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City of Bucharest - capital of Romania, Visitor Information

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Bucharest Fast Facts

Location: Southern Romania Elevation: 190 - 295 ft (55 - 90 m) Area: 88 sq.miles (228 sq.km); Metropolitan area: 590 sq.miles (1,530 sq.km) Inhabited since: 500 BC First documented: 1459 AD Population: 1.921 million

Known for its wide, tree-lined boulevards, glorious Belle Époque buildings and a reputation for the high life (which in the early 1900s earned its nickname of "Little Paris"), Bucharest, Romania's largest city and capital, is today a bustling metropolis. Legend has it that the city of Bucharest was founded by a shepherd named Bucur, whose name literarily means "joy." His flute playing reportedly dazzled the people and his hearty wine from nearby vineyards endeared him to the local traders, who gave his name to the place.

Bucharest Sights and Landmarks

Arcul de Triumf Address: Piata Arcul de Triumf

Built in 1922 to honor the Romanian soldiers who fought WWI, Bucharest's Arch of Triumph also symbolizes Romania's latin heritage and its strong ties with France. The monument was redecorated in 1936 with base-reliefs carved in marble brought from Rușchița - Transylvania. The sculptures were created by leading Romanian artists - including Ion Jalea, Constantin Medrea and Constantin Baraschi - and ten Italian sculptors. Every weekend, June through October, visitors can climb to the top of the 90 feet-high structure, via an interior staircase, for a panoramic view of the city.

Calea Victoriei (Victory Way) is Bucharest's oldest and arguably, most charming main street. Designed in 1692 to connect the Old Princely Court to Mogosoaia Palace, Calea Victoriei (initially named Podul Mogoșoaiei) was originally paved with oak beams. In 1878, the street was renamed Calea Victoriei, to mark Romania's victory in its Independence War against the Ottoman Empire. In early 1920's, Calea Victoriei became one of the most fashionable, vivid, streets in the city. Stroll along Calea Victoriei starting at Piata Victoriei and go on till its end at Piata Natiunilor Unite. Stunning buildings line Calea Victoriei, including the Cantacuzino Palace, the former Headquarters of the Romanian Communist Party, the Military Club, the Palace of the Savings Bank and the National History Museum.

Cantacuzino Palace Palatul Cantacuzino Address: Calea Victoriei 141 Curently closed to visitors, ample preservation works in progress, The former residence of Grigore Cantacuzino (nicknamed Nababul - the Nabab) is one of the most beautiful structures that line Calea Victoriei. A member of Cantacuzino princely family, former mayor of Bucharest, minister and Prime Minister, Grigore Cantacuzino was considered, in late 1800s, to be one of the wealthiest Romanians. His desire to have the most elegant residence in all Bucharest became a reality in 1902. This beautiful Beaux Arts palace, designed by architect Ion Berindey, features superb wrought iron balconies, tall arched windows and a porte-cochere flanked by two lions. Today, the palace houses the George Enescu Museum , dedicated to one of Romania's greatest musicians.

Piata Revolutiei One of Bucharest's ares most often associated with the 1989 unrest that lead to the demise of Romania's Communist Regime is Piata Revolutiei. Revolution Square gained international notoriety when TV stations around the globe broadcasted Romania's Communist leader Nicolae Ceausescu's final moments in power, on December 21, 1989. From the balcony of the former Communist Party Headquarters, Nicolae Ceausescu stared in disbelief as the people gathered in the square, as his request, turned on him. He fled the angry crowd in his helicopter and his 34-years in power ended. Revolution square's importance stretches back long before the dramatic events of the 1989 Revolution. On the west side of the square stands the former Royal Palace, now home to the National Art Museum and the small, but beautiful, Kretzulescu Church. On the opposite side of the Royal Palace stands the stunning Romanian Athenaeum, an 1,000-seat music venue known for its excellent acoustics and huge frescoes that depict important moments in Romania's history.

Palatul Regal Address: Calea Victoriei 49 - 53 Completed in 1937, in neoclassical style, Bucharest Royal Palace was home to King Carol II and to his son, King Mihai I, until 1947, when the monarchy was abolished in Romania. It was inside this palace that King Mihai, then aged 18, led a coup that displaced the pro-Nazi government during the World War II and put Romania on the Allies' side. Today, the former Royal palace houses Romania's National Art Museum .

The Romanian Athenaeum Atheneul Roman Address: Strada Benjamin Franklin 1 Tel: (+4) 021 315.00.26 The Romanian Athenauem was designed by Albert Galleron, the French architect who also designed the National Bank of Romania. The construction of the Athenaeum was financed almost entirely with money donated by the general public. When the original patrons ran out of funds the project was rescued by a successful fundraising campaign with the slogan Dati un leu pentru Ateneu (Donate a coin for the Athenaeum). The Athenaeum was completed in 1888. Its high dome and Doric columns resemble an ancient temple. The lobby has a beautifully painted ceiling decorated in gold leaf, while curved balconies cascade in ringlets off a spiral staircase. A ring of pink marble columns is linked by flowing arches where elaborate brass lanterns hang like gems from a necklace. Inside the concert hall, voluptuous frescoes cover the ceiling and walls. Renowned worldwide for its outstanding acoustics, it is Bucharest's most prestigious concert hall and home of the Romanian Philharmonic Orchestra. The Romanian Athenaeum is open to visitors - visit planning info

Biserica Cretulescu Address: Calea Victoriei 47 Nestled amid the other historical buildings in Piata Revolutiei, this small red-brick Orthodox church was built in 1722 by the chancellor Iordache Kretzulescu and his wife, Safta (a daughter of prince Constantin Brancoveanu) in Brancovenesc architectural style. The interior frescoes were executed around 1860 by painter Gheorghe Tattarescu.

Sala Mare a Palatului Address: Strada Ion Câmpineanu 28 Located next to the Royal Palace, the concave-roof structure was built in 1960 to accommodate the 3,000 Communist party members who every five years attended the communist party congress. It was on this stage that Nicolae Ceausescu would deliver his vision of a multilaterally developed socialist society. Today, the massive auditorium plays host to various conferences and events, including some of the George Enescu International Festival concerts.

Cercul Militar National (or Casa Armatei) Address: Strada Constantin Mile 1 Tel: (+4) 021 313.86.80 This neoclassical masterpiece, designed by Romanian architect Dimitrie Maimaroiu, was built in 1912 to serve the social, cultural and educational needs of the Romanian army. Banquets and official events are still hosted in the ballrooms, while the upstairs area is reserved for the army's library, as well as offices and classrooms for officer instruction. The main part of the building is off-limits to civilians, but the sumptuous restaurant and summer terrace is open to the public.

Palatul CEC / Palatul Casei de Economii si Consemnatiuni Address: Calea Victoriei 13 Boasting one of the most impressive neoclassical facades in the city, this structure, designed by French architect Paul Gottereanu, was completed at the end of the 19th century.

The square-shaped palace, home of the first Romanian Savings Bank, has a large central glass dome, flanked by four smaller domes. The arch at the entrance, with its Corinthian columns, is a highlight of any architectural tour of the city.

Old Town Bucharest / Lipscani street Area Centrul Vechi / strada Lipscani At the beginning of 1400s, most merchants and craftsmen - Romanian, Austrian, Greek, Armenian and Jewish - established their stores and shops in this section of the city; a jumble of streets between Calea Victoriei, Blvd. Bratianu, Blvd. Regina Elisabeta and the Dambovita River. Soon, the area became known as Lipscani, named for the many German traders from Lipsca or Leiptzig. Other streets took on the names of various old craft communities and guilds, such as Blanari (furriers), Covaci (blacksmiths), Gabroveni (knife makers) and Cavafii Vechii (shoe-makers). The mix of nationalities and cultures is reflected in the mishmash of architectural styles, from baroque to neoclassical to art nouveau. Today, the area is home to art galleries, antique shops, coffeehouses, restaurants and night-clubs. While walking in the narrow cobblestone streets one can imagine the long-gone shopkeepers outside near their stores, inviting bypassers to buy their merchandise. Old Town Bucharest map

Old Princely Court Palatul si Biserica Curtea Veche Address: Strada Franceza 25 - 31 Currently closed for restoration works. Telephone: (+4) 021 314.03.75 The remains of the Old Princely Court (Curtea Veche) - commissioned in the 15th century by prince Vlad Tepes (or Vlad Draculea) - are located at southern edge of Bucharest Old Town. Historians believe that, Vlad the Impaler kept his prisoners in dungeons which beneath his Princely Court. The Old Court Museum was established in 1972 when an archaeological dig revealed the remains of the fortress, walls, arches, tombstones and a Corinthian column along with Dacian pottery and Roman coins and other evidence of Bucharest's earliest inhabitants. The oldest document attesting to the city's origin under the name of Bucuresti (Bucharest) was discovered here also; it was issued on September 20, 1459 and signed by Prince Vlad Tepes. Next to Bucharest Old Princely Court stands the Old Court Church (Biserica Curtea Veche) , dating from 1559 - considered the oldest in Bucharest. Some of the original 16th century frescoes have been preserved. For two centuries, the church served as coronation venue for Romanian princes.

Hanul lui Manuc Address: Strada Franceza 62 - 64 Tel: (+4) 021 313.14.11 Built in 1804 at the request of wealthy Armenian trader Emanuel Marzaian (called by the Turks "Manuc Bey"), the inn hosted the preliminary talks concerning the Peace Treaty that put an end to the Russian -Turkish War (1806-1812). A favorite meeting place for tradesmen, Manuc's Inn has preserved to this day its character and flavor. A restaurant, wine cellar and a pastry shop are now welcoming guests from all over the world.

The Beer Wagon Restaurant Carul cu Bere Address: Strada Stavropoleos 3 - 5 Tel: (+4) 021 313.75.60 The Beer Wagon restaurant/ beer house became, soon after the opening in 1879, one of the most popular meeting places for Bucharest's literati who would gather to discuss matters of their time. Its neo-gothic architectural style is reflected both in the façades and the interior decorations: columns, arches, chandeliers, a wooden staircase, furniture and murals on the walls and ceiling.

Piata Universitatii Buzzing with crowds and traffic from early morning until late at night, this area is one of the most popular meeting places in Bucharest. The square features remarkable architecture: Bucharest School of Architecture, the National Theatre, the neoclassical Coltea Hospital and its lovely church (1702 - 1794) and Sutu Palace, now home to the Bucharest History & Art Museum . In the middle of the circle, on a little 'island', 10 stone crosses pay respect to those killed during the 1989 revolution. Below the circle there is an underground passage, with small shops, that offer pedestrians access to the one side of the circle and to University Circle ( Piata Universitatii ) subway station.

Universitatea Bucuresti Address: Blvd. Regina Elizabeta / University Circle Bucharest is Romania's largest and foremost centre of higher education. The University of Bucharest was founded in 1864 by prince Alexandru Ioan Cuza, ruler of the newly united principalities of Walachia and Moldova. The home of the university is a neoclassical building (completed in 1859) located in the heart of Romania's capital city. In the small square next to the University building book merchants are offering anything from antique books to vinyl records, discontinued newspapers and illustrated broadsheets from another age.

Casa Presei Libere Address: Piata Presei Libere 1 A masive edifice standing in the northern part of Bucharest, since 1956, Casa Scanteii (as it is still universally known) was designed by architect Horia Maicu. The building is a smaller replica of the Lomonosov University in Moscow - Russia.   Between 1956 and 1989, the House of the Free Press housed almost all of Romania's capital printing presses and headquarters of print media companies. Today, Casa Presei Libere carries out much the same function but the southern wing is now the home of the Bucharest Stock Exchange.

Spitalul Coltea Address: Blvd. I.C. Bratianu 1 The oldest hospital in Bucharest, dating from 1704, Coltea was built on land belonging to Vacaresti family, who at the time owned many great properities in the capital. The original building was destroyed by an earthquake in 1802 and replaced by a neoclassical building still standing today. Next to the hospital stands a church, built in 1701, known for its its spectacular murals.

Palatul Sutu Address: Blvd. I. C. Bratianu 2 Famous for the grandiose balls held here in the early 1900s, Sutu Palace was built in Neo-Gothic style between 1832 and 1834. It was designed by architects Johann Veit and Konrad Schwinck at the request of commissioned by foreign affairs minister Costache Sutu. In 1862, the palace was redecorated by sculptor Karl Storck, who created three arcades and a monumental stairway; a huge Murano mirror was added in the hallway. Only the painted ceilings, the stucco, the parquet flooring and the tile stoves have been preserved. In 1959, Sutu Palace became home to Bucharest History & Art Museum

Bucharest Communist legacy

Romania's Parliament Palace Palatul Parlamentului Address: Strada Izvor 2 - 4 Tel: (+4) 021 311.36.11 Open to visitors: Mon. - Sun. Bucharest Palace of Parliament Hours and Admission

Built at the special request of Nicolae Ceausescu, leader of Romania's Communist Party, the colossal Parliament Palace - formerly known as "People's House" ( Casa Poporului ) - is the world's third-largest administrative building, after Surat Diamond Bourse (India) and U. S. Pentagon. It took 20,000 workers and 700 architects to build this masive structure that boasts 12 stories above ground, 1,100 rooms, a 350-ft.-long lobby and eight underground levels, including an enormous nuclear bunker.

When construction started on June 25, 1984, the building was intended it to be the headquarters of the country's Communist government. Today, it houses Romania's Parliament, Bucharest International Conference Centre and the Museum of Modern Art. Built, furnished and decorated exclusively with materials sourced and made in Romania, the building reflects the work of the country's best artisans. A guided tour takes visitors through a small section of dazzling rooms, huge halls and quarters used by the Senate (when not in session). The interior is a luxurious display of crystal chandeliers, mosaics, oak paneling, marble, gold leaf, stained-glass windows and floors covered in rich carpets. Curtains in some rooms of the Parliament Palace rise to a whopping 54 feet.

Planing your visit to Bucharest Palace of Parliament:

Valid passport or national Identity Card is required to gain access to the Palace of Parliament.

Groups (10 or more visitors): reservations are mandatory. Please E-mail a tour reservation request containing the following information: - number of participants, - exact date & approximate time of arrival, - coach license plate, - guide (English or French language) - type of tour desired (standard, standard + terrace or standard + terrace + the underground).

Group tours need to be reconfirmed, on the day prior to the visit — please call (+4) 021 311.36.11

Palace of Parliament Visiting Rules and Regulations

Romania’s Parliament Palace, Bucharest Facts and Figures:

Location 1 mile southwest of Bucharest Old Town ( Centrul Vechi ), on the very place (once called Dealul Arsenalului – Armory Hill) on which, in 1935, king Carol II of Romania had planned to build Romania’s House of Representatives ( Camera Deputatilor ).

Public transportation Nearest bus station: Pod Izvor (Bus # 104, 123, 124, 136, 385), 7 minutes walk Nearest subway station: Izvor M1 (yellow) and M3 (red) , 0.4 miles north of/10 minutes walk / to Visitor Entrance.

Size: Height: 282 ft. (89 metres) Width: 788 ft. (240 metres) Length: 886 ft. (270 metres) Number of stories: 12 above ground and 8 underground Built-up area: 3.8 million sq. ft. (359,000 sq.m.) Foot print: 7,1 million sq. ft. (66.000 sq.m.) Volume: 90 million cu. ft. (2.55 million cu. metres) The Palace of the Romanian Parliament is the world's Heaviest Building!

Quantities of construction materials used to build the Palace: 35.3 million ft³ (1,000,000 m³) of marble 31.8 million ft³ (900,000 m³) of different essences of wood 2.2 million ft³ (200,000 m³) of glass 4.4 billion lbs. (2,000,000 tonnes) of sand 1.5 billion lbs. (700,000 metric tones) of steel and bronze 12.1 million lbs. (5,500 tonnes) of cement 2.2 million lbs. (1,000 de tonnes) of basalt stone 177 million ft³ (5,000,000 m³) of concrete

Materials used for finishes and decorations: 7.8 million lbs. (3,500 de tonnes) of crystal 2.4 million ft² (220,000 m²) of carpets 37,675 ft² (3,500 m²) of calf skin 2,800 chrystal chandeliers 1,409 ceiling light fixtures and mirrors

Other facts: 20.000 cars can be parked in the underground of the building, The underground has two anti-atomic shelters with 5 ft. thick walls and radioactive radiation protection, There are 1,100 rooms, 34 large function/ conference halls (fixed-seats or open-space), four restaurants, three libraries, two underground parking and one concert hall. All the materials used to build the palace have been produced or made in Romania, except: - a small quantity of exotic wood that cannot be found in Romania, - the doors of Nicolae Balcescu Conference Hall, a gift to Nicolae Ceausescu from Mobutu Sese Seko, at the time President of the Republic of Zaire (today Democratic Republic of Congo), - ventilation pumps with special filters, imported from Sweden.

National Cathedral Catedrala Mântuirii Neamului Address: Calea 13 Septembrie nr. 4 - 60 -- located next (southwest) to Romania's Parliament Building Telephone: (+4) 021 406.82.79 The National Cathedral (official name: Cathedral Church of Redemption) is the largest place or worship in Romania. Although innaugurated in 2018, interior decoration works, using marble, mosaics and stain glass, is still in progress. Cathedral will not be open to visitors before completion of decoration works which are scheduled to be completed at the end of 2025. Besides ample worship space, the Cathedral is home to the Museum of Christianity in Romania, two large function rooms and a bookshop.

Romania National Cathedral facts and figures: The National cathedral is 394 ft. high, 414 ft. long and 220 ft. wide (60% larger than a football field). Usable Square Footage: 172,340 sq. ft. Floor area: 121,054 sq. ft. First floor area: 44,845 sq. ft. Worship space capacity: 5,000 people standing or 1,000 seating 28 bronze doors and 392 staine glass windows # of elevators: 8 Several viewpoints to see the worship space are located 184 ft., above the main floor. The open-air observation deck (300 ft.) wraps around the main bell tower and provides 360-degree views of Bucharest The Cathedral is home to world's largest iconostasis (78 ft. wide and 56 ft. high), 45 Byzantine icons are depicted on 8,612 sq. ft. of colorful mosaics. The indoor mosaics in the entire cathedral cover over 269,100 sq. ft.; the largest in the world. Six bells call to worship; the largest (10 ft. high) weights 25 tons can be heard from 10 miles distance. The names of over 350,000 heroes who lost their lives for Romania, at various times, are engraved on the altar.

Centrul Civic Nicolae Ceausescu's building megalomania is perhaps best illustrated by with the construction of the Civic Centre, an area located at the south end of the Palace of Parliament along Bulevardul Unirii. The redevelopment of the area was supervised by Romania's Communist leader himself. More than three square miles ( eight square km. or 2,000 acres) of buildings in the old section of the city (including private residences, shops, two churches, a hospital and a noted Art Deco sports stadium) were leveled to make room for the construction of Stalinist apartment buildings topped with neoclassical follies.

Biserica Sfintii Apostoli Address: Str. Sfintii Apostoli 1 Tel: (+4) 021 336.07.84 One of the oldest churches in Bucharest (with parts dating back to the 16th century and a steeple built in 1715), the Apostles' Church is brimming with some rather strange portraits that are well worth seeing.

Catedrala Patriarhală Sfinții Împărați Constantin și Elena Address: Aleea Dealul Mitropoliei 2 Set atop one of the city's few hills, known as "Dealul Mitropoliei" , the Patriarchal Cathedral - the seat of the Romanian Orthodox Church - in has been the centerpiece of the Romanian Orthodox faith since the 17th century. The church was commissioned by Constantin Serban Basarab, voivode of the province of Walachia and completed 1658. Design of the structure was inspired by Curtea de Arges monastery. The Byzantine interior, containing the most dazzling of the city's iconostasis, as well as a couple of exquisitely carved side altars, bestows great beauty on the services presided over by the Romanian Patriarch. A huge crowd gathers here for the Easter midnight service. The outstanding bell-tower at the entrance was built in 1698 and restored in 1958. Next to the church, not open to the public, is the Patriarchal Palace (1708), residence of the Patriarhul Teoctist (Theoctistus), supreme leader of the Romanian Orthodox Church.

Biserica Stavropoleos Address: Str. Stavropoleos 4 Tel: (+4) 021 313.47.47 Stavropoleos Church was built in 1724 by the Greek monk Ioanikie Stratonikeas. Featuring a combination of Romanian and Byzantine architecture, it has a beautiful façade and a delicately carved columned entrance. Surrounded by a peaceful garden, it is an architectural jewel, with beautiful frescoes and wood-painted icons. The mass (in Romanian) is worth viewing if you can find room in this small and cozy church.

Catedrala Sfantul Iosif Address: Str. General H M Berthelot 19 Tel: (+4) 021 312.12.08 The red brick Roman Catholic, innaugurated in 1884) combines Gothic and Roman elements. Organ recitals are held every week.

Biserica Sfantul Nicolae Address: Str. Ion Ghica 9 Tel: (+4) 021 314.64.50 Built in 1909 by the Russian Tsar Nicholas II for 600,000 gold rubles, this Orthodox Church has a wooden, gold-gilded iconostasis allegedly modeled after the altar in the Archangelskiy Cathedral in Moscow.

Jewish Bucharest

Bucharest is home to one of the oldest and most important Jewish communities in Romania. Sephardic Jews arrived here in the 16th century. Around the beginning of the 17th century, during the Cossack uprising, the first Ashkenazi Jews came from Ukraine and Poland. A sacred brotherhood, a charity box and a prayer house were registered in 1715.

Some of the synagogues built during the 18th and 19th century also featured ritual baths (mikve). By 1832, 10 holy houses had been established. Their number would increase significantly before the end of the century, almost every one having its own Rabbi and cult performers.

At the beginning of the 20th century, the Jewish population in Bucharest numbered 40,000 people with 70 temples and synagogues. From this great number, only a few survived the brutality of history - fascism and communism - and two still serve the city's present Jewish community.

Muzeul de Istorie si Cultura a Evreilor din Romania "Dr. Nicolae Cajal" Address: Strada Mamulari 3 Tel: (+4) 021 315.08.37 Open: Mon. - Thu.: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sun. 9 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Closed: Fri., Sat., on Jewish holidays and on Romania national holidays. Admission Charge Housed in the magnificently preserved Great Synagogue (1850) in the city's historic Jewish neighborhood, Bucharest's Museum of the History and Culture of the Jewish Community presents the history of Romania's Jewish population. The displays include a collection of books written, published, illustrated or translated by Romanian Jews, paintings of and by Romanian Jews (many of the same artists' works are exhibited in the National Museum of Art) and memorabilia from Jewish theatres including the State Jewish Theatre. The museum also contains a large collection of Jewish ritual objects, collected by Rabbi Moses Rosen (1912-1994), the late Chief Rabbi of the Romanian Jewry.

Templul Coral Address: Strada Sfanta Vineri 9 Tel: (+4) 021 312.21.96 Resembling Vienna’s Leopoldstadt-Tempelgasse Great Synagogue, the Choral Temple in Bucharest was constructed in 1864 -- 1866, after plans by Enderle and Freiwald. It is the largest active synagogue in Bucharest, noted for its yellow and red arabesque-style bricks decorations, Moorish turrets, choir loft and organ. Other interesting features include the ladies’ galleries - two floors of seating for women. Choral Temple welcomes visitors, passport is required to access the building.

Sinagoga Yeshoah Tova Address: Strada Tache Ionescu 9 On a busy, narrow, street just off Magheru Bulevard (one of Bucharest's busiest) stands the only other functioning synagogue in the city, apart from the Choral Temple. Services take place at Sabbath hour on Fridays and Saturdays.

Bucharest Jewish Community Comunitatea Evreilor din Bucuresti Address: Strada Sfanta Vineri 9 Tel: (+4) 021 313.17.82

Bucharest Museums

Bucharest Art Collections Museum Muzeul Colectiilor de Arta

Founded in 1978, the Art Collections Museum, houses private collections donated over the course of time. Collections include European and Oriental art works. Address: Calea Victoriei 111 Tel: (+4) 021 212.96.41 Admission charge

Bucharest History & Art Museum Muzeul Municipiului Bucuresti Housed in the neoclassical Sutu Palace (1834), the museum features some 300,000 artifacts, from coins, books, maps, engravings, paintings, arms and furniture to old traditional costumes. Among the most valuable exhibits are the document attesting for the first time the name of the city of Bucharest, issued by Vlad Tepes in 1459, and a sword set in precious stones that belonged to Prince Constantin Brancoveanu (1688-1714). Address: Blvd. I.C.Bratianu 2 Tel: (+4) 021 315.68.58 Open: Wed. - Sun. 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Admission charge

Address: Sos. Kiseleff 3 A small, but fascinating, room is home to an interesting collection of communist-era bust sculptures (including that of Lenin), paintings and memorabilia.

Cotroceni Palace & Museum Muzeul National Cotroceni A former royal residence built between 1679 and 1681 by Prince and ruler Serban Cantacuzino, the palace was home to King Carol I, who made important changes in its architecture. At the end of the 19th century, Heir-to-the-Crown Ferdinand ordered the partial demolition of the palace, which was later reconstructed by French architect Paul Gottereau in neoclassical style. In 1977, Nicolae Ceausescu transformed it into an official guesthouse with the addition of a new wing. After 1990, the old wing of the palace became a museum. The Oriental Hall, the Norwegian Hall and the Queen's Chamber are almost unchanged from the original design and are worth visiting. A rich collection of medieval art can alsi be seen at Cotroceni Palace. The new wing serves as the offices of the President of Romania. Address: Bd. Geniului 1 Tel: (+4) 021 317.31.07 Open: Tuesday through Sunday (closed during national holidays) Admission charge (Guided tours are available in English) Note: Visits by appointment only; fore reservatrions please call (+4) 0725 518.381 or E-mail Cotroceni Palace.

George Enescu - Museum of Romanian Music Muzeul National George Enescu Housed in the spectacular Cantacuzino Palace, George Enescu museum displays documents and various objects that belonged to Romanian composer and violinist George Enescu (1881-1955). Among items exhibited there is a Bach music collection he received as a gift from Queen Elisabeta of Romania. A world-class violinist, Enescu studied at the Vienna Conservatory, where he met German composer Johannes Brahms and where he also gave his first concerts. In Paris, Enescu graduated from the French Conservatory in 1899. His best-known works, the Romanian Rhapsodies , earned him national and international fame. In 1936, his Oedipe tragic opera premiered in Paris and Enescu was awarded the French Legion of Honor award for the composition. A member of the Romanian Academy and corresponding member of the Institute of France, George Enescu was the teacher of renowned violinist Yehudi Menuhin. Every two years, the Romanian Athenaeum celebrates the maestro by hosting the George Enescu International Festival . Address: Calea Victoriei 141 Tel: (+4) 021 318.14.50 Open: Tue. - Sun. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Admission charge

Natural History Museum "Grigore Antipa" Muzeul National de Istorie Naturala Natural History Museum "Grigore Antipa" is the largest of its kind in Romania, home to rich collections of reptiles, fish, birds and mammals as well as more than 300,000 artifacts and specimens are on display, including a dinosaur fossil. A whole floor is dedicated to sea life and features examples of whales, dolphins and seals. The museum also contains an unique collection of butterflies. Address: Sos. Kiseleff 1 Tel: (+4) 021 312.88.26 Hours / Admission

Dr. Nicolae Minovici Museum of Folk Art Muzeul de Arta Populara Dr. Nicolae Minovici Museum museum is home to the unique collection of folk art of Dr. Minovici - founder of the Legal Medicine Association of Romania and publisher of the Romanian journal of Legal Medicine. Items on display include traditional garbs and carpets from Bucovina (NE Romania) and from Walachia (southern Romania), ceramic, glass-painted icons from Transylvania as well as early to mid-1900s works by Romanian artists Eustaţiu Stoenescu, Arthur Verona, Bednarik, Costin Petrescu. Address: Str. Dr. Minovici 1 Tel: (+4) 021 665.73.34 Admission charge

Ing. Dumitru Furnica Minovici Western Old Art Museum Muzeul de Arta Veche Apuseana The Gothic - Tudor mansion of ing. Dumitru Minovici, who made a fortune in the oil business in the 1930s, is now a small but interesting museum that features a collection renaissance art as well as Belgian tapestries, Dutch furniture, Swiss stained glass, a rich collection of rare books and Italian paintings from the 16th and 17th centuries. Address: Str. Dr. Minovici 3 Tel: (+4) 021 665.73.34 Admission charge

Museum of the Romanian Peasant Muzeul Taranului Roman Address: Sos. Kiseleff 3 Tel: (+4) 021 317.96.60 Open: Tue. - Sun.: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Admission charge Opened in 1906, the museum features the richest folk art collection in Romania, with over 90,000 artifacts that trace the colorful and diverse cultural life of the Romanian people. The Pottery Collection includes some 18,000 items, representative of the most important pottery centres in the country. The oldest ceramic item found in the museum bears the inscription 1746. Equally impressive, the Costume Collection comprises almost 20,000 traditional folk costumes, some dating from the beginning of the 19th century, giving visitors insight into the styles and traditions of the Romanian peasants. The displays dip into all aspects of life in the Romanian countryside. Exhibits of agricultural tools, carpets, icons, furniture, photographs and films build up a complete picture of Romanian folk culture. In one of the galleries, you can see a wooden church and in another, a wooden peasant house. Four more wooden churches stand in the outdoor museum area. In 1996, the museum was named European Museum of the Year. Visitors can buy regional handcrafts and textiles in the museum's extensive gift shop.

National Art Museum Muzeul National de Arta Address: Calea Victoriei 49 - 53 Tel: (+4) 021 313.30.30 Open: Wed. – Sun.. 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. (May - September); Wed. - Sun. 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. (October - April) Admission charge (English-speaking guides available) Romania's leading art museum was founded in 1948 to house the former Royal Collection, which included Romanian and European art dating from the 15th to the 20th century. Located in the neoclassical former Royal Palace, set amid a wealth of historic buildings such as the Romanian Athenaeum, Kretzulescu Church and the Hotel Athenee Palace, the museum currently exhibits over 100,000 works divided into two major sections. Its National Gallery features the works of major Romanian artists, including Grigorescu, Aman and Andreescu. There is also a roomful of early Brancusi sculpture, such as you won't find anywhere else, demonstrating how he left his master, Rodin, behind in a more advanced form of expression. The European Gallery, comprising some 15 rooms, displays little-known art gems of El Greco, Monet, Rembrandt, Renoir, Breughels (father and son) Cezanne and Rubens. If you only have time to visit one gallery, make it the Romanian one. It is the most complete collection of Romanian works of art in the country and quite possibly, the world.

National Geology Museum Muzeul National de Geologie Address: Sos. Kiseleff 2 Tel: (+4) 031 438.17.44 Open: Mon. - Sun. 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Admission charge Impressive collections of minerals and quartz formations are on display at Bucharest Geology Museum, including a well-presented geological structure of Romania's territory.

  National History Museum Muzeul National de Istorie al Romaniei Address: Calea Victoriei 12 Tel: (+4) 021 315.82.07 Open: Wed. - Sun. 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Housed in a 1900s neoclassical building that once served as the city's main post office, the museum offers a great introduction to the exciting history of Romania. Spread throughout 41 rooms, the exhibits recount the country's development from prehistoric times to the 20th century. The highlight is the National Treasury Hall where visitors can enjoy a dazzling display of some 3,000 gold items, including jewelry and valuable Neolithic artifacts. Among the displays are the 12 pieces of the 4th century Pietroasele Treasure Collection. First presented at the 1867 World's Fair in Paris, it was considered the most valuable treasure collection in the world (the tomb of Tutankamon had not yet been discovered). One year later, the collection was displayed at the Second Annual International Exhibition in London and in 1872, at the International Exhibition in Vienna.

National Military Museum Muzeul Militar National "Regele Ferdinand I" Address: Str. Mircea Vulcanescu 125 - 127 Tel: (+4) 021 638.76.30 Open: Tue. - Sun. 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Admission charge Founded in 1972, the museum illustrates the most important battles for independence and freedom in Romanian history. The museum features collections of Oriental and Occidental weapons, Romanian and foreign uniforms, military medals and awards, trophies, artillery, canons and airplanes as well as a library of historical military documents. The centerpiece is the 1989 Revolution exhibit, displaying mainly personal belongings donated by families of soldiers and civilians killed during the upheaval.

National Museum of Contemporary Art Muzeul National de Arta Contemporana Address: Calea 13 Septembrie 1, Intrarea E4 Tel: (+4) 021 411.10.40 Open: Wed. - Sun. 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Admission charge Bucharest's newest museum, the MNAC, as it is often called by museum-goers, displays works of Romania's contemporary artists as well as many temporary exhibits by international artists. The museum is housed in a wing of the Palace of Parliament, the space which would have served as Nicolae and Ileana Ceausescu's private apartment (where just the bathroom occupied 680 square feet, while the adjoining boudoir was three times that size).

National Museum of Old Maps & Books Muzeul National al Hartilor si Cartii Vechi Address: Str. Londra 39 Tel: (+4) 021 230.44.68 Open: Wed. - Sun. 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Admission charge A must visit museum for all visitors interested in old maps and books.

Residence of Romania’s former Communist leader   Nicolae Ceausescu Muzeul Palatul Primaverii For a quarter of a century (1965 - 1989) the “Spring Mansion” served as the private residence of Nicolae and Elena Ceauşescu and their three children, Nicu, Zoia, and Valentin. A variety of woods, both native (oak, sycamore, cherry, walnut) and exotic (mahogany, rosewood, African pear, Canadian cherry), have been used for building and decorations. The residence is home to an impressive collection of paintings by Romanian painters: Octav Băncilă, Camil Ressu, Rudolf Cumpăna, Dumitru Ghiață, George Baron Lowendal, handmade tapestries and mosaics designed by Romanian artists Olga Porumbaru and Florin Pârvulescu. Address: Bulevardul Primaverii 50 Telephone: (+4) 021 318.09.89 Open: Tue. - Sun.: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Admission charge All tours - group or individual - must be booked in advance.

Romanian Railways Museum - Bucharest Muzeul Cailor Ferate Romane The Railways Museum exibits include one of the largest train diorama in Europe, an 1869 Morse telegraph, railways memorabilia including pictures and Romanian Railways uniforms. Several passenger train wagons and engines are on display in the open-air section of the museum. Address: Calea Grivitei 193 B Tel: (+4) 021 222.75.20 Access: Nord Train Terminal ( Gara de Nord ), track # 14. Open: Wed. - Sun. 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Admission charge

"Frederic and Cecilia Storck" Art Museum Muzeul de Arta Frederic Storck si Cecilia Cutescu-Storck Address: Str. Vasile Alecsandri 16 Telephone: (+4) 0722 574 897 Open: Wed. - Sun. 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Admission charge "Storck" Art Museum pays tribute to sculptor Frederick Storck, founder of the Romanian school of architecture, and his wife, Cecelia Cutescu-Storck, an artist, arts professor and keen advocate of enhanced recognition for women in the arts. 150 paintings, 250 sculptures and a rich collection of antique coins, bronze medals and icons are exhibited in the elegant, former, residence of Storck family - a mansion, completed in 1913, designed by Frederic and Cecilia Storck, with help of architect Alexandru Clavel.

Bucharest Museum of Technology Muzeul Tehnic Address: Str. General Candiano Popescu 2 (Carol Park) (Carol Park) Tel: (+4) 021 336.93.90 Open: Wed. - Sun. 11 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. Admission charge Bucharest Museum of Technology displays some 5,000 items covering a wide range of industrial models: turbines, compressors, steam engines, the cylinder from the first steam engine that was used in a Romanian factory, as well as antique cars and motorcycles.

Painter Theodor Pallady Museum Muzeul Theodor Pallady Address: Str. Spatarului 22 Tel: (+4) 021 211.49.79 Open: Wed. – Sun.. 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. (May - September) Wed. - Sun. 10 a.m. – 6 p.m (October - April) Admission charge Housed in the beautifully restored Melik house, built around 1750 by the rich Armenian businessman Hagi Kevork Nazaretoglu, the museum features paintings and sketches by Romanian artist Theodor Pallady as well as numerous other art objects.

Village Museum Muzeul Satului Address: Soseaua Kiseleff 28 - 30 Tel: (+4) 021 317.91.03 Open: Mon. 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Tue. - Sun. 9 a.m. - 7 p.m. Founded by royal decree in 1936, this fascinating outdoor museum, the largest in Europe, covers some 30 acres on the shores of Lake Herastrau in Herestrau Park. It features a collection of original 50 buildings representing the history and character of Romania's rural architecture. Steep-roofed peasant homes, thatched barns, log cabins, churches and watermills from   all regions of the country were carefully taken apart, shipped to the museum and rebuilt in order to recreate the village setting. Throughout the year, the Village Museum hosts special events where you will have a chance to witness folk artisans demonstrating traditional skills in weaving, pottery and other crafts. Folk arts and crafts are available at the museum gift shop.

"Krikor H. Zambaccian" Art Museum Muzeul de Arta Krikor Zambaccian Address: Str. Muzeul Zambaccian 21 A Telephone: (+4) 021 230.19.20 Open: Wed. - Sun.: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. (May - September) Wed. - Sun.: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. (October - April) Admission charge The museum exhibits the private art collection of art critic and collector Krikor Zambaccian (1889-1962). Works of Romanian painters: Ion Andreescu, Nicolae Grigorescu, Stefan Luchian, Theodor Pallady and Nicolae Tonitza, who have been inspired by the Impressionists, can be admired at the Zambacian Museum. Although Zambaccian was a big patron of the art of his home country, during his studies in Belgium and France (1907 - 1913) he purchased numerous European works from artists such as Cezanne, Renoir, Delacroix, Corot, Derain, Matisse, Pissaro, Bonnard, Utrillo and Picasso. The museum preserves the initial display as it was conceived by the art collector himself. There are also several beautiful small sculptures that complement the canvases.

Museum of Senses Muzeul Simturilor Address: Bulevardul Vasile Milea 4 - Cotroceni AFI Shopping Mall Telephone: (+4) 0757 070.073 Open: daily 10 a.m. - 10 p.m. Romania’s equivalent of Ripley's Believe It or Not is a place for fun and entertainment and a bad weather ‘refuge’ for locals and visitors.

Performing Arts

Bucharest has numerous drama theatres and concert venues. Tickets can be purchased on-line or at the venue's box office.

National Opera & Ballet Opera Nationala Romana Address: Blvd. Mihail Kogalniceanu 70 - 72 Tel: (+4) 021 313.18.57 Box office hours: Mon. - Sun.: 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. - 7 p.m. The city's artistic life stood up to its Parisian nickname in the 1930s and today, is as vibrant as ever. The Opera House, completed in 1953, is worth visiting, not only for its brilliant performances but also for the lavish interior design. The world-renowned Romanian Opera performs in Romanian as well as Italian and German. You will be able to enjoy the classic repertoire - Puccini, Verdi, Rossini, Mozart -, innovative staging, lavish costumes, seasoned performers and choreographers. The Romanian National Ballet also performs in this theatre. Performances are held Wednesday through Sunday evenings, except during July and August.

National Operetta Theatre Teatrul National de Opereta 'Ioan Dacian' Address: Bd. Nicoale Balcescu 2 Tel: (+4) 021 313.63.48 Comic plots, extravagant staging, lavish costumes, high caliber singers and orchestra are all part of the charm of the light, frothy performances at the Ion Dacian Operetta.

George Enescu Philharmonic at Romanian Athenaeum Filarmonica George Enescu Address: Str. Benjamin Franklin 1    Tel: (+4) 021 315.00.26 or 315.25.67 The Romanian Athenaeum is the main venue of the biennial classical music festival "George Enescu" Festivalul de Muzica Clasica "George Enescu" Famous artists and conductors have performed here throughout the years. Among them: Erich Kleiber, Sergiu Celibidache, Ionel Perlea, Herbert von Karajan, Dinu Lipatti, Arthur Rubinstein, Pablo Casals and Yehudi Menuhin.

National Radio Orchestra and National Chamber Orchestra Orchestra Națională Radio Address: Str. General Berthelot 60-64 (Sala Radio) Tel: (+4) 021 303.12.11 or (+4) 303.14.28 The National Radio Orchestra, one of the best in the country, offers classical chamber music performances at Studioul de concerte „Mihail Jora” (941-seats ), known for its excellent acoustics.

Theatre performances are popular in Romania; tickets for most shows, offered by Bucharest's 16 major theatres, sell-out within hours.   Most theatre productions are performed in Romanian. Hoever, performances in French, German or English are oftern offered by small theatres.   Theatre season begins in September and ends in July. Some small student and underground theatres do remain open during summer.

Bucharest National Theatre Teatrul National Bucuresti Address: Blvd Nicolae Balcescu 2 Tel: (+4) 021 314.71.71 Three auditoriums offer a broad selection of both classical and contemporary Romanian and intyernational playwrights. The theatre's Great Hall (Sala Mare) , hosts the grand productions, while the Amphitheatre (Sala Amfiteatru) shows smaller productions and TV shows, and the Studio Hall (Sala Atelier) gets a mix of lower-key shows and presentations.

