As train enthusiasts, Danny and I love a good railway museum. So when in Bucharest, we decided to check out the Muzeul CFR, the Romanian Railway Museum.

As far as we’re concerned, the top railway museum is the United Kingdom‘s National Railway Museum in York. The California State Railroad Museum in Sacramento also has a large collection. Even Belgium‘s TrainWorld in Brussels is really well done. And The Museo del Ferrocarril in Madrid Delicias is also interesting. 

Muzeul CFR

The Muzeul CFR is in another league. Located next to Gara de Nord in Bucuresti, he museum is not larger than two classroom. It doesn’t contain trains except one small engine outside on the parking lot. Fortunately, the museum costs around 1 euro.

Really, such a downer.

Is this the European Union?

We entered Romania from Hungary and what a difference. Looking at the scenery between Budapest and Bucharest Danny and I wondered if this really also is the European Union. It is.

Although you can really see and feel the poverty, Bucharest has some pretty and/or impressive architecture. You don’t want to miss the megalomaniac Palace of the Parliament (Palatul Parlamentului). Ask your hotel to book a tour. It’s not pretty, but it’s impressive. It’s a building of superlatives.

We walked around the city to see the Arcul de Tiumf and other landmarks such as the Romanian Atheneum (Ateneul Român).

We also wanted to see the the Muzeul Național al Ţăranului Român or the National Museum of the Romanian Peasant. It was closed. As was the Palatul Cotroceni, the residence of Romania’s president.

Bucharest was interesting yes, but neither Danny or I were charmed by it. But we are happy to have seen it.

Allow two days maximum.