Bucharest is unusually good for working from cafés because it combines very fast internet, a big specialty coffee scene, and a relaxed attitude toward laptops.
Fast, reliable internet
Romania is consistently ranked among the countries with the fastest fixed broadband, and Bucharest benefits the most from that infrastructure. Most cafés in central areas offer free Wi Fi, and it’s rare to encounter connections too slow for video calls or cloud tools. This means you can switch between cafés without worrying about whether your work apps will function.
Dense network of laptop friendly cafés The city has dozens of cafés specifically mentioned as “laptop friendly,” with Wi Fi, accessible outlets and seating designed for staying a few hours. Guides list 20–30 such spots spread across Old Town, Romană, Victoriei, Cișmigiu and residential neighborhoods. That density lets you build a routine where you rotate between a quiet “deep work” café, a more social place, and a garden spot without long commutes.
Comfortable spaces and long opening hours
Many Bucharest cafés have spacious interiors, proper tables and good lighting, often in renovated old houses or modern minimalist spaces. They typically allow people to stay for extended periods as long as they order periodically, and some (like M60, Beans & Dots, Coftale, Urban Hub, Seneca AntiCafe) are explicitly set up as remote work environments. Several spots open early or close late, which is useful if you work with other time zones.
Good value for money
Compared with Western Europe, coffee and snacks are relatively inexpensive while quality is high, especially at specialty roasteries. That makes it affordable to treat cafés as your “office” most days without blowing your budget. Time based places like Seneca AntiCafe even include unlimited drinks and snacks in a flat hourly fee, which is attractive for long workdays.
Welcoming attitude toward digital nomads
Digital nomad and expat guides consistently highlight Bucharest as “quietly” becoming a remote work hub, in part because locals are used to freelancers and tech workers camping with laptops in cafés. Some spaces explicitly market to remote workers and host events, meetups or coworking style setups alongside the coffee bar. This social layer makes it easier to meet people, network and feel at home while you work from coffee shops.
A café in Bucharest is “remote work friendly” when it makes it easy to open your laptop, stay a few hours, and actually get things done without stress.
Core essentials
- Fast, free Wi Fi: Guides note that good cafés in Bucharest almost always have strong, easy to join Wi Fi, often fast enough for video calls and heavy cloud use
- Power outlets near tables: Remote work lists explicitly prioritize places with “ample outlets” so you can plug in without hunting for a single corner socket.
- Comfortable, work sized tables: Laptop friendly selections focus on cafés with proper tables and chairs (not just bar stools or tiny side tables), so you can stay productive for hours.
Space and atmosphere
- Welcoming to laptops: Many of the recommended cafés are explicitly described as laptop friendly, with staff used to people working for several hours.
- Reasonable noise level: Good remote work cafés are busy enough to feel alive, but not so loud that you can’t focus or hear calls; some places are praised for a “calm,” “peaceful,” or “garden like” vibe.
- Enough seating to linger: Articles highlight spots with spacious layouts and large tables where you don’t feel guilty about staying longer.
Food, drinks and value
- Quality coffee plus food: Curated lists for Bucharest combine “rocket speed Wi Fi” with “yummy sandwiches, salads, and snacks,” because remote workers want to stay through multiple meals.
- Fair prices: Romania guides emphasize that Bucharest cafés are relatively affordable, so using them as your “office” doesn’t break the bank.
- Time for value options: Some places (like time based anti cafés) offer unlimited coffee and snacks for an hourly fee, which is attractive for long work sessions.
Central & Old Town area
1. First Coffee – small but focused base by Old Town
First Coffee sits on a quieter side street right next to the Old Town and is often recommended for people who want great espresso and a calm place to open a laptop. The space is compact and minimalist, with a few indoor seats and some outdoor options, so it works best for 1–3 hour sessions rather than camping all day. The space is beautiful and well-kept, but it’s definitely on the smaller side — after a while, it starts to feel a bit too cozy, especially if the place fills up.
- Wi Fi & plugs: Stable connection, a couple of outlets; you’ll want to grab a wall table if you plan to stay on battery hungry tasks.
- Coffee & food: Specialty espresso based drinks, manual brews like V60 and AeroPress, plus small sweets such as cupcakes.
- Best for: Morning deep work sessions before Old Town fills with tourists, or a focused sprint between sightseeing stops.
2. Beans & Dots – creative hub near Cișmigiu
Located just off Calea Victoriei near Cișmigiu Gardens, Beans & Dots is frequently highlighted as a quiet haven for digital nomads in the heart of downtown. The space has large windows, communal tables and a mix of bar and regular seating, so you can choose between heads down focus or more social vibes. When it’s quiet, it feels inspiring and calm — but once the lunch crowd comes in, the echo from all the chatter makes it a bit hard to stay deep in focus.