State Jewish Theatre Teatrul Evreiesc de Stat Address: Str. Dr. Iuliu Barasch 15 Tel: (+4) 021 323.39.70 Bucharest Jewish Theatre offers performances in Yiddish, Hebrew and Romanian (translation into Yiddish and Hebrew available).

Bucharest Circus Circul Globus Bucuresti Address: Aleea Circului 1 Tel: (+4) 021 210.24.19 Built in 1960, the enormous, permanent big-top circus is the centerpiece of the small park called Circus Park. With seating for more than 3,500 spectators, Bucharest's circus continues to host excellent performances, put on by both local and touring circus companies.

Bucharest Parks & Gardens

Cismigiu Garden Gradina Cismigiu Address: Blvd. Regina Elisabeta (across from Bucharest City Hall) Designed in 1845 by the German landscape architect Carl Meyer, the garden opened to the public in 1860. The name, Cismigiu, comes from the Turkish cismea , meaning "public fountain." More than 30,000 trees and plants were brought from the Romanian mountains, while exotic plants were imported from the botanical gardens in Vienna. Cismigiu is Bucharest's oldest park and a great place to stroll and enjoy a break from the hectic city. Set amid green lush lawns and winding paths, the park offers a lake with rowboat rentals, a beer garden, a playground for children, a chess area for amateurs and plenty of park benches for relaxing and people-watching.

Gradina Botanica - „Dimitrie Brandza" Opened in 1891, this 45-acres garden features over 10,000 species of plants from Romania and around the world. The garden is also home to the Botanical Garden Museum, housed in a beautiful "Brancovenesc" - Style building. Visitors can peruse manuscripts, old botanical research devices and a collection of artifacts made of vegetal materials. The huge greenhouses (44,000 square-feet) are open to visitors: Tue, Thu and Fri.;   10 a.m. -- 3 p.m. Sat and Sun:   9 a.m. -- 1 p.m. Address: Sos. Cotroceni 32 (across from Cotroceni Palace) Tel: (+4) 021 410.91.39 Open-Air spaces Hours: March 16 -- October 15, daily 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. October 16 -- March 15, daily 9 a.m. -- 3:30 p.m. Admission charge

Carol I Park Parcul Carol I Carol I Park is one of the most beautiful in the city of Bucharest. Designed by French landscape architect Eduard Redont in 1900s, the park is a great place for walks down tree-lined paths. In summertime, the aphiteatre "Arenele Romane" is a stage for open-air concerts. A massive monument dedicated to the unknown Soldier offers good views of the central area of Bucharest and plenty of photo opportunities. Address: Piata Libertatii

Parcul Regele Mihai I (Herăstrău) Address: Sos. Kiseleff 32 Spreading on 465 acres, from Arch of Triumph to Baneasa Bridge, Herastrau surrounds a 185-acres lake. Bucharest's largest park is home to numerous attractions and offers numerous activities on or around the lake. For an overview of the park, take a boat ride around the lake or rent your own row-boat or water-bike. Herastrau park is also home to the Village Museum, a delightful display of traditional rural architecture. The area surrounding the park is known for the beautiful mansions and displaying different architectural styles from 19th century neoclassical to 20th century art nouveau and modern luxury villas.

Bucharest Fountains Show Simfonia Apei Bucharest is home to the longest row of synchronized fountains in the world. 45 water fountains stretch 0.9 miles along Bulevardul Unirii and feature 180,000 square feet of colorful original mosaics. A display of water, music, and light is offered on weekend evenings, mid-May until mid-October. Admission: free Best place to see the show: Parcul Unirii Show starts at 9 p.m. in May and August, at 9:30 p.m. in June and July and at 8 p.m. in September and October. Start/ end dates for 2024 shows will be announced soon.

Hop-on, hop-off bus tours are operated daily - during the warm season (May through October) - on a fleet of double-decker buses. Travelers can get an introduction to Bucharest's fascinating architectural mix and get familiar with the city's central neighborhoods and places of interest, in less than one hour.

Bucharest - Hop On/ Off Sightseeing Bus Tours Facts

Bucharest hop on/ off sightseeing tour operate during the warm season 2024 Dates of operation: June 1 - October 31 (weather permitting) Hours of operation: 10 a.m. - 9:45 p.m.

Last departure from Piata Presei Libere to Piata Unirii at 9 p.m. Last departure from Piata Unirii to Piata Presei Libere at 9:25 p.m. Frequency: every 20 minutes Total length of the route: 9.5 miles Number of stops: 14 (see/print map)

24-Hour Ticket (card) : Adults: 25 lei (about $5.50) Children (up to 7 years old): free Youth (7 to 14 years old): 10 lei (about $2.25)

Note: Tickets can be purchased on board and at most hotels and are valid for 24 hours from the time of validation.

Sights and major attractions along the route include: Village Museum (Muzeul Satului) , Arch of Triumph (Arcul de Triumf), Natural History Museum (Muzeul Antipa) , Geology Museum (Muzeul de Geologie), Museum of the Romanian Peasant (Muzeul Taranului Roman), Headquarters of the Romanian Government (Palatul Victoria), The Romanian Athenaeum (Ateneul Roman), National Museum of Art (Muzeul National de Arta), Church Cretulescu (Biserica Cretulescu), The Savings Bank (Palatul CEC), National History Museum (Muzeul National de Istorie), Parliament's Palace (Palatul Parlamentului), Romanian Patriarchy (Patriarhia Romana), Manuc's Inn (Hanul lui Manuc), Bucharest University (Universitatea), City of Bucharest Museum (Muzeul Municipiului Bucuresti), The National Theatre (Teatrul National), Academy of Economic Studies (Academia de Studii Economice)

This section is courtesy of Ms. Rosemary K. Rennon

The following walks are designed to guide you around the four main areas of Bucharest, pointing out several unique sights. Stray from the routes as you wish, as you're sure to find other interesting places along the way that are not mentioned here. Allow approximately three hours for each walk.

Walk # 1 North of City Centre

This beautiful walk takes you through the quiet area n orth of the city center. Begin at Piata Victoriei with the government's Victoria Palace (Palatul Victoria) on its east side. Cross the square and walk north along tree-lined Soseaua Kiseleff. On your left are the Grigore Antipa Natural History Museum and the Museum of the Romanian Peasant; a little farther up on the right is the National Geological Museum.

After passing through Kiseleff Park, stroll northward along the grand old mansions that line the shaded avenue all the way up to the Arch of Triumph (Arcul de Triumf) . There begins Herestrau Park with its lake, gardens and outdoor restaurants. You will also pass the entrance to the wonderful open-air Muzeul Satului (Village Museum); take time to stop in and admire the numerous traditional rural architectural styles.

Ending at the north end of the park, off Piata Presei Libere you'll find the RomExpo exhibit center and the World Trade Center Plaza at Pullman (former Sofitel) Hotel. There's a fancy shopping arcade inside and a very nice coffee shop in the hotel where you can get a bite to eat. Catch bus # 335 back to Piata Charles de Gaulle for the Aviatorilor subway station (Metrou) or bus #331 to Piata Romana.

Walk # 2 West – Central Bucharest

This walk follows the route of Bucharest's most famous historic avenue, Calea Victoriei , Beginning at Piata Victoriei , walk south along Calea Victoriei passing Casa Vernescu , the George Enescu Museum, housed in the beautiful Cantacuzino Palace, and the Art Collections Museum.

Two blocks south of Bulevardul Dacia , detour left onto Strada Piata Amzei where you'll come upon the colorful open-air produce market (Piata Amzei). Return to Calea Victoriei and turn left to resume the walk south, stopping in the shops along the way.

Upon reaching Piata Revolutiei you will find the Athenee Palace Hilton hotel, the Romanian Athenaeum (Atheneul Roman) concert house (ask for an inside tour), the National Art Museum, housed in the former Royal Palace, the beautiful University Library, the former Communist Party Central Committee building, and finally, the Kretulescu Church built in 1725.

Continuing south on Calea Victoriei , you'll pass more shops and hotels; note the Odeon Theater, sitting back from the street on the left. On the right you'll come to The Military Club which has an outdoor café and an art gallery.

Turn west (right) at the corner onto Bulevardul Regina Elisabeta and follow it to Cismigiu Garden, the last stop on this walk. Stroll around the lake or just relax watching the rowboats. The boathouse café offers snacks and refreshments.

Walk # 3 East – Central Bucharest

This walk takes you along Bucharest's busiest commercial and shopping area. The boulevard changes names five times, but here you will cover the length of only three of its five sections: General Magheru , Nicolae Balcescu and I.C. Bratianu.

Starting from Piata Romana , you might first walk east on Bulevardul Dacia for a look at some of the embassy mansions; then return to Piata Romana.

Next, head south on Bulevardul General Magheru . The street is filled with clothing stores, sidewalk vendors, pastry shops, cinemas, stationary stores (papeterie), and crystal shops.

On the east side of the Bulevardul Balcescu section you will find the Libraria Noi bookstore which has a good selection of American picture books and English novels. There are several art galleries along here, including two in the National Theater which is next to the high-rise Intercontinental Hotel. Behind the hotel are the American Consulate and the American Library. Reaching Piata Universitatii , on the west side of the street you will see Bucharest University and the sidewalk book and flower vendors; sit a moment at the fountain in the adjoining plaza and watch the activity. The underground subway ( Metrou ) concourse has shops, newsstands with American magazines, and several fast food eateries, including a pastry shop and pizzeria. This underground passage is the easiest place to cross the boulevards, rather than deal with street traffic. South of Piata Universitatii the street name changes to Bulevardul I.C. Bratianu . On your right is the Bucharest History & Art Museum, housed in the neoclassical Sutu Palace, built in 1835.

Farther down, across the boulevard will be Sfantul Gheorghe cel Nou Church, built in 1701. The eastern end of Strada Lipscani meets the boulevard on the west side.

Continuing south, you will end this walk at Piata Unirii where you will find department stores, a large grassy square with park benches to rest on and its enormous complex of fountains. Piata Unirii's two subway ( Metrou ) lines link with all other subway stops.

Walk # 4 South Bucharest

This route weaves through a tangle of colorful side streets in Bucharest's old historic district. Be extra alert here, as you will do some backtracking. Begin at the crossroads of Calea Victoriei and Bulevardul Regina Elisabeta . Walk south on Calea Victoriei , along the east side of the street. Duck into Pasajul Villa Cross (also called Pasajul Bijuteria ), a golden skylit arcade of boutiques. Follow its U-shape back to Calea Victoriei and walk south a block, to the beginning of Strada Lipscani.

Stroll Strada Lipscani to see the vendors and shops, then return to Calea Victoriei.

Heading south again on Calea Victoriei , next turn left onto Strada Stavropoleos to arrive at Caru cu Bere restaurant. If you can't stop in for a beer or snack, at least peek inside to see its magnificent interior. Farther down the street is the tiny Biserica Stavropoleos (church), built in 1724. Here you can either cut south via Strada Postei to Strada Iuliu Maniu , or return to Calea Victoriei and go south, past the National History Museum to reach Strada Iuliu Maniu . Following Strada Iuliu Maniu east, you will come to the remains of the Curtea Veche (Old Princely Court) of the real Prince Dracula and his Princely Church, the oldest in Bucharest.

Just across the road is the former caravansary Hanul lui Manuc , now a restaurant and inn (currently closed for renovations). Go inside the courtyard for a look at its timbered design, or stop there for some food and drink.

From this point, take the narrow side street south to exit the neighborhood at the Dambovita River.

Across the river you will see the 120-year-old Palace of Justice. Cross the boulevard to reach the broad, green Piata Unirii . Here you can rest while watching the fountains and the people.

From the south end you can see Nicolae Ceausescu's huge "House of the People", now Parliament Palace. When rested, head west along Bulevardul Unirii toward the Parliament Palace; this area is the Civic Center. When you reach the building, turn right, and walk north, back to the river.

Cross the Dambovita again at the Izvor Bridge. Walk in a block to Bulevardul Regina Elizabeta , then turn right and you'll wind up across the street from Cismigiu Garden.

To end this walk continue east on Bulevardul Elisabeta to Calea Victoriei ; or go a little farther toward Piata Universitatii and its subway ( Metrou ) station.

Bucharest free things to do

Attractions Near Bucharest

Therme Bucharest - thermal water baths Complexul Therme - Bucuresti Location: village Balotesti Address:   Calea Bucureşti 1K (15 miles north of Bucharest city-centre, 3 miles north of Bucharest International Airport)

How to reach Therme Bucharest : Therme is located a short drive north of Bucharest city-centre and is easily accessible with public transportation:

Bus to Therme: Bus #100, from city-centre to Baneasa Airport, Otopeni townhall or Henri Coanda International Airport connect with Bus #442 to Therme (Bus # 100 stops: Piata Unirii -- Universitate -- Piata Romana -- Piata Victoriei -- Piata Presei -- Aeroport Baneasa -- Primaria Otopeni -- Aeroport Henri Coanda ) Stops in bold are shared by bus (lines) #100 and #442. Travel time: approx. 45-minutes, normal traffic conditions. Bucharest public transportation schedules .

Train and connecting Bus to Therme: Train from Bucharest Main Train Terminal Gara de Nord to Henri Coanda International Airport connect with Bus #442 to Therme

Thermen Bucharest features Romania’s most extensive sauna complex, Europe’s biggest urban beach and the largest greenhouse in Romania - over 800,000 plants, more than 1,500 palm trees, countless orchids and many other unique species including a Tree of Life (Ficus Religiosa).

Therme Bucharest sections : ~ Galaxy, amenities for children & family fun, (16 waterslides, indoor and outdoor pools and a beach for children; saunas, whirlpool baths, hydromassage beds, infrared armchairs and a swim-up bar for parents). ~ Palm, (adult-only) aimed for relaxation (beach, three mineral pools, sauna rain forest, "Humboldt" fusion restaurant, lounge); ~ Elysium, focus on spa and wellbeing treatments (treatment rooms, saunas, steam rooms, pools, lounge, Mango Tree restaurant).

Mogosoaia Palace & Brancovenesc Museum Palatul Mogosoaia & Muzeul Brancovenesc Where: 9 miles NW of Bucharest Address: Str. Valea Parcului 1 Access: Public transportation From Bucharest train terminal: subway M4 to Parc Bazilescu then metro-area bus 460 to Mogosoaia, From downtown Bucharest: bus # 331 to Damaroaia then metro-area bus 460 to Mogosoaia, car, taxi Tel: (+4) 0786 705.985 Hours: Tue. - Sun.: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. (May 1 - October 31) Tue. - Sun.: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. (November 1 - April 30) Admission charge Located in the village of the same name on the shore of Mogosoaia Lake, this palace reflects the Brancovenesc architectural style, featuring traditional Romanian staircase balconies, arcades and columns. Built by the Walachian prince Constantin Brancoveanu between 1698 and 1702 as a summer residence, the palace features a beautiful Venetian-style loggia on the facade facing the lake and a balcony with intricate Brancovenesc-style carvings overlooking the main courtyard. Today, the palace houses the Brancovenesc Museum with exhibits of valuable paintings, wood and stone sculptures, gold and silver embroideries, rare books and precious manuscripts. Inside the complex, there is also a church built in 1688 and decorated by a team of Greek artists. The original interior murals have been well-preserved, including a painting showing Constantin Brancoveanu with his wife, Maria, and their four sons and seven daughters, all wearing royal dress.

Manastirea Snagov Where: 25 miles north of Bucharest Map / Location Access: car or bus Snagov Monastery more info In 1458 - more than one hundred years after Snagov church was built prince Vlad Tepes (Vlad the Impaler / Dracula) added thick defending walls and a dungeon. A plaque on the floor inside the church marks the grave with the presumed remains of the world-known count. The monastery is located on an island on lake Snagov, and can be accessed on a pedestrian bridge.

Day Trips from Bucharest

Bucharest is a good starting point to explore southern Transylvania, Dealu Mare wine region, the Black Sea coast or the city of Ruse in Bulgaria. Away from the buzz of the city, you will find a different side of Romania - life in the countryside moves more slowly, the air is crisp and hospitality natural.

Day trip to Peles and Bran castles and Brasov Duration: 11 hours Distance traveled: 265 miles Itinerary: Bucharest — Sinaia — Bran — Brașov — Bucharest Highlights: Peleș Castle - Sinaia, Bran (Dracula's) Castle - Bran, Brașov Old Town More information and reservations

Here are some Bucharest day-trips ideas:

Where: Town of Sinaia, 87 miles north of Bucharest Access: car, bus, train Peles Castle info

Where: Village of Bran, 120 miles north of Bucharest Access: car, train or bus to Predeal or to Brasov Taxi from Predeal to Bran Bus or taxi from Brasov to Bran Dracula Castle info

Where: northwest of Bucharest Distance: Bucharest - Targoviste: 52 miles, Targoviste - Gaesti - Curtea de Arges - Poenari: 89 miles Poenari - Bucharest: 112 miles. Access: car In Targoviste, tour the 14th century Princely Court (Curtea Domneasca) residence of voivode Vlad the Impaler - Draculea and the Watchtower (Turnul Chindiei) . Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday. From Targoviste, continue to town of Curtea de Arges. In Curtea de Arges, visit the 14th-century Princely Court and the 800 years old Princely Church. Curtea de Arges was founded in the late 1200s by Prince Radu Negru (Negru Voda). From 1369 until 1431, Curtea de Arges was the capital of Wallachia (southern Romania). A stunning architectural gem of the town is the 16th century, Byzantine style, with Moorish arabesques, Curtea de Arges Monastery (Manastirea Curtea de Arges) . All Romania's kings and queens rest in the monastery.

Fifteen miles north of Curtea de Arges lay the ruins of Poenari Fortress, the authentic stronghold of voivode Vlad Tepes (Vlad the Impaler) or Vlad Dracul . The walls and towers of the fortress, located near village Arefu, still stand. Access to fortress, perched on a cliff - high above the surrounding area, requires climbing of a 1,462-step stairway.

Where: 120 miles northwest of Bucharest Access: car, bus Fifty miles west of Curtea de Arges stands Hurezi Monastery , the largest monastic settlement in Walachia, founded in 1690 by Prince Constantine Brancoveanu. A masterpiece of Brancovenesc architectural style and a UNESCO World Heritage site, Hurezi is renowned for the richness of its sculptural detail, the treatment of its religious compositions and its painted decorative works.   Monastery Hurezi is home to precious collections of frescoes and icons dating from the end of the 17th century and the beginning of the 18th century. The nearby village of Horezu is one of the biggest pottery centres in Romania. More than a century ago, local nuns taught the villagers how to make hand-paint their pottery and, ever since, people have come from far and wide to see and purchase on Horezu ceramic.

Town of Targu Jiu Where: 190 miles west of Bucharest Access: car, bus, train A visit to Targu Jiu is must for all art lovers, especially those interested in modern sculpture. This former market town is closely associated with Constantin Brancusi, considered by many to be the father of modern sculpture. While most of his works are on display in prestigious museums throughout the world, his trilogy of public sculptures: The Table of Silence (Masa Tacerii) , The Gate of the Kiss (Poarta Sarutului) and The Endless Column (Coloana Infinitului) can be admired at the Constantin Brancusi sculptural complex in downtown Targu Jiu. Nearby in Hobita , the birthplace of Constantin Brancusi, you can visit the house in which the sculptor spent his childhood; it now houses a small museum dedicated to the master. The house preserves the original architecture and accessories (the bed, the cellar and the well). The village is also home to the national sculpture camp "Brancusiana". Targu Jiu more info

City of Ruse in Bulgaria Where: 48 miles south of Bucharest Access: car, bus, train Ruse (Russe) is located on the right bank of Danube river, a natural border between Romania and Bulgaria. The city features fine examples of 19 th and 20 th -century Neo-Baroque and Neo-Rococo architecture. Ruse-Giurgiu Friendship Bridge connects Ruse with town of Giurgiu in Romania. Ruse landmarks of note include: "Sava Ognianov" theatre, "Aleksandrovska" street, The "Old High School of Music", Holy Trinity Cathedral, Andrea Turio Mansion, Russe Historical Museum. Ruse (Bulgaria) more info

Bucharest is one of the few cities in east-central Europe offering gambling opportunities.   Guests can play blackjack, poker, craps, roulette, baccarat and other games of chance and listen to live music. Bucharest casinos, open 24-hours, include:

Palace Casino Casa Vernescu Address: Calea Victoriei 133 Tel: (+4) 021 311.97.44 PalaceCasino.eu

Grand Casino J.W. Marriott Grand Hotel Address: Calea 13 Septembrie 90 Tel: (+4) 021 403.08.01 GrandCasinoBucharest.ro

Platinum Casino Address: Calea Victoriei 63 - 81 Tel: (+4) 031 710.22.34 ThePlatinumCasino.ro

CITY ESSENTIALS

Bucharest transportation.

Bucharest's public transportat network includes: 102 bus lines ( autobuz ),   22 tram lines ( tramvai ),   14 trolleybus lines ( troilebuz )   and   six subway ( metrou ). Buses, trams and trolley buses operate - with slight variations - between 4:30 a.m. and 11:50 p.m. The subway operates - from 5 a.m. until 11 p.m. 24 bus lines ( Linii de Noapte ) serve the needs of locals and visitors that need public transport during the nighttime.

Bucharest public transport fare can be paid on-board with a contactless debit or credit card. or with a public transport card that can be purchased at kiosks located next to most bus/ tram stops: ~ (Non-reloadable, transmissible) Prepaid cards ( Card Multiplu ) are issued for free and can be used for two to 30 trips or for day, 3-days and 7-days pass. ~ (Reloadable, transmissible) Prepaid cards ( Card Activ ) cost 3.7 lei and can be reloaded at any STB kiosk on on-line . ~ Reloadable, non-transmissible Activ cards are issued for free (4.7 lei fee for reissuing).

Bucharest Public Transport Tourist Card (" Card Călătorie Turist ") is available to visitors and residents. This 'combo ticket' offers unlimited rides for: ~ train from Bucharest International Airport to Gara de Nord Train Terminal ~ all urban, above-ground, transport: bus, tram and trolleybus ~ Bucharest Metro (subway) Cost of Bucharest Public Transport Tourist Card: 20 lei (approx. $4.45) / 24-hours card   and 40 lei (approx. $8.70) / 72-hours card.

Tickets/cards must validated upon boarding. Travelers may be asked to show the validated ticket/card during the trip. Passengers that cannot show a validated ticket must pay a surcharge ( Suprataxa ).

Bucharest Public Transport (STB) Routes Map Bucharest public transportation Schedules Bucharest Public Transport Route Planner .

Bucharest above-ground local transportation (bus / tram / trolley bus) fares:

Above-ground & Subway 'combo' fares: (bus / tram / trolley bus and subway) fares:

Express Buss 100 (formerly 783) connects Bucharest International Airport with downtown Bucharest (bus 100 operates 24 hours a day). Two or 10-journey tickets, as well as monthly passes, are available for all express buses. There is direct train service from the city's main train terminal (Gara de Nord) to Bucharest international airport. Express buss 442 connects the northern part of the city ( Piata Presei / Exhibitions Centre RomExpo with Bucharest International Airport and Therme Bucharest - thermal baths/ aqua park.

Bucharest Subway (Metrou) operates from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.

There are five subway lines (Metrou) in operation: M1, M2, M3, M4 and M5. Subway stations are indicated with the letter "M" (blue, on a white board).

Click here to get a print version of Bucharest Metro map. The final destination is indicated on the front of the train.   Each stop is announced as the train nears the station. Trains arrive every four to seven minutes during peak times and every 15-20 minutes off-peak times. The average distance between subway stops is about one mile.

Henri Coanda International Airport / Otopeni (OTP) Aeroportul International Henri Coanda Address: Calea Bucurestilor 224 Tel: (+4) 021 204.12.00 Distance from Bucharest airport to downtown: 18 km (11 miles).

Most international flights arrive at Henri Coanda ( Otopeni ) Airport. Airport facilities include ATM, currency exchange office, Self-Service Taxi Kioskk and cell phone rentals. All major car rental companies have offices located in the airport.

Domestic Flights:

There are scheduled domestic flights from/to Bucharest to/from Cluj-Napoca (CLJ), Iasi (IAS), Oradea (OMR), Satu Mare (SUJ), Sibiu (SBZ), Suceava (SCV), Timisoara (TSR) Domestic flights depart from/ arrive to Henri Coanda Airport.

Airlines offering domestic flights from Bucharest to major cities in Romania include: Tarom (flights to all destinations above) Air Connect   (flights to Baia Mare, Sibiu, Suceava, Targu Mures)

Transportation Bucharest Airport to Bucharest city centre:

Several Taxi companies operate in Bucharest, and their rates vary. Taxis can be called by using the touch screen taxi dispatch ( Dispecerat Automatizat Taxi ) located in the arrivals terminal, next to the Taxi Desk ( Taxi la Comanda ). There is no flat-rate taxi fare from the airport to Bucharest downtown however, all licensed taxis are metered.

Rate / km: 2.59 lei to 4.50 lei ($0.60 -- $0.95). There is no extra-charge for luggage. The average fare from the airport to downton Bucharest is about 80 Lei (equivalent of $18.00). Accepting rides from drivers who might approach you inside or in front of the terminal is not good idea; the risk of being overcharged is significant. If you will run into a problem with any taxi in Bucharest – or if you are suspecting that you have encountered a dishonest driver - ask for a receipt and if possible write down the vehicle's license plate #. For information on how to file a Bucharest Taxi complaint please check RomaniaTourism Travel Advisory section.

Bucharest airport Shuttle service:

Shuttle Direct www.ShuttleDirect.com

Shuttle Bucharest www.ShuttleBucharest.com

Express Bus 100 (formerly 783) takes travelers from the airport to the city centre, with stops at Otopeni towhhall -- Baneasa Airport -- Piata Presei Libere -- Piata Victoriei -- Piata Romana -- Piata 21 Decembrie and Piata Unirii . Route Bucharest city centre -- Bucharest International Airport: Piaţa Unirii -- Universitate -- Piaţa Romană -- Piaţa Victoriei -- Piaţa Presei -- Aeroport Băneasa -- Otopeni townhall/ Primăria Otopeni -- Airport (Departures) -- Airport (Arrivals) . Bus 100 departs from the Arrivals terminal every 15 minutes during day-time (every 30 minutes from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.). The journey to Bucharest downtown takes approximately 40 minutes. Bus 442 that connects the northern part of Bucharest ( Piata Presei Libere ) with Therme thermal baths complex stops at Bucharest International Airport.

Note: Fares can be paid by (contactless) debit or credit card (MasterCard or Visa), just tap your card on the card reader or by Bucharest Public Transport Card ( "Activ Card" ). Public Transportat cards are available from at the 'STB' ticket booth located in the arrivals terminal or next to the bus stop. One 'Activ Card' costs 3.70 Lei (about $0.85). To ride the bus you will also need to add the cost of the trip(s) to your card (add 7 Lei for two trips from / to the airport or 3.50 Lei for one trip). Your Activ Card must be validated as you board the bus.

Transportation from Henri Coanda International Airport to Bucharest main train terminal ( Gara de Nord ):

Train: Henri Coanda Express Train to Bucharest main train terminal (Gara de Nord) The journey from the airport ( Aeroport Henti Coanda stop to Bucharest main train terminal Bucuresti Nord takes about 22 minutes. One-way ticket costs 5 Lei ($1.25) for Adults 3 Lei ($0.75) for Childrens (up to 10 y.o.). Tickets can be purchased at the CFR kiosk International Arrivals Terminal. Train Schedules and Reservations For departure please type Aeroport Henri Coandă . Visitors who prefer to travel by bus, from the airport to Bucharest Train Terminal ( Gara de Nord ) need to take bus 100 or bus 442 to Piata Presei then bus 105 to the train terminal.

Baneasa Airport Aeroportul Baneasa Address: Sos. Bucuresti-Ploiesti 40 Tel: (+4) 021 232.00.20 Baneasa Airport, located five miles north of Bucharest downtown, is mostly used for private planes and budget airlines.

Public transportation between Baneasa airport and city centre: Bus #131 and #100 to downtown Bucharest Bus #205 to Piata Presei Libere then bus 105 to the main train terminal ( Gara de Nord ) Taxi - $12.00 (average fare to downtown)

Baneasa airport (5 miles N of Bucharest city-centre) is the world's fourth oldest, still in operation; its arrivals/ departures terminal is the first, in the world, to be built in the shape of an airplane propeller. First take-offs and landings Baneasa airfield has witnessed were those performed by aviation pioneers Louis Bleriot (1909) and Aurel Vlaicu (1910). Baneasa became an aerodrome in 1912 and an airport in 1919.

Highway 1 connects Bucharest with the town of Bascov/ Pitesti (the beginning of TransFagarasan scenic road over the Carpathian mountains. A highway that connects Pitesti to Sibiu in scheduled to open in 2026. Highway 3 (A3) links Bucharest with Constanta and the Black Sea Coast.

Bucharest Parking

Mismanagement of parking spaces in some of city's districts ( sector ) is obvious.   There are very few parking garages and not many parking lots (attended or unattended) and insufficient street parking, especially in the city-centre.  Parking on side-walk or where parking is prohibited is, unfortunately, quite common in Bucharest. Most available public parking in Bucharest is street parking (parallel); rate / hour is 5 lei ($1.10) / hour.   Paid street parking sports are marked with blue strips.   Street parking fee must be paid immediately after parking spot was taken (sms, app or parking pay-machine, if available). Most parking spaces in residential areas are reserved for residents and delimited with white strips. A sign Parcare Resedinta is usually posted in the area.   If you will need to park your car, for a short time, on a spot reserved for a resident do leave your phone # on the dashboard. Bucharest Parking apps include Parkopedia, ParkingBucuresti.ro and AmParcat. Public transport, taxi or limo service are good alternative to driving a car in the city.

Bucuresti North - main train terminal Gara de Nord Address: Blvd. Garii de Nord 2 Tel: 021 95.21 Bucharest's main train terminal, Gara de Nord , is located 1.8 miles northwest of Bucharest city-centre.

International trains to/from Bucharest There are daily or seasonal direct trains from/to Thessaloniki (greece), Budapest (Hungary), Istanbul (Turkey), Sofia (Bulgaria) and Vienna (Austria).   To check international trains schedule to/ from Bucharest please visit: RomaniaTourism International Transportation section.

To check schedules and fares for domestic trains please check RomaniaTourism Domestic Transportation section.

SNCFR Train Ticket Offices:

Agentia de Voiaj SNCFR - Griviţa Address: Calea Griviţei, 139 Telephone: (+4) 021 313.26.42 Open: Mon. - Fri.: 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Agentia de Voiaj SNCFR - Unirii Address: Piata Naţiunilor Unite – Postal Office #5 Telephone: (+4) 0752 504.262 Open: Mon. - Fri.: 8 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Agentia de Voiaj SNCFR – Berceni Address: Bd. Obregia 25 B, - Posta Office # 82) Telephone: (+4) 021 460.03.30 Open: Mon. - Fri.: 8 a.m. -- 7 p.m. Sat.: 9 a.m. -- 1 p.m.

Agentia de Voiaj SNCFR – Titan Mall Address: Str. Liviu Rebreanu 6A Telephone: (+4) 021 460.03.30 Open: Mon. - Sat: 9 a.m. -- 9 p.m. Sun.: 9 a.m. -- 6 p.m.

Agentia de Voiaj SNCFR – Militari Address: Bd. Iuliu Maniu 88 - 92, Postal Office # 16) Telephone: (+4) 0725 504.263 Open: Mon. - Fri.: 8 a.m. -- 7 p.m. Sat.: 9 a.m. -- 1 p.m.

The SNCFR ticket offices offer train schedules information and ce tickets for future travel. Tickets for same-day travel can only be purchased at the train station.

International Bus Companies serving Bucharest:

Atlassib Tel: (+4) 021 222.47.35 Destinations: Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Sweden Departures from: Soseaua Alexandriei 164

Autotrans Calatori Filaret Tel: (+4) 021 335.95.83 Destinations: Bulgaria Departures from: Piata Garii Filaret 1

DoubleT Tel: (+4) 021 313.36.42 Destinations: Austria, Germany, Switzerland Departures from: Calea Victoriei 2

Eurolines Touring Tel: (+4) 021 210.08.90 Destinations: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxemburg Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland Departures from: Str. Buzesti 44

Flix Bus Destinations: All major cities in Europe Departures from: Strada Valea Cascadelor 1,   Calea Griviței 193B,  Șoseaua Orhideelor 49,  Strada Doctor Constantin Istrati 1   and Bucharest International Airport.

Bucharest Taxis can be summoned by telephone, on-line or hailed on the street. Initial fee and rate per km are posted on driver's and passenger's doors. Bucharest Taxi fares (average minimum): Initial Fee: 2.59 Lei ($0.55) - higher for luxury cars plus 2.59 Lei / km ($0.90 / mile) - higher for luxury cars. Wait time: 25.9 lei / hour ($5.70) While some taxi companies charge same rate (day or night) other apply a 'night surcharge' (10 p.m. -- 6 a.m.). Some taxi companies, especially those that are providing luxury cars or larger sedans, may charge up to five times the fares indicated above. Before boarding a taxi, please do check the fares posted on passenger door and confirm with the driver the approximate cost of the ride.

Accepting rides from drivers who might approach you at the airport, train station or in the street is not a good idea; the risk of being overcharged is significant. If you will run into a problem with any taxi in Bucharest – or if you are suspecting that you have met a dishonest driver - ask for a receipt and if possible try to write down the vehicle's license plate #. To file a Bucharest Taxi complaint please call: Bucharest Police Department - Transportation Bureau:   021 201 3242 and/or Bucharest City Hall:   021 9844 and/or Consumer Protection Authority:   021 9551.

All major international and local car rental companies are represented in Romania's capital city. Contact us if you need a list of all car rental companies in Bucharest.

Bucharest bicycle rental centers include: Teo Bikes,   www.teo-bikes.ro Zebra Bike,   www.zebra-bike.ro Bate Saua,   www.facebook.com/BateSaua.Rentals IVelo, (22 self-service points in Bucharest)    www.ivelo.ro.

Bucharest Shopping

Since the early 1990s, brand names and high-end stores have opened shops in Romania. From high fashion boutiques to art galleries, shopping in Bucharest can fit any taste or budget. Stroll down Calea Victoriei or Blvd. Magheru to shop designer clothing or shoes or visit one of the many shopping malls, some located not far from Bucharest city centre and easily accessible by public transport.

Popular Romanian handicrafts include: embroidered clothing and linen, painted or beaded eggs, carpets, pottery, woodcarvings and icons. Wonderful hand-embroidered blouses and skirts (cotton, wool or flax fabric) or leather jackets, traditional rugs, tablecloths and lacework, icons painted on glass or on wood as well as many other gifts and souvenirs can be found at shop of the Romanian Peasant Museum, the Village Museum and at specialized shops called Artizanat .

Galeria 23 Address: Str. Lipscani 63 - 65 Tel: (+4) 0740.819.826

Galeria Galateca Address: Str. C. A. Rosetti 2-4 Tel: (+4) 0787 777.878

Galeria Win Address: Str. Ermil Pangratti 2A

Galeria Hanul Cu Tei Address: Str. Blanari 5-7 Tel: (+4) 021 313.01.81

Galeria Nemtoi Address: Calea Victoriei 126 Tel: (+4) 021 312.98.00

Galeria Noua Address: Str. Academiei 15 Tel: (+4) 021 322.81.59

Galeria Orizont Address: Blvd. Nicolae Balcescu 23 A Tel: (+4) 021 315.89.22

Galeria Simeza Address: Blvd. Magheru 20 Tel: (+4) 021 659.38.25

Galeria 2 / 3 Address: Str. Franceza 4 Tel: (+4) 0740 103.909

Mobius Address: Calea Dorobanti 202 Tel: (+4) 0726 152.156

Galateea Address: Calea Victoriei 132 Tel: (+4) 0745 355.941

Anaid Art Address: Str. Slobozia 34 Tel: (+4) 0744 496.175

Gaep Gallery Address: Str. Plantelor 50 Tel: (+4) 031 101.69.42

Galeria Nicodim Address: Str. Băiculeşti 29 Tel: (+4) 0 721 109.487

Bucharest has quite a few Shops that offer antique furniture, porcelain, decorative objects as well as rare books and maps. Most Bucharest Abtique shops are locates along Calea Victoriei and in the Old Town (Lipscani street area).

Thomas Antiques Str. Covaci 19 (Bucharest Old Town)

Amadeus Antiques Address: Str. Quinet 3 Tel: (+4) 021 315.10.83

Craii de Curtea Veche Address: Str. Covaci 14 Tel: (+4) 021 314.83.04

Da Vinci Address: Calea Victoriei 118 Tel: (+4) 021 210.40.94

Galeria de Arta Dorobanti Address: Str. Tudor Stefan 13 Tel: (+4) 021 231.49.53

Hanul cu Tei Address: Str. Lipscani 63 Tel: (+4) 021 315.56.63

Quasar Antiques Address: Calea Victoriei 63-81 Tel: (+4) 021 313.47.26

Libraria Carturesti Carusel Strada Lipscani 55 Tel: (+4) 0728 828.922 Website Books (quite a few in English), tea and coffe, CDs, DVDs and Vinyl Records.

Antic ExLibris Strada Doamnei 23 - 25 Tel: (+4) 021 315.30.59

Humanitas Cismigiu Bd. Regina Elisabeta 38 Tel: (+4) 021 311.40.01

Librarium - Books and Souvenirs Sun Plaza Mall Calea Vacaresti 391 Tel: (+4) 0754 096.244

Kyralina French Bookstore Strada Biserica Amzei 10 Tel: (+4) 021 367.28.67

Romanian music/ music recordings as well as musical instruments can be found at:

Magazinul Muzica Address: Calea Victoriei 41- 43 Tel: (+4) 0733 108.275

Music Box Address: Calea Floreasca 242, Vila O Tel: (+4) 0722 626.888

Music Shop Address: Strada Ion Câmpineanu Tel: (+4) 0752 112.405

M C Music Address: Strada Ion Câmpineanu 5 Tel: (+4) 0722 633.308

Music Vinyl Address: Intrarea Camil Petrescu 1 Tel: (+4) 0720 507.080

Fresh produce and farmer markets are called Piata . Bucharest Piata s include:

Piata Amzei Address: Str. Christian Tell 6 Tel: (+4) 021 211.67.26 Centrally located outdoor market surrounded by butcheries, cheese, flower and medicinal plant shops.

Piata Dorobantilor Address: Blvd. Radu Beller 3 - 5 Tel: (+4) 021 231.92.99 Upscale neighborhood market with a good selection of fresh produce and flowers

Piata 1 Mai Address: Blvd. Ion Mihalache 123 Tel: (+4) 021 317.14.63

Piata Obor Address: Campul Mosilor 5 Tel: (+4) 021 252.69.54 Bucharest's largest outdoor food market and "Bazaar". This is the place to find everything from fresh cheese and eggs, fruits and vegetables, to flowers and household items.

Bucharest offers plenty of hotels and other types of accommodations. Info on historic, distinctive hotels are available at RomaniaTourism Distinctive Hotels section.

Tourist Info

Bucharest Tourist Information Office Address: Piata Universitatii underpass ( Pasajul Universitatii ) Telephone: (+4) 021 305.55.00 extension 1003 E-mail

Bucharest is safe and hospitable ; violent crime is almost non-existent. As in any large city visitors are advised to take usual safety precautions. Do not draw unnecessary attention to your person, money or jewelry and be aware of pickpockets and scam artists. Never accept taxi/ car rides, tours or guide services from strangers who approach you on the street, no matter how presentable or fluent in English.

Bucharest has a four-season climate. In the spring, the weather can quickly alternate between rain and sunshine. July and August are the hottest months. Autumns are usually long and not cold. Winters can be quite cold with moderate snowfall.

Post offices display a postal horn symbol and the word Posta .

Bucharest Main Post & Telephone Office Address: Str. Matei Millo 10 (off Calea Victoriei) Open: Mon. - Fri.: 7:30 a.m. - 8 p.m. Sat.: 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Telephoning Bucharest from Abroad International Access Code +4 (country code) + 021 or 031 (area code) + seven-digit telephone number

Pharmacies in Bucharest are well stocked and pharmacists are authorized to recommend medication for most (minor) ailments. There are several pharmacies (Farmacie) open 24 hours a day.

