Bucharest

🚼Pram

Central boulevards like Calea Victoriei and the area around Herastrau Park are wide and manageable, but many older pavements are cracked or narrow, and curb cuts are inconsistent outside the centre. The metro has few working elevators, so a lightweight stroller you can carry up stairs works better than a bulky one. Herastrau Park itself is flat, shaded, and has a small train and boat rides that toddlers love.

🍽️Food & Eating

Romanian food is hearty and kid-friendly: grilled meats, polenta (mamaliga), and soups, and most restaurants will happily bring a plate of plain chicken and rice for a fussy toddler even if it's not on the menu. Chains like Spartan or Noodle Bar have high chairs and quick service, and supermarkets (Mega Image, Carrefour) stock familiar baby food brands. Outdoor terraces are common in warmer months, which helps with restless little ones.

🛡️Safety

Bucharest is generally safe for families, with petty theft (pickpocketing on crowded trams) the main risk rather than violent crime. Tap water is technically drinkable, but most locals and visitors stick to bottled water. Traffic can be aggressive and drivers don't always stop at crossings, so hold hands firmly near main roads like Bulevardul Unirii.

🏥Hospitals

MedLife and Regina Maria are private hospital networks with English-speaking staff and pediatric departments used to treating foreign visitors, and Regina Maria's Baneasa clinic is a common choice for tourists. Public hospitals exist, but English can be limited and waits longer, so travel insurance covering private care is worth having. Pharmacies (farmacii) are widespread and generally have someone who speaks basic English.