- Wi Fi & plugs: Fast internet and a good number of sockets along the walls and near some communal tables.
- Coffee & food: Specialty coffee with a strong reputation plus pastries, cakes and light brunch style bites.
- Atmosphere: Calm during weekday mornings and early afternoons, with more chatter later in the day as locals drop in.
- Best for: Half day work blocks, writing sessions with occasional people watching, or work + walk breaks in Cișmigiu.
3. Coftale Specialty Coffee Shop – house style café for long sessions
Coftale is set in a restored old house with a garden in a residential area east of the center, but still close enough that many remote workers treat it as their “office.” It appears on multiple laptop friendly lists because you can comfortably stay for several hours without feeling rushed.
- Wi Fi & plugs: Reliable Wi Fi, many power outlets throughout both rooms and near some garden tables.
- Coffee & food: Excellent flat whites and pour overs, plus substantial brunch dishes, pancakes and vegetarian options.
- Atmosphere: Cozy, slightly tucked away, with a mix of locals, students and digital nomads; quieter on weekday mornings.
- Best for: Deep work days when you want to stay put from late morning through mid afternoon.
Romană / Victoriei & “uptown” central
4. Saint Roastery Specialty Coffee – early bird workspace
Saint Roastery, a micro roastery near the north central area, opens as early as 7:30 on weekdays, making it perfect if you work with earlier time zones. The space is casual and cozy, with enough room to spread out a laptop without feeling you’re bothering anyone. The place has that warm, neighborhood‑roastery charm, so mornings feel especially pleasant, but because it’s not huge you might feel a bit “on display” if you take lots of calls or need very private conversations.
- Wi Fi & plugs: Stable Wi Fi and several wall sockets; you’ll see other people working on laptops, so you won’t stand out.
- Coffee & food: House roasted beans, a variety of espresso based drinks and a rotating selection of pastries and light snacks.
- Best for: Early morning calls or a productive start before drifting toward lunch spots on Calea Victoriei.
5. M60 – one of the original laptop cafés
M60 near Piața Romană is widely cited as one of the original laptop friendly cafés in Bucharest, with a Scandinavian inspired interior and a laid back vibe. The mix of big tables and smaller two seaters makes it easy to stay for hours with your laptop, especially on weekdays. The vibe is great for working, but they’ve started to limit laptop use at certain times (especially weekends), so it can feel a bit frustrating if you sit down ready to work and discover you’re in a “no‑laptop” slot.
- Wi Fi & plugs: Reliable Wi Fi and enough outlets along the walls and near some communal tables to keep most laptops charged.
- Coffee & food: Specialty coffee, brunch items, salads and desserts; you can comfortably do a full workday with breakfast and lunch here.
- Best for: Long, slow workdays with breaks for proper meals, or as a “home base” if you’re staying near Romană.
6. Gram Bistro & Ever After – work and eat near Victoriei
Pluria’s curated remote work list highlights Gram Bistro and Ever After as central cafés near Victoriei Square that balance good food with laptop friendly tables. Gram Bistro sits on the ground floor of an office building and offers plenty of seating, making laptop users feel completely normal among office workers. Ever After is similarly brunch oriented but cozy, better when you have fewer calls.
- Wi Fi & plugs: Both spots are designed for people who linger, with solid Wi Fi and multiple sockets; they’re used as de facto “third places” by office workers.
- Coffee & food: Full menus: pancakes, bowls, salads, burgers and desserts alongside espresso drinks and teas.
- Best for: When you want a restaurant level meal and also get a few hours of work done in a professional but relaxed environment.
Creative & “anti café” style spaces
7. Seneca AntiCafe – pay for time, not coffee
Seneca AntiCafe near Aviatorilor is a hybrid between a café and coworking; instead of paying per item, you pay for time, and coffee, tea, snacks and Wi Fi are included. It’s designed explicitly for reading, studying and working, with quiet zones, bookshelves and plenty of power outlets. The setup really pushes you into “study mode,” which is amazing for focus, but if you like the casual, noisy café feeling, this can seem a bit structured and almost too quiet at times.
- Wi Fi & plugs: Excellent Wi Fi and a very high density of sockets; this is one of the most work oriented environments on the list.
- Coffee & food: Unlimited coffee, tea, cookies and simple snacks as part of the time based fee.
- Best for: Days when you need to be ultra productive or handle calls and don’t want to think about ordering food every hour.
8. Artichoke Social House – café meets creative studio
Artichoke, near the city center, blends a specialty coffee bar with a creative gallery like space and hosts events such as photography exhibitions. You can work from your laptop at communal tables or smaller spots, surrounded by art and a friendly, hip crowd.
- Wi Fi & plugs: Work friendly layout, with Wi Fi and accessible outlets; people routinely hold casual meetings and work here.