Bucharest Emergency Hospital "Floreasca" Spitalul de Urgenta Floreasca Address: Calea Floreasca 8 Tel: (+4) 021-599.23.00 or (+4) 021 317.01.71

Bucharest General emergency phone number : 112

Bucharest Archives Arhivele Nationale - Directia Municipiului Bucuresti Address: Calea Văcăreşti 470 Telephone: (+4) 021 332.07.71 Hours E-mail

Bucharest City Hall Primăria Capitalei Address: Bd. Regina Elisabeta 47 Telephone: (+4) 021 490.00.33 Website

Consumer Protection Agency Comisariatul pentru Protecţia Consumatorilor al Municipiului Bucureşti   (ANPC) Address: Sos. Vitan-Barzesti 11 B Telephone: (+4) 021 95.51 Website

Bucharest Festivals & Events

A compilation of Romania’s main events is available at RomaniaTourism Events section

Events that take place every year in Bucharest include:

• Easter Gifts - Arts & Crafts Fair (April)
• 'Next' International Film Festival (June)
• Bucucuresti International Film Festival (B-EST IFF)
• International Music Festival 'Jeunesses Musicales' (May)
• Bucharest International Jazz Festival (July)
• Bucharest International Music Festival 'EuropaFest' (May)
• Gay Pride Festival (June)
• Saga International Music Festival (June)
• Craftsmen's Fair at the Village Museum in Bucharest (May - July)
• B'ESTFEST top international dance, indie and world music acts (July)
• Bucharest Street Theatre Festival (July)
• International Festival of Radio Ensembles "RadiRo" (September)
• George Enescu Music Festival (September- biennial, every odd year)
• Autumn Fair at Bucharest's Village Museum (October)
• Romanian National Theatre Festival (October)
• St Nicholas Fair at Bucharest's Museum of The Romanian Peasant (December)
• Winter Gifts Arts & Crafts Fair - Museum of the Romanian Peasant (December)

Bucharest City Map -- Harta orasului Bucuresti Bucharest Subway Map -- Harta Metroului Bucuresti Bucharest Public Transportation map -- Harta Trasee Transport Public Bucuresti

• Cluj-Napoca
• Targu Mures

Home » Travel Guides » Romania » 25 Best Things to Do in Bucharest (Romania)

25 Best Things to Do in Bucharest (Romania)

A city of culture in a constant state of flux, Bucharest has been shaped by earthquakes, war and the whims of a dictator. And now in the middle of a construction boom there’s a new wave of snazzy glass facades and high-rise towers that multiply by the year.

But you can still find big patches of the early 20th-century city dubbed “Little Paris” for its Beaux-Arts-style palaces, municipal buildings and museums. Bucharest harbours surprises like sweet fresco-coated churches hiding in the shadow of communist apartment blocks. Some of these churches were lost in the 1980s when the city was reconfigured along the lines of a European Pyongyang, but many were saved by being moved in one piece to backstreets.

Let’s explore the best things to do in Bucharest :

1. Dimitrie Gusti National Village Museum

The whole west side of the Herăstrău Park is given over to a massive outdoor museum, which has more than 270 authentic historic buildings.

Made from stone, wood or cob (clay and straw), these have been carefully dismantled and put back together at this site and come from all corners of the country, from Banat in the West to Moldova in the east and Transylvania in the centre.

Each region has its own style, whether it’s the brightly painted walls from the Danube Delta to the ornately carved portals from Berbeşti in the centre of Romania.

The museum was established by the eminent sociologist Dimitrie Gusti in 1936 and its oldest houses date from the 18th century.

Each house also has a recorded explanation of its style and region, available in English.

Suggested tour : Traditions in Bucharest: Village Museum & Wine Tasting

2. Parliamentary Palace

A building of absurd magnitude, the Parliamentary Palace hosts Romania’s Parliament, but also perfectly encapsulates Nicolae Ceaușescu’s megalomania.

At 365,000 square metres, it’s the largest administrative building in the world, intended as a residence, and despite containing reception halls, museums and government offices and the parliament hall, is still almost three quarters empty.

The palace was raised at an enormous cost, in terms of money but also lives, as thousands of people are claimed to have died during its construction in the second half of the 1980s.

The palace was the focal point of Ceaușescu’s pompous redesign of Bucharest following an earthquake in 1977, and had eight subterranean levels, at the bottom of which was a nuclear bunker.

You have to go in to gauge the full, stupefying size of this building, paying a visit to the Museum of the Palace, Museum of Communist Totalitarianism and the National Museum of Contemporary Art.

3. Romanian Athenaeum

A performance venue extraordinaire, the Neoclassical Romanian Athenaeum is the home of the George Enescu Philharmonic Orchestra.

Wrapped in gardens, this magnificent structure was completed in 1888 and given a thorough restoration to save it from collapse in 1992. Under a grand dome embellished with gilded stuccowork, the circular concert hall seats more than 650 and has an epic fresco on its frieze that depicts the most pivotal events in Romanian history.

For an affordable night of Haydn, Bach or Mozart, book online and pick up tickets from the box office.

Be here in September for the George Enescu Festival, when there’s a busy programme of performances and one of Eastern Europe’s biggest classical events.

4. Lipscani (Old Town)

A hint of what Bucharest looked like before the Second World War, Lipscani was the place to do business in the city between the Middle Ages and the 1800s.

Some of the street names still recall the guilds that were once based along them: Blănari (Furriers’ Street) or Șelari (Saddlers’ Street). This small pocket was one of the only parts of Bucharest to be retrievable after the Second World War and has been reborn as a stylish pedestrian zone that has boutiques, restaurants and bars in restored buildings.

Look for Pasajul Macca-Vilacrosse on the west side, a fork-shaped shopping passage from 1891 lit by yellow stained glass in its roof.

Recommended tour : Bucharest Old Town 2.5-Hour Private Walking Tour

5. Romanian Peasant Museum

First opened in 1906, the history of this highly-regarded folk museum was interrupted in the 20th century by the Communist regime, but it reopened in 1990 no more than six weeks after Ceaușescu died.

In those intervening years it had been a museum to communism, and you can still view a small exhibition on collectivisation in the basement preserved for posterity.

The remainder is dedicated to the history and culture of the Romanian countryside, summing up 400 years and presenting a jaw-dropping diversity of costume, furniture, religious objects and ceramics.

There’s also an entire wooden house (The House in the House), brought here from Gorj County in the southwest of the country.

6. Herăstrău Park

The largest park in Bucharest borders the city to the north, and much of its area is taken up by the 74-hectare Herăstrău Lake.

On the Colentina River, this large body of water is partly man-made having been formed when riverside marshes were drained in the 1930s.

The lake has a six-kilometre perimeter path favoured by joggers in summer, and in this season you can rent a bike near the main entrance or take a boat trip from the jetty on the south shore.

On foot take a detour through the Insula Trandafirilor (Rose Island), down the lime tree avenues and into the Japanese Garden, planted with cherry trees that bloom in early spring.

7. Stavropoleos Church

Arguably the finest religious building in Bucharest, Stavropoleos Church has a gorgeous facade that has multifoil arches painted with arabesque foliate and tendril patterns and held up by beautiful capitals.

Above are painted medallions of saints, and there’s much more painting inside in the form of stone frescoes and a breathtaking iconostasis.

The church dates to the 1720s and its architecture is a perfect expression of Romania’s Brâncovenesc style, which blended Byzantine, Ottoman, Renaissance and Baroque elements.

Right next door is an early 20th century building housing religious art like icons and frescoes from the many churches that were pulled down during the communist regime after the Second World War.

8. National Museum of Art of Romania

After King Michael I abdicated following the Second World War, the Neoclassical Royal Palace on Revolution Square has been the headquarters of Romania’s National Museum of Art.

The collections were damaged during the revolution in 1989, but there’s still a feast for art lovers in galleries for European Art, Romanian Medieval Art and Modern Romanian Art.

The European section has many big names like Lucas Cranach the Elder, Jan van Eyck, El Greco, Tintoretto, Peter Paul Rubens, Monet and Sisley.

Also be sure to get acquainted with some Romanian artists like the Post-Impressionists Nicolae Tonitza and Ștefan Luchian, and the surrealist Victor Brauner.

9. Dealul Mitropoliei

South of Union Square is a small rise where Romania’s Orthodox religious institutions can be found in eye-catching buildings.

The Romanian Patriarchal Cathedral is one, and we’ll cover that next.

But this stands in an ensemble with the Palace of the Patriarchate, with its striking Ionic columns.

For 90 years from its completion in 1907 the palace was the seat of successive Romanian parliaments, from the Assembly of Deputies during the monarchy, through the Communist Great National Assembly to the Chamber of Deputies after the 1989 Revolution.

The hill is a sight to behold at Palm Sunday and Easter (Pascha), when it is packed with worshippers, a tradition that even continued under communist regime.

10. Romanian Patriarchal Cathedral

The destination for a pilgrimage on Palm Sunday, the Patriarchal Cathedral was founded by the Prince of Wallachia, Constantin Șerban in the 1650s.

The building has come through restorations in the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries, so not much of the original remains, while the current design is based on Curtea de Argeș Cathedral in the centre of the country.

The church also holds the relics of the 13th-century Saint Dimitrie Basarabov, the patron saint of Bucharest.

His remains were brought here from Bulgaria in 1774 and are kept in a silver reliquary with a glass panel on top.

11. Revolution Square

The setting for all sorts of Romanian institutions, Revolution Square got its name from the violent unrest in 1989 that deposed Nicolae Ceaușescu and overthrew the Socialist Republic of Romania.

An interesting building to ponder for a moment is the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

This was built as the Central Committee of the Romanian Communist Party, and in 1989 Ceaușescu and his wife Elena fled by helicopter from the roof before eventually being tried and executed on Christmas day of that year.

Another landmark event took place here twenty years earlier when Ceaușescu announced Romania’s policy of independence from the Kremlin after condemning the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia.

That speech marked the height of his popularity.

12. Palatul Primăverii (Spring Palace)

Not far from the Herăstrău Park in the plush Primăverii neighbourhood is a compelling slice of 20th-century Romanian history.

With tours available by booking a day in advance, the Palatul Primăverii was the gaudy residence for the notorious dictator Nicolae Ceaușescu.

This 80-room palace was built in the 1960s, and came with a winter garden, wine cellar, silk wallpaper, valuable art, expensive furniture, a large swimming pool, bathrooms with solid gold fittings and even a cinema.

Among the world leaders received here was Richard Nixon, who had tea with Ceaușescu at the palace in 1969.

13. Grigore Antipa Museum of Natural History

Named after the man who was in charge for more than 50 years at the start of the 20th century, this natural history museum was given a big update a few years back and reopened in 2011. Multimedia and interactive exhibits now go hand-in-hand with the classic dinosaur skeletons, taxidermies and dioramas, many of which were first set up by Antipa decades ago.

In the basement there’s a comprehensive exhibition on the biodiversity of Romania, while the ground floor deals with all the major ecosystems on the earth’s surface.

From there you can head off and indulge your curiosity in fields like mineralogy, entomology, marine biology and anthropology.

14. Cismigiu Gardens

The oldest recreation space in the centre of Bucharest, Cismigiu Gardens took shape in the middle of the 19th century and were laid out by German landscape architect Carl Meyer.

On what used to be a lakeside vineyard, he planted thousands of tree and plant species sourced from Vienna’s botanical gardens and Romania’s upland regions.

The lake itself can be navigated by rowboat in the summer, and if it freezes over in winter it’s possible to go skating on its surface.

The Rondul Român is a memorial garden, with busts of Romania’s 12 best-loved writers, while there are also separate monuments to the French soldiers who died in Romania in First World War, and Americans who died in the country in the Second World War.

15. Cotroceni Palace

Raised in 1895 for Romania’s first king, Carol I, Cotroceni Palace is on a hill that had long been a place of residence for Romania’s rulers.

Following the abdication of the last king, Michael I in 1947, the property was used to receive visiting heads of state.

And since the return of democracy the palace has become the official residence of the President of Romania.

The oldest wing of the building is open to the public as the National Cotroceni Museum, showing off the splendour of the library, apartments and reception rooms, together with a mammoth collection of painting, sculpture, ceramics, graphic arts, furniture, textiles and glassware.

Many of these items were the personal collections of Queen Marie of Romania and King Ferdinand I at the turn of the 20th century.

16. Museum of Art Collections

An arm of the National Museum of Art, this museum is in the Palatul Romanit, which goes back to 1822 and was a private home before eventually becoming Romania’s Ministry of Finance.

After the end of the Second World War and the communist takeover, the building became a repository for art seized from Romania’s wealthy families.

There are 44 collections in all, giving you a who’s who of Romanian art from the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Some of the lauded artists featured are Theodor Aman, Nicolae Grigorescu, Nicolae Tonitza, Gheorghe Petrașcu and Theodor Pallady.

Also fascinating, if a little poignant, is the lapidarium, with fragments of architecture from sites like the Văcărești Monastery, pulled down by Ceaușescu in 1986.

17. Calea Victoriei

It’s a sign of this street’s history and prestige that many of the attractions and landmarks on this list are located on its route.

Beginning at Revolution Square in the north Calea Victoriei continues all the way down to the Dâmbovița River, and after a fallow period during the Socialist Republic is a posh shopping and entertainment street traced by cafes, fashion emporia, restaurants, cultural venues and art galleries.

These are mostly set on the southern end, while the northern reaches are for stately residences.

Calea Victoriei’s upmarket reputation has persisted for hundreds of years, partly because it was one of the only paved streets in the city (at first the road was covered with wooden planks), sparing its wealthier citizens from the mud that dominated the rest of the city in autumn and spring.

18. Botanical Gardens

With 5,000 plant species in 17 hectares, the Botanical Gardens are maintained by the University of Bucharest.

You can enter for a small fee, and pay a little extra to go inside the greenhouses like the Sera Veche, which reopened 2011 after being closed for 35 years.

This structure was built at the start of the 1890s and inside is a small world of tropical and sub-tropical vegetation.

In the open air are ponds and winding paths guiding you to a rose garden and a glorious display of some 1,000 exotic flowers in summer.

19. Bucharest Russian Church

Also known as the Students’ Church as it is used by students and professors at the University of Bucharest, this church was constructed after a sizeable donation by Tsar Nicholas II. At the start of the 20th century the congregation was solely Russian expats and diplomats.

The project was led by the Russian ambassador and the church was consecrated in 1909. It’s an easy building to spot for its seven onion domes in the typical Russian orthodox style.

Duck inside to check out the frescoes and the gilded wooden iconostasis, based on the example at the Church of the Twelve Apostles in the Kremlin.

20. Arcul de Triumf

Near the Japanese Gardens beside Herăstrău Park, this monument dates to 1936 to commemorate both the Romanian War of Independence and the First World War.

The arch is at the same location as an earlier wooden version built in haste to celebrate victory in the War of Independence when the nation broke from the Ottoman Empire in 1878. This was replaced by another wooden arch after the First World War, while the current monument has reliefs carved by Constantin Baraschi, the foremost Romanian sculptor of the 1930s.

There’s a platform on the roof that you can reach on special days, but the rest of the time it’s a sight to admire from the other side of a very busy roundabout.

In Lipscani, the Cultural Centre of the Bucharest Municipality is a building you need to see if you have an eye for Art Deco architecture.

Completed in 1934, this is typical of the Art Deco wonders that went up in the city during the interwar period, and was intended as a recreational venue for the Bucharest City Hall Civil Servants’ Union.

Since 1996 the building has been a cultural centre, putting on more than 200 events a year by artists not supported by traditional cultural institutions.

You can see the interior by attending one of the concerts at the 320-seat auditorium accessed by an elegant staircase from an entrance hall with parquet floors.

22. George Enescu National Museum

One of the loveliest properties in Bucharest is the Beax-Arts/Art Nouveau palace conceived for the Prime Minister Gheorghe Grigore Cantacuzino in the early 1900s.

From the street the elements you’ll notice is the exaggerated iron and glass entrance canopy and the dormers in the mansard roof.

The building has an oblique connection to Romania’s celebrated composer George Enescu, as Gheorghe Grigore Cantacuzino’s son was initially married to Enescu’s future wife, who then remarried the composer after he passed away.

Since 1956 there has been a small museum devoted to Enescu in a few rooms in the palace, with personal possessions, instruments, posters and photographs.

23. Doamnei Church

Bucharest has many hidden churches that disappeared from the street-fronts during Nicolae Ceaușescu’s radical overhaul of the city in the 1980s.

One such building is the Doamnei Church, now nestled in a courtyard at the junction of Bulevardul Regina Elisabeta and Calea Victoriei.

This was founded in 1683 by Maria Doamna, the second wife of Wallachian Prince Șerban Cantacuzino, as a chapel for their princely residence.

The fresco inside is original, dating to the 17th century, but the high point is the entrance with ornate carvings on its wooden door and stone portal.

See also the column capitals in front, which have Oriental floral motifs.

24. National Museum of Romanian History

The Historicist building that used to be the headquarters for Romania’s postal service has hosted the National History Museum since the 1970s.

The collection is mixed, but still contains lots of interesting things if you’re willing to put in the time.

One is a complete reproduction of the frieze on Trajan’s column in Rome.

Also worthwhile is the Pietroasele Treasure made up of 12 Gothic gold objects from the Chernyakhov culture crafted at the end of the 4th century.

And lastly there’s the Romanian treasury in the basement, with precious stones worn by Marie of Romania (Granddaughter of Queen Victoria), as well as the Crown Jewels, among which are sceptres, crowns and ceremonial swords.

25. Manuc’s Inn

A place of real meaning, not just because it is one of the oldest buildings in the city, but because it is one of Europe’s final caravanserais (khans). Manuc’s Inn was set up by the Armenian Merchant Manuc Bei in 1802 with the classic format of a large central courtyard around two levels of wooden galleries with rooms for lodging, dining and storing goods.

In the first half of the 19th century this was Bucharest’s business hub and after several restorations, the most recent at the end of the noughties, the essential structure remains intact as a restaurant.

On the southern edge of the Old Town, Manuc’s Inn cooks traditional Romanian and Balkan cuisine accompanied by music and folk dance in the evenings.

25 Best Things to Do in Bucharest (Romania):

• Dimitrie Gusti National Village Museum
• Parliamentary Palace
• Romanian Athenaeum
• Lipscani (Old Town)
• Romanian Peasant Museum
• Herăstrău Park
• Stavropoleos Church
• National Museum of Art of Romania
• Dealul Mitropoliei
• Romanian Patriarchal Cathedral
• Revolution Square
• Palatul Primăverii (Spring Palace)
• Grigore Antipa Museum of Natural History
• Cismigiu Gardens
• Cotroceni Palace
• Museum of Art Collections
• Calea Victoriei
• Botanical Gardens
• Bucharest Russian Church
• Arcul de Triumf
• George Enescu National Museum
• Doamnei Church
• National Museum of Romanian History
• Manuc's Inn

Must-see attractions in Bucharest

Palace of Parliament

The Palace of Parliament is the world’s second-largest administrative building (after the Pentagon) and former dictator Nicolae Ceauşescu’s most infamous…

Romanian Athenaeum

The exquisite Athenaeum is the majestic heart of Romania’s classical-music tradition. Scenes from Romanian history are featured on the interior fresco…

Former Ceauşescu Residence

This restored villa is the former main residence of Nicolae and Elena Ceauşescu, who lived here for around two decades up until the end in 1989…

Grigore Antipa Natural History Museum

One of the few attractions in Bucharest aimed squarely at kids, this natural-history museum, showing off Romania's plant and animal life, has been…

Cişmigiu Garden

West of Calea Victoriei is the locally beloved Cişmigiu Garden, with shady walks, a lake, cafes and a ridiculous number of benches on which to sit and…

Snagov Monastery

Tiny Snagov Island, at the northern end of Snagov Lake, is home to Snagov Monastery and Vlad Ţepeş' alleged final resting place. The small stone church…

Museum of the Romanian Peasant

The collection of peasant bric-a-brac, costumes, icons and partially restored houses makes this one of the most popular museums in the city. There’s not…

Văcărești Nature Park

What was supposed to be a 6km-long dam during the communist era, left abandoned after the 1989 Revolution, turned over 22 years into a vast urban delta…

Bellu Cemetery

The city’s most prestigious burial ground houses the tombs of many notable Romanian writers – a map inside the gate points out locations. Many Romanians…

Stavropoleos Church

The tiny and lovely Stavropoleos Church, which dates from 1724, perches a bit oddly a block over from some of Bucharest's craziest Old Town carousing. It…

Theodor Aman Museum

This is the lovingly restored residence and studio of 19th-century Romanian painter Theodor Aman. Aman's skill was in small, finely rendered oil paintings…

National Village Museum

On the shores of Herăstrău Lake, this museum is a terrific open-air collection of several dozen homesteads, churches, mills and windmills relocated from…

National Art Museum

Housed in the 19th-century Royal Palace, this massive, multipart museum – all signed in English – houses two permanent galleries: one for National Art and…

Great Synagogue

This important synagogue dates from the mid-19th century and was established by migrating Polish Jews; entry is free, but a donation (10 lei) is expected…

Herăstrău Park

Sprawling over a large area north of Piaţa Victoriei, this 200-hectare park surrounding a large lake is (arguably) Bucharest’s nicest park, with plenty of…

Cotroceni Palace

Elegant Cotroceni Palace dates from the late 19th century and is the official residence of the Romanian president. Many rooms are open to visitors, but…

Creţulescu Church

The modest Creţulescu Church stands in repose near the far larger and more dramatic Royal Palace. Look for the original paintings near the door to the…

National Museum of Contemporary Art

The Palace of Parliament houses a superb art gallery, which displays temporary, ever-changing exhibitions of eclectic installations and video art. Check…

Athénée Palace

Just to the north of the National Art Museum is the Athénée Palace, so evocatively captured in its postrevolutionary, prostitute-teeming state by Robert…

Jewish History Museum

The Jewish History Museum is housed in a colourful synagogue that dates from 1836 (rebuilt in 1910). Exhibits (in English and Romanian) outline Jewish…

National History Museum

Hardly a 'national' museum of history, given the rather small collection of maps, statues and jewels on display. The museum is strong, however, on the…

Choral Temple

The Choral Temple, built in 1857, is the city's main working synagogue and is visually stunning inside. You'll need your passport to enter. A memorial to…

George Enescu Museum

A few blocks south of Piaţa Victoriei is this museum dedicated to national composer George Enescu (1881–1955). The real lure is the chance to peek inside…

Theodor Pallady Museum

The Theodor Pallady Museum is housed inside the exquisite early-18th-century Casa Melik, a former merchant's house. It contains the private art collection…

Schitul Dârvari

This pretty monastery, surrounded by a lush walled garden, dates from the mid-19th century and was once the property of the private Dârvari family.

Antim Monastery

This beautiful walled complex was built in 1715 by the metropolitan bishop Antim Ivireanu. Today it's hidden by communist-era housing blocks.

Zambaccian Museum

Tricky to find, the little Zambaccian Museum is in a restored villa between B-dul Aviatorilor and Calea Dorobanţilor (just north of Piaţa Dorobanţilor)…

Sephardic Jewish Cemetery

The Sephardic Jewish Cemetery lies opposite Bellu Cemetery in the south of the city. Two rows of graves dated 21 to 23 January 1941 mark the Iron Guard's…

New St George's Church

The New St George’s Church dates from 1699 and is significant primarily as the burial place of Wallachian prince Constantin Brâncoveanu (r 1688–1714)…

Old Princely Court Church

The Old Princely Court Church, built 1546–59 during the reign of Mircea Ciobanul (Mircea the Shepherd), is considered to be Bucharest’s oldest church. The…

Prince Mihai Monastery

The former symbol of Bucharest, the 16th-century Prince Mihai Monastery was built from 1589 to 1591 under the orders of Mihai Viteazul (r 1593–1601)…

Art Collection Museum

A grab bag of several dozen private collections, particularly strong on folk and religious art and Romanian painting from the 19th and early 20th…

Patriarchal Cathedral

From the centre of Piaţa Unirii, look southwest to the Patriarchal Cathedral, the centre of Romanian Orthodox faith, built between 1656 and 1658. It…

Triumphal Arch

About halfway up Şos Kiseleff you'll find the 27m Triumphal Arch. Based on Paris’ namesake monument, it was built in 1935 to commemorate the reunification…

Rebirth Memorial

This striking memorial, respected and reviled in equal measure, marks the dramatic events of 1989, when many people died in this area for their opposition…

Holocaust Memorial

West of Calea Victoriei is the country's formal memorial to Romanian Jews and Roma who died in the Holocaust. The monument, the shape vaguely recalling a…

Central Committee of the Communist Party Building

The scene of Ceauşescu's infamous last speech was the balcony of the former Central Committee of the Communist Party building, on 21 December 1989…

Ghencea Civil Cemetery

A 45-minute walk west of the Palace of Parliament (or take bus 385 from outside the Parliament ticket office on B-dul Naţiunile Unite) leads to Ghencea…

Carol I Park

About 1km southwest of Piaţa Unirii, Carol I Park was inaugurated in 1906. The main sights here are an eternal flame burning for an unknown soldier and a…

National Military Museum

The National Military Museum doubles nicely as a Romanian history museum, with its chronological rundown of how the country defended itself. In the museum…

More destinations you need to see

2024 FULL Bucharest Travel Guide: what to do, places to visit, day trips, going out & more!

Why visit Bucharest? Because Romania’s capital will surprise you with its rich history and multiple personalities: a Balkan vibe with Oriental influences, French-inspired beautiful buildings, megalomanic communist architecture, huge green spaces, and now a thriving Western-inspired city with Latin blood in its people.

Bucharest is an eclectic city - and that's the top reason why you should visit in 2024!

This made by locals guide updated in January 2024 will help you find out what to do in Bucharest, which places to visit, top tourist attractions, day trip ideas, where to go out, and practical info about public transport.

You'll find 50+ ideas for the very best things to do in Bucharest and unique tours and day trips we created so you have a great time on your holiday - so get ready!

Table of contents

Intro: Bucharest at a glance

Landmarks in bucharest, 1. take a walk on calea victoriei, 2. admire the george enescu museum, 3. visit the romanian athenaeum, a cultural landmark, 4. get royal at the national museum of art, 5. a first step into romanian history at the statue of king carol i, 6. take a look at bucharest’s weirdest statue, the rebirth memorial, 7. step into communist history at the former communist party headquarters, 8. admire the art deco architecture at the odeon theater, 9. visit one of the oldest buildings in bucharest, casa capsa, 10. take a look at the national military circle, 11. take a walk through the beautiful macca-vilacrosse passage, 12. admire cec palace, 13. learn about the dacians at the national museum of romanian history, landmarks in bucharest old town, 14. visit the old princely court ruins, 15. step into romanian traditions at hanu’ lui manuc, 16. discover the unique romanian architecture at stavropoleos church, 17. check out the impressive national bank of romania, 18. feel the atmosphere on lipscani street, 19. visit the beautiful carturesti carusel library, 20. visit one of the oldest restaurants in the country: caru’ cu bere, what to visit in bucharest: tourist attractions, museums, and more, 21. palace of the parliament: bucharest’s top tourist attraction, 22. step into ceausescu’s villa, 23. visit the national museum of contemporary art, 24. a museum for the whole family: grigore antipa natural history museum, 25. make a stop at the museum of art collections, 26. explore traditional romanian houses at bucharest village museum, 27. discover romanian rural culture at dimitrie gusti national village museum, 28. challenge your perception at the museum of senses, 29. visit the special museum of romanian records, 30. look at the stars at the astronomic observatory vasile urseanu, 31. discover the 1920s bucharest at the little paris museum, 32. be a scientist at the romanian science experiment museum, 33. step into a communist apartment.

• Things to do in Bucharest: sightseeing, history, culture & local life

34. Check out the Romanian Arch of Triumph

35. go for a walking tour around soseaua kisselef, aviatorilor, and calea dorobanti, 36. get lost in the cotroceni neighbourhood, 37. discover bucharest street art, gentrification, and local culture, 38. relax in cismigiu park, 39. admire the parliament building from izvor park, 40. go to the ww i memorial at carol park.

• 41. Take a walk in Bucharest's biggest park, Herastrau Park

42. Go to the vibrant Tineretului Park

43. natural diversity in the heart of bucharest: delta vacaresti.

• Day trips & tours from Bucharest

44. Go on a Transylvania tour from Bucharest

45. discover the impressive transfagarasan highway, 46. visit the romanian coast, 47. discover a unique place: the danube delta, 48. take on your hiking boots and discover the romanian mountains, 49. taste the romanian wine in the dealu mare region.

• 50. Connect with the locals at Obor Farmer's Market

Explore Bucharest by bike, starting in Piata Victoriei

Where to go out in bucharest: restaurants, coffee shops, and bars, bucharest nightlife the best in europe.

• Budget, transport & safety in Bucharest

Where to stay in Bucharest

Before we start, I want to be honest with you: Bucharest doesn't have a good reputation as a tourist destination, and here's why:

• like all of Romania, there's no official tourist identity or strategy so tourists don't have a good reason why they should visit in the first place, even for a short time!
• local authorities don't support, invest, or promote local tourism, so it's up to locals with limited resources and fragmented impact to do this
• most tourists rely on foreign travel bloggers, guides, and the typical TripAdvisor "best places to visit" when planning their visit, so they don't really discover what makes Bucharest interesting and worth visiting
• before 2015 there were some reports about foreign tourists getting scammed by Bucharest taxis and at the airport (no longer an issue) which created a bad reputation for the city; that's no longer the case, and we covered this in our safety section at the end of this guide

And that's why some people avoid visiting Bucharest altogether or plan to spend one day at most before going to Brasov and other parts of the country.

Which is a shame... Though it may seem rough around the edges, the capital city of Romania has something to offer to all types of travelers, especially those looking for an off-the-beaten path non-touristy experience.

So besides the typical tourist attractions and places to visit such as the Palace of Parliament and the Old Town area, in this guide, we'll tell you about many lesser-known things to do in Bucharest and how to have a great time visiting Romania's capital.

Because Bucharest is full of glaring, sometimes absurd contrasts and not your typical Western capital where everything is neat and clean, by the book. Some people don't enjoy these urban jungles. Others - like me - do! But, as they say, beauty is in the eyes of the beholder :)

• Local tip: Bucharest is not flooded with tourist hoards like other capitals in Eastern Europe. Prices are not too high either and there are no 'big bus' style tours (except for Dracula Castle day trips - the only thing heavily touristified in our country). So you can have an amazing holiday with great value for money!

Also - the Romanian capital has A LOT of cool places to go out with many hipster cafes, trendy bars, chic restaurants, fine-dining spots (for very good prices!), urban gardens and skybars.

And - most importantly - Romanian people are welcoming and eager to show you a good time! If this is your first time, check our guide on how to visit Romania with more practical info.

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Just like any other capital, Bucharest has a list of top places to visit and famous landmarks, which we will discuss in detail in the following sections. Thanks to its long and wide boulevards the best way to see Bucharest landmarks is to go on a long walk from the Northern Piata Victoriei (Victory Square) to the Southern Piata Unirii (Union Square) or Piata Parlamentului (Parliament Square) - or in reverse.

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Calea Victoriei (Victory Boulevard) is the main pedestrian artery that connects the major two poles of our city. With a length of 2,7 km and lots of photo stops, high end shops as well as local, vintage ones, coffee shops and snacks boutiques - this will be a 1-2h walk.

Dating from 1692, this boulevard has always been the beating heart of the city and lots of historical events took place here. It's where major Romanian figures, politicians and 'who's who' in our history lived.

That's why you'll see many of Bucharest most famous landmarks, tourist attractions and impressive Romanian buildings here -without having to check Google Maps every 10 min :)

• Local tip: during Summer weekends Calea Victoriei is closed for cars and turns into a huge pedestrian area. Locals love going on long walks, stopping for ice cream, coffee, or a drink. Lots of street events take place here too, so watch out!

If you start your walking tour of Victory Boulevard from the North (from the metro station), one of the first landmarks you'll come across is the George Enescu Museum. This is where our country's most famous classical compose, George Enescu, lived. His work blends classical music with traditional Romanian folk sounds, motifs and instruments. Check out one of his most famous works:

Every year in September the George Enescu International Music Festival takes places in his honour in Bucharest. Orchestras from all over the world concert in the city and classical music fans rejoice.

Romanian Athenaeum: more than a concert hall, a landmark of historical significance

The Romanian Athenaeum is Bucharest's most emblematic cultural landmark and concert hall. The building has a lot of significance for Romanian history and is spectacular on the inside, which is why you should visit .

While on Victory Avenue and just across the Romanian Athenaeum you'll see the former Royal Palace, which now hosts the National Museum of Art of Romania. Besides the art collections, the museum of the palace is worth visiting too.

Opposite the National Museum of Art, you'll notice the statue of King Carol I the first king of Romania and a significant figure in our history. The bronze statue weighs 13 tons and stands at a total height of 13 meters, with the actual statue measuring 7 meters and the plinth 6 meters.

Revolution Square known as Palace Square before the 1989 Romanian revolution

By now you probably noticed the weird-looking statue that looks like an impaled potato as locals call it. That's the Rebirth Memorial in Revolution Square where the 1989 anti-communist revolution took place.

The massive building behind the Rebirth Memorial was the Romanian Communist Party headquarters.

From its balcony dictator Nicolae Ceausescu made his last speech on 21 December when people started booing him - to his incredible disbelief captured on video. This is where the violent 1989 Romanian revolution started in Bucharest (it first started on 16 Dec in Timisioara).

Continuing down South on Calea Victoriei, you will see Odeon Theater on the left, a cosy contemporary art deco building fit for the modern, avant-garde plays it hosts.

On Calea Victoriei, you can also see one of the oldest historical buildings in Bucharest, Casa Capsa (Hotel Capsa), built in the mid-19th century. This is one of the most famous hotels in Bucharest and a walk through its lobby is worth it.

It's also said to have the best pastry shop in town - as you pass the building make a left on the side street and look for the sign.

Where Calea Victoriei crosses Elisabeth Boulevard leading down to Cismigiu Gardens, you'll come across the impressive Palace of the National Military Circle.

Built in 1911 in the French neoclassical style, this building is now recognized as both a historical and architectural monument, and there's a small military museum you can visit on its left side.

Further down on Calea Victoriei you'll come across the late 19th century Macca-Vilacrosse Passage which connects this thoroughfare with Bucharest Old Town.

Inside the passage you'll find lots of sisha cafes and restaurants - and don't forget to look up and see the glass ceiling.

CEC Palace, one of the most beautiful buildings in Bucharest, epitomizes the city's Little Paris identity with its impressive eclectic architecture.

Crowned by a glass and metal dome, the entrance showcases an arch supported by composite-style columns. Sadly, this one can't be visited, but you can still gaze at it from the street.

The impressive National Museum of Romanian History is one of the best places to learn about our ancestors, the Dacians, who settled these lands before they were conquered by the Romans. You'll also see 2,000-year-old gold bracelets made by them ***

Bucharest Old Town is a pedestrian area in the city centre between Piata Universitatii, Piata Unirii and Calea Victoriei. It's filled with old buildings (obviously!) some restored, others not so much, and cobblestone streets.

• Local tip: contrary to what most foreign travel bloggers and guides will tell you, this is not the place to discover the Little Paris side of Bucharest; keep reading to find out the best place for that!

Over 120 bars, coffee shops, and restaurants are here so this central location is known as the hotspot for Bucharest nightlife.

This is not a place for shopping and because of the constant noise and agitation it's not a great place to stay either. There are a few hotels in the area such as Hilton Garden Inn or Europa Royale - but they're very expensive and mostly filled with tourists who think they're staying in the city centre.

Curtea Veche or the Old Princely Court was built as a palace or residence in 1459. This was the seat of power for the ruling princes of Wallachia, including Vlad the Impaler, also known as Vlad Dracula, who built it and whose statue you'll find nearby.

The nearby Hanu’ lui Manuc (Manuc's Inn) is one of the oldest historic buildings in the city with its impressive courtyard and very good traditional Romanian restaurant.

It always functioned as an inn for locals, travelers and merchants passing the city and with business at the Old Court, and legends have it this is where most deals and political decisions were made.

Stavropoleus Church, the oldest church in the Old Town

Stavropoleos Church is built in the unique Romanian architectural style known as Brancovenesc or Wallachian Renaissance and is one of the historic sites of Bucharest.

It has special features like covered balconies with columns carved in flower designs, detailed door and window frames, and the use of columns inside. Go inside - just remember to be respectful!

The National Bank of Romania building is another architectural landmark worth spending a few minutes on. With its imposing Reinassance architecture dating from the end of the 19th century, the building is like a fortress.

Unfortunately, you can only admire it from the outside.

Lipscani Street is not an attraction per se - it's just the most popular street in the Old Town. It used to be filled with the finest merchant shops and artisan workshops from all over the country. During the communist regime they were all shut down as they were seen as luxury items, and then the buildings were abandoned and went derelict.

By 2010 this forgotten area was slowly renovated and bars and restaurants started opening here. Gradually it became the favoured going out spot for locals and at night it turns into a real party center.

The Carturesti Carusel library is on Lipscani Street, and is one of the most beautiful bookstores in the country and possibly in Europe.

The building was the headquarters of a bank but it's now a great place for book lovers.

Caru cu Bere restaurant is one of the oldest and most authentic in the country. Here, you can savor the tastiest Romanian traditional dishes and enjoy a beer crafted from a unique, original recipe dating back to 1879.

Bucharest extends far beyond the Old Center and Calea Victoriei, which, though popular among tourists, represent only a fraction of the city's complexity. To truly grasp the diverse facets of Bucharest, exploring other landmarks is essential.

When thinking about Bucharest, the massive Palace of the Parliament (with its many aliases: Ceausescu Palace, House of People, House of Parliament, Parliament Palace) probably comes to mind as one of the grand buildings of the Romanian capital city.

It’s the heaviest building in the world and the second-largest administrative building after the Pentagon in the US with a surface of 365.000 square meters! And probably the most famous landmark in Bucharest.

Why tour the Romanian Parliament building? Because you’ll get to see what communist megalomania and opulence can do - and the price people paid to satisfy a dictator’s whims at a time of food and basic supply shortages. A painful reminder for most Romanians...

The massive exterior may look uninspiring but the interior was lavishly decorated with premium materials of 100% Romanian origin: 1 million square meters of marble, a 3t carpet, and a 5t crystal chandelier among others.

As one of the top things to visit in Bucharest but also an administrative building - a parliamentary palace! - it’s important to plan your visit in advance.

• Local tip: visits to the Palace are led by an official tour guide who talks about the building without saying anything about Romania's communist past, Nicolae Ceausescu, or the 1989 Romanian revolution; so if you're interested in learning more about that you'll need to go on a private, communist-themed tour with a specialist local guide.

Complete Bucharest Communism Tour: Palace of Parliament & Ceausescu's Home

Start from: Bucharest

Ceausescu's Villa (where he lived) is another tourist attraction that you can visit. This is one of the best places to see the huge discrepancy between the dictator's luxurious lifestyle while the Romanian people were queuing for basic foods and necessities in the '80s...

• Bucharest museums: the classics & cool

As the capital of Romania, Bucharest has the standard collection of national museums - and they’re very good and a nice thing to do if you have a particular interest in their subject or the weather is not great for an outdoor free walking tour.

The National Museum of Contemporary Art is located in a new glass wing of the Palace of the Parliament. The museum presents four floors of exhibitions and events throughout the year. At the top, you'll find an observation point with panoramic views of Bucharest.

Grigore Antipa Natural History Museum has reconstructed dinosaur models that children will love, so that's a fun thing for families to do.

The Museum of Art Collections is on Calea Victoriei just before the Romanian Athenaeum concert hall and is among the best places for art connoisseurs to visit.

My favorite place to visit is the Bucharest Village Museum because of its unique character: an open-air museum where you can find over 60 real-size replicas of traditional Romanian village houses from 36 regions and parts of the country.

The Dimitrie Gusti National Village Museum regularly hosts exhibitions and events to promote Romanian rural culture. It will give you a taste of what the famous Romanian countryside looks like especially if you're not spending a long time in our country on this occasion :) Bucharest also has of the most unconventional and interesting museums in Romania .

The Museum of Senses is a quirky and very cool experience with optical illusions. This is a great place for both kids and adults.

The Museum of Records hosts world-record collections of peculiar items. It lets you explore forgotten parts of human history and see how clever people were at different points in time.

The Astronomic Observatory Vasile Urseanu will thrill kids and passionate astronomers. Here, you can visit a permanent exhibition but also look at the stars and planets through a telescope.

The Little Paris Museum will help you understand why Bucharest was once called Little Paris, and get a glimpse of life in the capital in the 1920s.

The Romanian Science Experiment Museum is a wonderful destination for both kids and adults, where you need to press buttons, pull levers and make things work.

In Romania’s capital you’ll also find a communist apartment from the 1970s turned into a time-capsule museum. A typical Romanian worker family lived here and the apartment is preserved in its original state with objects, decorations, and food from past times. This is probably the best place to understand what life was like during the Romanian communist regime.

