Băneasa

Băneasa is the city's northern edge, where concrete gives way to trees. Historically it was a separate village absorbed into Greater Bucharest, and it still feels looser and greener than the dense centre. It's more of a family, half-a-day kind of area than a classic tourist destination, but the mix of forest, mall and zoo makes it surprisingly handy when you need air and space without leaving town.

What to see

Băneasa Forest is the green lung of the north — good for a walk or a bike ride, and busy with locals on weekends. Next to it, the Zoo is an easy outing with kids and has been gradually modernised in recent years. There's also Băneasa Shopping City, a large mall with shops, a cinema and restaurants, plus the small Băneasa airport (BBU), which carries the historic name Aurel Vlaicu and is used mostly for business and private aviation — commercial flights land at Henri Coandă (OTP), a little further north.

The vibe

Space, greenery and a slower rhythm than downtown. It's an area where a car helps, since the distances between sights are large and everything is laid out horizontally rather than packed together. Newer residential and retail developments sit next to patches of old forest, a contrast typical of the city's expanding edges.

Getting there

Public transport offers buses heading north along the DN1; check the official line schedules, as some attractions sit a little back from the stops and the road can be slow at peak times. If you're coming from the airport or the centre, plan ahead and allow for traffic on the main artery. To see how it connects to the rest of the city, have a look at the neighbourhoods page.