- Coffee & food: All day breakfast, specialty coffee, organic tea and homemade juices and cakes.
- Best for: Light to moderate work in a stimulating environment, or when you want to mix work with meeting people in creative industries.
Garden, hybrid & “coworking café” spaces
9. Urban Hub – coffee shop plus coworking
Urban Hub near Piața Romană is a hybrid space combining a café, coworking area, bakery and small event venue. It has both indoor seating and a small garden, and positions itself explicitly as a place for laptop users and small teams to work or meet. The energy is very positive and “cozy coworking,” but on event days or when it’s busy, the background noise can spike and you suddenly feel like you’re working in the middle of a community gathering.
- Wi Fi & plugs: Solid Wi Fi throughout and plenty of plugs; some seating is more “work like,” other zones are better for casual chats.
- Coffee & food: Specialty coffee, baked goods, light lunch items and desserts.
- Best for: When you want a coworking feel without committing to a full membership, or when collaborating with friends/colleagues.
10. STAY – Coffee & Bar – calm “sanctuary” near Cişmigiu
STAY is a stylish coffee shop and bar with both indoor seating and a garden, often described as a peaceful environment ideal for reading or working on a laptop. The long opening hours (typically 10:00–22:00) make it one of the better options for late afternoon and evening work sessions in Bucharest. The garden and soft lighting make it feel almost like a little retreat, which is great for reading or planning, but later in the evening the bar vibe can creep in, so it’s better for light tasks than anything that needs strict concentration.
- Wi Fi & plugs: Reliable Wi Fi and enough sockets to stay powered; you’ll see other laptop users sprinkled around.
- Coffee & food: Specialty coffee, chai and seasonal drinks, plus small sweets and bar style drinks later in the day.
Practical tips for working from cafés in Bucharest
- Timing: For quiet work, aim for weekday mornings and early afternoons; weekends and evenings can get busy and noisy, especially in brunch heavy spots.
- Ordering etiquette: As a rule of thumb, order at least one drink every 1.5–2 hours, more if you’re using lots of space or power sockets.
- Calls & meetings: For video calls, pick more work oriented places like Seneca AntiCafe, Urban Hub or a quieter corner in Beans & Dots or M60.
- Backup options: Chains like Starbucks and Ted’s are abundant and usually have good Wi Fi, so they’re useful as backup when your favorite indie café is full.
A day trip from Bucharest to Peleș Castle and Bran (“Dracula”) Castle
It makes a great full‑day escape into the mountains, mixing royal history with medieval legend.
Basic itinerary from Bucharest
With public transport: Take a train from București Nord to Sinaia; there are many departures from early morning to late evening, with a journey of about 1.5–2 hours. Romanian Railways (CFR) runs frequent services, and you can check live schedules and buy tickets on the official site or ticket office.
From Sinaia station you either walk or take a short taxi up to Peleș Castle (about 30–40 minutes on foot uphill, or 5–10 minutes by taxi).
There is no direct train to Bran; you must use buses or combine train + bus.
With public transport, back to Bucharest you take the local bus from Bran to Brașov Autogara 2 (Codreanu); it runs about every 45–60 minutes and takes roughly 45–55 minutes
From Brașov railway station, frequent trains run to București Nord, roughly every 1–2 hours, taking about 2–2.5 hours on the faster services. You can check times and buy tickets on CFR Călători’s website or at the station; multiple operators serve this route.
If you want simplicity and storytelling, an organized “Peleș & Dracula’s Castle” day trip from Bucharest works very well.
TravelMaker will collect you in the morning for a private escape into the Carpathian Mountains. After roughly a 90‑minute drive, your first destination will be Sinaia, Romania’s elegant mountain resort known as the “Pearl of the Carpathians.” With your TravelMaker guide, you will step inside Peleș Castle, the former summer residence of Romania’s first king, Carol I, a 19th‑century royal palace that has become one of the most important symbols of the Romanian monarchy. Here you will uncover the stories of the kings who once lived there and enjoy the refined interiors and mountain scenery that make this residence so special.
From Sinaia, TravelMaker will drive you across the mountains into Transylvania, the fabled “land beyond the forest.” Your next visit will be Bran Castle, a medieval stronghold whose dramatic silhouette and location have long been linked with the Dracula legend. You will explore its rooms, towers, and narrow passageways while hearing how history and myth became intertwined here—no special gear is needed, though you might still enjoy keeping the “garlic tradition” alive for fun.
Afterward, your private tour continues toward Brașov, known in German as Kronstadt. On the way, you will pass through picturesque villages and see traditional houses that showcase the rural charm of this part of Romania. In Brașov, TravelMaker will guide you through the Old Town, where you will discover Council Square and the Black Church, the largest Gothic church in Eastern Europe, and learn about the Saxon settlers whose culture and architecture still define the city’s character today.