Museum of Communism: A Time-Capsule of Ordinary Lives

Things to do in Bucharest: sightseeing, history, culture & local life

We're done with classical tourist sightseeing - so let's see some of the lesser known, thematic things to do in Bucharest so you have a good time.

• Romanian history and Bucharest landmarks

The three historical provinces that make up Romania (Wallachia, Moldova, and Transylvania) each had their capital (Bucharest, Iasi, and Transylvania), political life, culture, and powerful families. But the Romanian dream was always to unite in one state.

This happened in 1859 when the first two united and in 1918 Transylvania joined. However, not all Romanians are happy about Bucharest being their capital or see it as representative of Romanian national identity and culture.

That's why knowing a bit of Romanian history will give you more context about the tourist landmarks and historic buildings in Bucharest.

Essential Walking Tour of Bucharest: Old Town & Revolution Square

• Bucharest Little Paris and Belle Époque architecture

In the early 1900s Bucharest earned its nickname of Little Paris thanks to French-inspired Belle Époque buildings, monuments, and beautiful architecture.

That's because most of the Romanian aristocracy, rich businessmen, and major cultural figures from the 18th-20th century were educated in France and inspired by the culture and life there.

This made Bucharest unique in Eastern Europe, unlike other European capitals in the region such as Sofia, Budapest, or Belgrade. The rich history of Bucharest and its architecture Belle Epoque architecture was significantly influenced by this.

So if you think Bucharest doesn't have nice places to visit you couldn't be more wrong! There are entire neighborhoods and streets where you'll find a unique blend of architectural styles made even more charming with time.

The "Little Paris" Bucharest: Architecture, Old Houses & Bourgeois Stories

Start from: University Square

Bucharest is very popular for its rich blend of historical (neo-classical), interbellum (Bauhaus and Art Deco), communist, and modern architecture mix. Many of the city's best hotels, companies, or best restaurants occupy some incredible buildings - monuments of architecture.

The Arch of Triumph (Arcul de Triumf) is a WW I memorial monument, though smaller than the French version, is proof of this cultural affinity. If you are in Romania on December 1st or November 24th, you can watch the military parade here.

Cotroceni neighbourhood, one of the most beautiful in Bucharest

Just go for a walking tour aka get lost in the area between Soseaua Kisselef, Aviatorilor Boulevard, and Calea Dorobanti to understand the Bucharest’s beautiful blend of cultures. Also around Gradina Icoanei Park. Unfortunately these are not tourist attractions per se so without a local tour guide to take you deep into the neighbourhoods and show you around, it will be hard for you to find these spots on your own.

The Cotroceni neighbourhood is known for its superb eclectic architecture, the botanical garden, and beautiful buildings.

Visit a typical communist apartment in Bucharest turned time-capsule museum

• Communist Bucharest: forced transformation

Bucharest bourgeois identity was literally demolished and transformed during the Romanian communist regime which ruled from 1944-1989 (Romania was not part of the USSR!).

But besides the ideological agenda, dictator Nicolae Ceausescu who came to power in 1965 and ruled for 25 years (making him one of the most famous Romanians ) had bigger ambitions...

Driven by megalomanic dreams, a personality cult, and absurd realities, Ceausescu brutally changed Romanian society and turned Bucharest into an experiment for his idealistic communist vision. So:

• an entire neighbourhood was demolished to make way for the Palace of Parliament
• wide boulevards such as Unirii, Magheru, and Aviatorilor were built (and there's a specific reason for that!)
• churches were literally moved or 'hidden' by apartment buildings
• entire worker neighbourhoods were built from scratch to house factory workers relocated here from the rest of the country

And much more. Bucharest was painfully transformed with significant consequences not just for its architecture, but also for its culture and local life.

Untold Stories of Bucharest: Prostitution, Holocaust and Communist Terror

Start from: Piata Romana (Romana Square)

All over the city there are signs of this transformation. One of our specialist communist tour guides will show them to you on a walking tour, including pictures from old times, and tell you more about life back then.

Communist Walking Tour: History, Megalomania & Hidden Sights

Start from: Revolution Square next to the Rebirth Memorial (The patatoe)

After the Little Paris years, the communist transformation and the Western re-vitalisation - many parts of Bucharest started showing glaring contrasts. A vibrant and exotic street art showed up to cover the uglier parts of the city, especially in the local neighbourhoods where foreign tourists don't venture and locals rarely go.

Bucharest Street Art & Architecture Tour

This is the reason why one of the best things to do in Bucharest is to go off-the-beaten path and explore local life beyond the top attractions and tourist hotspots.

the famous Bucharest 3D iMapp competition There are also lots of events going on - check online or ask a local when you're here. Various exhibitions, sports competitions, street food or art fairs happen throughout the year, usually in front of the Romanian Athenaeum, in Piata Universitatii, or on Calea Victoriei.

• Relax in Bucharest’s many green spaces

If you’re getting tired of so much urban exploring, many beautiful parks in Bucharest will help you disconnect from the hustle and bustle of the city.

The most beautiful park in the center of Bucharest is Cismigiu Park on Regina Elisabeta Boulevard. It's sometimes called Cismigiu Gardens because it has many areas with different interests, sights, and cultural significance - so this is a perfect place to take a break from your walking tour of the city!

*Izvor Park*, a relatively small park, is another great place to relax and admire the massive Parliament Building. Here, you can enjoy a short walk in a relaxed setting.

Carol Park has another WW I memorial on a hill with great views. Here, many locals gather to engage in sports activities on the stairs leading to the memorial.

41. Take a walk in Bucharest's biggest park, Herastrau Park

King Michael I park (formerly Herăstrău Park) is the largest park in the city and also the largest park located inside a city in Europe. Spanning 187 hectares, the park has various sections. One favorite spot is the Japanese Garden, known for its beautiful cherry blossoms and Japanese acacia trees with hanging branches.

Tineretului Park is another popular park in Bucharest with a pretty big lake, perfect for a jog, or bike ride, and the right place for renting a boat.

The newest addition to this list of green spaces in Romania's capital is Delta Vacaresti. In the South Eastern part of the city a large area was cleared by the communist regime for a major project - later abandoned!

Over time, Mother Nature reclaimed this area and turned it into a wonderful natural biosphere: a huge park more like a wetland where many species of plants, birds, and small animals now live!

In 2016, Vacaresti Natural Park was granted protected status by law. This is a unique open-air museum of natural diversity in the heart of a European capital and a great place to visit (best time is from April - October) if you want to combine urban sightseeing with nature.

Vacaresti Natural Park: the Newest Urban Delta

• Pro tip: most young people speak good English, are friendly and helpful, especially in the city hotspots, so you don't have to worry about getting lost in translation

Day trips & tours from Bucharest

Bucharest is a great place to tick off some of the best things to do in Romania . With our network of specialist tour guides we can organise any kind of trip for you - so contact us we're happy to help!

Contrary to what most people think - going on a day trip to visit Peles Castle, Brasov and Bran Castle (the most popular day trip in Bucharest) does NOT mean you visited Transylvania. The region is huge with a history and culture that can't be experienced in one day. Read our blog on how to visit Transylvania for more.

That's why we created a unique 3-day best of Transylvania tour that will give you an authentic experience of this popular tourist region of Romania.

The famous Transfagarasan Highway can also be seen from Bucharest and the best time for that is July - October when the road is open for driving.

Road trip to Poenari Castle & Transfagarasan Highway

Another popular day trip is to the Romanian Black Sea and the city of *Constanta*. So, if you love spending time on the beach, Constanta is a must while in Romania.

The Black Sea Calling: Day Trip to Constanta & Mamaia Beach

If you want to visit a unique place, the UNESCO Danube Delta reserve is what you are looking for. To visit the Danube Delta, you need to get to Tulcea (4h away from Bucharest, possibly only by car). From there you'll enter the Delta through a boat ride, so you need a minimum of 2-3 days to see its beauty, birds, and fauna.

2-Day Danube Delta & Birdwatching Tour from Bucharest

You can also go hiking in the Romanian Mountains known for their wilderness and impressive heights of over 2,500m altitude. Bucegi Mountains are one of the most popular national parks in Romania . The Romanian Sphinx and Babele are major natural attractions tourists want to see when in Bucharest.

1 or 2 Day Hiking Trip in Bucegi Mountains: Sphinx, Babele, Omu Peak

Start from: Bucharest OR Brasov

But there are a lot more options for hiking day trips from Bucharest - check our guide on the best hikes in Romania .

Just 1,5h away from Bucharest, in the Dealu Mare region, you can find some of the country's best wineries. This is one of the best places to discover the long history and high quality of Romanian wines (#7th producer in the world!) with superb views too!

The Wine Tradition of Romania: Premium Wine Tasting in Dealu Mare

Check our full list of unique tours and hand-picked day trips in Bucharest so you have the best time in our country:

Tours & Day Trips in Bucharest

50. Connect with the locals at Obor Farmer's Market

If you're interested in traditional Romanian food and want a true cultural shock, head over to Obor farmer's market the largest and oldest in Romania where small farmers and everyone else sell their stuff. Or go on our tour with a local guide who will show you the best way to experience this:

Bucharest Street Food Tour: Farmers' Markets & Hidden Streets

Because of the wide boulevards and long distances in Romania's largest city, renting a bike is a great way to explore Bucharest. Calea Victoriei has a dedicated bike lane so traveling by bike makes everything easier and you get to see much more, especially in the beautiful Northern part of the city (Kisselef and Aviatorilor Boulevard, Herestrau Park, Arch of Triumph).

You can rent a bike on your own from a public docking station (check here ), or go on a guided tour by bike with one of our guides who will take care of everything so you can focus on enjoying the experience AND learn about Bucharest.

Panoramic Bike Tour of Bucharest

Start from: Bucharest - Hard Rock Cafe

After all these Bucharest attractions and tourist places you’ve visited, you’re probably hungry, looking for the best restaurants in Bucharest, a good coffee shop, or a nice place to go out in the evening. Best places to eat in Bucharest

Romania’s capital is a great - and affordable - place for a food-tasting getaway: lots of variety and international-inspired cuisine, cool places to eat with an inspiring design and fancy menus with a modern twist, fresh locally-sourced ingredients and great customer service. And there are lots of choices for all budget types.

It's hard for me to describe in words just how much Romanian people love to go out (part of our Latin blood!) and why Bucharest has a very diverse and high-quality offering. Here are some suggestions to get you started:

• Romanian traditional food: Zexe, Jaristea, La Mahala, Beca’s Kitchen, Maize (Romanian up-scale), La Copac, Lacrimi si Sfinti, City Grill, Vatra Neamului, Hanu’ lui Manuc, Caru cu Bere
• Italian (the nation’s favorite): Trattoria Don Vito, Grano, Il Peccato, Trattoria Fresca, SARA Restaurant
• British & Irish pub: The Harp, Trafalgar
• Lebanese (as there’s a minority living here): Piccolo Mondo, Zaitoone, Four Seasons, Al Mandaloun
• burger places (always cool): Burger van Bistro, Switch.eat, Vivo fusion bar
• steak houses: Osho, Prime Steaks & Seafood, VacaMuuu
• cool & urban places to eat (modern European): Energiea, Biutiful, Uanderful, Simbio, Lente, Alt Shift
• international fine dining: Joseph, Casa Doina, Stejarii Pool Club, Casa di David, Le Bistrot Francais, L’Atelier
• street food (shaorma - a must!): Calif, Divan, Dristor
• Local tip: vegetarians or vegans should not despair – there are plenty of delicious dishes thanks to Orthodox lent (fasting) periods; read our article on traditional Romanian food to find out more.

• Romanian beers and wine in Bucharest

First, you should know that Romanians enjoy drinking - a lot! In Southern Romania, most people prefer drinking beer (unlike in Transylvania). Local brands you should try Silva, Ciuc, or Ursus.

Craft beers have been on the rise recently with young looking for new tastes: Nenea Iancu, Zaganu, Hophead, Ground Zero, or Gambrinus. So beer bars have popped up and quickly became favorite places to go out for locals:

Bucharest Nightlife Tour: Craft Beer & Hip Bars

As for having a surprisingly good glass of Romanian wine in a nice setting - it’s one of the best things you can do in Bucharest! Try Corcova Rose at Entourage, Liliac White Young Fresh at Energiea, or Lacerta Cabernet Sauvignon & Shiraz at Corks Cozy Bar to get a sense of Romanian wines being damn fine! Domeniul Coroanei Segarcea or Prince Stirbey are also very good choices if you see them on the menu. Do not skip dessert and coffee shops in Bucharest

Since 2010, the specialty coffee culture BOOM-ed in Bucharest. So now you have lots of hispter, cosy, or inspiring coffee shops serving single or blended origin, on-the-spot roasted DELICIOUS coffee!

The most popular, old, and famous coffee shop is Origo, but you should also try Coftale, Beans&Dots, Steam, Orygyns, Two Minutes, Garage Cafe, T-Zero, On-Off, or The Coffee Factory. What’s a cortado or V60? Go and find out - and be sure to check our list with the best coffee shops in Bucharest to find out more. Fans of sweets and desserts should definitely consider papanasi (a traditional dish) at Stadio, éclairs at French Revolution, or profiteroles at Chocolat Boutique Ateneu – all of them are local businesses. Or just stop at any street pastry shop and ask for an apple pie (placinta cu mar) or cheese pie (placinta cu branza).

There are several reasons why the Bucharest nightlife is so good and famous - our article will tell you more and also the best bars and places to go out. Or maybe there's a Romanian music festival happening when you're visiting?

Suffice it to say that you should prepare for a long night out and dress well (shirts & skirts) if you want to blend in with the locals. Put on your friendly and relaxed face – don’t give yourself away after the long day you’ve visiting Bucharest! Sip on a few cocktails

Go for an Aperol Spritz on the rooftop at Deschis Gastrobar or any cocktail you can literally think of at Newton Cocktail Bar or Fix Me a drink. For a warm summer evening, I recommend a cider in the garden at Control – a hip cool place to be or a beer at Eden Garden – a let’s-chill-in-the-forest, unpretentious yet vibrant place.

But the trending place right now among Bucharest locals is Expirat, with beautiful green spaces and terraces, cool music, and that great & young Bucharest vibe I was talking about – that’s my last insight for you! The Old Town is a must-experience part of Bucharest nightlife

Some colorful shots at Shoteria are highly recommended before starting the mandatory restaurant - pub – terrace – club crawling in Lipscani Old City Center (Lipscani Centrul Vechi) – a historical area which hosts a great variety of bars, pubs and clubs. I should tell you that in recent years the Old Town of Bucharest has become quite touristy, with too many places, people and tourists in a frenzy looking for alcohol-induced fun.

While I don’t personally like it and some locals avoid it, it’s a must-see part of the vibrant Bucharest nightlife and you won't find anything similar in other European capitals. Looking for a fancy night out in Bucharest?

If you want an even more fancy night out, girls should consider wearing high heels and guys should go for a dress shirt at minimum. The places to go out in Bucharest for proper, high-end clubbing are located in the northern part of the city, in Floreasca or Herestrau area, and are a great choice for a night out warm nights. Consider Biutiful, Fratelli or Funky Lounge (the last two are located in Herestrau Park). Nuba, Tuya, Kayo, and Hiro are fine-dining restaurants turning into clubs as the night starts.

Budget, transport & safety in Bucharest

Check our article on Bucharest public transport with all the info you need about Bucharest Otopeni Airport, public transport in the city, taxis and official tourism infrastructure.

We also prepared a guide on what you need to know about safety in Bucharest because there are a lot of misconceptions about this beautiful city. But with a little information and awareness, you'll have a great time here.

You don’t need to spend much to have a good time in Bucharest

Coming from London, Paris, Milano, or Munich, you’ll be shocked to see how affordable your Bucharest travel budget needs to be! Imagine paying between 6-15 EUR for a main course, appetizer/dessert, and a drink, 2-3 EUR for a coffee, or 4-5 EUR for a fantastic cocktail or a glass of wine in most places. Attraction tickets to museums and other places to visit in Bucharest are usually between 3-5 euros. A reasonable budget per day for visiting the city should start at 30 Euro. Take the metro or a taxi, buses are unreliable

The most efficient public transport is the subway which is quite affordable and convenient: a bit over 1 Euro for 2 rides, 5 Euro for 10. Taxis are also inexpensive with around 2,5 Lei/km (0,5 Euro) but ridesharing apps such as Uber and Bolt are the most popular choice for getting around in our capital. I don’t recommend using buses or trains in Bucharest: besides them being unfriendly for a foreigner, their irregular schedule combined with hectic traffic make them unreliable even for locals!

You've got lots of options on Airbnb or booking.com - check to see what fits your preferences and budget.

The general rule of where to stay in Bucharest is close to a metro station because it's the best, quickest, and easiest way to navigate Bucharest.

For hotels, there will be plenty around Union Square, Cismigiu Gardens, Piata Romana, Piata Victoriei, and Revolution Square. But even if you stay further away you can navigate the city using a taxi and metro.

You'll find all the main international hotel chains (Mariott, Ramada, Hilton, etc), including a selection of boutique, charming hotels in beautiful buildings from the Little Paris era.

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Explore Bucharest

Plan Your Trip to Bucharest: Best of Bucharest Tourism

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Bucharest Is Great For

Historical tours.

Ghost Tours

Cultural Tours

Eat & drink

• JW Marriott Bucharest Grand Hotel
• Epoque Hotel Relais & Chateaux
• InterContinental Athénée Palace Bucharest, an IHG Hotel
• The Marmorosch Bucharest, Autograph Collection
• Radisson Blu Hotel Bucharest
• Amethyst Sky Bar
• Stadio Restaurants Herastrau
• AveForchetta
• Moki - Modern Kitchen
• Inside Rooms Escape Rooms
• Palace of Parliament
• Herăstrau Park
• Stavropoleos Monastery
• Dracula's Castle, Peles Castle and Brasov Day Trip from Bucharest
• Dracula Castle, Peles Castle and Brasov Small Group Tour
• The Real tour of Communism
• Transylvania and Dracula Castle Full Day Tour from Bucharest
• Salt Mine, Planetarium, Winery and Dracula Grave, Private tour

13 Top-Rated Attractions & Things to Do in Bucharest

Written by Diana Bocco Updated Dec 24, 2023 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

Once known as "Little Paris" for its elegant architecture, Romania's capital of Bucharest is rich with a storied history that merges with its modern identity.

The confluence of architecture is dizzying yet fascinating. Its Byzantine buildings; 16th-, 17th-, and 18th-century churches; Art Nouveau mansions; and spectacular Neoclassical facades have survived earthquakes, war, and later, communism – and they all mix together to create a breathtaking urban display.

During that dark political era, somber block panel masonry left its imprint, as well as the gargantuan Palace of the Parliament, the prized creation of dictator Nicolae Ceausescu.

The charm of Bucharest is revealed by exploring its sprawling city parks, admiring the works of art and exhibits at its excellent museums, and getting lost in the gritty yet charming lanes that weave through the Old Town.

A stroll down Calea Victoriei , arguably one of the prettiest places to visit in the city, is an encounter with the country's grandest buildings and most meaningful monuments, all a testament to times gone by.

Exploring Bucharest is about understanding a complex past that is giving way to its modern sensibility as a booming European capital. Discover the best places to visit in this dynamic city with our list of the top attractions and things to do in Bucharest.

1. The Old Town

2. palace of the parliament, 3. romanian athenaeum, 4. stavropoleos church, 5. curtea veche: the old princely court, 6. revolution square, 7. arcul de triumf, 8. national museum of art of romania, 9. dimitrie gusti national village museum, 10. national museum of romanian history, 11. bucharest parks, 12. carturesti carusel, 13. day trip to bran castle, where to stay in bucharest for sightseeing, map of attractions & things to do in bucharest.

The Old Town is one of Bucharest's earliest settlements, where structures date back to the 15th and 16th centuries. Over the centuries, it has been the seat of Romanian princes, a center for trade, a place to worship, and a crossroads for travelers.

It also managed to survive Ceausescu's 1980s razing of one-fifth of the city to build his vision of a new Socialist capital. After spending decades as a slum, much of the Old Town has been gentrified and renovated since the fall of communism.

Yet while many historic buildings have been gallantly restored, still other properties await their facelift. This contrast gives that much more charm to the Old Town's pedestrian lanes and cobbled streets lined with bookshops, theaters, restaurants, and cafés.

Popular things to do here include visiting Curtea Veche , an open-air museum built on the site of the Old Princely Court, once home to Vlad the Impaler, and the National Museum of Romanian History with its fine collections of religious and royal treasures.

The Palace of the Parliament (Palatul Parlamentului) is one of the top tourist attractions in Bucharest. It is the world's second-largest administrative building (after the Pentagon), an architectural colossus that also claims the title as the heaviest building in the world.

Boasting more than 3,000 rooms over 330,000 square meters and constructed with marble and steel, it was originally called the People's House by its visionary, the dictator Nicolae Ceausescu, who used it as his family's residence and as the seat of his government.

To complete it, Ceausescu razed places of worship, workshops, factories, parks, part of the Old Town, and entire neighborhoods. More than 20,000 workers and 700 architects worked on the opulent Neoclassical-style palace over a span of 13 years, from 1985 to 1997, during which time the majority of Romanians faced poverty.

Still unfinished, today a small portion houses Romania's parliamentary headquarters and the National Museum of Contemporary Art . Scheduled tours bring visitors up close to its vastness, the kitsch, and the outrageous luxury Ceausescu would have continued to experience had he not been overthrown in a coup d'état.

Address: Strada Izvor 2-4, Bucharest

Home to the George Enescu Philharmonic Orchestra , the stately Romanian Athenaeum (Ateneul Român) is the city's most prestigious concert hall. The 19th-century building, designed by French architect Albert Galleron, resembles an ancient Greek temple with a 41-meter-high dome and a peristyle of six Ionic columns.

The interiors feature a lobby of intricately painted gold-leaf ceilings, cascading balconies, and spiral marbled staircases. The 652-seat auditorium is known for its excellent acoustics and its fine art. A 70-meter-long and three-meter-high fresco that winds its way around the circular hall proudly depicts scenes from Romania's history.

Address: Strada Benjamin Franklin 1-3, Bucharest

Official site: www.fge.org.ro/en

Tiny, peaceful, and beautiful, the Stavropoleos Church (Manastirea Stavropoleos) was built in 1724 by a Greek monk, Ioanikie Stratonikeas . With its intricately carved entrance lined with columns, this Brâncovenesc-style church stands apart as a unique landmark in Bucharest.

The Orthodox church features fine stone and wood carvings and a combination of Romanian and Byzantine elements. It is surrounded by a garden courtyard filled with 18th-century tombstones.

Inside, several frescoes and wood icons can be admired. The church complex once included an inn and a monastery but both were destroyed. The church itself was restored several times after damage from earthquakes, and is noted for its unique library that houses a large collection of books related to Byzantine music.

Be sure to check the church's websites for news of concerts and other events, which are available to the public.

Address: Strada Stavropoleos 4, Bucharest

Located in the heart of the Old City, the Old Princely Court (Curtea Veche) was the palatial residence of Wallachian princes. Perhaps its best-known occupant was Vlad Tepes, otherwise known as Vlad the Impaler, who inspired Bram Stoker's tale of Dracula. A statue of the infamous Romanian prince stands among what's left from the past, including the court's walls, several arches, and columns.

A 16th-century prince, Mircea Ciobanul, repaired the palace after Vlad the Impaler's rule, and he grew the surrounding Lipscani area as the trading core of Bucharest by establishing a community of skilled craftsmen.

In 1559, Ciobanul built the Old Princely Court Church next to the palace. For the two centuries that followed, it was the place for succeeding Romanian princes to be coronated.

Also worthy of a visit is the Old Court Museum, which features pottery and artifacts found during an archaeological dig around the ruins.

Address: Strada Franceza 25-31, Bucharest

Revolution Square (Piata Revolutiei) earned its name after setting the scene of dictator Nicolae Ceausescu's final minutes of power in Romania. On December 21, 1989, a coup d'état ensued here with the help of a crowd of more than 100,000, forcing the leader of the communist party to flee and changing the course of the country's history.

Until that date, the central square was known as Palace Square, due to its proximity to the Royal Palace, which is the current home to the National Museum of Art .

Other historic buildings stand nearby, including the Senate Palace , the Romanian Athenaeum , and the Athenee Palace Hilton Bucharest .

Revolution Square is also known for the dramatic Monument of Rebirth . Erected in 2005, it includes the names of the 1,058 victims of the bloody revolution and a bronze statue of Iuliu Maniu, the Romanian prime minister imprisoned by the communist party.

Address: Calea Victoriei Boulevard, Bucharest

Finished in 1878, Bucharest's first Arch of Triumph (Arcul de Triumf) was made from wood and dedicated to the Romanian soldiers who fought in World War I. In 1936, it was reconstructed in granite and designed by architect Petre Antonescu at a height of 27 meters. The arch is adorned with sculptures created by the most notable Romanian sculptors, including Ion Jalea and Dimitrie Paciurea.

To this day it continues to serve its purpose of being the central point for military parades. Romanian soldiers march beneath it for big events, including each December 1st, which is the country's national holiday.

Address: Kiseleff Road, Bucharest

Housed in the former Royal Palace, the National Museum of Art of Romania (Muzeul National de Arta al României) is the country's leading art museum and houses the world's most complete collection of Romanian art, including medieval and modern art.

Established in 1948, the museum is also where the Royal Collection , including Romanian and European art dating back to the 15th century, can be admired. More than 100,000 works are in the various halls, including paintings by the country's most celebrated artists, Theodor Aman, Nicolae Grigorescu, and Gheorghe Tattarescu.

The modern Romanian collection features sculptures by Milita Petrascu and Dimitrie Paciurea. One room is dedicated to Constantin Brancusi, one of the most influential sculptors of the 20th century. The European Gallery next door has 15 rooms including works by El Greco, Monet, Rembrandt, Renoir, and Rubens.

Address: Calea Victoriei 49-53, Bucharest

Official site: www.mnar.arts.ro/en/

Founded in 1936, the Dimitrie Gusti National Village Museum – usually shortened to simply the "Village Museum" ( Muzeul Satului ) – is a unique open-air museum that stretches through leafy Herastrau Park and depicts the traditional way of life in Romania.

Visitors can wander through 300 traditional buildings, including peasant homes with steep roofs, thatched barns, heavy log cabins, various types of churches, workshops, and mills – all of which have been transported from towns across every region of Romania.

Each building was carefully taken apart, shipped to the museum, and rebuilt to be part of the walkable village-like setting in the park. The Village Museum also displays artifacts and pottery, as well as other traditional items hailing from around the country.

Address: Sos. Kiseleff 28-30, Herastrau Park, Bucharest

The National Museum of Romanian History (Muzeul National de Istorie a României) is set in an attractive Neoclassical building originally built for the Romanian postal service. Since 1970, the museum's 60 rooms have displayed the country's most fascinating historical exhibits dating from prehistoric to modern times.

The biggest permanent exhibit is a huge replica of the 2nd-century Trajan's Column , built in honor of the conquering Roman emperor Trajan, who defeated Romania's ancient Dacian tribes.

Thousands of gold items and Neolithic artifacts, including jewelry dating to the time of the Geto-Dacians, can be found in the Romanian Treasury. On permanent display are the Romanian Crown Jewels , including stunning emerald pieces made for Queen Marie, who was the wife of Romanian King Ferdinand.

Also here are gold artifacts from the 4th-century Pietroasele Treasures . It was once considered the most valuable treasure collection in the world before Tutankhamen's tomb was unearthed.

The Grigore Antipa National Museum of Natural History (Muzeul National de Istorie Naturala Grigore Antipa) – usually referred to simply as the Antipa Museum – should also be included in your list of Bucharest places to visit. Recently refurbished, it houses everything from interactive exhibits to traditional displays of animal species from around the world.

Address: Calea Victoriei 12, Bucharest

Bucharest is swathed in beautiful parks that are frequented by locals year-round. The oldest city park, designed in the mid-19th century, is Cismigiu Gardens . Renting rowboats is one of the most popular things to do here in the summer, and the ice rink is popular in winter.

German landscape architect Carl Meyer designed the park, which opened in 1860, bringing in 30,000 trees and plants from the Romanian mountains and greenery from botanical gardens in Vienna.

Spread over 400 acres, King Michael I Park is home to the Dimitrie Gusti National Village Museum , an open-air theater, sports club, and an old-fashioned amusement park. At its lake, boat rentals are available to the public every summer. Bordering the park, 19th- and 20th-century villas are the homes of Bucharest's elite.

Designed by French landscape artist Eduard Redont and completed in 1906, Carol Park is considered one of the most beautiful parks in the capital. Romania's Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is located here as well as a Roman-era styled open-air theater called Arenele Romane, which is popular for summer concerts.

Also worth exploring, the Bucharest Botanical Garden (Gradina Botanica din Bucuresti) was established in 1860. It is spread across 17 hectares and boasts more than 10,000 different species of plants. Highlights include its numerous greenhouses, an informative museum, and plenty of flower beds to enjoy.

Set inside a beautifully restored 19th-century building in the center of the Old Town is the city's most impressive bookshop, Carturesti Carusel . This 1,000-square-meter shop is spread across six floors, with shelves stocked with more than 10,000 books, as well as 5,000 albums and DVDs.

Its design is impressively minimal, playing with light that filters through a central skylight, creating an atmosphere that is like a moving carousel, hence its name, which literally translates to " Carousel of Light ."

The bookshop is a local hub, not only for reading and browsing through books, but for art and relaxing. Carturesti Carusel is also frequented for its changing contemporary art displays, media center presentations, and welcoming top-floor bistro café.

Address: Strada Lipscani 55, Bucharest

Bucharest is the starting point for one of the most popular day trips from Bucharest: Bran Castle. Better known internationally as Dracula's Castle, this national monument was built in the 14th century and likely had nothing to do with the fictional Bram Stoker character. In fact, there's no evidence that Stoker even knew the castle existed – or proof that Vlad the Impaler (the inspiration for Dracula) ever visited the castle.

Still, the dramatic and haunting castle – which sits on a hill against thick forests often enveloped in fog – remains one of the most iconic visual representations of Romania, and it's well worth a visit. Now a museum displaying period furniture and objects that once belonged to Queen Marie, the castle also tells visitors about Vlad the Impaler and offers access to towers, narrow passageways, and spooky staircases.

The 14th-century Rasnov Fortress is just minutes away from the castle and is a masterwork of engineering, featuring nine towers, over 30 houses, a chapel, and many other buildings.

Visitors can also make their way to the nearby open-air Ethnographic Museum of Transylvania, featuring 90 buildings reflecting the lifestyle of rural Transylvania. These include everything from mills to wooden churches.

Luxury Hotels :

• The highly rated, 5-star Epoque Hotel should certainly be at the top of your list of luxury hotels in Bucharest. An easy walk from things to do, such as taking in an opera or classical concert at the Romanian Athenaeum and popular city parks, the Art Nouveau design of the building adds to the hotel's chic appeal. A variety of room options are available, including spacious suites with separate living rooms, kitchenettes, and balconies or terraces.
• The luxurious JW Marriott Bucharest Grand Hotel is another 5-star offering to check out (and into). Located close to top city attractions, including the opulent Palace of the Parliament, this luxury hotel features classy rooms with separate seating areas and posh marble bathrooms, with an option to upgrade to larger suites with pullout couches. Amenities include a choice of five restaurants plus a café, outdoor dining, an indoor pool, and spa.
• The modern-looking InterContinental Bucharest is another contender. Close to many of the city's top tourist attractions, the InterContinental's largest suites come with big bathrooms, with whirlpool tubs, and living rooms. Notable amenities include on-site dining, a spa, fitness center, and indoor swimming pool overlooking Bucharest.

Mid-Range Hotels :

• The Hilton Garden Inn Bucharest Old Town is at the high-end of the mid-range hotel category. Highlights of the hotel's accommodation choices include modern rooms and suites, some with pullout couches, within an easy walk of the city's top attractions. On-site things to do include dining and working out in the fitness center.
• Popular for its proximity to city transit, Athina Suites Hotel features spacious one- and two-bedroom units with balconies and bright, modern décor. Guests are treated to a great breakfast buffet in the on-site restaurant.
• Hotel Christina also comes highly recommended. Situated near good restaurants, cafés, and entertainment options, the casual rooms are clean and comfortable and come with coffee machines and free Wi-Fi (be sure to request a room with a balcony if available). A buffet-style breakfast is included with your stay.

Budget Hotels :

• A quirky budget accommodation set in an old home, Good Living Bucharest Hotel consists of just six units – three double rooms and three apartment-style suites. In addition to its shared kitchen, guests also have access to shared living areas. The hotel is also popular for its proximity to the historic Old Town area, just a 15-minute walk away.
• The Little Bucharest Old Town Hostel is a great choice for those on a tight budget who don't mind sharing. Centrally located in the historic Old Town sector of the city, rooms are mixed-gender and come with linens and lockers. A number of private rooms are also available and come with their own bathrooms. A kitchen and lounge area is available for guests to use.
• Also fun for backpackers, the cool Podstel Bucharest features great shared rooms (plus one private room) close to the city's top attractions. Laundry service is available, along with luggage storage, and free parking.

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Exploring Eastern Europe : Beautiful Bucharest makes for an excellent jumping-off point for other equally attractive city destinations in Eastern Europe. The Hungarian capital of Budapest is among the most visited cities in Europe, and offers plenty to do, from enjoying its tourist attractions to relaxing in the spas built upon its thermal springs. One of the top places to visit here is Castle Hill , which dominates Buda Old Town and offers superb views over the Danube. Then, of course, there's magnificent Prague , a "city of a thousand spires" that also makes a great jumping-off point to explore other areas of the Czech Republic .

Bucharest Travel Guide

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For many people, initial impressions of Bucharest (Bucureşti), a sprawling, dusty city of some two million people, are less than favourable. It’s Romania’s centre of government and commerce, and site of its main airport, so most visitors to the country will find themselves passing through the city at some point, but its chaotic jumble of traffic-choked streets, ugly concrete apartment blocks and monumental but mostly unfinished communist developments is often enough to send most travellers scurrying off to the more obvious attractions further north. Yet it’s a city that rewards patience, with a raft of terrific museums, first-rate restaurants and bars, and, behind the congested main arteries, some superb architecture and abundant greenery.

Bucharest’s festival calendar

Bucharest’s markets, calea victoriei, the centru civic, drinking and nightlife, entertainment, mogoşoaia palace, the northern suburbs, the old town, piaţa revoluţiei and piaţa enescu, piaţa universităţii, piaţa victoriei, systematization, the fall of the ceauşescus, west of piaţa universităţii.

The architecture of the old city, with its cosmopolitan air, was notoriously scarred by Ceauşescu’s redevelopment project in the 1980s, which demolished an immense swathe of the historic centre – including many religious buildings and thousands of homes – and replaced it with a concrete jungle, the compellingly monstrous Centru Civic . The centrepiece of this development was an enormous new palace for the communist leader, now known as the Palace of Parliament , which is Bucharest’s premier tourist attraction.

The heart of the city is the Piaţa Revoluţiei , the scene of Ceauşescu’s downfall and site of the old Royal Palace – now home to the superb National Art Museum , housing a fine collection of Romanian medieval art. It lies halfway along Bucharest’s historic north–south axis, the Calea Victoriei , which is still the main artery of city life; the city’s main junction, however, is the Piaţa Universităţii , scene of major events immediately after the 1989 revolution. To the south of here lies the scruffy but atmospheric historic centre , which these days owes its popularity to the welter of bars and restaurants crammed into its agreeably tatty streets.

North from Piaţa Victoriei, along the broad sweep of Şoseaua Kiseleff, lie Bucharest’s two best museums – the Museum of the Romanian Peasant , with its marvellous exhibits on peasant life and superbly reconstructed buildings, and the Village Museum , an assemblage of vernacular buildings garnered from Romania’s multifarious regions. There’s plenty of greenery to explore, too – most obviously the tranquil Cişmigiu Gardens in the heart of the city, and the more expansive Herăstrău Park , on the shores of the lake of the same name.

From Bucharest, there are excellent rail and road connections to the rest of the country, but local bus and train services to the towns and villages in the immediate vicinity are often limited or tortuous. There are, however, some enjoyable visits to be had just outside the capital, most notably the lake and monastery at Snagov , the palace at Mogoşoaia and the village of Clejani , known for its outstanding Gypsy music.

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Bucharest’s festival scene has been slow to gather pace but there now exists a handful of excellent events. The undoubted highlight of the city’s cultural offerings is the biennial (odd numbered years) George Enescu Festival in September, which features three weeks of classical concerts by some of the world’s finest musicians, including the likes of the Berlin Philharmonic and the London Symphony Orchestra. The event features a full programme of concerts at the Atheneum and Sala Palatalui venues, as well as recitals, movie screenings, events on Piaţa Revoluţiei and exhibitions on Enescu. Taking place in the second week of May, Europafest is the year’s most eclectic event, a gathering of Europe-wide artists performing pop, jazz, blues and classical music concerts, plus workshops, competitions and jam sessions at venues around the city. The big screen is represented courtesy of the April Bucharest International Film Festival (BIFF), which features an impressive roster of both new domestic and foreign (mainly European) movies, with screenings at Cinema Studio on B-dul Magheru and Elvira Popescu inside the French Institute. In November, the UrbanEye Film Festival presents an intriguing selection of films centred on urban themes, with a strong architectural bent to many of the works.

Bucharest hosts some terrific – if occasionally chaotic – markets. The daddy of them all is the recently modernized Piaţa Obor (Metro Obor), which offers all sorts, from fresh produce and clothing to communist-era memorabilia; you can grab some superb mittitei here too. On Friday, Saturday and Sunday mornings, there’s a terrific farmer’s market (Targul Ţaranului) at the intersection of B-dul Unirii and Str. Nerva Traian (tram #32 from Piaţa Unirii), where you can pick up all manner of fresh foodstuffs. Otherwise, the best of the daily food markets are Piaţa Amzei, near Piaţa Romană, and Piaţa Matache, near the Gara de Nord, the latter useful for stocking up for before a long journey. The vast Sunday-morning flea market (Târgul Vitan) on Şos. Vitan-Bârzeşti, fifteen minutes’ walk south of the Dristor I metro station (or bus #123 from Piaţa Unirii), alongside the Dâmboviţa embankment, is something to behold. Beware of pickpockets here.

Originally laid out in the late seventeenth century as a wood-paved avenue named Podul Mogoşoaiei, Calea Victoriei (Avenue of Victory) has been Bucharest’s most fashionable street since wealthy boyars first built their residences along it. The arrival of the boyars encouraged Bucharest’s most prestigious shops to open along the avenue and, after it was repaved and took its present name in 1918, strolling along the avenue became de rigueur , causing the writer Hector Bolitho to remark that “to drive down the Calea Victoriei between twelve and one o’clock will prove you a provincial or a stranger”. Along the street were “huddles of low, open-fronted shops where Lyons silk and Shiraz carpets were piled in the half-darkness beside Siberian furs, English guns and Meissen porcelain”, while lurking in the side streets were starving groups of unemployed, lupus-disfigured beggars and dispossessed peasants seeking justice in the capital’s courts. An avenue of marked contrasts, the quieter northern end still seems verdant and sleepy with touches of Old-World elegance, while to the south it becomes an eclectic jumble of old apartment buildings, upmarket hotels, shops and banks. A more recent addition is an excellent cycle lane (a rarity in Bucharest), which, encouragingly, the locals seem to have taken to with relish.

In 1971, Ceauşescu visited North Korea and returned full of admiration for the grandiose avenues of Kim II Sung’s capital, Pyongyang. Thirteen years later, inspired by what he had seen, Ceauşescu set out to remodel Bucharest as “the first socialist capital for the new socialist man”, and to create a new administrative centre which was to be “a symbolic representation of the two decades of enlightenment we have just lived through”. In truth, of course, this Centru Civic was meant to embody the state’s authority and that of Ceauşescu himself. Implementing this megalomaniac vision entailed the demolition of a quarter of Bucharest’s historic centre (about five square kilometres), said to be slums damaged by the 1977 earthquake, but in fact containing nine thousand largely untouched nineteenth-century houses, whose forty thousand inhabitants were relocated in new developments on the outskirts of the city. There was worldwide condemnation of this vandalism, particularly since many old churches were to be swept away. Though some of the churches were in the end reprieved, they are now surrounded by huge modern apartment blocks and are separated from the urban context that gave them meaning. The core of the complex was largely completed by 1989, just in time for the dictator’s overthrow.

Uniting the two halves of the Centru Civic is Bulevardul Unirii which, at 4km long and 120m wide, is slightly larger – intentionally so – than the Champs-Élysées, after which it was modelled. Midway along is Piaţa Unirii (Square of Union), an oversized expanse of concrete dominated by traffic, and notable only as a key metro interchange, as the site of the city’s main department store – the slicked-up Unirea – and as the best place to view the extraordinary Palace of Parliament.

