good destination for its scenery and beauty. However, Bucharest is not a destination known for its beauty.

Portland is a beautiful place to visit, too. Surrounded by mountains and filled with parks and greenspace, many people find this town to be quite beautiful.

Bucharest is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Bucharest or Portland Better for Families?

Portland is a good destination for its family-friendly activities. However, Bucharest is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Portland. This is an outdoor city by nature, so families will appreciate the many parks and outdoor recreational activities around town. It's easy to fill a couple of days exploring and having fun with the kids. Kid-friendly activities include the zoo, the aerial tram, and several great museums.

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 Portland Better for Couples?

Portland is a good destination for its romantic activities. However, Bucharest is not particularly known for couples.

Portland makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The laid-back, alternative vibe is fun to explore as a couple. There are independent bookstores, nice parks, and plenty of outdoor activities to choose from. Couples who enjoy an eclectic city, breweries, and nature, will find a lot to do in town.

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 Portland Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Portland is well known for backpackers. Also, Bucharest is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Portland is a great city to visit for backpackers. The town has drawn young explorers for years, and backpackers who like to step away from the mainstream will feel right at home here.

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 Portland Better for Students?

Portland is a good destination for students. However, Bucharest is not popular with students.

Portland is popular with students. It's a young and relaxed city that attracts independent thinkers. There are many bookstores and breweries around town. The cost of living can be a bit high though.

Bucharest is not popular with students.

Is Bucharest or Portland Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Bucharest is a very popular place for times when you don't have a car. Also, Portland is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

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

You'll find some public transit in Portland, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. The town has a bus and light rail system as well the Aerial tram.

Is Bucharest or Portland a more walkable city?

Portland is well known for its high level of walkability. Also, Bucharest is still popular, but not quite as popular for its ease of walking around.

Portland is a very walkable city. It is quite walkable, particularly in the tourist areas such as Downtown, Pearl, and Old Town Chinatown.

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 Portland Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Portland or Bucharest?

How long in Bucharest or Portland?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Bucharest and Portland. In our opinion, Portland has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Portland than Bucharest. In general, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Bucharest, and 2-3 days is enough time in Portland.

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

Couples should spend more time in Portland than Bucharest. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Portland that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Portland than Bucharest if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Portland.

One day in Bucharest or Portland?

The city of Bucharest offers food and shopping. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

You'll find live music and shopping around the city of Portland. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Bucharest or Portland?

Bucharest is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Bucharest, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the scenic destination of Portland. 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 city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Bucharest or Portland?

Bucharest is a popular choice for travelers. 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the quirky city of Portland. 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 Portland?

Bucharest is a great place to explore. 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 something for everyone.

Portland 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 Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, and The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America.

When comparing the travel costs between Bucharest and Portland, we can see that Portland 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. Even though Bucharest is in Europe and Portland is in North America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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

Which is Bigger, Bucharest or Portland?

Bucharest has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Portland. When comparing the sizes of Bucharest and Portland, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Bucharest or Portland?

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 Portland in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Bucharest as well as Portland. Most visitors come to Bucharest for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to Portland because of the hiking, the small town charm, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Bucharest is generally a little warmer than Portland. Daily temperatures in Bucharest average around 23°C (73°F), and Portland fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Portland. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Bucharest this time of the year. In the summer, Bucharest often gets less sunshine than Portland. Bucharest gets 289 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Portland receives 338 hours of full sun.

Bucharest usually gets more rain in July than Portland. Bucharest gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Portland receives 0.7 inches (18 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bucharest or Portland in the Autumn?

Both Portland and Bucharest are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Bucharest because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the music scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Portland this time of year.

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

Bucharest usually receives more sunshine than Portland during autumn. Bucharest gets 177 hours of sunny skies, while Portland receives 155 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Bucharest usually receives less rain than Portland. Bucharest gets 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Portland receives 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Bucharest or Portland in the Winter?

Both Portland and Bucharest during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Bucharest this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Portland for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Portland. It's quite cold in Bucharest in the winter. In the winter, Bucharest is much colder than Portland. Typically, the winter temperatures in Bucharest in January average around -1°C (29°F), and Portland averages at about 40°F (4°C).

In the winter, Bucharest often gets less sunshine than Portland. Bucharest gets 71 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Portland receives 86 hours of full sun.

Portland gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Bucharest usually gets less rain in January than Portland. Bucharest gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Portland receives 5.2 inches (132 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bucharest or Portland in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Bucharest and Portland. Many travelers come to Bucharest for the activities around the city. Also, many visitors come to Portland in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

In April, Bucharest is generally a little warmer than Portland. Daily temperatures in Bucharest average around 12°C (54°F), and Portland fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Portland this time of the year. Bucharest usually receives less sunshine than Portland during spring. Bucharest gets 185 hours of sunny skies, while Portland receives 231 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Bucharest usually receives less rain than Portland. Bucharest gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Portland receives 2.4 inches (61 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Portland and Bucharest