In the evening, TravelMaker will take you back over the mountains to Wallachia and return you comfortably to Bucharest, closing your private day trip with a scenic drive back to the capital.
Peleș Castle highlights
Architecture and rooms: Neo‑Renaissance exterior, with around 160 rooms in mixed styles (German, Italian and English Renaissance, French Rococo, German Baroque). Inside you’ll see grand halls, an incredible library with a hidden door, music room, small theater, armory rooms, and ornate salons.
Visiting time: Plan about 1–1.5 hours inside plus walking time up from Sinaia and photo stops.
Opening hours: Typically closed Monday and Tuesday, open roughly 9:15/10:00–17:00 on other days, with last entry mid‑afternoon; always check the official site just before you go as schedules can change.
Tickets: Recent info suggests around 100 RON for adults for ground + first floor, with guided visits, and different prices for more areas; expect changes over time so confirm current tariffs.
On some group tours from Bucharest, if it’s Monday or Tuesday you only see Peleș from outside and don’t enter the interior.
Bran (“Dracula”) Castle highlights
Experience inside: One‑way route through rooms furnished as when Queen Marie lived there, plus sections about Transylvanian myths and legends; there is only a small area that actually mentions Dracula.
Extras: Optional exhibits like the Medieval Torture Instruments and the Time Tunnel cost a little extra but are popular add‑ons.
Accessibility: Expect steep paths and very narrow staircases; it’s not suitable if you have serious mobility or claustrophobia issues
Views and photos: There are terraces with views over the Bran Gorge and a park area outside where you can photograph the castle from below.
Tickets and hours: You can buy tickets online in advance via the official site, which is recommended in summer when they can sell out; various ticket options bundle the castle, torture chambers, and time tunnel.
Practical tips
Best days and seasons: Aim for weekdays in spring or early autumn (April–May or September–mid‑October) to avoid peak crowds and enjoy good weather.
Start early: Whether self‑drive or tour, leaving Bucharest around 7:00 helps you beat some traffic and queues at Peleș.
Clothing and shoes: Wear comfortable shoes for cobblestones, uphill walks to both castles, and lots of stairs inside Bran.
Photos: Interiors often allow photos without flash, but some areas may have restrictions; always respect local rules and staff instructions.
A day trip to the Slănic Prahova Salt Mine from Bucharest
It is very doable in one day and usually takes around 8 hours door to door, including about 2 hours underground in the mine.
Getting there from Bucharest
By train: CFR trains via Ploiești take about 2 hours 50 minutes one way, usually with a change at Ploiești; this is cheap but slower and less flexible.
From Bucharest, an organized tour is the easiest option (no need to think about trains or parking).
TravelMaker invites you to discover Romania’s hidden depths and rich flavors on the Slanic Salt Mine & Wine Tasting private tour. You will first venture underground into the largest salt mine in Europe, then continue to a local wine cellar where you’ll enjoy a guided visit, a curated wine tasting, and a traditional Romanian lunch.
Unirea Mine in Slănic Prahova lies about 100 km north of Bucharest and is no longer used for salt extraction, having been transformed into a unique visitor attraction. Inside, you will experience a remarkable microclimate with naturally cool, fresh air and a constant temperature all year round. The underground space consists of 14 impressive chambers with trapezoidal profiles, each opening about 10 meters at the ceiling and 32 meters at the floor, rising to a height of around 54 meters, with steeply inclined walls of roughly 60 degrees that create a truly monumental atmosphere.
On the way back toward Bucharest, your TravelMaker tour will cross the rolling hills of Dealu Mare, one of Romania’s most renowned wine regions. Here you will stop at a local winery to learn about the art of winemaking, explore the cellars, and sample some excellent Romanian wines.
Your return route will take you through the city of Ploiești, the closest major town to the capital, before you are dropped off back at your accommodation. You can expect to arrive in Bucharest in the late afternoon, typically between 4:30 and 5:00 pm.
Visiting hours and tickets
Standard visiting hours are typically 9:00–15:30, with last descent early afternoon; check the monthly schedule, as some days can be closed.
Recent public prices are around 45 lei per adult, 35 lei for children/elevi, and 40 lei for students and seniors, with similar rates for groups and optional 5‑entry passes.
Tickets are bought at a surface office near the parking; the price generally includes the shuttle/van that takes you down to the mine entrance and back.
Practical tips
Clothing: Wear a light jacket or fleece and comfortable shoes; 12 °C feels cool if you stay still for a while.
Health & access: The air is considered beneficial for asthma and other respiratory issues, but there are underground stairs/ramps and a shuttle ride, so people with severe mobility problems should check in advance.