Palatul Parlamentului

Dominating the entire project from the western end of Bulevardul Unirii is the colossal Palatul Parlamentului (Palace of Parliament), claimed to be the second-largest administrative building in the world – after the Pentagon – measuring 270m by 240m, and 86m high. It epitomizes the megalomania that overtook Ceauşescu in the 1980s; here he intended to house ministries, Communist Party offices and the apartments of high functionaries. Built on the site of the former Spirei Hill, which was razed for this project, the sheer size of the building can only be grasped by comparison with the toy-like cars scuttling past below. It has twelve storeys, four underground levels (including a nuclear bunker), a 100m-long lobby and 1100 rooms, around half of which are used as offices while the remainder are redundant. The interiors are lavishly decorated with marble and gold leaf, and there are 4500 chandeliers (11,000 were planned), the largest of which weighs 1.5 tonnes, but the decoration was never finished due to the Ceauşescus’ ever-changing whims. They were demanding patrons, allowing little more than a technical role to the architects, of which there were around seven hundred – one staircase was rebuilt three times before they were satisfied.

This huge white elephant was officially known as the Casa Republicii, then as the Casa Poporului, but more popularly as the Casa Nebunului (Madman’s House), before taking on its present name. The new government spent a long time agonizing about an acceptable use for it, and in 1994 it was finally decided to house the Senate and Parliament here; it is now also used for international conferences.

There are several different tours available. The standard one is a 45-minute trek through ten of the most dazzling, most representative or simply the largest of the halls, such as the extraordinary, glass-ceilinged Sala Unirii (Unification Hall), where legendary Romanian gymnast Nadia Comaneci was married in 1996. One of the last chambers you’re led to is the Alexandru Ioan Cuza room, whose balcony offers defining views of the city. Other tours take in the basement, terrace or both. The palace is so popular (particularly with tour groups) that you’d do well to time your visit for the start or the end of the day.

Muzeul Naţional de Artă Contemporană

Located in the building’s west wing (to the rear of the palace) is the Muzeul Naţional de Artă Contemporană (National Museum of Contemporary Art). Accessed via a specially constructed glass annexe and external elevators (which, as they take you up, give you some idea of the breathtaking scale of this building), it’s a superbly designed space covering four floors. All the works on display are temporary (typically two- or three-month rotating programmes), featuring both Romanian and international artists, and mostly take the form of multimedia installations (including large-screen projections), sculptures, collages, montages and photographic displays.

Some 40km southwest of Bucharest is the small village of CLEJANI , renowned throughout the region as a centre for Gypsy music , spawning members of the world-famous bands Taraf de Haidouks and Mahala Rai Banda, as well as a number of other wonderfully talented musicians. If you’re a fan of such music, or if you’re just interested in experiencing Gypsy culture close up, then take half a day to visit the village – if you’re lucky, you may get to hear some of the spellbinding music first-hand.

Bucharest does not immediately strike visitors as a place bursting with nightlife, but this is partly because, like the best of the city’s restaurants, many places are discreetly tucked away or concentrated in unlikely areas of the city. That said, the Old Town quarter has undergone a remarkable resurgence, and on any given night you’ll find the tightly packed ranks of cafés and bars full to the gills. It’s here, too, that you’ll find a growing number of wine bars , something that it was hitherto impossible to find in Bucharest. The city’s club scene is among the best in the Balkans, and there are now some choice venues scattered around town, increasingly catering to a more discerning range of musical tastes. Bucharestians, however, have long been starved of decent live music , a situation reflected in the dearth of quality venues.

Between the World Wars, Bucharest was famed for its bacchanals, gourmet cuisine and Gypsy music – but all this ended with the puritanical postwar regime of communism. The immediate post-communist era was little better – a veritable culinary wasteland – but in recent years the restaurant scene has improved beyond all recognition. There’s been a welcome diversification in both the range of cuisines available and the types of establishments entering the fray, such as The Artist , currently performing gastronomic wonders, and Beca’s Kitchen , where fresh, inventive cooking is the order of the day. Moreover, eating out, even at the more upmarket places, remains remarkably affordable.

Bucharest’s cultural forte is undoubtedly classical music , thanks largely to the work of the internationally renowned George Enescu Philharmonic Orchestra. Opera , ballet and theatre performances, too, are invariably excellent, with ostentatious sets and huge casts. Prices for performances are incredibly cheap, typically costing between €2 and €15. It’s still the case that few genuinely major rock or pop stars play Bucharest, and – with a few exceptions – those that do tend to be past their sell-by date. Note that most theatres and concert halls close during the summer.

The lovely palace at MOGOŞOAIA , 10km northwest of Bucharest along the DN1, is perhaps Wallachia’s most important non-religious monument. Designed by Constantin Brâncoveanu between 1698 and 1702 as a summer residence for his family, it’s a two-storey building of red brick with a fine Venetian-style loggia overlooking a lake. After Brâncoveanu’s execution, the palace became an inn then, after a fire destroyed the interior, a warehouse. Towards the end of the nineteenth century, the palace was passed to the Bibescu family (descendants of Brâncoveanu), before finally being handed over to the state in 1956, following the arrest of Martha Bibescu (1886–1973); one of Romania’s great literary heroines, Bibescu spent the remainder of her life in Paris.

The Şoseaua Kiseleff , a long, elegant avenue lined with lime trees, extends north from Piaţa Victoriei towards the Herăstrău Park and the Village Museum , one of Romania’s best open-air museums, before heading out towards the airports and the main road to Transylvania. Modelled on the Parisian chaussées (typically, long straight avenues made from gravel or crushed stone), though named after a Russian general, Şoseaua Kiseleff is a product of the Francophilia that swept Romania’s educated classes during the nineteenth century; it even has its own version of the Arc de Triomphe.

Muzeul Satului

Bucharest’s most outstanding sight is the Muzeul Satului (Village Museum) on the shores of Lake Herăstrău – the entrance is on Şoseaua Kiseleff, just up from the Arc de Triumf. Established in 1936, this wonderful ensemble of over three hundred dwellings, workshops, churches, windmills, presses and other structures from every region in the country illustrates the extreme diversity of Romania’s folk architecture.

Most interesting are the oak houses from Maramureş with their rope-motif carvings and shingled roofing, and beamed gateways carved with animals and hunting scenes, Adam and Eve and the Tree of Life, and suns and moons. Other highlights are the heavily thatched dwellings from Sălciua de Jos in Alba county; dug-out homes, or “pit” houses (with vegetables growing on the roof) from Drăghiceni and Castranova in Oltenia; colourfully furnished homesteads from Moldavia; and windmills from Tulcea county in the Delta. Keep an eye out, too, for the beautiful wooden church from the village of Dragomireşti in Maramureş. Mud-brick dwellings from the fertile plains ironically appear poorer than the homes of peasants in the less fertile highlands where timber and stone abound, while the importance of livestock to the Székely people of Harghita county can be seen by their barns, which are taller than their houses. The terrific souvenir shop here is the best place in the city to buy folk art objects, including textiles and costumes, ceramics and woodenware.

Parcul Herăstrău

Laid out in 1936, Parcul Herăstrău provides welcome respite from the city’s sweltering heat. Beyond the entrance, paths run past formal flowerbeds to the shore of Lake Herăstrău , one of the largest of a dozen lakes strung along the River Colentina. Created by Carol II to drain the unhealthy marshes that surrounded Bucharest, these lakes form a continuous line across the northern suburbs. Arched bridges lead to the small and fragrant Island of Roses , where the alleyways are lined with the busts of Romanian and foreign luminaries – Brâncuşi, Eminescu, Shakespeare and the like (some are more convincing than others). Beyond here, paths wend their way round to numerous lakeside snack bars and restaurants, as well as a landing stage from where you can rent rowing boats or take a thirty-minute lake cruise. Located near the park’s other entrance, which is at the northern end of Şoseaua Kiseleff, near Piaţa Presei Libere, is the Expo – an enormous pavilion now hosting what must surely be one of the biggest beer halls anywhere in Europe.

The residential area east of the park is one of Bucharest’s most exclusive neighbourhoods. It is where the communist elite once lived, cordoned off from the masses they governed; the Ceauşescus lived at the east end of Bulevardul Primăverii, in the Vila Primavera, which is set to be opened to tourists. The area is still inhabited by technocrats, artists and members of the elite.

The Skopţi coachmen

The Skopţi coachmen , who worked along the Şoseaua Kiseleff until the 1940s, made up one of the curiosities of Bucharest. Members of a dissident religious sect founded in Russia during the seventeenth century – and related to the Lipovani of the Danube Delta – the Skopţi ritually castrated themselves in the belief that the “generative organs are the seat of all iniquities”, interpreting literally Christ’s words on eunuchs in the Gospel of St Matthew. This was done after two years of normal married life – a period necessary to ensure the conception of future Skopţi. Driving droshkys pulled by black Orloff horses, the coachmen wore caftans sprouting two cords, which passengers tugged to indicate that the driver should turn left or right.

Bound by Piaţa Unirii to the south, Calea Victoriei to the west and Bulevardul I.C. Brătianu to the east, the Old Town – an area more commonly known as Lipscani – was mercifully spared Ceauşescu’s bulldozers, and it now offers a welcome respite from the concrete monotony of the Centru Civic. The main thoroughfare is Strada Lipscani itself, a lively street named after the merchants from Leipzig who traded here in the eighteenth century. An otherwise picturesque and agreeably ramshackle maze of streets and decrepit houses, Bucharest’s oldest neighbourhood has been undergoing painfully slow regeneration for years, and while many parts of it remain desperately run-down, the sheer volume of restaurants, cafés and bars in the area makes it the place to party in town.

Piaţa Revoluţiei (Square of Revolution), a large, irregularly shaped square sliced down the middle by Calea Victoriei, was created in the 1930s to ensure a protective field of fire around the Royal Palace in the event of revolution. While Romania’s monarchy was overthrown by other means, the square fulfilled its destiny in 1989, when the Ceauşescus were forced to flee by crowds besieging Communist Party headquarters; two days of fighting left the buildings around the square burnt out or pockmarked with bullet holes – with the conspicuous exception of the Central Committee building, which was at the centre of the storm.

Across the road from the Royal Palace, you can’t fail to notice the 13m-high statue of King Carol I on horseback, erected as recently as 2010, though not without controversy. The original statue, by renowned Croatian sculptor Ivan MeŠtrovíc, was melted down by the communists in 1948 following the abolition of the monarchy (conveniently, the bronze was reused to make a statue of Lenin), though this current edition is widely regarded as far inferior to MeŠtrovíc’s, in part because the authorities failed to reach agreement with the MeŠtrovíc family over the use of the sculptor’s original sketches. Behind the statue is the University Library , totally gutted in December 1989 – with the loss of some half a million books – but now rebuilt and housing offices. Piaţa Enescu sits just to the north of Piaţa Revoluţiei, and is notable for a couple of historically and culturally important buildings.

Ateneul Român

Laying fair claim to being Bucharest’s finest building, the Ateneul Român (Romanian Atheneum) is a magnificent Neoclassical structure built in 1888 by French architect Albert Galleron. It’s fronted by six elegant columns, behind which, in the peristyle, are five circular mosaics, each one depicting a Romanian ruler, including King Carol I. Funded almost entirely by Bucharest’s citizens, after the original patrons ran out of money, this is one of the few remaining circular auditoriums in Europe, the magnificent interior featuring a rampantly fin-de-siècle dome decorated with lyres. If at all possible, you should try and catch a concert by the resident George Enescu Philharmonic Orchestra, named after Romania’s beloved national composer. Piaţa Enescu, the tidy little park in front, features a statue of Enescu, who first performed at the Atheneum in 1898.

Palatul Regal and Muzeul Naţional de Artă

The most imposing of the buildings surrounding the Piaţa Revoluţiei is the former Palatul Regal (Royal Palace), which occupies most of the western side of the square. When the original single-storey dwelling burnt down in 1927, the king, Carol II, decided to replace it with something far more impressive. The surrounding dwellings were razed in order to build a new palace, with discreet side entrances to facilitate visits by Carol’s mistress, Magda Lupescu, and the shady financiers who formed the couple’s clique. However, the resultant sprawling brownstone edifice has no real claim to elegance and the palace was spurned as a residence by Romania’s postwar rulers, Ceauşescu preferring a villa in the northern suburbs pending the completion of his own palace in the Centru Civic.

Since 1950, the palace has housed the Muzeul Naţional de Artă (National Art Museum) in the Kretzulescu (south) wing. During the fighting in December 1989, this building was among the most seriously damaged of the city’s cultural institutions, and over a thousand pieces of work were destroyed or damaged by gunfire and vandals. After a massive reconstruction project, during which time many of the items were repaired, the museum reopened and now holds a marvellous collection of European and Romanian art. Before entering, take a look at the photographs hung along the rails, which graphically illustrate the damage sustained by the palace during both the 1927 fire and the revolution.

Gallery of Romanian Medieval Art

Comprising works from every region of the country, the museum’s exhaustive Gallery of Romanian Medieval Art is quite spectacular, and the one section to see if pushed for time. Highlights of the first few halls include a fresco of The Last Supper – a mid fourteenth-century composition retrieved from St Nicholas’s Church in Curtea de Argeş – and a carved oak door from 1453 with shallow figurative reliefs from the chapel of Snagov monastery (which no longer exists). The Monastery Church in Curtea de Argeş is represented by some remarkably well-preserved icons and fresco fragments, while there are also some quite beautiful Epitaphios, liturgical veils embroidered on silk or velvet which were usually used for religious processions. Among the most memorable pieces is a sumptuous gilded Kivotos (a vessel used for holding gifts) in the shape of an Orthodox church, which was presented to Horezu monastery by Constantin Brâncoveanu, and some exquisite miniature wood-carved processional crosses from Moldavia, chiefly remarkable for the astonishing detail contained within – typically, scenes from the life of Christ. The standout items from the latter halls are the church door and iconostasis retrieved from Cotroceni Palace, fresco fragments from Enei Church, and a wood-carved iconostasis by Brâncoveanu from Arnota monastery. Trumping both of these, however, is a 6m-high, nineteenth-century carved walnut iconostasis taken from the Prince Şerban Church in Bucharest, albeit without the icons. The workmanship is extraordinary, featuring, in the finest detail, angels and cherubs, double-headed eagles and warriors on horseback.

Gallery of Romanian Modern Art

Up on the second floor, the Gallery of Romanian Modern Art features the best of the country’s nineteenth- and twentieth-century painters, not least Romania’s greatest artist, Nicolae Grigorescu. Look out for his brilliant character paintings, The Turk, Jew with a Goose, Gypsy Girl from Ghergani and the dramatic The Spy . There are no less sizeable contributions from Aman and Andreescu, both of whom were heavily influenced by the Barbizon School. Pallady, meanwhile, is represented by a clutch of typically suggestive nudes.

There’s a terrific assemblage of sculpture, too, by the likes of Storck ( Mystery ) and Paciurea, whose grisly God of War is just one of several Chimeras. Most visitors, though, come to see the work of Constantin Brâncuşi, Romania’s one truly world-renowned artist. Using various media, Brâncuşi displayed his versatility in a sublime body of work, including the beautiful white marble head of a sleeping woman ( Sleep ), a bronze, weeping nude ( The Prayer ) and the limestone-carved Wisdom of the Earth .

European Art Gallery

Though not nearly as exciting as the Romanian galleries, the European Art Gallery (entrance A1) nevertheless contains an impressive array of work spanning the fourteenth to the twentieth centuries. Divided by schools, it has particularly fine paintings from Italian and Spanish artists, including Tintoretto’s The Annunciation and Cano’s beautifully mournful Christ at the Column . Among the line-up of predominantly lesser-known artists is a sprinkling of superstar names, including El Greco (three paintings, the pick of which is a colourful Adoration of the Shepherds ), Rubens ( Portrait of a Lady ), Monet ( Camille and Boats at Honfleur ) and a painting apiece by Renoir ( Landscape with House ) and Sisley ( The Church at Moret in Winter ). Look out, too, for Pieter Bruegel’s spectacularly detailed and gruesome Massacre of the Innocents . The most prominent piece of sculpture is MeŠtrovíc’s superb bronze bust of King Carol I. No less impressive is the decorative art section, which contains one of the museum’s oldest items, the Reichsadlerhumpen Goblet from Bavaria, dating from 1596.

Piaţa Universităţii is the focus of city life and traffic, and was one of the key sites of the 1989 revolution, as evinced by the numerous memorials (note the ten stone crosses in the road island) to those killed at Christmas 1989 and in June 1990. The latter marks the date on which miners, under Iliescu’s orders, drove out students who had been on hunger strike since April 30, causing the square to be nicknamed Piaţa Tiananmen. The most poignant of the memorials is the black cross and wall plaque at B-dul Bălcescu 18, some 200m north of the InterContinental hotel – this marks the spot where the first victim, Mihai Gătlan, aged 19, fell at 5.30pm on December 21.

The northern end of Calea Victoriei culminates in Piaţa Victoriei , a vast circular space around which drivers maniacally jockey for position. The buildings surrounding the square are your archetypal Socialist monstrosities, not least the main government building, the hulking Palaţul Victoria , completed in 1944 but even then already showing a chilly Stalinist influence in its design. The main reason you’re likely to wind up here is for the clutch of fine museums nearby.

Muzeul Ţăranului Romăn

Housed in an imposing, neo-Brâncovenesc redbrick building, the Muzeul Ţăranului Romăn (Museum of the Romanian Peasant) ranks a very close second to the Village Museum as the top museum in the city. On show is a wonderful display of traditional peasant artefacts from all regions of Romania, including colourfully woven linen and textiles, carvings, ceramics and a fabulous hoard of icons painted on wood and glass. Nothing, though, beats the exquisite collection of two thousand miniature clay toys , many shaped into zoomorphic forms, such as cuckoos, horses and lions, as well as bird- and dog-shaped pipes. Of the several impressively reconstructed buildings dotted around the museum, the most eye-catching is an eighteenth-century windmill from Haţeg county, an enormous contraption that took three years to piece back together. Similarly, a thick-set peasant dwelling from Gorj county, comprising three rooms, a loft for storage and a superb porch/balcony, took around a year to reconstruct. There is also an incomplete timber church from Hunedoara, around which lie some of its furnishings – altar doors, a holy table, church bells and so on. A wooden church, typical of those found in Maramureş, stands on a neat patch of grass at the rear of the museum. One of the best places in the city for souvenirs, the museum shop sells a beautiful assortment of rugs, costumes and other folksy objects, while, to the rear, there’s a pleasant café. Look out, too, for the monthly craft fairs held in the courtyard.

The entire premises were actually occupied by the Museum of Communist Party History until 1990, and there are still remnants from this time in the small basement , which contains a curious collection of paintings and busts of former communist leaders. Notably, there’s nothing pertaining to Ceauşescu – most images of the dictator were destroyed following his execution.

SNAGOV , a sprawling village 40km north of Bucharest, is the most popular weekend destination for Bucharestians. Its beautiful 19km-long lake has watersports facilities and a reserve for water plants, such as Indian waterlily, arrowhead and oriental beech. In the centre of the lake is an island occupied by a monastery built in 1519. King Mihai and later Ceauşescu and other high functionaries had their weekend villas around the shore, and the lake was also the scene of the summit which saw Yugoslavia’s expulsion from the Warsaw Pact in 1948. Bălcescu and other revolutionaries of 1848 were held in the monastery’s prison, as was the Hungarian leader Imre Nagy following the Soviet invasion of 1956.

Systematization was Ceauşescu’s policy to do away with up to half of the country’s villages and move the rural population into larger centres. The concept was first developed by Nikita Khrushchev in the Soviet Union in 1951, to combat the movement of younger people to the towns by amalgamating villages to raise the standard of rural life. In 1967 Ceauşescu reorganized Romania’s local government system and announced a scheme to get rid of up to 6300 villages and replace them with 120 new towns and 558 agro-industrial centres.

Ceauşescu thought that by herding people together into apartment buildings so that “the community fully dominates and controls the individual”, systematization would produce Romania’s “new socialist man”. However, the project was forgotten while Ceauşescu was preoccupied by other projects such as the Danube–Black Sea Canal and Bucharest’s Centru Civic, but he relaunched it in March 1988, when he was becoming obsessed with increasing exports and paying off the national debt.

The model development was to be the Ilfov Agricultural Sector , immediately north of Bucharest, where the first evictions and demolitions took place in August 1988. Only two or three days’ notice was given before shops were closed down and bus services stopped, forcing the people into the designated villages. En route to Snagov, you’ll pass through the area most notoriously affected by the systematization programme. Baloteşti , just north of Henri Coandă airport, consists of stark modern apartment buildings, housing people displaced from villages such as Dimieni, which lay just east of the airport. Vlădiceasca and Cioflinceni, just off the DN1 on the road to Snagov, were bulldozed and the inhabitants resettled in Ghermăneşti, on the western outskirts of Snagov. In other villages across the nation, ugly concrete Civic Centre buildings began to appear in the centres of the planned New Towns.

There was widespread condemnation of this scheme that was set to uproot half of the rural populace; in August 1988, the Cluj academic Doina Cornea , one of the country’s few open dissidents, wrote an open letter (published in the West) in protest, pointing out that the villages, with their unbroken folk culture, are the spiritual centre of Romanian life, and that to demolish them would be to “strike at the very soul of the people”. She was soon placed under house arrest, but the campaign abroad gathered pace. Approximately eighteen villages had suffered major demolitions by the end of 1989, when the scheme was at once cancelled by the FSN, the new ruling party following the revolution.

Romania’s revolution was the most dramatic of the popular revolts that convulsed Eastern Europe in 1989. On the morning of December 21, 1989, a staged demonstration – organized to show support for the Ceauşescu regime following days of rioting against it in Timişoara – backfired spectacularly. Eight minutes into Ceauşescu’s speech from the balcony of the Central Committee building, part of the eighty-thousand-strong crowd began chanting “Ti-mi-şoa-ra”; the leader’s shock and fear were televised across Romania before transmissions ceased. From that moment, it was clear that the end of the Ceauşescu regime was inevitable. Though the square was cleared by nightfall, larger crowds poured back the next day, emboldened by news that the army was siding with the people in Timişoara and Bucharest. Strangely, the Ceauşescus remained inside the Central Committee building until noon, when they scrambled aboard a helicopter on the roof, beginning a flight that would end with their execution in a barracks in Târgovişte, on Christmas Day.

The revolution was tainted by the suspicion of having been stage-managed by the National Salvation Front (FSN) that took power in the name of the people. The FSN consisted of veteran communists, one of whom later let slip to a journalist that plans to oust the Ceauşescus had been laid months before. Among the oddities of the “official” version of events were Iliescu’s speech on the Piaţa Revoluţiei at a time when “terrorist” snipers were causing mayhem in the square, and the battle for the Interior Ministry, during which both sides supposedly ceased firing after a mysterious phone call. Given the hundreds of genuine “martyrs of the revolution”, the idea that it had been simply a ploy by Party bureaucrats to oust the Ceauşescus was shocking and potentially damaging to the new regime – so the secret police were ordered to mount an investigation, which duly concluded that while manipulation had occurred, the Russians, Americans and Hungarians were to blame.

Generally speaking, Bulevardul Regina Elisabeta – Bucharest’s main east–west axis heading west from Piaţa Universităţii – merits little attention, but there are a handful of sights worth exploring the further along you go, not least the tranquil Cişmigiu Gardens and, beyond here, the stately Cotroceni Palace .

Gradina Cişmigiu

Midway along Bulevardul Regina Elisabeta, the lovely Gradina Cişmigiu (Cişmigiu Gardens) were laid out as a park on land bequeathed to the city in 1845. Originally belonging to a Turkish water inspector, the gardens now fittingly contain a serpentine lake upon which small rowing boats and pedalos glide, rented by couples seeking solitude among the swans and weeping willows. Otherwise, the gardens simply provide a tranquil space, with workers snoozing beneath the trees at lunch times and pensioners meeting for games of chess. At the park’s northern end, a Roman garden contains busts of some of Romania’s literary greats while, for kids, there’s an attractive little playground next to the lake.

Palatul Cotroceni

The Palatul Cotroceni (Cotroceni Palace) was built as a monastery by Şerban Cantacuzino between 1679 and 1682 and served as a base for the Austrian army in 1737, the Russian army in 1806 and Tudor Vladimirescu’s rebels in 1821. Damaged by numerous fires and earthquakes over the course of its history, the original building was demolished in 1863 and the palace rebuilt from 1893 to 1895 to provide a home for the newly wed Prince Ferdinand and Princess Marie – it remained a residence for the royal family until 1939. Under communism, it served as the Palace of the Pioneers – the “Pioneers” being the Soviet-bloc equivalent of the Boy Scouts. A new south wing was added during restoration following the 1977 earthquake and this is now used for presidential functions. In 1984, Ceauşescu had the church demolished, apparently because it spoilt the view; this has since been replaced by a replica, completed in 2009. The church’s original bell tower, from 1679, still stands.

Tours pass first through the remains of the monastery, where the Cantacuzino family gravestones are kept, then through the new rooms from the 1893–95 rebuild, decorated throughout by French architect, Paul Gottereau. The style is eclectic, to say the least, taking in a variety of Western styles, though there’s a notably strong German influence, inevitable given Ferdinand’s stock. The most eye-catching rooms are the Flowers Room, a beautifully light and airy space with richly stuccoed walls and ceilings, and Ferdinand’s small, French-style library furnished in maple and sycamore wood.

Top image: Bucharest © Shutterstock

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Bucharest Travel Guide: Enjoy One of the Most Authentic Capitals in Europe

Home » Attractions » Cities » Bucharest Travel Guide: Enjoy One of the Most Authentic Capitals in Europe

• Attractions in Southern Romania
• Southern Romania

Diana Condrea

Discover our Bucharest City Tour

Located on the Eastern border of the EU, Bucharest was for centuries a city of contrasts. Today more than ever before. Romania’s capital is unique in a way that goes beyond the usual travel stereotypes. With its eclectic, noisy, and confusing look and mixed Western-Balkan atmosphere, today’s Bucharest is one of Europe’s most interesting cities to visit.

Bookmark our Bucharest travel guide to make the best of your time.

Lipscani Street,  Old Town Bucharest

Read also  Visit Bucharest As Soon As Possible

Bucharest and its mysterious origins

By the 14th century, a fortress surveilled the two commercial routes. While the site no longer exists today, researchers place it on the territory of today’s capital .

A clear historical image appears starting with the 15th century. The first document that mentions Bucharest dates from 1459, issued by the famous Vlad the Impaler . The medieval prince had there one of his residences, the Old Court, now the oldest monument in the capital. The court was permanently or temporarily used by the many rulers that followed. It was only in the 17th century that Bucharest became the capital of the region .

Find out more about the history of Bucharest

Statue of Roman Emperor Trajan, the National Museum of History

From a small fortress to a capital

Taking advantage of its location, Bucharest developed as a powerful commercial city. It became the capital of Southern Romania in 1659, but its boosting economy wasn’t the only factor considered . Its proximity to the Danube where the Ottoman armies were stationed worked well in the favor of the Turks in case of urgent military intervention .

Thanks to its geographical position, Bucharest was a passage point for all merchants who traveled from the Balkans to trade in Transylvania . The expansion of the Ottoman Empire’s influence boosted, even more, its commercial power . As a direct consequence, many inns, often owned by monasteries like Zlatari and Stavropoleos , appeared to serve the foreign merchants .

Stavropoleos Monastery

In the following centuries, Bucharest faced many wars, fires, plague epidemics, earthquakes, and unrest . Its political role continued to increase as it became the capital of the United Principalities in 1859 and the capital of Romania in 1918 .

However , Bucharest City lived its most intense transformation in the 20th century. In the first decades, monumental buildings, modern services, and a thriving social life transformed it into one of the most important cities in this part of Europe . Nonetheless, the heavy bombing from WW2 and the decades of communism changed it entirely . Today, it’s impossible to discover its story or understand its often confusing look without considering its time as a communist capital.

Your essential Bucharest travel guide

Bucharest is Romania’s most visited city. Take your pick from historical and cultural attractions, attend art shows, and concerts, and discover its off-the-beaten-track attractions and local life. 

Read also Best Things to Do in Bucharest for First-Time Visitors

The Choral Temple

If you only have a weekend, start with the Old Town and Victoriei Avenue. Add the World Record Palace of the Parliament to your list if you have the time . Visit also   the former house of dictator Nicolae Ceausescu  if you’re keen on learning more about communism.

Don’t miss the open-air Village Museum and the National Museum of History if you’re staying for more than a weekend. These are just two of the many interesting museums in Bucharest . If you have more time, include also the Museum of Art Collections or smaller places like the Storck Museum .

The Palace of the Parliament

Bucharest City offers a memorable experience. Its contrasting realities make it an original destination, modern yet traditional, luxurious yet poor, glossy yet casual, and full of parties but with churches around every corner .

Read also  Our Top Reasons to Visit Bucharest As Soon As Possible

When to come and how to get to Bucharest

Late April to early November is the best time to visit. Be aware of possible heat waves in July and August.

The fastest way to get to Bucharest is by flying directly to Henri Coanda Airport. There is a direct train to the railway station Gara de Nord or you can take the 783 shuttle bus to the city center. You can also take the 780 shuttle bus to the railway station.

Check here the schedule and routes of both lines.

International train travel is also an option, yet a very slow one, and only if you’re coming from Austria, Bulgaria, and Hungary.

Public transportation

The subway is the fastest and simplest way to travel across Bucharest.  It’s the best alternative to overcrowded buses, trolleys, and trams.

You can check all the subway routes  here .

Where to stay in Bucharest City

Book your accommodation in time to get the best deals. You can find below a hand-picked selection of our favorite places to stay in Bucharest.

If you prefer a central hotel, our recommendations are Hilton Garden Inn Bucharest , Mansion Boutique Hotel , Grand Boutique Hotel , and Grand Hotel Continental . Check also  Epoque Hotel , Cismigiu Hotel , and Marmorosch Hotel .

Booking an apartment is also a popular and more budget-friendly option. While there are hundreds of choices, we can help narrow down your list. Our suggestions are Vila Cotroceni Boutique , University Central , Bucharest Residence , Diana’s Flat , and Studio Old Town .

If hostels are your thing, try Podstel Bucharest , or First Hostel Bucharest .

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Travel tips

Location: Southern Romania

Nearby attractions: Comana Natural Park, Mogosoaia Palace, Snagov Church

Access: Henri Coanda International Airport

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Jetsetting Fools

Travel Far. Discover More. Spend Less.

40 Best Things To Do in Bucharest, Romania 

Welcome to JetSetting Fools, here you will find our best travel tips for destinations worldwide. Some of the links on this site are Affiliate Links and if you use them to make a purchase, we may earn a commission. For more information, read our Disclosure Policy .

Bucharest, Romania is a sprawling metropolis with a long and tangled history. It is not particularly a love-at-first-sight city. Figuring out the best things to do in Bucharest, Romania takes a little finesse.

At the core of Bucharest are a handful of ancient sights, ornate Orthodox churches, a raging restaurant scene and a dazzling nightlife district. Dotting the surrounding landscape are lush, expansive green spaces that somehow survive among the endless sea of concrete blocks. Bucharest can be starkly brutal, yet oddly inviting.

With our personal tips for the top things to do in Bucharest, you can plan your perfect trip to Romania!

Planning a Trip to Bucharest, Romania

When planning to visit Bucharest, there are many factors to consider other than figuring out what to do. This Bucharest guide covers the top sightseeing attractions, plus other need-to-know details – like where to stay and what to pack.

Additionally, we organize Bucharest sightseeing into convenient sample itineraries for visits from 1 to 5 days. Wondering what to eat in Bucharest? We share our top picks for places to eat in in our Bucharest Restaurants Guide .

Those who are planning for additional adventures in Romania can use our travel guides to other top destinations, as well.

• Best Romania Itinerary  
• Top Things To Do in Brasov
• Great Brasov Restaurants and Bars
• What To See in Sibiu  
• Where To Eat in Sibiu

Travelers visiting Bucharest from overseas should consult our general guide on How To Plan a Europe Vacation .

As you make your travel plans for Bucharest, staying organized is key! We recommend using our Printable Travel Planner – to keep up with all the important details.

40 THINGS TO DO IN BUCHAREST

Our list of Things To Do Bucharest features the best attractions and fun activities. We’ll view fascinating architecture, enjoy great gastronomy and discover a few hidden gems as well.

Pin, Save or Bookmark this Bucharest Travel Guide to plan your trip to Romania!

#1 Get Lost in Lipscani Old Town Bucharest

The revitalized Old Town is the prime place to start your Bucharest sightseeing. Only a small section of the historic core remains, but it is a wonderful web of cobblestone streets. Within the ancient Lipscani District, visitors will find hidden churches, pretty palaces and a seemingly endless number of eateries (most of which employ aggressive hostesses).

Getting lost in the Old Town is one of the top things to do in Bucharest. That said, be sure to walk the length of the best streets in the district, including the main east-west thoroughfare, Strada Lipscani Street, as well as Strada Smardan and Strada Franceza.

#2 Stand in Awe of the Architecture in Bucharest

Long ago dubbed ‘Little Paris of the East’, much of Bucharest’s charming architecture is crumbling. Standing stoically, however, are the bland Communist era buildings, many of which are covered in gigantic advertisements, which earn the residents some money. The mishmash of tasteful and tacky architectural styles in Bucharest is both bewildering and beguiling.

Whether you admire it or are astonished by it, the incredible array of architecture in Bucharest – especially in and around the Old Town – is not to be missed. Always look up at the buildings you pass by…what you see might surprise you!

A few of the top architectural gems that rank as Bucharest attractions are the Palace of Deposits and Consignments, the Coltea Hospital complex and the Central University Library.

#3 Glide through Pasajul Macca Villacrosse Passageway

Pasajul Macca Villacrosse is an elegant, glass-covered passage dating to the late 1800s and it’s one of the top things to see in Bucharest. Natural daylight filters through the yellow glass roof, creating a feeling of warmth, even on the coldest Bucharest days.

Similar to the covered shopping streets found in Paris , the stylish walkway, which leads from Calea Victoriei into the Old Town, is lined with fashionable eateries and hookah cafes. 

#4 See the Stavropoleos Monastery and Church

The Stavropoleos Monastery Church is a favorite attraction in Bucharest. The quaint and colorful Orthodox church dates to 1724. Although small, it is well worth going inside to see the murals that cover the walls. There is no fee to enter, making it one of the top things to do in Bucharest for free.

While nuns still live and work in the adjoining monastery, visitors are welcome to step into the courtyard garden, where there are tombstones and other fragments of the past.

#5 Visit other Churches in Bucharest City Center

While the Stavropoleos Church and Monastery rank as one of the best things to do in Old Town Bucharest, there are actually several churches that should be on your sightseeing list. The overwhelming majority of Romanians are Eastern Orthodox Christians – and their houses of worship are stunningly beautiful.

Biserica Sfantul Anton

Also known as Biserica Curtea Veche – or Old Court Church – Biserica Sfantul Anton stands as the oldest church in Bucharest. Built in the mid-1500s, the structure features a patterned red-and-white brick exterior. Still used regularly by locals – especially on Tuesdays, when women go to pray for health, wealth or for finding a husband – it is also one of the top Old Town Bucharest tourist attractions.

St. Nicholas Church

One of the unique churches in Bucharest, the St. Nicholas Russian Church – recognizable by its ornamental onion domes – was built in the early 1900s. Located near the University of Bucharest, it is often frequented by the student population, which is why it is also called the Student’s Church. Be sure to step inside to see the richly decorated interior.

Hidden Bucharest Churches

During Communism, many historic churches in Bucharest were either demolished, moved or hidden from sight by apartment blocks. Bucharest visitors can seek out some of the hidden churches in and around the Old Town today.

Doamnei Church is hidden in the old city center and one of the Bucharest must-see sights. Wedged behind a block of flats, the Doamnei Church dates to the late 1600s, and has suffered damage due to multiple earthquakes throughout the centuries. The church stands as a Romanian Ministry of Culture Historic Monument.

Biserica Sfantul Nicolae Selari (inside the Old Town) and Biserica Sfantul Ioan Nou (just outside of the Old Town) are two other fabulous hidden churches to track down.

#6 Browse the Carturesti Carusel Bookstore Bucharest

A bright and lovely bookstore in Bucharest, Carturesti Carusel is a sophisticated, multistory shop that is loved as much for its beautiful design as it is for the collection of books. One of the fun things to do in Bucharest Old Town is to visit the bookshop and enjoy a beverage at the top floor café.

#7 Visit the National Museum of Romanian History

Featuring artifacts and treasures from around the country, the National Museum of Romanian History tells the story of it’s ancient past. Visiting is one of the top Bucharest things to do for history buffs and anyone interested in learning more about the story of Romania. Top exhibits are a complete replica of Trajan’s Column and a collection of gold from the treasury.

#8 Check the Progress on the Curtea Veche Palace

For many years, the Curtea Veche Palace (or the Old Princely Court) was one of the top things to see in Bucharest Old Town – and it will be again, once the stalled renovation is complete. Built in 1459 under the direction of Vlad the Impaler (who inspired Bram Stoker’s Dracula character), the palace served as his residence. For many years, a bust of Vlad III sat in front of the palace and, perhaps, it will once more after the project is completed.

#9 Stand in the Center of University Square

A vast, concrete swath, University Square marks the center of the city and the northern boundary of Bucharest Old Town. Most of the top Bucharest attractions can be found just a short walk from here. Four statues watch over the square, paying tribute to Romania’s most revered scholars and politicians – and you can stand amongst them and take it all in!

#10 Go to Gradina Cismigiu Park

A delightful public park in the city center, Gradina Cismigiu is a beautifully planned green space and a common meeting place for Bucharest locals. Created in the year 1847, it features a manmade lake, numerous statues and monuments, as well as a tree-lined promenade with colorful flowers.

At the north end is the opulent Kretzulescu Palace (Palatul Cretulescu). For a time, the palace hosted a museum, but the interior is now off limits to visitors.

#11 Snap Photos on Umbrella Street Bucharest

Brightening up even the gloomiest of Bucharest days is the hip and colorful Umbrella Street. Tucked down an alleyway off Calle Victoriei, it’s a quick detour during your sightseeing. 

At the end of Umbrellas Street is a small church, with a fun legend. The St. Nicholas in a Day Church is said to have been completely built in a single day, although evidence suggests it actually took one year.

From here you can double back to Calle Victoriei via Umbrella Street – or take the Pasajul Englez (English Passage) that is just to the north. The once elegant passageway is now run down and sits in stark contrast to the rainbow umbrellas next door.

#12 Admire Artwork at the National Museum of Art

Located in the former Royal Palace, the National Art Museum Bucharest hosts an impressive collection of works. The displays are divided into three separately ticketed sections: Romanian Art, European Art Work (including pieces by masters) and the Royal Palace of Bucharest.

Tickets for the Bucharest Art Museum can be purchased separately for each exhibit or as a money-saving combo ticket.

#13 Attend a Concert at the Romanian Athenaeum

The Ateneul Roman is Bucharest’s premier performing arts theater and home to the George Enescu Philharmonic Orchestra. Built in the 1880s, the prestigious concert hall is gorgeously decorated and features stunning acoustics.

Interested parties can visit the Romanian Athenaeum for a small fee. However, one of the unique things to do in Bucharest is to actually attend a concert!

#14 Appreciate the Significance of Revolution Square

Although a rather ordinary looking plaza, the historical significance of Revolution Square makes it one of the important places to go to understand the events of Romanian Revolution of 1989.

It was here in December of 1989 that dictator Nicolae Ceausescu gave his last speech to an unexpectedly (to him, at least) angry crowd. After the speech, he and his wife fled by helicopter, but were quickly captured, tried and executed on Christmas Day. The events ended a 42-year reign of Communism in Romania.

Standing in the center of Revolution Square is the 82-foot-tall Memorial of Rebirth. Although the design is disliked by many locals in Bucharest (they call it “The Potato on a Stick”), it honors the 1,500 lives lost in the Romanian Revolution and the rebirth of the nation.

#15 Stroll the Length of Calea Victoriei

A main thoroughfare through the heart of the city since the 1700s, strolling Calea Victoriei is a must do in Bucharest. One of the first paved roads (with wood) to keep the mud at bay – it has long been the most fashionable street Bucharest.

Lined with boutique shops, upscale restaurants and historic palaces, it remains one of the top Bucharest, Romania tourist attractions.

In addition to Revolution Square and the Royal Palace, Calea Victoriei is also where visitors will find the Museum of Art Collections, the luxurious Athenee Palace Hilton Hotel and brilliant architecture, like the 19th century Palatul Stirbei and the Central University Library Carol I.

#16 Visit the Biserica Kretzulescu Orthodox Church

Built in the 1720s in the Romanian Brancovenesc style, the small red-brick Kretzulescu Church is one of the top Bucharest places to visit. Saved from demolition during the Communist era, the church features original mural paintings on the porch. The frescoes inside, however, were painted in the mid-1800s by painter Gheorghe Tattarescu.

#17 Watch the Bucharest Fountain Show

One of the fun and free things to do in Bucharest is to watch the fabulous fountain show. Taking place on weekend evenings during the summer months, the Bucharest Fountain Show is a 45-minute production of spraying water set to music and lights. Of course, the Piata Unirii Fountains are beautiful (and free) to look at any time of day. From here you can also gaze down Bulevardul Unirii to see the colossal People’s Palace.

#18 Ponder the People’s Palace

Whether you think the Palace of Parliament is a modern marvel or a monstrosity – or a whole lot of both – it is, without a doubt, one of the Bucharest highlights. Built at the behest of Dictator Nicolae Ceausescu, the Parliament Palace (which later came to be known as the People’s Palace) was designed to be the crowing jewel of his Socialist utopia.

The massive structure – which ranks as one of the heaviest buildings in the world, as well as the largest administrative building on the planet – took 13 years to complete. To make way for the gigantic building and the grand boulevard that leads to it, an entire historic Bucharest neighborhood was demolished. 

Guests can view a few of the 1100 rooms in the People’s Palace, but tours must be booked in advance.

#19 Get a Peek at the People’s Salvation Cathedral

This isn’t quite yet a thing to do in Bucharest…because the National Cathedral is not completely finished. However, it is nearly impossible to miss the golden domes that peek out from behind the Palace of Parliament. Construction on the record-breaking church is set to be completed in 2025. When finished, it will rank as the tallest and largest Eastern Orthodox Church (by volume and area) in the world. 

#20 Marvel at the Antim Monastery Bucharest

A beautiful and serene monastery amongst the hustle and bustle, Antim Monastery is one of the peaceful and relaxing places to visit in Bucharest. Built in 1715, the Antim Monastery is accessed by walking through a tunnel under a bell tower. The church itself features an ornately carved wooden door and interior paintings that date to the early 1800s. There is also a small museum on site.

#21 Walk Up to the Patriarchal Palace and Cathedral

Sitting atop the small Dealul Mitropoliei Hill, the Romanian Orthodox Patriarchal Cathedral is a top Bucharest landmark. Officially named the Patriarchal Cathedral of Saints Constantine and Helena, it is the center of the Romanian Orthodox Church.

Step inside to see the ornate iconostasis, stained-glass windows and colorful frescoes. Surrounding the church are grand buildings, including a museum and the Patriarchal Palace. Visitors can also take in the sweeping views of Bucharest and the People’s Palace from a small viewpoint near the small shop on the north side of the cathedral.

#22 Enjoy the Radu Voda Monastery

Radu Voda Monastery is a 16th century monastery tucked into a quiet neighborhood. While it feels a bit off the beaten track, it is busy with people who come to pray. Inside, visitors will find a glittering iconostasis, ancient relics and the founder’s tomb. Additionally, the grounds provide a sheltered oasis where you can take a rest.

#23 Visit the Monuments at Parcul Carol I

Designed as a French garden in 1900 and used for the 1906 Bucharest Exhibition, Park Carol I is one of the interesting places to see in Bucharest. The park features shaded paths, panoramic views, heaps of monuments and a couple museums. The most striking (and contentious) monument is the Nation’s Heroes Memorial and Mausoleum.

Built in the 1960s to honor socialist militants and as a place of burial for leaders, the monument took on new meaning after the fall of Communism in Romania. Renamed the Nation’s Heroes Memorial, the mausoleum now hosts the remains of Romanian soldiers and a flame burns for the Unknown Soldier. Unfortunately, it is impossible to get close to the monument or visit the mausoleum; it’s guarded and entering any area of the memorial is strictly prohibited.

#24 Stroll through Parcul Tineretului

A favorite local park with intertwining paths, big trees and a large lake, visiting Tineretului Park is one of the fun activities in Bucharest. Popular with families, top attractions are the kids’ play areas and wide-open green spaces. The wide, paved paths are ideal for jogging and biking and the lake offers pedal boats for hire in the summertime.

#25 Spend Time in a Bucharest Cemetery

While not all travelers will put a cemetery on their list of things to visit in Bucharest, the cemeteries are peaceful and reverent places to spend some time. Dating to the mid-1800s, the Cimitirul Bellu Cemetery is the final resting place for many of Bucharest’s most famous and distinguished citizens. Graves are marked with elaborate sculptures and decorative mausoleums.

Interested visitors can also stop by the nearby Cemetery of Heroes of the Revolution of December 1989 (Cimitirul Eroii Revolutiei). The small but poignant cemetery celebrates those who died fighting against the Communist rule. 

#26 Sit in the Garden at Primaverii Palace 

The Primaverii Palace – also called the Ceausescu Palace or House of Ceausescu – was the luxurious residence where the dictator lived with his family in Bucharest. The interior of the 80-room abode is decorated with silk wallpaper and gold furnishings. Additionally, there is a pool, a sauna, a greenhouse and a garden with peacocks.

Since the downfall of Ceausescu, the house has been preserved as a museum. Visitors can tour the home, including the palace study, the richly decorated living room and the underground bunker.

However, those not keen on going inside can skip the tour and simply enjoy the palace garden. The entry takes you along a long hallway decorated with photographs of Ceausescu posing with (in)famous heads of government (like US President Nixon, Yugoslavia leader Tito and Saddam Hussein).

#27 Have Fun at Herastrau Park

One of the biggest and best parks in Bucharest, Herastrau Park – officially called King Mihai I Park – was established in 1936. Whether looking for family fun or romantic things to do in Bucharest, Herastrau Park is a top pick.

In fact, with the myriad of activities, you could easily spend an entire day at the park. Walking, bicycling and boating are top active adventures, but the park also boasts planned gardens, monuments, an outdoor museum, restaurants and bars.

Among the many eating and drinking establishments located within (or nearby) the Herastrau Park (including the Hard Rock Cafe), Beraria H is our choice. The massive beer hall, which also has a lakeside beer garden and a regular line up of evening entertainment, is one of the fun places to go in Bucharest for socializing!

#28 Dive into the Past at Dimitrie Gusti Village

A fascinating open air museum located within the Herastrau Park, Dimitrie Gusti National Village Museum is a re-created historic Romanian village. Similar to the ASTRA Open Air Museum in Sibiu , Dimitrie Gusti displays traditional houses, windmills and churches from various regions around the country.

#29 Gaze at the Grand Arch de Triumph

Rising from the center of Bucharest’s busiest roundabout on the southwest corner of Herastrau Park, the arched memorial is dedicated to Romanian soldiers who fought in World War I. The Neoclassical 85-foot-tall Arcul de Triumf was modeled after the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. 

The arch marks the site of military parades and the Tomb of the Unknown Solider of WWI is at the base. Going to the top of the arch is one of the cool things to do in Bucharest. It was closed during our visit, but is now open on weekends during the summer.

#30 Gawk at the House of the Free Press Building

Once reigning as the tallest building in the city (from 1956 until 2007), the House of the Free Press is still an impressive Bucharest landmark. The Stalinist style building was constructed to house Romania’s printing presses and news staff. Many Romanian newspapers are still headquartered inside the building today.  

A statue of Stalin once stood in front of the massive structure. Today, the winged Aripi Monument – another tribute to Romanians who lost their lives fighting Communism – stands in its place. 

For visitors, taking in the grand view of the Free Press Building from the monument is one of the interesting things to do in Bucharest – especially for fans of Socialist Modern architecture. 

#31 Discover the Street Art of Bucharest

Like many cities around the world, Bucharest is decorated with colorful street art murals and graffiti tags. Some are whimsical drawings, while other artworks focus on social and political statements.

One of the fun things to do in Bucharest, Romania is to seek out the best street art – and Arthur Verona Street is the best place to do it. Start at the Cartesuri Verona Bookshop and walk east on Strada Pictor Arthur Verona.

#32 Smell the Roses at the Botanical Garden

Hosting more than 10,000 plant species, the Dimitrie Brandza Bucharest opened in 1891. With an inexpensive entry fee and ample paths, visiting the garden is one of the fun outdoor activities to do in Bucharest.

Highlights of the Botanical Gardens are the Old Greenhouses (which feature tropical and exotic plants), the Japanese Garden and the Rose Garden. Just try to ignore the giant smoke stacks and humming of the adjacent power plant.

#33 Get a Peek Inside Cotroceni Palace

One of the more unusual things to do in Bucharest is to go to the Romanian president’s house, Cotroceni Palace. Although tours are limited to the part of the house that is designated as the National Museum, it’s still worth the effort to see the interior.

To tour the impressive palace, guests are required to make reservations in advance. In fact, to even step foot on the grounds, a reservation and passport are required (so keep that in mind before trekking out to see it!).

#34 Step Back in Time at the Ferestroika Communist Apartment

Visitors looking to better understand life in Romania during Communism should put the Ferestroika Museum on their to do list. The small, 3-room apartment is a time capsule that captures everyday life in Bucharest in the 1980s. Museum guests are invited to interact with the exhibits…as if visiting a friend’s house.

#35 Attend a Ballet at the National Opera House

Listed on the National Register of Historic Monuments, the fairly new Bucharest Opera House was built in 1953. While the exterior is elegant and demure, the interior is sumptuously decorated. What makes it one of the top places to visit, however, is the affordable and talented performances.

#36 Visit the Natural History Museum

On the north side of Victory Square – just south of the Kiselff Park – is one of the most interesting museums in Bucharest: Grigore Antipa National Museum of Natural History.

The massive, family-friendly museum displays a wide variety of animal species from around the world. Expect everything from insects to dinosaur skeletons!

Looking for more fun things to do in Bucharest with kids? Head next door to the quirky Bucharest Dino Park.

#37 Learn about Romanian Musician George Enescu

Located inside the extravagant Cantacuzino Palace, the George Enescu National Museum is one of the best places to visit in Bucharest to learn about the famous composer. Exhibits feature artifacts and memorabilia dedicated to George Enescu and his music.

The museum is undergoing a lengthy renovation aimed at reviving the Art Nouveau building to its original splendor.

#38 Glimpse the Past at Filipescu Cesianu House

One of the beautiful places in Bucharest to visit, the Filipescu Cesianu House Museum is situated inside a restored mansion on Calea Victoriei. Inside, visitors get a glimpse into the history of Bucharest and the generations of people who have lived there.

Admission is inexpensive and there are English translations for the exhibits. Don’t miss the garden, which hosts numerous (creepy) statues.

Want more Romanian history? Take time to visit the nearby George Severeanu Museum, which is situated in a lovely mansion and features an array of old coins and ancient objects.

#39 Peruse the Produce at Bucharest Obor Market

The massive Obor Market is, without doubt, the city’s biggest market and one of the fascinating things to see in Bucharest. Spread over two buildings – one for household goods and the other for fresh produce, meats and cheeses – visitors could spend hours perusing the aisles.

That said, we think the best reason to go the Obor Market is for a meal of mici – little grilled sausages – at Terasa Obor. The cheap, fast-food meal is a favorite among locals and there will most certainly be a line, but don’t worry because it moves quickly.

Rather than going to the market on your own, you can join a local who will lead the way to the top food stalls for local eats. Find out more!

#40 Explore the Best Neighborhoods in Bucharest

Without a doubt, one of the absolute highlights of Bucharest is the historic neighborhoods. We recommend exploring on foot with a heaping dose of curiosity. The premirer neighborhoods in Bucharest are lined with grand mansions and dotted with cute cafes.

Dorobanti, located in the posh Sector 1, is fun to navigate with its tree lined streets and pretty houses. One of our favorite areas to wander is the Old Bucharest neighborhood surrounding Gradina Icoanei, which features lovely villas and charming lanes. 

More Bucharest Things To Do

We have highlighted the best attractions in Bucharest, however, there are a few more activities in the city that we want to mention.

Bucharest Shopping

Those who want to spend a little time shopping in Bucharest, will find plenty of places to do it. The Old Town is a good place to find souvenirs, however, the chic boutiques along Calea Victoriei may offer something unique.

If you’re looking for fashion in Bucharest, visit one of the city center malls – Unirea Shopping Center or Cocor. The biggest mall in Bucharest, however, is the Mega Mall just a short drive from the Old Town.

Theme Parks in Bucharest

In addition to the Dino Park, there are several Bucharest theme parks that can provide hours of entertainment for both kids and adults.

Children’s Town Bucharest, located in Parcul Tineretului, offers classic carnival style rides and splash pools. Parcul Tei has a Ferris wheel and rollercoaster. Divertiland Aqua Park provides hours of fun in the summertime with a lazy river, water slides and a wave pool.

Therme Bucharest Spa

A modern wellness center, Therme offers a luxury spa experience – complete with mineral pools, saunas, slides, a swim up bar and a botanical garden. However, the location is quite a distance from the city center. We recommend booking a complete package with skip-the-line entrance and round-trip transport.

Top Bucharest Events

Throughout the year, the city hosts numerous events – from festivals to concerts to art exhibits. Some of these affairs are the prestigious Bucharest International Film Fest, the Europafest Jazz Music Competition and the George Enescu Classical Music Fest.

Additionally, autumn visitors can partake in the Romanian Wine Festival. For those who are looking for things to do in Bucharest at Christmas can attend the city’s holiday markets.  

Best Bucharest Tours

We typically enjoy getting acquainted with places on our own, but Bucharest is complex. It’s more insightful getting to know the city with a guide leading the way on a Bucharest Sightseeing Tour.

Free Walking Tour Bucharest

We joined the mid-morning Story of Bucharest Tour by Walkabout Free Tour . Featuring top attractions coupled with personal stories, our guide gave an honest introduction to Bucharest.

They also offer tours that cover how Romania was first ruled by a Monarchy, then a Communist regime. As with most free walking tours, keep in mind that the guide works for tips, so be prepared with cash (in local currency).

Bike Tour Bucharest

Bucharest is one of the biggest cities in Europe and some popular sights are spread far apart. With a bike, however, you can cover a lot more ground. Join a guide on a small group tour that goes beyond the Old Town Bucharest sights to see more on a half day tour. Get the details

Alternative Tour Bucharest

Visitors who want to delve deeper into a different side of Bucharest should join the Alternative Tour. With a keen focus on Bucharest’s culture, tour participants are introduced to the best street art, galleries, fashion and urban issues. Book it here

Top Day Trips from Bucharest, Romania

There are many places to visit around Bucharest, as well! We are sharing a few popular tours and top things to do near Bucharest that you might want to add to your trip plan.

Transylvania and Brasov Day Trip from Bucharest

If your overall Itinerary for Romania doesn’t include Brasov and Transylvania, you can still get there on a Peles and Bran Castle Day Trip from Bucharest. Join this highly rated Brasov, Peles Castle and Bran Tour from Bucharest. Get the details

Palatul Mogosoaia and Monasteries

The 300-year-old Mogosoaia Palace is one of the most beautiful places near Bucharest. Visitors can see the palace – plus two other historic monasteries – on a 5-hour tour from Bucharest. Find out more

Day Trip from Bucharest to Bulgaria

You might not realize it, but Bulgaria is one of the best places to visit near Bucharest. On a guided tour, participants visit a Bulgarian village, an ancient fortress and historic monastery. Learn more about this trip

Bucharest to Constanta Tour

A popular seaside destination on the Black Sea Coast, Constanta provides sun, sea and history! On a full day trip from Bucharest, visitors can learn about the past, see the city and relax by the sea. Get the specifics

Eating and Drinking in Bucharest

We love hearty Romanian fare, and fortunately for us and you, finding food in Bucharest is one of the fun things to do!

Sarmale – rolled cabbage stuffed with meat and rice – is the national dish of Romania, and visitors should definitely get a taste of it. We also suggest getting a taste of locally produced craft beer. Several Romanian brewery taprooms are located in the heart of the city. 

We showcase all our favorite places to go out in our guide of What To Eat and Drink in Bucharest !

Enjoy the Nightlife in Bucharest

We couldn’t talk about fantastic things to do in Bucharest without mentioning the exuberant nightlife. The center of entertainment in Bucharest is the heart of the Old Town…and the party lasts until dawn.

While we don’t have any specific Bucharest nightlife recommendations, there are a hefty number of bars, discos, strip clubs and gyro shops to make it a complete night out. This fun Bar Crawl Bucharest is a good opportunity to go to several spots with a group of new best friends!

Bucharest Map

Use this link to Google for an online version of our Map of Bucharest Things To Do.

Bucharest, Romania FAQs

Now that we’ve covered everything to do in Bucharest – it’s likely you still have a few questions for your visit. Below we answer a few frequently asked questions about traveling to Bucharest.

Where is Bucharest?

Bucharest, the capital of Romania and the largest city in the country, sits in the southeastern part of the country. It’s located just 30 miles north of the Danube River, which marks the border between Romania and Bulgaria.

What is Bucharest Famous For?

Bucharest is an old city and has been known for many things through its long history. Today, however, Bucharest is famous for its grand buildings and an enthusiastic nightlife. The city is also infamously known for being confused with Budapest, due to the similarity of the name. 

Is Bucharest Worth Visiting?

Absolutely! However, in our conversations with locals before arriving in Bucharest, we were constantly cautioned about the abrasiveness of the city. While many travelers opt to bypass formidable Bucharest in favor of the Saxon cities in Transylvania, we think it’s well worth a visit. 

When is the Best Time to Visit Bucharest?

Deciding when to travel to Bucharest is one of biggest factors in planning a trip. We think the best time to go to Bucharest is in the autumn, when the temperatures back off enough that you can enjoy the outdoors without the oppressive heat.

Winter can be gloomy and cold, but budget travelers can find great deals on plane tickets and accommodations.

Springtime in another good time to visit Bucharest. The weather, although occasionally rainy, can generally be quite pleasant and hotels offer great rates.

Is Bucharest Affordable?

Overall, Bucharest is an affordable destination. Budget-conscious travelers will find many free and cheap things to do in Bucharest. Accommodations and food are a good value, when compared to other European destinations. Although most museums charge entry fees, tickets are usually reasonably priced. 

What is the Currency in Romania?

The currency used in Romania is the Leu (or Lei plural). They are eventually converting to the Euro…but until then, plan on using the local RON currency. Credit cards are widely accepted, as well.

Should I Tip in Bucharest?

Unlike most European cities, tipping is part of the culture in Romania. A 10% tip is fairly standard for most services – like meals at restaurants and tours. Tipping is almost always done in cash – even when paying with a credit card. Therefore, it is important to have local currency in small bills.

How Many Days in Bucharest?

It can be tough to determine how many days to spend in Bucharest. While there are not heaps of sights to see, per se, there are many engaging things to do in Bucharest that can keep travelers entertained for days. To help you decide, read our Bucharest Itinerary suggestions next. 

Sample Bucharest Itineraries

We have outlined what to do in Bucharest – now we’re going to wrap it all into an itinerary. Each day builds off the previous, ultimately creating a 5-Day Bucharest Itinerary.

1 Day in Bucharest

With only 24 hours in Bucharest, visitors have just enough time to see the highlights of the Old Town and the attractions to the north. To create an ideal One Day Bucharest Itinerary, we recommend seeing sights #1 – 16 on our list.

2 Days in Bucharest Itinerary

Spending 48 hours in Bucharest allows ample time for seeing the most important sights. After seeing the Old Town and the attractions along Calea Victoriei on Day 1, spend your second day visiting the People’s Palace, important churches and city parks. For Day 2 plan on seeing sights #17 – 25.

Bucharest 3 Day Itinerary

Visitors who have 3 days in Bucharest, Romania can add a lot to their trip plan. After spending the first two days seeing the Old Town and sights south of the city center, go to the Herastrau Park. Sights #26 – 30 are what to see on Day 3.

4 Days in Bucharest Itinerary

Those who are visiting Bucharest in 4 days have enough time to go to the west of the city center. Visit the Botanical Gardens and Cotroceni Palace. Refer to #31 – 35 to plan what else to see.

5 Days in Bucharest

Visitors staying in Bucharest for 5 days can spend their last day in several different ways. Explore neighborhoods on foot, go to a few of the best museums or take a Bucharest day trip to one of the sights further afield. See #36 – 40 and the Day Trips section above.

Travel Tips for Bucharest, Romania

Now that you know what to see in Bucharest and how to plan your time, we have a few final travel tips for your trip! 

How To Get to Bucharest

The best way to reach Bucharest is by plane, unless traveling from within Romania. Even then, domestic flights in Romania are short and may be worth the extra cost.

Airports in Bucharest, Romania

The main airport in Bucharest is the Henri Coanda International Airport (OTP). It is the busiest airport in the country and is primarily served by low-cost carriers Ryanair and Wizz Air along with the Romanian national airline, TAROM.

The Bucharest airport is located 11 miles north of the Old Town. To get from the airport to Bucharest City Center takes at least 45 minutes by car. We recommend using Uber  or booking an airport transfer in advance .

Alternatively, visitors can use Express Bus Line #783, which takes about an hour and costs less than a dollar.  

Trains to Bucharest

Train service in Romania is notoriously slow and unreliable, but there are a few good train lines that connect Bucharest to other parts of the country.

Brasov to Bucharest by Train

The Brasov to Bucharest train is a direct and efficient way to travel between the two cities. The Brasov – Bucharest distance is approximately 115 miles and takes about 2.5 hours. Travelers can find Brasov to Bucharest train times at the train station or online at CFR Calatori .

Bucharest Bus

Other destinations in Romania can be reached by bus from Bucharest. Although we recommend the train instead of the Brasov to Bucharest Bus, it is possible to get between the two cities by coach. There is, however, no direct public transit route from Bran to Bucharest. Visitors will need to take a bus from Bran to Brasov, then the train from Brasov to Bucharest.

How To Get Around Bucharest

When it comes to getting around Bucharest, travelers have ample options: Walking, Biking, Bus, Trolleybus, Tram, Metro and Uber/Taxi.

Walking in Bucharest

We think one of the best ways to get around Bucharest is by walking. That said, there are many broken sidewalks and cobblestone streets, so walkers need to pay attention!

Biking Bucharest

Although we prefer walking, bicycling can be a great way to get around. With two wheels, you will be able to cover a lot of ground, while still enjoying the surroundings. Reserve your bike rental in advance !

Bucharest Public Transit

Public transportation can be an extremely cheap and effective way to get around Bucharest. That said, it can be confusing for non-Romanian speakers.

For the buses, trolleybuses and trams, single ride tickets can be purchased on the bus with a contactless credit card. The fare machines, however, don’t translate and paying for multiple tickets with the same card can be difficult (hint: after tapping the card for the first fare, press the + sign and tap again).

The Bucharest Metro, however, is much easier to use – and it’s the fastest way to get around. Ticket machines are available once inside the station with instructions in English.

Uber and Taxis in Bucharest

Visitors can also use taxis and Uber to get around Bucharest. Uber rides are incredibly inexpensive and drivers are readily available.

Where To Stay in Bucharest

We think the best place to stay in Bucharest is right outside of the Old Town. Choosing this location allows visitors easy access to the top sights, without the noise and congestion of staying right in the party zone.

We are highlighting a few of the top-rated hotels in Bucharest for your stay. Before you start your search, read our advice on How To Find Top Hotels at Great Prices .

Grand Hotel Continental

Rated by many as the best hotel in Bucharest, the elegant Grand Hotel Continental offers stylish and spacious rooms as well as a good breakfast. Check rates for your stay

Capitol Hotel

Featuring quiet, clean and comfortable rooms, Capitol Hotel gets rave reviews as the best hotel to stay in Bucharest city center. Check availability

Sleep Inn Hostel

With both private rooms and dorm bed options, Sleep in Hostel ranks as one of the best hostels in Bucharest. The price point is ideal for budget travelers backpacking Bucharest. Check prices

Airbnb Bucharest, Romania

For those looking for short term holiday apartments to rent Bucharest, you can find many options on both Airbnb  and Booking.com .

What to Pack for your Bucharest Trip

Now it’s time to start packing your backpack or suitcase . You can find all of advice on our dedicated Packing Tips page, but first, grab your FREE Packing Checklist!

Comfortable Shoes

Bucharest visitors need to pack a good pair of comfortable travel shoes  for their trip. As we already mentioned, sights are spread far and wide…and the pavement is often uneven.

Travel Camera

Bucharest is a fascinating place to photograph. Whether snapping pictures of the architecture or street art, we recommend upgrading to a real travel camera for your Romania trip. We use a Canon Rebel with a 18-135mm lens for our photos. It’s one of the best cameras for budget conscious travelers !

Good Day Pack

When sightseeing in Bucharest, you will want to carry a travel day pack that can keep all of your personal items organized. We recommend a day bag with zippered pockets and is big enough to stow things like a raincoat and travel umbrella .

European Travel Insurance

If you haven’t purchased travel insurance for your trip to Romania, check rates and coverage at with a reliable company .

We Want To Know: What would you add to our list of the Best Things To Do in Bucharest, Romania? Give us your advice in the comments!

Start planning your trip to Romania ! Search for the lowest airfares , the best accommodations and fun things to do …then start packing !   Want more travel advice? Head over to our Travel Planning Page for more tips on traveling – and for country-specific information, take a look at our Travel Guides Page !

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Traveling to other nearby destinations? Use our detailed and free guides to plan your trip! 

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23 Great Things to Do in Bucharest, Romania

Bucharest, the capital of Romania, is often considered a boring city, good only for parties, but that’s actually so far from the truth. This is one of the best places to visit in Romania and one of the most underrated destinations in Europe. There are so many great and diverse things to do in Bucharest that there is no way you can get bored when visiting Bucharest.

I had a chance to visit Bucharest a few times and each time I’m really impressed with the potential this place has. Sure, it might take a bit of an open mind to appreciate its chaos (it is on so many levels) but once you approach this city with the right attitude, it’s so easy to enjoy it and fall for it. That’s exactly what happened to me and many people that I know, and hopefully, this will be your story with Bucharest too.

After yet another trip to Bucharest, I finally put together this guide with my favorite things to do in Bucharest. I hope this Bucharest guide will answer all your questions about this place and will help you plan your perfect trip. And if there are still things you would like to ask about visiting Bucharest, please join my Facebook group about traveling in Eastern Europe and talk to the members and fellow enthusiasts of this region.

Planning a trip to Bucharest?

Here are the highly-rated hotels, tours, and services recommended for your trip:

Accomodation:

• Vilacrosse Boutique Inn (9.3/10)
• Bucur Accommodation (9.0/10)
• Matisse Bucharest Old Town (9.4/10)

Tours and activities:

• Dracula Castle, Peles & Brasov Full-Day Trip
• City Highlights Guided Walking Tour
• Bohemian Bucharest Markets and Mahallas Walking Food Tour

Internet: Stay connected with Airalo eSim card – click here to get yours!

Insurance: Get insured for your trip to Romania with SafetyWing

Airport Transfer: Use Welcome Pickups for a smooth ride from the airport to your accommodation in Bucharest. Click here to book the airport transfer.

Car rental: Compare prices and find the best deals on rental cars in Bucharest on Discover Cars .

Table of Contents

Why visit Bucharest, Romania

If you travel to Bucharest with the thought that this is “the Paris of the east”, you might be slightly disappointed. While there are many beautiful buildings that resemble those from the capital of France, Bucharest is so much more than that.

This is such a diverse place, and you can clearly see it in the architecture where buildings of different styles stand next to each other. But the real gems are often hidden inside as there are so many stunning interiors all over the city.

Bucharest also has a great vibrant atmosphere, not only in the Old Town that is known for the nightlife but beyond as well. If only you give Bucharest a chance, I’m sure you will like the place.

How to get to Bucharest

If you are traveling from abroad (except for Bulgaria maybe), you will most likely fly to Bucharest. The Otopeni airport is located less than 20 km north of the center and serves both regular and low-cost airlines.

Getting to/from the airport is really easy, there is a train not far from the terminal with direct connections every 40 minutes to the main train station – Gara de Nord (from here you can use the metro to go to destinations all over the city). The tickets are sold before entering the platform, on the train, or online and cost around 5 lei one way.

When traveling from within Romania or from Bulgaria, trains seem to be the most popular option. You can check connections here . I recommend getting the tickets in advance as you might have problems when trying to buy the ticket shortly before the departure (that happened to me recently, twice).

The main train station in Bucharest is Gara de Nord, easily connected with the rest of the city with metro lines M1 (yellow) and M4 (green).

How to get around Bucharest

Getting around Bucharest is easy too. Many of the attractions in the center are located not far from each other so you can easily walk everywhere.

If you need to go to some places a bit further away, you can use the metro. The tickets are sold in the machine at the station, 6 lei for 2 trips. The metro is easy to navigate and fine to use. You can find the map of the Bucharest metro system here .

How many days for visiting Bucharest

Despite the popular opinion, there are actually quite many things to do in Bucharest, and checking them all can take a while. I think the optimal time for visiting Bucharest is 2 days (this is a perfect city for a weekend getaway). This way you can see all the best Bucharest attractions and feel the vibe of the city.

Of course, the more days the better! Add some extra time if you plan to go for some day trips from Bucharest.

• Are you planning a trip to Romania? Be sure to join my Facebook group about traveling in the region and be part of the amazing community of like-minded travelers. Click here for the access!
• Don’t want to miss new articles? Sign up to the monthly newsletter to receive all the updates to your mailbox!

Things to do in Bucharest

And finally, let’s talk about the best things to do in Bucharest. You can find them all below, in no particular order.

Visit Palace of Parliament

This is probably the most impressive place you can visit in Bucharest. The Palace of Parliament (known also as the Republic’s House or People’s Palace) is the second largest administrative building in the world after Pentagon in the US, dominating the central part of Bucharest. In fact, to build this majestic structure a big part of the historical center (5% of the overall city’s area) had to be demolished and some 40.000 inhabitants were rehoused.

The works started in 1983 and were fully finished in 1997 (when communism ended in Romania in 1989, some 80% of the building was done). There are around 1000 rooms, 30 ballrooms, 4 restaurants, 3 libraries, 2 underground parking lots, 1 big concert room, and 1 unfinished pool inside. Today the building is home to the Parliament of Romania and is used for various state functions and conferences but still 70% of it remains empty.

It is possible to tour the interiors of the Palace of Parliament and I can definitely recommend that. No words can describe the glamor and splendor you can find there, with crystal chandeliers, huge marble columns and so many details it’s easy to get overwhelmed.

You can get the ticket for visiting the Palace of Parliament here.

Explore the Old Town

Even if Bucharest Old Town is a fairly small place, this is where you should start your exploration of the Romanian capital. The rest of the city is a mixture of architectonic styles but here, in the maze of narrow, pedestrian lanes, you will find the charm of the past times. This is in fact one of the very few areas of the city that was not destroyed during World War 2 or the Civic Centre project.

The Old Town is the oldest area of Bucharest when the city was founded in the 14th century and until World War 2 this was the main merchant district. Still today, when wandering around, you can find the numerous remnants of these golden times in beautiful neo-Baroque and neoclassical buildings that this part of Bucharest is full of.

The Old Town in Bucharest is also the main nightlife hub of the city. In the daytime, the streets are full of cafes and restaurants where you can sit down, relax, and observe the world around but once the evening comes this is where the best parties in the city take place.

The Old Town is jammed between some of the main streets of Bucharest: Calea Victoriei to the west, Bulevardul Brătianu to the east, Regina Elisabeta to the north, and the Dambovita river to the south. The nearest metro stations are Piața Unirii and Universitate.

Find the beautiful Macca – Vilacrosse Passage

One of the most stunning hidden (literally) gems of the Old Town in Bucharest is the Macca – Villacrosse Passage. You can get inside via two entrances from Calea Victoriei and one from Strada Eugeniu Carada and even if from the outside the place doesn’t look like something special, it is a truly marvelous spot.

The pedestrian passage date back to the 19th century when this part of Bucharest became an economic hub of the Romanian capital and numerous headquarters of various institutions found a home here. The passage was made to be a shortcut between two main streets in the Old Town. The name of the passage, Macca – Vilacrosse, comes from the names of two homeowners who decided to sell their properties so the city could make this shortcut.

In the past, the Macca – Vilacrosse Passage was home to the first Stock Exchange House of Bucharest, today you can find there a few cafes and restaurants. But the main reason to stop here is to see the incredible beauty of the place, a fine example of the 19th-century grandness of Bucharest.

Visit Stavropoleos Monastery

Another gem of Bucharest Old Town is Stavropoleos Monastery, originally built in 1724 although ruined and restored afterward. Among all the churches you can find in central Bucharest, this is definitely the most beautiful one.

The monastery’s architecture is a real mix of influences, with Romanian, Oriental, Byzantine, and late Italian Renaissance elements but the main one is the unique Brâncovenesc style typical for the region. The stunning frescoes you can admire today are partly original ones from the 18th-century monastery.

Stavropoleos Monastery is definitely one of the must-visit places in Bucharest so don’t miss it.

Eat at Caru’ cu Bere

Located literally across the street from Stavropoleos Monastery, Caru’ cu Bere is hands down the most beautiful restaurant in Bucharest. If you are looking to try fine local cuisine this is a good place to start, and the stunning interior will make your meal even more enjoyable.

The restaurant was opened in 1879 but was moved to the current historical building in 1899. The amazing interior which is a mix of art nouveau and neogothic, and richly decorated with paints, stained glass, mosaics, and carved panelings, was designed by the Austrian architect Siegfrida Kofczinsky.

For years it’s been a favorite restaurant of Bucharest’s locals and visitors that still attracts many people, hence it’s better to book the table in advance. But even if you need to wait a bit, it’s still worth it.

Shop at Cărturești Carusel

Cărturești is a bookstore chain with locations all over Romania. However, their shop in Bucharest Old Town (at 55 Strada Lipscani) is considered one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world and you simply don’t want to miss it.

The building where Cărturești Carusel is located was built in 1903 by the family of wealthy Greek bankers, Chrissoveloni, and was used for their bank headquarters but in the 1950s it was confiscated by the communist regime and used as a general store only to be forgotten in the next years. In 2007, after years of legal battles, the building was returned to its original owners and the restorations began.

As a result, you can visit this stunning bookstore and enjoy your shopping on the three floors of beautiful interiors with curved balconies, columns, stuccos, and more. And if you just want to sit and relax, there is a teahouse on the top floor.

Since this is a very popular place among tourists and locals, it’s best to visit Cărturești Carusel in the morning to avoid crowds.

There is another charming bookstore by Cărturești brand in central Bucharest, Cărturești Verona at Bulevardul General Gheorghe Magheru, that might not be as beautiful but still has a great vibe of the old bookstore that invites you to browse around.

Visit Hanul cu Tei

One of the inconspicuous remnants of the old times in Bucharest’s Old Town is Hanul cu Tei, the old inn that is still standing at Lipscani street. It was built in 1833 and today it is the only remaining old inn in Bucharest, still preserved in its shape and look how it used to be in its origins.

In the past, the place had two owners, Anastasie Hagi Gheorghe Polizu and Ştefan Popovici (you can still see their original initials at the entrance), and each of them had 14 shops while the pedestrian alley was common. Today in Hanul cu Tei you can find a few art galleries and antique shops as well as restaurants. It’s worth stopping here to get a feel of how the Old Town in Bucharest used to be in the 19th century.

Discover the local street art scene

Bucharest has a pretty great street art scene although it might not be too obvious at first. You can find some nice big murals around, but the real treat is small stencils that cover the city. There often have a meaning and treat about important issues – they might not be too obvious to visitors, especially those who don’t speak Romanian, but they do carry a message.

If you would like to see some of the best murals in Bucharest, check the locations on this map (I found it pretty useful). Otherwise, just wander around with your eyes open and looks at the walls around you to see some great stencils you might like.

Enjoy the diverse architecture

One of my favorite things to do in Bucharest is to simply wander around and enjoy the diverse architecture of the city. The capital of Romania is often called “the little Paris” thanks to some grand buildings similar to those you can find in France but that’s only part of what the city has to offer on the architectural level. In fact, the streets of Bucharest are such a mix of styles that it’s hard to define them clearly.

There are some grand buildings from the 19th century, some amazing art nouveau spots or some unique-Romanian Brâncovenesc style creations, but there are also some impressive brutalist, art deco, and modernist masterpieces as well as socialist-realism pieces made as part of the Civic Centre project. Very often all those different styles are next to each other which, for some, might be a downside of Bucharest but I find it utterly fascinating. Visit Bucharest with an open mind so you can enjoy this crazy mix of architecture too!

Relax in Cișmigiu Gardens

Once you want to escape the hustle and bustle of the busy city, head to Cișmigiu Gardens – a pleasant park located in the central part of Bucharest. This is actually one of my favorite places to visit in Bucharest and I try to stop there every time I visit the city.

Cișmigiu Gardens is the oldest and the largest park in Bucharest and makes a perfect green oasis in the Romanian capital. The place was opened in 1860 and ever since has been a favorite place for locals to go for a stroll or to sit on one of the many benches and simply relax. There is also a small lake in the middle of the park where in the summer you can rent a boat and in winter you can go ice skating.

Shop in the former Stock Exchange Palace

One of the most impressive buildings in the Old Town is Palatul Bursei – the former Stock Exchange Palace, dating to the beginning of the 20th century. Today it hosts numerous institutions and businesses, including the “Antiques & Handmade” market.

Even if you don’t plan to do any shopping there, you still not to go inside (although it is a great place to get some unique souvenirs). The interior is still original, full of beautiful decor and details, and designed in the French neoclassical style.

Find the umbrella street

If you are looking for the perfect Instagrammable place in Bucharest, head to Pasajul Victoria near University where you will find a colorful umbrella street. The passage, connecting Calea Victoriei with Strada Academiei, dates back to the beginning of the 20th century but during the renovation process a few years ago, the umbrellas’ canopy was added to the place, giving the gloomy passage a new life and look and attracting both locals and tourists to the place.

Visit museums

Just like every other European capital, Bucharest is home to some great museums that you can tour during your trip to Romania. Some of them are located in historical buildings and old palaces so besides the cultural value you also get to see some beautiful interiors as a bonus.

Some of the best museums in Bucharest include the National Museum of Art of Romania, Cotroceni Palace, Museum of Art Collections, George Enescu Museum, Bucharest Municipality Museum, and Grigore Antipa National Museum of Natural History.

Enjoy Bucharest cafe scene

Bucharest has an exceptional cafe scene with so many great places to choose from. Many of them serve specialty coffee so if you are a fan of those, you are in for a treat. You can find some of the best cafes in Bucharest here .

In the summertime, numerous open-air cafes and bars add up to the overall great scene and a great Bucharest vibe. They are usually a bit hidden from the street view, places in the yards full of greenery, and can make a great escape on a hot day. Some of the most popular ones are Café Verona and Grădina Dorobanți but there are so many more.

Visit Romanian Athenaeum

From the outside, the Romanian Athenaeum might look beautiful but not really extraordinary but inside this place is a real gem. Opened in 1888, the iconic neoclassical building is the oldest cultural institution in Bucharest, the most prestigious concert hall, and home to the “George Enescu” Philharmonic Orchestra.

The good news is, you can visit this gem of architecture without scoring tickets for the show (which is not always easy). Many visitors only admire the building from the outside and don’t know that on the right side there is a random door that will lead you to the stunning interior that you can see for a small fee.

And the interior is really jaw-dropping, probably the most incredible you will see in Bucharest. Both, the foyer and the auditorium are richly decorated, with frescoes, bas-reliefs, and more. Visiting the Romanian Athenaeum on a random day has another advantage – most likely there won’t be many people around so you can spend there as much time as you want, carefully checking every spot and its features.

Pay respect at Revolution Square

Not far from Romanian Athenaeum you will find Revolution Square, probably the most important place in the recent history of Bucharest. Until 1989 this centrally located spot was named Palace Square but after the tragic events of that year, the name was changed to honor what had happened here.

Revolution Square is where the massive protests in December 1989 in fact ended the communist regime in Romania and led to the execution of its leader Nicolae Ceaușescu. However, the unrest resulted in a high number of casualties that fought for their country (sources say between 700 and 1300 people died and over 3300 were injured).

In the central part of Revolution Square, you can see the monument commemorating those tragic events. The sculpture (which resembles a potato and that’s what it’s called by locals) still brings mixed feelings and is criticized by many for the lack of symbolism. Still, it’s worth visiting the square, to feel its significance and to see where those crucial events in the history of Romania took place.

Go for a stroll in King Mihai I Park

King Mihai I Park, located in the northern part of Bucharest, is one of the favorite places for locals to go for a stroll. This beautiful green oasis surrounding Herastrau lake attracts many people who wander around and relax in this charming place.

In the past, the park was a go-to spot for wealthy citizens and royalty, today however everyone can visit and enjoy the place. If the park is not enough for you, you can rent a boat and row on the lake.

While you are here, you can also see one of the greatest examples of the Socialist realism architecture style in Bucharest – House of the Free Press built in 1957.

Visit Village Museum

The main reason to come to King Mihai I Park is to visit the Village Museum which is located in the heart of this green space. This open-air ethnographic museum (one of the first of that kind in the world, opened in 1936) focuses on the traditional Romanian village life and is a truly fascinating place to see.

Inside the museum, you can see 346 houses and over 50.000 artifacts from all over Romania. When wandering around you can clearly see how diverse the country is, if only based on the architecture. Even if the place is a bit away from the center, it is definitely worth the trip as this is one of the best things to do in Bucharest, so different from the rest of the city.

Visit Ceaușescu’s House

While the Palace of Parliament is the main testimony to Ceaușescu’s extravaganza, there is one more place where his huge ego shows off – his private residence. Ceaușescu’s Mansion (known also as “Spring Palace”) was built in the 1960s and served as home to his family for 25 years.

Today you can tour the premises and see where the mighty dictator of communist Romania spent his free time. Clearly, no money was spared when building and decorating the mansion. Splendor is seen in each and every corner, with handmade paneling and fabrics, crystal chandeliers, paintings by famous Romanian artists, or the impressive mosaic in the pool area.

You can visit the place with the guide which I highly recommend – click here for details .

See the Romanian Arch de Triumph

The resemblance between Bucharest and Paris doesn’t end only in the architecture in the central part of the city. At the edge of King Mihai I Park, you can find Arch de Triumph, a bit similar to the one in the capital of France.

The first arch in this place was the wooden structure created after Romania gained its independence in 1878. Another, concrete one was put in the spot of the previous arch in 1922 but since the exterior got a bit damaged in 1936 it was replaced by what we can see today. The neoclassical, 27-meters high structure commemorates the heroes of the War of Independence and World War I.

If you happen to be in Bucharest on December 1st, you can see the military parade at the Arch de Triumph held there each year for the Great Union Day.

Go underground

Not only metro in Bucharest is the best way to get around the city, but it is also an interesting place to explore. Instead of quickly rushing to and from the station give yourself some time to see the architecture of the stations, some of them being real gems of the 1970s and 1980s design.

My favorite stations in the Bucharest metro system were Titan, Gara de Nord, Universitate, Politehnica, and Eroilor but almost every station has something interesting and unique.

Enjoy the alternative side of Bucharest

One of the best alternative spots in Bucharest is Fabrica – the former sock factory (built in 1898) turned into a favorite hangout spot for the locals. It is the first place of this kind in Bucharest where the postindustrial space was given to the people.

Inside the complex you can find numerous bars and restaurants, a nightclub, art galleries, and creative spaces, and, like in other similar places, plenty of street art around.

Recently Fabrica was at risk to be demolished and turned into an apartment complex but thanks to the efforts of the local community it was added to the city’s listed buildings which will hopefully save space in the future.

Go for day trips

While Bucharest is a great place itself, you can also use it as a base to visit some great places in the country that are located not too far. Some of the most popular (and amazing choices) include Sinaia (with one of the most beautiful palaces you will ever see), Brasov (with a well-preserved medieval center), the seaside, or Slanic Prahova Salt Mine (the largest salt mine in Europe). You can even quickly hop across the border and visit Bulgaria.

I wrote the whole article about the best day trips from Bucharest, with full description and how to get to each place. You can find it here .

Final thoughts on visiting Bucharest

As you can see above, Bucharest really has a lot to offer and it is impossible to be bored there. This is one of the most fascinating cities in Eastern Europe, with diverse attractions and a vibrant atmosphere. Whenever you get a chance – visit Bucharest! Who knows, just like it surprised me a few years ago it might become one of your favorite cities too!

Travel Resources

Below you can find the brands I trust and use when planning trips:

• You can find the best accommodation options at Booking . They have many discounts and excellent customer service. Click here to look for the place to stay in Bucharest
• I recommend joining organized tours to get to know the place better and to visit more places during your trip. You can find a great selection of tours at Viator or Get Your Guide .
• To always stay connected I use Airalo eSim cards – click here to get yours!
• For transportation and booking tickets online , I usually use 12Go or Omio
• Looking for the airport pickup ? Check Welcome Pickups!
• Never travel without travel insurance , you never know what might happen and better safe than sorry. You can check the insurance policy for Romania here.
• If you plan to rent a car during your trip to Romania check Discover Cars to compare prices and find the best deals
• Make sure to have the offline map always installed on your phone, they can save you so many troubles. I always use the free app Maps.Me .

For the end I left a few announcements that might interest you:

• Sign up to my newsletter or follow me on Bloglovin to get updates about the new posts
• Join my Facebook group about Eastern Europe, the Balkans and former USSR and connect with fellow travellers and enthusiasts of these regions – just click here!
• I’ve included a few handy links of services and products I personally like and use so you can plan your own trip to Romania too. They are often affiliate links. This means I will get a small commission if you book/purchase anything through my links, at no extra costs for you. Thank you!

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Alexandra Tsagkari

I found your site totally by chance on my search for bucharest. I am a lonely traveller too and I am from Greece and I leave in Athens. I love your country also. Your description was a pleasant surprise for me. Concise. With useful information for a traveler. I shall start following you in facebook and instagram. And if your way guides you to my city pls contact me to meet. Best regards

Thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed my article! All the best and happy travels :)

Such a nice article, next time you visit Bucharest, try as well to walk around in some of the local interbelic neighborhoods, i.e. Cotroceni, Kisseleff, Dorobanti, Armeneasca, Mantuleasa etc. where you may see a great variety of interbelic houses which really bring out the “little Paris” type of vibe. The arhitecture of some of the houses is spectacular and probably the best hidden gems in the city.

Thank you, I will definitely do that! Bucharest is packed with all these gems, it’s always such a pleasure for me to be in the city.

Steven J Ryan

Thanks for a great list with some hidden gems. Those are often the most fun.

Agree! Glad you liked it.

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17 Top Tourist Attractions in Bucharest, Romania

Bucharest is the capital and largest city in Romania. It is also a destination that has not yet made it on most travelers’ radars, which is both a shame and a blessing. It’s a shame because Bucharest, which was once known as the “Little Paris of the East,” is home to some gorgeous architecture, many interesting sights, charming hotels and a city where travelers will definitely get more bang for their bucks or euros.

It’s a blessing because travelers who do visit Romania don’t have to deal with crowds and rising prices that have affected many other formerly off-the-radar destinations, such as Croatia. The following are just a few of the can’t-miss attractions in Bucharest.

Map of Bucharest

17. Little Paris Museum

Offering a captivating journey into Bucharest’s Belle Époque era, The Little Paris museum lets you step into the late 19th and early 20th centuries. A time when Bucharest embraced rapid modernization and European influences.

Explore meticulously restored rooms adorned with elegant furniture, intricate decorations, and exquisite artwork, each narrating the city’s transformation. From aristocratic mansions to bustling cafes and theaters, every corner reflects Bucharest’s evolving identity.

Beyond homage to the past, the museum celebrates Bucharest’s present, showcasing its unique architectural blend from French neoclassical to Art Nouveau, still evident in the city today.

After exploring the museum, take a stroll through the surrounding area to fully appreciate the architectural gems that make up Bucharest’s Little Paris district.

16. Snagov Monastery

Situated on a small island near Bucharest, Snagov Church holds significant religious importance in Southern Romania. Initially part of a medieval monastery, it was fortified and expanded by local princes to support the Orthodox Church.

Legend claims it is the final resting place of Vlad Ţepeş, better known as Vlad the Impaler or Dracula, immortalized by Irish writer Bram Stoker. Though unconfirmed if his remains are located within the monastery, Dracula’s legacy remains entwined with this site.

The monastery features exquisite frescoes, intricate woodwork, and religious icons, reflecting the artistic craftsmanship of its era. Whether as a historical or mythical figure, a visit to Snagov Church offers a fascinating glimpse into Romania’s rich cultural heritage and the enduring legend of Dracula.

15. Revolution Square

More than just a bustling hot spot but a crucial emblem of local and national history, Revolution Square was renamed in honor of Romania’s 1989 revolution. A time that marked the decisive end of the Communist era. The square was the epicenter of mass revolts between 1968 and 1989, ultimately sealing the regime’s fate.

Dominating the square is the monumental Palace of the Parliament, a testament to Nicolae Ceaușescu’s grandiosity. Another focal point of Revolution Square is the former Royal Palace, now the National Museum of Art of Romania, radiating neoclassical charm and housing a remarkable art collection.

Beyond its historical significance, Revolution Square remains a vibrant nexus for public events, protests, and celebrations, embodying the enduring spirit of democracy and freedom.

14. Patriarchal Cathedral

Perched atop Mitropoliei Hill, the Patriarchal Cathedral has been the cornerstone of Romanian Orthodox faith since the 17th century. Its exterior, blending Byzantine and Romanian influences, exudes simplicity and beauty. However, stepping inside reveals a breathtaking display of stunning frescoes, intricate mosaics, and ornate decorations adorning the walls and ceilings.

Unfortunately, none of the original interior paintings have survived, except for a single icon depicting Constantin and Helen, the patron saints of the cathedral.

A guided tour offers deeper insight into the cathedral’s resilience, having survived communist demolition. From its elevated position, you’ll witness several communist-era housing complexes, emphasizing the cathedral’s prominence. Despite the uphill journey, a scenic ten to fifteen minute walk along tree-lined cobblestone streets, the cathedral’s majestic presence makes it a worthwhile visit.

13. Fountain Show

In the heart of Bucharest, Piata Unirii bursts into life with a mesmerizing display of synchronized fountains. As night falls, the Fountain Show enchants spectators, transforming the square into a dazzling wonderland.

The fountains sway gracefully to the music, shooting water jets into the air to form intricate patterns and shapes. Vibrant hues from the lights dance on the water’s surface, enhancing the spectacle’s beauty. These artesian fountains, equipped with cutting-edge technology, mark Bucharest as the pioneer of urban fountain entertainment in Europe.

Make sure to plan your visit around the Summer season to see the shows. Piaţa Unirii offers multimedia shows every Friday through Sunday starting in May until early October, each with its own theme and accompanying music.

12. Therme Bucuresti

Situated within Romania’s largest botanical garden, Therme Bucuresti stands as Europe’s largest wellness and relaxation center. Hosting over 800,000 plants, including palm trees, orchids, and other unique species, it offers a wellness retreat like no other. Renowned for its thermal pools, Therme Bucuresti’s warm, mineral-rich waters, sourced from deep underground, provide a soothing escape. Immerse yourself and feel the stress slip away as you embrace the therapeutic benefits of natural minerals.

Whether you prefer tranquil pools or invigorating whirlpools, the experience promises rejuvenation. Additionally, Therme Bucuresti offers a variety of wellness facilities.

Treat yourself to luxurious spa treatments and massages, detoxify in saunas and steam rooms, or enjoy thrilling water slides and a wave pool for the more adventurous. Therme Bucuresti invites you to unwind, indulge, and revitalize in its expansive oasis.

11. Old Town

Exploring the Romanian capital is incomplete without wandering through the charming old town, locally known as Centru Vechi. Situated at the heart of the city, Bucharest’s old town traces its roots back to 1459 when it served as a crucial trading stop along the route from the Ottoman Empire to Leipzig.

Despite a devastating fire, remnants of the past still linger in the mid-19th-century architecture, with a few buildings dating back to the 17th and 18th centuries. Rich in history, the old town also houses museums like the National Museum of Romanian History, offering a glimpse into the country’s ancient past.

As night falls, the vibrant atmosphere of Centru Vechi comes alive with vibrant nightlife, featuring an array of bars, clubs, and restaurants, including Bucharest’s oldest brewery, Caru’ cu Bere.

10. Grigore Antipa Natural History Museum

Established in 1834, the Grigore Antipa Natural History Museum offers travelers with a thirst for knowledge and those with children an interesting way to spend a couple of hours while in Bucharest. This museum, which was named after Romanian’s best known biologist, boasts more than 2,000 exhibits, including ones that showcase dinosaur fossils, minerals as well as the plants and animals that are native to Romania.

It is also home to the largest butterfly collection in Europe. The museum also has a number of hands-on and interactive displays, and it was recently renovated to make it more accessible for visitors who have visual, hearing or physical impairments.

9. Victoriei Street

This is Bucharest’s best-known thoroughfare. So it’s not surprising that many of the city’s attractions are located here, including the Cantacuzino Palace, which houses the George Enescu Museum, the National Museum of Art of Romania, Odeon Theatre, Revolution Square and the Kretzulescu Church.

There are also many hotels, restaurants and shopping options on this avenue. Victoriei Street runs between Piata Victoriei in the north and Piata Natiunilor Unite and the Dambovita River. This street was originally called Podul Mogosoaiei, but its name was changed to Calea Victoriei (Victory Avenue) on October 12, 1878 after Romania won its independence from the Ottoman Empire.

8. Cismigiu Gardens

These gardens provide a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. First laid out in 1845, these are the oldest public gardens in Bucharest. Cismigiu Gardens boasts a lake, where you can go rowing in the summer and skating in the winter, a children’s playground, the ruins of an old fortress and more than 30,000 trees and plants.

One of its best features is a Roman Garden that includes busts of many famous Romanian writers. This is a wonderful place to enjoy a picnic. But there are also cafes, bars and refreshment kiosks in the park for those not into picnicking.

7. Hanul Manuc

Built in 1806, Manuc’s Inn was the oldest operating hotel in Bucharest before it was recently shut down for restoration. However, the hotel’s restaurant — which was also renovated — is open for business. Over the years, Manuc’s Inn has been the site of a number of important events. For example, the peace treaty that ended the Russo-Turkish war in 1812 was held in this building.

Manuc’s Inn is an impressive, three-level structure and a beautiful cultural landmark. Before it was shut down for is restoration, this historic inn was often used as a background for Romanian television folklore shows. After its restoration, it is hoped that Manuc’s Inn will be returned to its full beauty and glory.

6. Spring Palace

The Spring Palace is the former residence of the deposed Romanian president Nicolae Ceausescu and his wife Elena, who were ousted from power during the Romanian Revolution. They were then executed on Christmas Day 1989. The mansion had been closed for many years after the executions, but it was opened to the public in 2016 as a museum.

Visitors can now check out the 80-room mansion, its swimming pool and the luxurious lifestyle that this Communist leader and his wife enjoyed. The tour through the Spring Palace also gives visitors a peak at Romania’s history during the Communist regime.

5. Romanian Athenaeum

Opened in 1888, this stunning, neoclassical domed building is one of Romania’s best-known landmark and home to the George Enescu Philharmonic Orchestra. It is also one of the sites used during the biennial George Enescu Music Festival, which is the largest international cultural event held in Romania.

The Romanian Athenaeum seats approximately 800 guests, and the interior circular wall is decorated with a fresco that depicts important moments in the history of Romania. If possible, travelers should try to obtain tickets for a performance here, but if that’s not possible, they should still make an effort to visit the building and its lovely gardens.

4. Village Museum

Located on the shores of Lake Herastrau, this open-air museum is home to several hundred historic houses, farms and other structures that have been moved from their orginal locations around Romania and rebuilt on this site. The Dimitrie Gusti National Village Museum was opened in 1936, and most of its structures date back to the mid 19th century.

There are a few, however, that are even older. For example, some structures from Berbesti, a region located in the heart of Romania, date back to 1775. The Village Museum is a must-see for anyone who will not have a chance to venture out of Bucharest to see the Romanian countryside.

3. Stavropoleos Church

Located in the Old City, Stavropoleos Church is a small, pretty church that was built in 1724. It is known for its unique Brancovan architectural style and also for its beautiful, carved doors. Stavropoleous Church also contains some interesting artifacts, including Lord Nicolae Mavrocordat’s throne.

The church was originally part of an inn and also had a monastery, but both were demolished by the late 19th century. Stavropoleos Church is also one of the few churches located in the Old Town that survived the Great Fire of Bucharest, which occurred in 1847, which decimated a large portion of the city.

2. Herastrau Park

This park, which is the largest in Bucharest, is located around Herastrau Lake and is also home to the Village Museum. First opened in 1936, Herastrau Park offers visitors a lovely escape from the city. Among its many features are walking trails, a Japanese garden and an open-air theater that hosts performances.

Visitors can also enjoy boat rides on the lake or rent bikes to cycle around the park. There are also numerous restaurants located around Herastrau Park. Although this park is very popular with local residents, it is large enough that it never really feels crowded.

1. Palace of Parliament

After the Pentagon, the Palace of Parliament is the world’s second-largest administrative building. Construction on this massive and lavish building, which was the brainchild of Nicolae Ceausescu, began in 1984. However, it has still not been completed to this day.

The neoclassical building, which has more than 3,000 rooms, is — in a lot of ways — a reminder to the Romanian people of the excesses of the communist period, especially since it was built during a time when most of its citizens were desperately poor. This is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Bucharest, so it’s recommended that visitors purchase their tickets in advance.

Best Time to Visit Bucharest

Lying in the south of the country along the Dambovita River, Bucharest enjoys a continental climate with cold winters and hot, humid summers. Although June to August are among the most popular months to visit, temperatures of 27 to 29°C (80-84°F) can make sightseeing a bit sticky.

This though is when the capital hosts some of its biggest events like the Summer Well music festival. While the city is crowded during the week, at the weekend it empties as people cool off in the mountains or by Black Sea beaches.

Many locals say Bucharest is best in spring when its pretty parks are green again, costs are lower and the weather is a comfortable 18 to 24°C (so 64-75°F). Avoid early May though as many Romanians are on holiday and lots of places shut.

September and October are again pleasant due to the autumnal foliage and events such as the George Enescu Festival. Sightseeing is more pleasant due to the slightly cooler climate.

From December to February, temperatures plummet to 1 to 4°C (34-39°F). While Little Paris looks lovely all snowy, the weather makes sightseeing challenging. Some do visit though for its month-long Christmas market that brightens up the dark winter.

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10 Best Things to Do in Bucharest (+ Tips for Your Visit)

By Author Jurga

Posted on Last updated: October 17, 2023

Are you thinking of visiting Bucharest, Romania, and wondering what there is to see and do in Bucharest and if it’s worth a visit? In this article, we share the top things to do in Bucharest and tips for your visit. Find out!

I have to admit that I also knew very little about Bucharest before my trip. I googled the best things to do in Bucharest and the must-see places of Bucharest and was quite disappointed to see that there was so little quality information available on the very best things to do in Bucharest. After all, if you only have one or two days in Bucharest, you probably want to visit the landmarks and see the main highlights of the city.

This was a few years ago. In the meantime, there is more information available online than it was back then. Still, this guide to the very best of Bucharest is just as relevant as at that time.

If you are visiting Bucharest soon and are looking for the very best things to do in Bucharest , you’ll find all the must-see places in this article. Take a look!

Good to know: In order to help you make the most of your trip to Bucharest, we also included some practical tips and advice for your visit. How to get to the city, where to stay, safety tips, and local’s advice. You can find this information further below.

READ ALSO: Hidden Gems of Bucharest

But first, here are the top places to see and the best things to do in Bucharest :

1. Palace of Parliament

If there is just one place that you just have to see in Bucharest, it’s the Palace of Parliament , also called the People’s Palace . With a surface of 365,000 m2 and 1,000 + rooms, it’s the second-largest administrative building in the world. Make sure to visit inside, as seeing it from the outside just isn’t the same!

It’s a controversial place, and we were told that Romanians still haven’t decided whether they love it or hate it. However, it’s such an integral part of what Romania is today and it will give you a much deeper insight and understanding of Romanian history, so I really recommend visiting the Palace of Parliament when in Bucharest.

Practical info: You can visit the Parliament with a guided tour that also includes other interesting places in Bucharest (which is what we did) or you can get skip-the-line tickets online and just visit the Parliament with a short guided tour. In any case, you need to carry your passport or ID card when visiting the Parliament building.

2. Old Town

In the past, Bucharest didn’t really have one central place where people would go out or meet with their friends. So a couple of years ago the City Council decided that the city needed such a place.

They designated a couple of streets for this area, laid cobblestones, and forbid most traffic. And so now Bucharest has an Old Town. The locals were joking that it must be the newest Old Town in the world …

The Old Town of Bucharest is a real success story, one that has transformed the city completely.

Hundreds of bars, trendy cafes, and restaurants have opened in Bucharest in the last few years. The Old Town is the place to be in Bucharest now, and you’ll instantly fall in love with the incredibly lively atmosphere. A bit quiet in the morning, lively during the day, and bustling with activity in the evening, The Old Town is the place that you will end up going to every day of your stay in Bucharest.

TIP: If you are interested in local pubs and Bucharest nightlife, check out these popular pub crawl tours in Bucharest .

3. Revolution Square

Revolution Square in the Centre of Bucharest is a place with lots of history. The monuments and the buildings that you see today have been completely restored and you wouldn’t tell that some of the darkest chapters of Romanian history have been written here.

TIP: I strongly advise that you visit Revolution Square with a local guide . It’s the best way to understand what happened here and learn more about Romania’s history. We don’t often take guided city tours, but in Bucharest, it was absolutely worth it.

4. Dimitrie Gusti National Village Museum

Dimitrie Gusti National Village Museum ( Muzeul Satului in Romanian) is an open-air exhibition showing traditional Romanian village life as it was in the past. It’s also the most visited museum in Romania and rightly so.

The Village Museum is a nice place to visit in Bucharest on a sunny day. It’s interesting for families with kids as well. There is lots of place to run around and kids will love exploring the 200-year-old buildings.

Bucharest Village Museum is open daily except for some public holidays. For more information and opening times, please check their website .

Quite some city tours of Bucharest also include a visit to this museum – see the full selection of tours here . The advantage of going with a local guide is that you’ll get a much better understanding of what this place is about. Also, it’s quite a big open-air museum and so going with a guide will make sure that you see all the musts.

TIP: Combine your visit with the adjacent Herăstrău Park (see below).

5. The Parks of Bucharest

Bucharest is a very green city and there are many parks you can explore. I only visited three – Herăstrău Park , Cișmigiu Park , and Parcul Izvor .

I was told that these three parks are not to be missed, but if you have more time you can also visit the Botanic Garden, Parcul Operei, Parcul Tineretului, and the Urban Delta – Parcul Natural Văcărești – is supposedly very nice as well.

Herastrau Park

One of the biggest parks of Bucharest – Herastrau Park – is definitely worth a visit. You can rent a bike, go on a boat ride, or tire the kids out in one of the playgrounds. There are several food stalls in the park, and if you go on a weekend or in summer, the chances are high that there will be some kind of an event here.

TIP: Combine the visit to Herastrau park with a visit to the Village Museum and don’t miss the Arch Of Triumph (Arcul de Triumf) .

Cișmigiu Park

Cismigiu park right in the center of Bucharest is as nice as a park can get. You will find beautiful green alleys, the most colorful playground for children I have ever seen. In addition, there are a couple of places where you can eat or just have ice cream and a small lake where you can rent a rowing boat in summer or go ice skating in winter.

If you visit just one park in Bucharest, make it Cismigiu Park.

Parcul Izvor

Parcul Izvor, located right in front of the Palace of the Parliament, is probably the quietest one of the three parks I visited in Bucharest. It’s one of those parks where locals come for a stroll or to run.

There are several playgrounds here too. And, of course, you have a beautiful view of the Palace of Parliament.

6. The Churches of Bucharest

You cannot walk for five minutes without running into a church in Bucharest. Some of them are really impressive and well worth a visit.

Some of the nicest churches in the center of Bucharest town are:

• Stavropoleos Monastery – Biserica Stavropoleos
• Church of Saint Anthony – Biserica Sfântul Anton
• Kretzulescu Church – Biserica Crețulescu
• St. Nicholas Church – Biserica Sf. Nicolae – Șelari

7. Romanian Athenaeum

Romanian Athenaeum is a beautiful building and one that Romanians are most proud of. It’s actually the main concert hall of Bucharest, so if you like classical music, try to attend one of the concerts.

You can also visit the Athenaeum and admire its beautiful architecture during the day. Make sure to take a look inside – the interior is stunning!

8. Romanian Traditional Restaurants

Enjoying a true Romanian peasant meal is one of the must-do things in Bucharest! Below, we have some recommendations based on our experience and what locals recommended to us at the time of our visit. My best tip for finding the best local restaurants is to simply inquire at your accommodation – that way you might also find some hidden gems only known to the locals.

Probably the best-known restaurant that serves local food in Bucharest is the Caru’ cu Bere in the Old Town. It’s a bit touristy, but the food was good, and it’s worth going just for the interior. We had dinner on Saturday and they even had some traditional dance performances during the evening.

Another good place to try some local cuisine is Hanu’ Berarilor Casa Oprea Soare , just across the river from the Old Town.

9. Curtea Veche

Curtea Veche is a small archeological site in the Old Town of Bucharest. There is not that much to see actually, but it used to be a residential palace of Vlad III Dracula in the 15th century. So if you want to see the statue of Dracula, this is the place to be.

Romanians will tell you the whole story about how Vlad the Impaler had nothing to do with the fictitious character in the Dracula novel by Bram Stoker . But it’s become a big commercial thing, so I think they kind of made peace with it.

10. Museums of Bucharest

Bucharest has many museums. If you are only in the city for a day or two, you won’t have much time for them. If, however, you have some time to spare and/or are visiting in the colder season when it might be wet and cold outside, you may want to check out several of the best museums.

In addition to the Village Museum that I already mentioned above, here are some of the most noteworthy museums in Bucharest :

• Grigore Antipa National Museum of Natural History
• National Museum of Art of Romania
• Museum of Art Collections
• Museum of the Romanian Peasant
• National Museum of Contemporary Art

So, these are the main highlights, best things to do in Bucharest that you really shouldn’t miss . Make sure to read our article about the hidden gems of Bucharest as well. You really have to see both sides of Bucharest in order to truly appreciate this city of contrasts!

Below, you can find some useful tips for your trip to Bucharest. Read on!

Is Bucharest Worth It?

I have been to Bucharest as a kid and had vague memories of this big city with wide boulevards and huge communist-style buildings. I remember Roma children begging for food on the streets… But that was Bucharest 30 years ago.

The city has changed beyond recognition! And if you see all of the activity going on, you cannot help but wonder if it will become the next top destination in Eastern Europe…

Bucharest exceeded all my expectations and yes, its’ absolutely worth a trip! Five days flew by and I left the capital of Romania with the feeling that there was still so much more to explore… Not even to mention all the beautiful places to see outside the city (see some recommendations below).

Things to Do Near Bucharest

Romania is so much more than Bucharest alone and you can see a lot by taking day tours from Bucharest ! There are also so many nice towns and Romanian Castles to visit. I really enjoyed a short visit to Mogoşoaia Palace .

Therme Bucharest (exotic spa with pools and saunas) is another great place to visit just near Bucharest.

TIP: The most popular day trip from Bucharest is to Transylvania. It includes Bran Castle (nicknamed Dracula’s Castle), the medieval town of Brasov , and Peles Castle. You can see the detailed itinerary and book this day trip here.

READ ALSO: Best Towns and Cities to Visit in Romania

Practical Information

Below you can find some practical information for visiting Bucharest.

How to get to Bucharest

Bucharest is a perfect destination for a short city break. You can find many affordable direct flights to Bucharest from pretty much anywhere in Europe.

Bucharest airport is located about 30 minutes drive from the city center. The best way to get to the city is by booking a private airport transfer .

Where to stay in Bucharest for sightseeing

Without a doubt, the best place to stay in Bucharest is the area around Calea Victoriei Street, approx. between Blvd. Regina Elisabeta and Revolution Square. Here are the best-rated hotels in this area:

• Novotel Bucharest City Centre
• Grand Hotel Continental
• Radisson Blu Hotel Bucharest
• Capitol Hotel
• Park Inn by Radisson

These are all really nice hotels and very well-priced compared to most other European cities. You can find plenty of accommodation in all price ranges in Bucharest.

Is Bucharest safe?

One of the main concerns I had before traveling to Bucharest on my own, was if Bucharest was safe. As a woman traveling solo and carrying expensive camera equipment, I never felt unsafe in Bucharest.

I have to say that it’s probably just as safe as any other European capital. And, if you stay in the city center, it’s probably even safer than most other major European towns. Of course, there are some areas where you better not walk alone at night, but that counts for any other city that I know.

More practical info for first-time visitors

If you have questions about the practical side of visiting Bucharest: when to go, how to get around the city… you can find all this information in a very comprehensive practical guide to Bucharest by a local Romanian travel guide.

And as always – if you have any specific questions about Bucharest or the places mentioned in this post, feel free to ask by leaving a reply below.

READ ALSO: Hidden Gems of Bucharest That Most Tourists Never See

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A. S. Macoveschi

Monday 9th of May 2022

Oh please! That’s not Dracula‘s bust.. it’s the sculpture of the ruler Vlad Tepes, who just inspired the myth.

Monday 16th of May 2022

I know, but towards us, tourists, it's presented as such. 'Dracula' is used for marketing Romania abroad and seems to be one of the reasons why people decide to visit the country, so local guides will definitely tell you this is Dracula (together with some background story, of course), just as they call Bran Caste 'Dracula Castle' as well.

Monday 2nd of March 2020

After a rather basic trip to Sofia some months ago I'm actually very excited to visit Bukarest next weekend thanks to your article!

Thursday 5th of March 2020

Glad to hear that, Benedikt. Bucharest really exceeded all my expectations and I hope that you'll enjoy it just as much as I did. If you haven't seen it yet, check out our hidden gems of Bucharest article - it has some of my favorite places that made the trip so much more fun. Have a great trip!

Sunday 9th of February 2020

Great tips, exactly what I need for my short weekend trip to Bucharest. Thank you!

Thursday 13th of February 2020

Glad to hear that, Stephanie. Enjoy your trip!

Saturday 18th of January 2020

Hi, Jurga You said nothing about the places in Bucharest where you can buy nice things: Curtea Sticlarilor in the Old Town, for glasswhear and allias; the Handcraft Fair placed in the backyard of Muzeul Taranului Roman, for the authentic artisanal art. Last but not least, the Restaurant Paine si Vin (Bread & Wine), close to Old Town where you may eat the best cheese in the country, Braza lui Voda (King's Cheese, awarded two times with GOLD and two times with SILVER wiyhin latest four years, at one of the most important world cheese competition- IlThe International Cheese Awards, Nantwich, UK). On the other hand, next time you'll vizit Bucharest please don't miss the Thermes (bus free from downtown). And, the crown of your trip in Romania is Manastirile din Nordul Moldovei (The Abbeys in the North Moldavia).

Monday 20th of January 2020

Thanks for sharing all these places in Bucharest, Petruvio. I'm sure it will be useful to our readers planning their trips. Happy travels!

Thursday 9th of January 2020

Hi Jurga, I just came back from Bucharest and used your tips for all the attractions and also secret places and it was awesome. Thanks for sharing and keep up the good work.

Sunday 12th of January 2020

Glad to hear that you had a great time in Bucharest. Happy travels!

• Destinations

Bucharest Travel Guide

Far from the communist utopia first-time visitors conjure upon visiting Bucharest—the 1,100-room Palace of Parliament topping the agenda of iconic sights to tick off—Romania’s capital is everything you didn’t expect. Here, century-old Byzantine churches straddle Belle Époque palaces on Calea Victoriei, the city’s most famous artery, in a sublime mix of old and new, East and West. Nearby, the revived cobblestone streets of historic Lipscani breathe anew with café culture alongside 15th-century Old Princely Court and the magnificent Orthodox Stavropoleos Church. More accessible than its neighbors to the West, today’s Bucharest thrives on arts and culture, parks aplenty, some of Europe’s most vibrant nightlife, and a specialty coffee scene sparking a revolution. —Monica Suma

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18 Top Things to do in Bucharest, Museums, History and Travel Guide

December 10, 2023 | Posted in: Romania

Bucharest is the capital and largest city of Romania. It is located in the southeast of Romania, about 140 kilometers north of the Danube River and Bulgarian border. Bucharest has an area of around 585 square kilometers (225 square miles) and the city sits on the Dâmbovița River and had a population of 1,817,938 million as of 2023.

Bucharest became the capital of Wallachia in 1698 and was later proclaimed the capital of united Romanian principalities in 1862, then the capital of Romania after independence in 1878. Its history traces back to the 15th century, with the first written mention in 1459 during the rule of Vlad Țepeș. The city developed as a commercial center between the Ottoman Empire and Central Europe, leading to much of its eclectic architecture.

Bucharest features the Palace of Parliament, the second largest administrative building in the world, which visitors can take guided tours of sections like parliamentary chambers and ornate rooms. The historic Lipscani district highlights the old medieval architecture, lively restaurants, cafes, bars and clubs, especially in the bustling Old Town area. Bucharest is located in the Eastern European Time zone, which is 2 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT+2). Bucharest observes Eastern European Summer Time (GMT+3) from late March until late October each year.

Listed below are the things to do in Bucharest.

• Stavropoleos Monastery. Stavropoleos Monastery is an Eastern Orthodox monastery in central Bucharest, built in 1724 in the Brâncovenesc style, combining Byzantine, Ottoman and Western influences. It features ornate exterior stonework and interior frescoes. The monastery houses a museum with old icons, artifacts and over 8,000 rare books. Visitors can admire the architecture and art, attend services, explore the museum and library and photograph details.
• Herăstrău Park. Herăstrău Park is Bucharest's largest and most beautiful park at 187 hectares, featuring green spaces, rare trees and scenic lake views. Activities include walking, biking, boating and visiting attractions like the Village Museum, Japanese Garden, sports facilities, restaurants and open-air theater. The park appeals to all ages as a spot for recreation without leaving the city.
• Palace of Parliament. The Palace of Parliament in Bucharest is the second largest administrative building in the world at 365,000 square meters. The palace was built entirely under Ceaușescu and it features a neoclassical interior design with 1,100 rooms and 700,000 tonnes of steel and bronze. Visitors can take tours to see sections like parliamentary chambers, museums and unique rooms.
• Romanian Athenaeum (Ateneul Român). The Romanian Athenaeum is Bucharest's main concert hall. It opened in 1888 and is home to the George Enescu Philharmonic Orchestra. Inspired by ancient Greek temples, it features beautiful interior murals depicting Romanian history. Visitors can attend over 100 classical music concerts yearly or take tours to see the ornate landmark interior.
• National Village Museum (Muzeul Naţional al Satului). The National Village Museum in Bucharest showcases Romanian village life with over 300 authentic peasant houses, farms, churches and workshops representing Romania's major historical regions. Exhibits portray traditional rural architecture, tools, customs and daily artifacts from the 17th-20th centuries. Visitors can walk through the open-air museum, enter some interiors and attend special events.
• Old Town. The Old Town in Bucharest is a historic district that retains the medieval merchant quarter's architecture. Attractions include 15th-century palace ruins, 17th-18th-century Orthodox churches and the 19th-century Manuc's Inn. Visitors can walk the streets, shop, eat traditional food and experience Bucharest's famous nightlife venues.
• Curtea Veche. The Old Princely Court. Curtea Veche was a 15th-century royal palace and residence for Wallachian princes in central Bucharest. Excavations have uncovered structures like the Princely Church and artifacts providing a glimpse into the city's early history. Visitors can walk around the remains of the fortified court and view archaeological finds.

1. Stavropoleos Monastery

Stavropoleos Monastery is an Eastern Orthodox monastery located in central Bucharest, Romania. Its address is 4 Stavropoleos Street in the historic Lipscani district. The monastery is sometimes referred to simply as Stavropoleos Church. Stavropoleos was built in 1724 in the Brâncovenesc architectural style, which combines Byzantine, Ottoman and Western influences.It was founded by Archimandrite Ioanichie Stratonikeas, a Greek monk. The monastery is dedicated to the Holy Archangels Michael and Gabriel.

Stavropoleos features ornate stone carvings and columns on the exterior and intricate frescoes covering the interior walls and ceilings. The frescoes depict religious scenes and figures. The monastery also houses a museum with a rich collection of old icons, artifacts and over 8,000 rare books. Visitors to Stavropoleos can admire the architecture and art, attend services to hear the choir sing Orthodox chants, explore the museum and library and photograph the decorative details. The central location makes it easy to access, within walking distance of the Universitate and Unirii metro stations. Stavropoleos appeals to tourists interested in Romanian culture, architecture, Byzantine art and Orthodox Christianity.

2. Herăstrău Park

Herăstrău Park, known as King Michael I Park, is the largest park in Bucharest, Romania, covering 187 hectares around Herăstrău Lake. Herăstrău Park is considered Bucharest's most beautiful park, with lush green spaces, rare trees like Japanese cherry blossoms and scenic views of Herăstrău Lake.

The park offers many activities for visitors. Visitors can walk, run, bike or rollerblade on the paths around the lake, which is about 5.9 km long. Boating, paddle boating and water biking are popular on the lake. There is a large open-air Village Museum showcasing Romanian village life, a Japanese Garden, sports facilities, restaurants and an open-air theater that hosts concerts. Major attractions located right near the park include the Triumphal Arch, the Village Museum, the National History Museum and more. The park appeals to all ages and is a popular spot for walks, recreation and relaxation without leaving the city.

3. Palace of Parliament

The Palace of Parliament (Romanian. Palatul Parlamentului) is located in central Bucharest at Strada Izvor 2, Romania. It is located near the Unirii metro station on the M3 blue line. The palace has a floor area of 365,000 square meters, which makes the Palace of Parliament the second-largest administrative building in the world after the Pentagon. It was built entirely during the dictatorship of Nicolae Ceaușescu and features lavish interior design inspired by multiple architectural styles like neoclassicism. Some key features of the Palace include 12 stories, 1,100 rooms, 480 chandeliers, 700,000 tonnes of steel and bronze and ornate rooms like the Human Rights Hall and Unification Hall. The Palace houses the Romanian Parliament along with three museums.

Visitors can take guided tours to see sections of the interior and exterior, including parliamentary chambers, museums and unique rooms. Other activities include posing with medieval guards and exploring the gardens and fountains surrounding the Palace. The Palace of Parliament appeals most to history and architecture enthusiasts interested in Romania's communist era and the grandiose vision of Nicolae Ceaușescu. It's also a must-see landmark for visitors exploring the top attractions in Bucharest.

4. Romanian Athenaeum (Ateneul Român)

The Romanian Athenaeum (Ateneul Român) is a concert hall located in central Bucharest at Str. Franklin 1-3, Romania. The Athenaeum opened in 1888 and is home to the George Enescu Philharmonic Orchestra. It is Bucharest’s main concert hall and a historic symbol of Romanian culture, featuring architectural design inspired by ancient Greek temples. The interior is beautifully decorated with murals depicting scenes from Romanian history.

Visitors can attend over 100 classical music concerts yearly by the George Enescu Philharmonic Orchestra or visiting performers. Guided tours are available to see the ornate interior and learn about the Athenaeum's history. The landmark concert hall best appeals to classical music lovers, particularly fans of George Enescu. It attracts visitors interested in Romanian culture and history, architecture enthusiasts, tourists seeing top Bucharest landmarks and photographers.

5. National Village Museum (Muzeul Naţional al Satului)

The National Village Museum (Muzeul Naţional al Satului “Dimitrie Gusti”) is an open-air ethnographic museum located in Herăstrău Park in Bucharest, Romania. The museum was established in 1936 and showcased traditional Romanian village life with over 300 authentic Romanian peasant houses, farms, churches, technical installations and workshops arranged to represent the major historical regions of Romania.

The museum covers over 100,000 square meters and contains houses ranging from the 17th to early 20th centuries, transferred from villages around Romania and rebuilt at the museum. It provides a glimpse into traditional Romanian rural life and folk culture. Exhibits portray the architecture, traditions, tools and artifacts of Romanian village life. Special events like fairs and festivals also take place at the museum.

Visitors can walk through the open-air museum to view the buildings and daily artifacts of traditional life. Some interiors can be entered. Special events and demonstrations show folk arts, crafts or customs. The onsite restaurant sells traditional dishes and the gift shop offers folk art souvenirs. The museum suits all audiences interested in Romanian cultural heritage.

6. The Old Town

The Old Town (Centrul Vechi/Lipscani) is a historic district in central Bucharest, Romania, that serves as the city's main entertainment and nightlife hub. Bucharest was significantly damaged over time by natural disasters, wars and communist-era demolition. The Old Town retains the layout and architecture of the city's old medieval merchant quarter. Historical attractions include the ruins of the 15th-century Curtea Veche palace, stunning 17th-18th century Orthodox churches like Stavropoleos and St. Anton, historic inns such as the early 19th century Manuc's Inn and the beautiful Carturesti Carusel bookstore housed in a restored late 19th-century building.

Visitors to the Old Town can walk around the historic streets and architectural sites, enjoy traditional Romanian food and drinks, shop at local boutiques, people-watch from ubiquitous café terraces and experience Bucharest's famous nightclubs and bars. Historic sites like Curtea Veche and beautiful churches can be visited and walking tours of the Old Town are available. Old Town suits a wide audience, given its diversity of sights, restaurants, cafes, bars and clubs. Most Old Town attractions do not require paid admission, though nightclubs and some venues may have cover charges.

7. Curtea Veche. The Old Princely Court

Curtea Veche (“Old Court” in Romanian) was built in 1459 during the rule of Vlad the Impaler as a royal palace and residence for Wallachian princes. It was the center of Bucharest for over 300 years and saw expansions and reconstructions under various rulers before being mostly abandoned by the late 1800s. Excavations initiated in 1953 have uncovered structures remaining from the original 15th-century palace, the 16th-century Princely Church, cellars, fountains, medieval artifacts and fragments offering a glimpse into Bucharest’s early history.

Visitors can walk around the ruins and remnants of structures to visualize the layout of the early fortified court, view the uncovered archaeological finds and plaques detailing the site's history, take photos of the bust of Vlad the Impaler and visit the nearby Inn and Princely Church dating from the 16th-18th centuries for additional context. It is ideal for history and archaeology enthusiasts interested in the beginnings of Bucharest. Viewing the outdoor archaeological site and associated markers is no admission fee.

8. Revolution Square

Revolution Square (Piața Revoluției in Romanian) is a major public square in central Bucharest, Romania. It was known as Palace Square (Piața Palatului) until 1989, when it was renamed after the Romanian Revolution that overthrew the communist regime. The square is surrounded by several landmark buildings, such as the former Royal Palace (now the National Museum of Art of Romania), the Athenaeum, the Athénée Palace Hotel and the Central University Library. It also houses the former headquarters of the Romanian Communist Party, where dictator Nicolae Ceaușescu fled during the revolution.

Visitors can admire the architectural landmarks surrounding Revolution Square, especially the ornate Romanian Athenaeum building. The square itself doesn't have much beyond some statues and fountains. It mainly serves as a landmark and site for occasional rallies.

Travelers interested in Romania's history can view the balcony of the Central Committee building from where Ceaușescu gave his final speech before fleeing. A short walk leads to the Old Town's lively restaurants, cafes and bars. Revolution Square appeals most to adults interested in Romanian history, architecture and politics. Families can visit to see the buildings, fountains and statues. There is no admission fee to enter Revolution Square itself as it is a public space. Visitors can freely explore the square and view the exterior of surrounding landmarks. Entry to visit the interiors of some buildings like the National Museum of Art and the Athenaeum concert hall requires separate tickets.

9. Arcul de Triumf 

The Arcul de Triumf is a triumphal arch located in the northern part of Bucharest, Romania, at the intersection of Kiseleff Road and three boulevards – Constantin Prezan, Alexandru Averescu and Alexandru Constantinescu. The monument was designed by Romanian architect Petre Antonescu and built between 1921 and 1922 to commemorate Romania's victory in World War I. It was renovated in 1935-1936 and again more recently in 2014.

The arch stands 27 meters tall and features classic stonework and decorations created by famous Romanian sculptors such as Ion Jalea and Dimitrie Paciurea. There are symbolic medallions, inscriptions and bas-reliefs on the different faces of the arch highlighting Romania's sacrifices and victories in “The War to End All Wars”, as WW1 was known at the time.

Visitors to the Arcul de Triumf can view the small museum inside, accessed via interior staircases within the two pillars supporting the central arch. The museum features exhibitions related to Romania's participation in WWI. Visitors can also climb up to the roof terrace for views over the city. There is no admission fee to view the Arcul de Triumf or access the museum inside. The small museum and terrace access is limited to certain holidays or special events.

10. National Museum of Art of Romania

The National Museum of Art of Romania is an art museum located in the Royal Palace in Revolution Square, central Bucharest. It features collections of medieval and modern Romanian art, as well as an international collection assembled by the Romanian royal family. The museum is housed in the former Royal Palace, which was severely damaged during the 1989 revolution that led to the downfall of Nicolae Ceaușescu. The museum reopened in 2000 to the public, housing modern Romanian and international collections. The medieval art collection reopened in 2002, featuring works salvaged from monasteries destroyed during the Ceaușescu era.

The modern Romanian collection includes sculptures by Constantin Brâncuși and Ion Jalea, as well as paintings by Ștefan Luchian, Nicolae Grigorescu, Theodor Pallady and more. The international collection features works by great European masters like El Greco, Rembrandt, Rubens, Monet and Rodin. Some highlights in the museum include a plaster cast of Trajan's Column from Rome, paintings by 16th-century Italian artist Jacopo Bassano and Rembrandt's painting “The Return of the Prodigal Son”.

Visitors to the museum can view the art exhibitions in the three galleries dedicated to medieval, modern and international collections. There are also two halls for temporary exhibitions. Guided tours of the former Throne Hall and other historical palace spaces are offered on weekends.

11. National Museum of Romanian History

The National Museum of Romanian History is a history museum located inside the former Postal Services Palace on Calea Victoriei in the historic Lipscani district of Bucharest. It contains Romanian historical artifacts ranging from prehistoric times up to modern-day Romania. The museum has over 60 valuable exhibition rooms spread across over 8,000 square meters of space. Some of the highlights include a plaster cast replica of Trajan's Column from Rome, exhibits from the Geto-Dacian civilization that inhabited ancient Romania, a replica of the Byzantine Column of Emperor Justinian and a collection called the “Historical Treasury” featuring over 3,000 precious metal objects like jewelry, coins and crowns from ancient civilizations and figures in Romania's history.

Visitors can view the permanent exhibitions like the Treasury and Trajan's Column replica, as well as rotating temporary exhibits held in the central hallway of the museum. A “lapidarium” exhibition housed in the museum features epigraphic and architectural artifacts like tombstones, inscriptions, columns and sculptures dating from antiquity and the Middle Ages. The National Museum of Romanian History has a rich collection spanning from prehistoric pottery and tools to medieval weapons and icons to more modern displays like manuscripts, paintings, photographs and furniture. The diverse artifacts detail the culture and important periods in the history of the Romanian people.

12. Carturesti Carusel

Carturesti Carusel is a bookstore located in an 1860s historic building on Strada Lipscani in Bucharest's Old Town. It was opened in 2015 by Romania's largest bookstore chain Carturesti, in partnership with the building's owner, who had reclaimed and renovated it after decades of neglect under communism. The bookstore has six floors spanning over 1000 square meters, with elegant architecture featuring marble columns, wrought iron staircases, carved wooden bookshelves and a glass ceiling. It houses over 10,000 books covering all genres, as well as 5000 albums, DVDs, board games, local souvenirs and more.

Carturesti Carusel was designed as a cultural space. It features a modern art gallery on the first floor and a bistro cafe on the top floor with nice views of the old town. The multimedia basement has hosted book events. The luxurious interiors with plentiful reading nooks attract both book lovers and Instagrammers. It is considered one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world.

Visitors to Carturesti Carusel can browse and purchase books covering all genres of literature, along with music, movies, games, stationery, local handicrafts and more. Visitors can relax in one of the many reading spaces. Visitors can enjoy a drink or light meal at the bistro cafe on the top floor while taking in views of the Old Town or exploring the modern art gallery exhibitions. Occasional book events are also held in the multimedia basement.

Carturesti Carusel caters to a general audience, including adults, book lovers, families, tourists, etc. Its luxurious space and cafe also make it a popular Instagrammable destination. There is no admission cost to enter Carturesti Carusel. Visitors only need to pay if they purchase any books, items from the cafe menu or artwork. Browsing the bookstore and enjoying the architecture is free.

13. CEC Palace

The CEC Palace is a landmark heritage building located at 13 Calea Victoriei in Bucharest, Romania, directly across from the National Museum of Romanian History. It was built between 1897-1900 to serve as the headquarters of CEC Bank, Romania's oldest banking institution previously known as Casa de Economii si Consemnatiuni (The House of Deposits and Savings).

The building was constructed on a site formerly occupied by a 16th-century monastery that had fallen into disrepair. Its eclectic design by French architect Paul Gottereau combines neoclassical, baroque and Renaissance architectural elements. It is crowned by a large glass-and-metal dome in the center flanked by smaller domes at the corners, along with ornate facades decorated with columns, statues representing trade and commerce and pediments with coats of arms. Materials used include local Dobrogea stone and marble.

CEC bank still operates from the palace. Visitors can view the open lobby and basement levels which house a museum displaying a collection of artifacts related to Romanian banking history since 1864. This CEC Museum is free and open to the general public. CEC Palace appeals to a general audience interested in local history, architecture and banking heritage. No admission fees are charged to view the building exterior or visit the CEC Museum.

14. Memorial of Rebirth

The Memorial of Rebirth is a 25-meter tall marble monument located in Revolution Square, Bucharest, Romania, commemorating the struggles and victims of the 1989 Romanian Revolution that overthrew Communism. Inaugurated in August 2005, the memorial features a tall, white marble pillar meant to symbolize the Romanian people reaching to the sky. Atop the pillar is a metal crown wrapped around it, representing the suffering imposed by the Communist regime. The base of the monument features statues of faceless figures depicting those who fought for freedom and democracy. The memorial also includes a wall inscribed with over 1,000 names of those killed during the revolution. There is widespread agreement on the need for such a memorial. Its controversial modernist design has drawn criticism as being too abstract. The monument is referred to as “the potato of the revolution”, some see the monument as failing to adequately reflect the magnitude of suffering during Romania's transition out of Communism.

Visitors can view the monuments and statues up close and reflect on Romania's transition from communism. As the site of the revolution, Revolution Square contains other landmarks like the former Royal Palace to see as well. There are no admission fees required. The memorial would likely appeal to adults interested in Romania's modern history and transition from communism.

15. Monument of the Nation’s Heroes

The Monument of the Nation’s Heroes in Bucharest was originally built in 1963 as a Communist mausoleum honoring top party leaders. The Monument of the Nation's Heroes has been transformed into a memorial for Romanian heroes who died in the nation's wars. Located on a hilltop in Carol Park, Bucharest, the monument features a large circular base with five tall granite arches. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and statues related to Romania’s fights for independence lie inside.

The memorial aims to honor the sacrifice of soldiers who lost their lives in conflicts to defend the nation, spanning from 19th-century independence battles to the world wars of the 20th century. Through its redevelopment, the monument now proudly focuses on Romania’s own heroes rather than Communist leaders from the past.

Visitors can view the transformed monument, which now contains statues and history related to Romania's wars and independence struggles. Carol Park also offers opportunities for walking and exploration, with no admission fees required. The memorial appeals to visitors interested in Romania's national history and wars, particularly the World War eras.

16. The Monument to the Heroes of the Air

The Monument to the Heroes of the Air in Bucharest was inaugurated in 1935. The 20-meter-tall Monument to the Heroes of the Air stands in Bucharest’s Aviators' Square to commemorate pioneers and pilots who died advancing Romanian aviation. The stone obelisk contains 13 bronze plaques engraved with over 270 names of airmen and air heroes killed in crashes or battles through the mid-1930s.

The monument provides a tribute to the 270+ pilots and air pioneers killed in the early decades of Romanian aviation as it sought to grow and modernize its air capabilities. The monument continues to honor the sacrifices made by Romanian Air Force members in the early quest to conquer the skies. Visitors can view the monuments and statues up close. Public bus routes #126, #168, #226, #300 and #368 provide transit access to Aviators' Square. There are no admission fees. The monument would likely appeal most to aviation history buffs, particularly those interested in Romania's early air force.

17. Cantacuzino Palace (George Enescu Museum)

The Cantacuzino Palace, known as the George Enescu Museum, is a historic palace located in Bucharest, Romania. It was built in 1911 in French neoclassical style as the residence of Prince George G. Cantacuzino. It housed the George Enescu Museum, dedicated to the renowned Romanian composer, violinist, pianist, conductor and teacher George Enescu. The palace has historical and architectural significance as an early 20th-century aristocratic residence in Bucharest. The interiors preserve the authentic Belle Époque style and décor. It provides insight into George Enescu's life through his valuable manuscripts, photographs, personal items, furniture and artworks from his collections.

Visitors can take a guided tour to see the palace's rooms, including Enescu's music room, bedroom, library and more. The museum also hosts classical music recitals, album launches, book presentations and temporary exhibitions related to George Enescu and Romanian music.

The museum would appeal most to classical music fans, those interested in Romanian culture and history, architecture enthusiasts, etc. Guided tours for student groups are also available with prior booking.

18. Grigore Antipa Natural History Museum

The Grigore Antipa National Museum of Natural History in Bucharest is one of Romania's most prestigious natural history museums, founded in 1834. The museum started with the donation of over 150 minerals, fossils and animal specimens from Governor Mihalache Ghica. The museum grew significantly under the leadership of notable naturalists like Grigore Antipa, who served as director for over 50 years. The museum moved into a purpose-built neoclassical building designed by Grigore Cerchez, with ornate exterior sculptures representing themes of natural history. The museum contains over 2 million specimens in its diverse scientific collections, including extensive zoological, paleontological, geological and ethnographic artifacts.

Visitors can explore the permanent galleries showcasing Romania's diverse ecosystems and species. The museum caters to special temporary exhibitions, 3D films, artificial cave systems, interactive elements and educational programs and workshops. The museum is suitable for visitors of all ages, especially those interested in natural history, science and Romania's biodiversity. It is very popular with school groups.

What are the best museums to visit in Bucharest?

Listed below are the best museums to visit in Bucharest.

• National Museum of Romanian History. The National Museum of Romanian History is the largest history museum in Romania, located in Bucharest. It displays over 60,000 artifacts highlighting Romania's history and culture from prehistoric times to post-communist times. The museum is housed in the former Postal Services Palace at 12 Calea Victoriei Street, Bucharest. The neoclassical building was constructed between 1894 and 1900. Visitors can explore the extensive permanent collections and temporary exhibitions showcasing Romania's origins, the formation of the Romanian people and the country's more recent history. Guided tours are available.
• National Museum of Art of Romania. The National Museum of Art of Romania, located in the former Royal Palace, exhibits Romanian and European art dating back to medieval times until the modern era. The museum is home to Romania's largest public art collections, with over 100,000 works divided into three main galleries. one for medieval art, one for European masters and one for modern Romanian art from the 19th and 20th centuries. Visitors can admire paintings, sculptures, drawings, engravings and more by famous Romanian and European artists. Some renowned names include El Greco, Monet, Renoir, Rembrandt, Nicolae Grigorescu and Constantin Brancusi.
• National Museum of Contemporary Art. The National Museum of Contemporary Art (MNAC) inside the Palace of Parliament showcases Romanian and international contemporary art from 1945 until today. The MNAC has a permanent collection of over 1,200 works of Romanian contemporary art created after World War II. It also hosts 2 to 3 major temporary exhibitions per year dedicated to international contemporary artists. Visitors can view the latest trends in contemporary art across mediums like painting, sculpture, photography, video, installation and performance art by Romanian and foreign artists. Guided tours are available.
• Antipa Museum of Natural History. The Antipa Museum is Romania's national natural history and biodiversity museum, housing over 2 million exhibits relating to evolution, taxonomy, habitats and more. It is located at 12 Kiseleff Road, Bucharest. The museum building was constructed between 1912 and 1937 in a neoclassical style. Highlights of the museum include 60 exhibit halls with dioramas, fossils, minerals, rare species and the nearly complete skeleton of a mammoth. It also has a butterfly greenhouse, aquarium and geology hall with over 15,000 samples. Visitors can explore Romania's biodiversity and natural history through the museum's diverse galleries and exhibits. Many interactive displays make it engaging for children as well.
• Romanian Peasant Museum. The Romanian Peasant Museum illustrates Romanian peasant life's heritage, artifacts and culture. It has over 90,000 objects in its diverse collections. The museum is in a neo-Romanian-style historical building at 3 Kiseleff Road, Bucharest, close to Herăstrău Park. It houses an extensive array of folk art, tools, icons, costumes, textiles, ceramics and other artifacts that showcase Romanian peasants' traditional way of life. Some of the exhibits date back to the 1700s. Visitors can learn about Romanian peasant culture and history through the museum's artifacts and exhibits. The museum also hosts temporary exhibitions and cultural events.

What are the best things to do in Bucharest with kids?

Listed below are the best things to do in Bucharest with kids.

• Therme Bucharest. Therme Bucharest is a massive indoor and outdoor water park with pools, waterslides and other attractions perfect for kids and families. It is located in northern Bucharest and provides a fun day out. Kids will love playing in the Adventure Pool, sliding down the Kamikaze Slide and exploring Palm Tree Island.
• Gradina Zoologica (The Bucharest Zoo). Gradina Zoologica, located in Bucharest, is a great place to see wildlife up close. It has over 137 species of animals, such as lions, tigers, bears, elephants, giraffes and more. Kids can observe the animals, feed some of them and learn about nature. The zoo also has playgrounds, a mini train ride and paddle boats for rent.
• Muzeul Taranului Roman (The Museum of the Romanian Peasant). Muzeul Taranului Roman gives kids insight into traditional Romanian culture and crafts. Kids can see pottery, costumes, icons and recreated peasant homes. The museum, located in Bucharest, hosts interactive workshops for children on weekends.
• Parcul Herastrau (Herastrau Park). Parcul Herastrau is a large green space with playgrounds, paddle boating on the lake and open areas perfect for picnics, walking or biking. The park is located in Bucharest and has an open-air museum village, ice skating rink and restaurants.
• Carturesti Carusel. Carturesti Carusel is a beautiful six-story bookstore in Bucharest with fun activities for kids. It has over 10,000 books, a bistro, rotating art exhibits and regular events. Kids will love riding the small carousel, playing in the reading treehouse and exploring the countless books.

What are the best activities for a business traveler in Bucharest?

Listed below are the best activities for a business traveler in Bucharest.

• Herăstrău Park. Herăstrău Park in Bucharest has a large green space with gardens, a lake, restaurants and cafes. The part is perfect for taking a break from meetings to go on relaxing walks or jogs along the scenic paths and lakeshore, allowing business travelers to clear their minds before the next day of business meetings.
• Village Museum. Village Museum in Bucharest is an open-air ethnographic museum featuring over 300 authentic Romanian peasant houses, farms, windmills, churches and other traditional structures relocated from rural areas and set up to replicate village life. The museum provides cultural insight to complement business discussions and meetings.
• Romanian Athenaeum. Romanian Athenaeum in Bucharest is a concert hall and historic landmark home to the Romanian Philharmonic Orchestra. It hosts regular classical music performances across genres like orchestra, choir, soloists and more. It offers an elegant, cultured experience to continue conversations with colleagues after intense business meetings.
• Caru' cu Bere Restaurant. Caru' cu Bere Restaurant in Bucharest is known for its Gothic architectural details and filling, as well as its authentic local cuisine. It is a place to dine and continue conversations with colleagues over dishes like stuffed cabbage rolls, bean soup, grilled meats and sweet cheese desserts after a long day of business meetings.
• Old Town Area. Old Town Area is a bustling, atmospheric section of Bucharest's city center filled with historical buildings, narrow cobblestone walkways, independent shops and trendy bars, cafes, pubs and clubs featuring everything from quiet jazz nights to lively dancing venues to rock music. The area offers plenty of networking opportunities or places to unwind after intense business meetings.

Where is Bucharest?

Bucharest is the capital and largest city of Romania. It is located in the southeast of the country, about 140 kilometers (65 miles) North of the Danube River and the Bulgarian border. The city has an area of around 585 square kilometers (225 square miles). Bucharest sits on the Dâmbovița River, a small tributary of the Danube. Bucharest is Romania's chief commercial city and the center of Romanian culture and art, drawing millions of tourists and business travelers.

What is the history of Bucharest?

Bucharest's history traces back to the 15th century, with the first written mention in 1459 during the rule of Vlad Țepeș. Bucharest developed as a commercial center on routes between the Ottoman Empire and Central Europe. It became the capital of Wallachia in 1698 and continued growing, especially after a period of peace in the 1800s. Bucharest was proclaimed the capital of the United Romanian principalities in 1862 and the capital of Romania after independence in 1878. A lot of architecture and development occurred after this, naming Bucharest the “Little Paris”. Bucharest faced destruction but renewed growth and restoration in recent decades during World War II and communism.

What language is spoken in Bucharest?

The language spoken in Bucharest is Romanian. Romance language is closely related to languages like Italian and Spanish. Romanian is the native language of almost 90% of the Bucharest population. Other languages like English, French and German are often learned and spoken around Bucharest, especially in business, tourism and education. Some residents speak Romani as their first language. Hungarian and Turkish are spoken by parts of the Bucharest population. The cosmopolitan nature and international draw of Bucharest means many foreign languages can be heard on the streets, but the linguistic backdrop and common tongue is predominantly Romanian.

What time zone is Bucharest in?

Bucharest and all of Romania are located within the Eastern European Time Zone. Bucharest falls under Eastern European Time, 2 hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). Bucharest uses EEST (UTC/GMT +3 hours) in summer months and EET (UTC/GMT +2 hours) in winter months each year.

How many people live in Bucharest?

The total population of Bucharest as of 2023 is 1,817,938. The gender breakdown is 49% male (883,888 men) and 51% female (934,050 women). The population shows 271,775 people aged 0-14 years old, with 139,652 boys and 132,119 girls. There are 294,545 people aged 15-29, consisting of 151,895 men and 142,648 women. The middle age group 30 44 has 358,911 total, with 186,012 men and 172,896 women. Ages 45-59 has the largest chunk with 419,517, made up of 209,415 men and 210,098 women. Elderly citizens over 60 years old make up 472,519 – 318,929 aged 60-74, 143,210 people aged 75-89 and 12,380 people over 90 years old. There are 189 centenarians in Bucharest – 79 men over 100 years old and 109 women over 100.

What are the most interesting facts about Bucharest?

Listed below are the most interesting facts about Bucharest.

• Currency. The currency used in Bucharest and all of Romania is the Romanian Leu (plural form is Lei). Romania is not part of the Eurozone, so Euros are generally not accepted except at some tourist-oriented businesses. Local currency is needed for most transactions.
• Time Zone. Bucharest is located in the Eastern European Time Zone, which is 2 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT+2) and 7 hours ahead of U.S. Eastern Standard Time. Daylight Savings Time is observed from the end of March to the end of October, temporarily putting Bucharest 1 hour ahead (GMT+3) during summer.
• Language. The official language is Romanian, which belongs to the Romance language family (as a descendant of Latin) and is the native language of over 90% of Bucharest's residents. English and German have a strong prevalence as second languages in Bucharest, especially in central areas. Some basic Romanian phrases are still helpful to know.
• Power Plugs. Power sockets in Bucharest and all of Romania are Type F, which have two round pins, similar to most European countries. The standard voltage is 230 V. Travelers from America will need power converters and adapters for U.S. plug types. Many modern devices have built-in voltage converters, but power adapters are still needed to fit Romanian outlets. Checking devices' input voltage/frequency compatibility is recommended.

How many days are needed to see Bucharest?

It is recommended to stay for 2 to 3 days, which is enough time to see the highlights of Bucharest. Two to three days are enough to tour the city's historic center and its most important neighborhoods. This number of days allows immersion into Bucharest and surrounding areas, including multiple day trips and time to sample local cuisine and culture.

Is Bucharest worth visiting?

Yes, Bucharest is worth visiting. Bucharest is Romania's capital and largest city. Bucharest offers a vibrant mix of culture, history, architecture, arts, entertainment and nightlife. Key highlights include the vast Palace of Parliament, the Romanian Athenaeum concert hall, the historic Lipscani district and many museums and galleries. Bucharest has a dynamic food scene with traditional Romanian fare and cosmopolitan international cuisine. The city's historic buildings and churches provide a window into its complex past. Bucharest has a lively cafe, bar and club scene, especially in the Old Town. There are large green spaces and parks for relaxation. Bucharest is one of the European capitals to explore.

Is Bucharest expensive to visit?

No, Bucharest is generally considered an affordable destination compared to other European capitals. The average daily cost per person is €91 ($100, £79). Accommodation will likely be a visitor's biggest expense. Hostels and budget hotels provide cheaper options, while 3-star hotels average cost €73 ($80, £62)/ night. Public transportation like the metro, buses and trams are affordable, with single tickets that cost €1 ($2, £0.86). Eating out, especially local Hungarian food, is reasonably priced. A meal at a budget restaurant costs $10 €9 ($10, £7) per person. Bucharest offers an affordable travel experience for budget-conscious travelers while still providing nice hotels and good food options.

Is Bucharest safe to visit?

Yes, Bucharest is very safe to visit. It is one of Romania’s most popular tourist destinations. The city has low crime rates and is considered safe for travelers. Violent crime is rare in Bucharest. Tourist areas like the historic Lipscani district and Old Town are heavily frequented and considered safe. Bucharest's city center and attractions are well-lit and have a visible police presence. Basic precautions like being aware of your surroundings, not leaving belongings unattended and avoiding poorly lit areas at night will ensure your visit to Bucharest is trouble-free. The welcoming locals add to this beautiful coastal city's pleasant, safe atmosphere.

Is Bucharest easy to visit with kids?

Yes, Bucharest is easy to visit with kids. There are several museums and parks that cater well to children, such as the Natural History Museum, National Village Museum and Cismigiu Gardens. The Old Town area has pedestrian-only streets perfect for strolling with kids. Other kid-friendly attractions include the Grand Palace of Parliament, the Therme indoor water park, laser tag facilities and the Adventure Park amusement park. Bucharest is compact, affordable and has no shortage of things for kids to see and do.

What is Bucharest famous for?

Bucharest is known for its diversity and history, reflected in its eclectic architecture. Secondly, Bucharest is famous for the mammoth Parliament Palace, one of the largest administrative buildings in the world, which took 700 architects to build. Thirdly Bucharest's city center features a mixture of history, from the 15th-century Old Princely Court ruins to beautiful Belle Époque buildings, along with modern towers and communist-era blocks. Thirdly, the Old Town in Bucharest features bustling cafés, clubs and bars that give Bucharest a reputation as the “new Berlin”. Lastly, Bucharest is known as “Little Paris” for its French-inspired architecture and elegant reputation.

What are the most important people born in Bucharest?

Listed below are the most important people born in Bucharest.

• Ion Luca Caragiale (1852-1912). Ion Luca Caragiale was an an influential playwright born on Monday, January 30, 1852, near Ploiești, Bucharest. Ion Luca Caragiale was a hugely influential late 19th-century Romanian playwright and author considered one of Romania's greatest. Caragiale substantially impacted the evolution of Romanian theater with his realist drama and comedy, capturing the essence of society and human nature in his place and time. Caragiale molded the foundations of modern Romanian theater and paved the way for future artists. Caragiale died on June 9, 1912, in Berlin at age 60.

What to eat in Bucharest?

Listed below are what you can eat in Bucharest and Romania.

• Sarmale. Sarmale consists of minced pork and rice tightly wrapped and rolled within pickled cabbage leaves before being simmered in aromatic tomato sauce and finished with cooling sour cream and soft polenta. Sarmale is one of the popular foods visitors are raving about in Bucharest. It is one of the best food to eat in Romania.
• Mici. Mici is called “mititei” in Romanian. Mici are grilled skinless sausages normally made from a zesty blend of ground pork, beef and lamb before being served alongside spicy mustard, crusty bread or crispy fries. Mici is a popular food and is served at most markets in Bucharest.
• Scovergi. Scovergi refers to thin Romanian fried dough topped with sweet or savory ingredients like fruit jams, garlic butter or soft cheese, with the cheese-topped version being similar to Hungarian lángos fried flatbreads. Scovergi is one of the popular foods to try in Bucharest.
• Plăcintă. Plăcintă is a crispy, flaky Romanian pastry that encases fillings like tangy cheese, savory minced meat, fresh fruit or sweetened cocoa paste before being baked or fried to golden perfection. Plăcintă is a delicacy for visitors to try in Bucharest.
• Bulz. Bulz starts with sweet cornmeal baked into fluffy polenta, then gets mixed with Romanian sheep's milk cheese and topped with cured meats or a fried egg before serving. Bulz is one of the must-try delicacies in Bucharest.
• Ciorba. Ciorba refers to sour Romanian soups like silky tripe stew, hearty bean and smoked meat soup, always paired with vinegar or lemon wedges, cooling sour cream and crusty bread on the side. Ciorba is a popular soup served at restaurants in Bucharest.
• Papanasi. Papanasi are sweet, fried Romanian doughnuts stuffed with fresh white cheese, fruit jam and lightly sweetened sour cream. Papanasi is a popular finger food in Bucharest markets.

What are the best places to eat in Bucharest?

Listed below are the best places to eat in Bucharest.

• Caru' cu bere. Caru' cu bere is a historic restaurant in Bucharest known for its stunning Gothic-style interior décor with wood paneling, stained glass, vaulted ceilings and a patio. It serves typical Romanian dishes and has signature beer dating back to 1879. Many describe the food as very good and one of the best restaurants to eat in Bucharest.
• The ARTIST. The ARTIST is a contemporary fine dining restaurant in Bucharest led by Dutch chef Paul Oppenkamp. It offers a unique twist on seasonal Romanian cuisine using molecular gastronomy techniques to create tasting menus. The restaurant has an elegant atmosphere and intricate plating.
• Zexe Zahana. Zexe Zahana is a traditional Romanian restaurant located in Bucharest in an early 20th-century villa. The restaurant has a unique menu, including calf brain, bone marrow and sweetbreads and is known for excellent duck dishes.
• Vatra Restaurant. Vatra restaurant near Cismigiu Gardens in Bucharest serves some of the city's best traditional Romanian food like stuffed cabbage rolls, eggplant salad, grilled meats and papanashi fried dough dessert. The restaurant features live folk music and dance performances.

What are the best areas to stay in Bucharest?

Listed below are the best places to stay in Bucharest.

• Old Town. The Old Town is the most popular area for tourists visiting Bucharest for the first time. Located in the heart of the city, it contains many historic attractions like the Stavropoleos Monastery, Manuc's Inn and Curtea Veche Palace. The cobblestone streets are lined with restaurants, cafes, bars and shops, creating a lively day and night atmosphere. Staying in the Old Town allows easy access by foot to many of Bucharest's top sights. It is generally safe to walk around, especially for solo travelers, even at night, as there is a constant police presence.
• Cismigiu. Cismigiu is a primarily residential neighborhood located in Old Town. It surrounds Cismigiu Gardens, a beautiful public park with lakes, fountains and lush greenery. The area has an upscale vibe, with embassies, art galleries and restaurants scattered among the tree-lined streets. Cismigiu offers a quieter alternative to staying directly in the bustling Old Town while allowing easy foot access or by metro. The small streets feel very walkable and safe. It is a good area for solo travelers or families.
• Dorobanti. Dorobanti is an affluent residential area in northern Bucharest, close to major parks and green spaces. It contains many villas and embassies, lending it an exclusive atmosphere. The neighborhood is home to high-end international restaurants and is considered one of the top fine dining destinations in the city. The tree-lined streets and proximity to parks make Dorobanti a good area for leisurely strolls and safe for solo travelers.
• Floreasca. Floreasca is an upscale neighborhood in northern Bucharest, known for its beautiful homes and proximity to Lake Floreasca. It contains many restaurants, cafes, shops and nightlife spots catering to young professionals. Floreasca has a trendy, hipster vibe in places. The neighborhood provides easy access to large green spaces like Floreasca Park and Regele Mihai I Park for recreation. Floreasca is considered safe for solo travelers.
• Unirii. Unirii is a central neighborhood that contains major landmarks like Unirii Square, the Palace of the Parliament and the National Library. Unirii offers many mid-range and budget hotels near top attractions. It provides efficient metro connections around Bucharest. The area can feel crowded and chaotic in parts but has a constant police presence. Unirii is relatively safe for solo travelers.

What are the best accommodations to stay in Bucharest?

Listed below are the best accommodations to stay in Bucharest.

• InterContinental Bucharest. The 5-star InterContinental Bucharest is centrally located right next to the Old Town and close to top attractions like the Palace of Parliament. It offers elegant rooms with marble bathrooms, a spa and health club and multiple restaurants, including a sky bar with panoramic city views. The neighborhood is very walkable, with cafes, shops and nightlife. The hotel is one of the recommended hotels to stay in Bucharest.
• Rembrandt Hotel. Rembrandt Hotel is a 4-star hotel near the scenic Cismigiu Gardens and the Old Town, Bucharest. It provides modern rooms with free WiFi and minibars, along with an indoor pool, sauna and free breakfast. The area has a local vibe, with restaurants and art galleries.
• Hotel Amzei. The 4-star Hotel Amzei in Bucharest has spacious, stylish rooms with Nespresso machines and iPod docks. Hotel amenities include a lobby bar, gym, spa and free breakfast. The neighborhood is residential with embassies and parks, a short walk from the city center.
• Hotel Opera. Hotel Opera is an affordable 3-star hotel located right next to the Romanian Athenaeum concert hall in Bucharest. It offers simple, modern rooms and a breakfast room. The central location allows easy walking access to top attractions like the Old Town, museums and Parliament Palace.
• The Doors Hostel. The Doors Hostel in Old Town, Bucharest, provides dorms and private rooms with shared bathrooms. Common areas include a kitchen, bar, lounge with games and laundry facilities. Guests enjoy free breakfast and walking access to nightlife, restaurants and key sights.

How to get to Bucharest Henri Coandă International Airport?

There are a few ways to get to Bucharest Henri Coandă International Airport. These are by bus, car, taxi/rideshare and train. Firstly, express bus 783 runs from the airport to the city center (Piața Unirii) and buses run 24/7. The bus stop is located on the ground floor of the arrivals terminal. The journey takes 40 minutes, depending on traffic. Secondly, direct trains run every 40 minutes between the airport and the Gara de Nord train station in the city center. The train station is located outside the arrivals terminal. Thirdly, official airport taxis are available from the arrivals terminal. Visitors can also pre-book a taxi using apps like Uber, Bolt or Free Now. Lastly, the airport is connected to Bucharest's city center by the DN1/E60 highway by car. The drive takes 20-30 minutes in normal traffic. Rental car counters are located in the arrivals hall. Parking is also available at the airport. The fastest and most convenient options are taking a taxi or rideshare service. The train or bus are cheaper but involve more changes to reach central locations. Tickets can be purchased at counters/machines at the airport or in advance online where available.

Where to go shopping in Bucharest?

There are several great places to go shopping in Bucharest. These are AFI Palace Cotroceni, Baneasa Shopping City, Promenada Mall, Unirea Shopping Center and ParkLake Shopping Center. Firstly, AFI Palace Cotroceni is the largest shopping mall in Bucharest, located in the city center. The mall features Romania's largest shopping mall with over 300 stores, restaurants, entertainment like a rollercoaster and an IMAX cinema. Secondly, Baneasa Shopping City is a high-end shopping mall in Bucharest, located near the airport. It is a high-end shopping mall with over 250 international and Romanian designer brands. The mall has restaurants, cinemas and more. Thirdly, Promenada Mall is a large contemporary mall located in Bucharest that is easily accessible by public transportation. The mall caters to many popular shops, a rooftop terrace, a food court, a cinema and a grocery store. Fourthly, Unirea Shopping Center is an enclosed mall in the center of Bucharest close to major landmarks. Lastly, ParkLake Shopping Center is a popular mall designed near nature/park themes in Bucharest.

What festivals or events are taking place in Bucharest?

Listed below are the festivals or events that are taking place in Bucharest.

• George Enescu International Festival. The George Enescu International Festival is one of Europe's largest classical music festivals. It is held every two years in honor of the famous Romanian composer George Enescu. The 2023 edition takes place from September 1-23 at venues across Bucharest, including the Romanian Athenaeum concert hall. It features over 80 concerts, recitals, competitions and other cultural events. Top orchestras like the London Symphony Orchestra and Berlin Philharmonic perform along with renowned conductors and soloists. This is one of the anticipated festivals in Bucharest.
• Bucharest International Film Festival. This annual film festival is held September 15-24 in Bucharest and showcases the latest international independent and art house films. Hundreds of screenings, workshops and industry events take place in cinemas across Bucharest. There are ten competitive sections highlighting different genres and forms of cinema. The festival brings together international filmmakers, critics and enthusiasts to promote creativity in filmmaking.
• Spotlight Festival. Spotlight transforms Bucharest into an outdoor gallery of light art and video projections during this April 18-21 annual spring festival. Landmarks throughout the city center, including the Athenaeum, National Museum of Art and more, are illuminated with colorful, larger-than-life video projections created by local and international artists. The festival highlights Bucharest’s architecture through the interplay of light, video and urban space.
• Romanian Design Week. Romanian Design Week is a design festival held May 17 to 25 that puts a spotlight on Romania’s architecture, product design, graphic arts, fashion and more. It features over 200 exhibitions, conferences, workshops, product launches, block parties and cultural events in Bucharest’s creative Lipscani district. Romanian Design Week aims to promote local creativity and position Bucharest as an emerging design capital.

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Bucharest Old Town

Discover bucharest, bucharest is a city of contrasts, with formidable tourist potential, growing from year to year. bucharest is romania`s capital and largest city, as well as the most important industrial and commercial center of the country. also, it is one of europe’s most authentic capitals., bucharest: your unforgettable experience, bucharest is, without a doubt, an unforgettable experience for those who visit it, whether they are city dwellers or tourists. at the level of impressions, things tend to become eclectic, but this aspect is what really arouses the fascination for those who discover the most important attractions to visit in bucharest..

Romanian Athenaeum

Top attractions in bucharest.

National Museum of Art of Romania

Ceaușescu House

Feel the vibe of bucharest, if you like to experience new things, here are our recommendations, just for you..

Bucharest’s Old Town is a mix of history, local culture, and lifestyle, a trendy entertainment district for the tourists and the locals. Many of the buildings located in Bucharest Old Town have on the ground floor terraces, cafes, restaurants, and shops are usually full of foreign tourists, but also locals, most of the year. Also, like many other European cities, the old town of Bucharest has quite a few churches.

Downtown Bucharest fountains

The Bucharest Fountains, recently re-designed, made of 44 independent fountains are located on the 1.4-km distance between Alba Iulia Square and Constitution Square, in front of the Parliament Palace. Bucharest holds the Guinness Record for the longest choreographed fountain system in the world.

Cărturești Carousel Bookstore

This once derelict building is now one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world. It is considered to be one of the most beautiful bookstores in Romania, and even in the world.

TOP THINGS TO DO IN BUCHAREST

Top 5 pubs to watch a football game in Bucharest

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Top 5 most popular museums in Bucharest

MUST SEE BUCHAREST MUSEUMS

Bucharest has around 60 museums and memorial houses, but only a few of them have been renovated and modernized by the techniques used in the top museums of europe. of course, the recently renovated museums are those that are in the preferences of the general public, being visited by a quite large number of people every year., the beautiful bucharest parks, discover the most beautiful parks from bucharest, bucharest in spring, welcome to bucharest in spring bucharest is an enchanting city full of culture and history that is even more beautiful in the spring with its blooming gardens, lush parks, and vibrant streets, bucharest in springtime is the perfect destination for any traveller looking for a unique and unforgettable experience. from admiring the city’s stunning architecture to exploring its local attractions, there are plenty of activities to enjoy in bucharest during the spring ..

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The Hangry Backpacker

Go Alone. Get Lost. Eat.

The Best Things to Do in Bucharest

January 8, 2023 By Hangry Backpacker Leave a Comment

Bucharest, Romania isn’t the most popular destination in Europe, but it has plenty of attractions and things to do for travelers with a wide variety of interests. But is the capital and largest city of Romania worth visiting in its own right?

Some of the most common questions involving Bucharest and travel pertain to what one might actually do when visiting the city. Bucharest may be overshadowed by the large cities and capitals of neighboring countries, but, yes, it is worth a visit.

Bucharest isn’t the prettiest city. It’s not the flashiest travel destination. Eyesores from a tumultuous 20th century dominate the cityscape. Beneath the surface – everything that is overshadowed by the scars of communism and dictatorship – is a city in the midst of a resurgence with exciting history, culture, food and people.

Wandering Bucharest is the best way to see and experience the city. There are numerous curious sights and attractions to warrant a visit, but this list will give you a good base from which to start:

Explore Old Town

The first stop for most tourists in Bucharest is Old Town. Old Town Bucharest isn’t that old . Most of the buildings date to the 1800s. There are a few older structures in the mix, but the area was preserved and polished for tourism – cobblestone streets and all.

While it may not be the most photogenic or historic city center in Europe, Bucharest’s Old Town is the center of tourism. There are a lot of restaurants and bars, plenty of shops and a few historic sites in between.

Churches of Old Town

The Romanian Orthodox Church is an integral part of society in Romania, and the city center of the capital is no exception. Several of the oldest structures in Old Town Bucharest provide a fascinating juxtaposition to the nightclubs and other clubs that dot the area.

Beyond the glow of candles among the darkness, Romanian churches are ornate, elaborately decorated and full of iconography. The atmosphere is usually somber and reverent.

Don’t let this scare you away. Tourists are welcome. As long as you’re respectful, no one minds if you have a look around and snap a few photos.

Stavropoleos Monastery is the most notable church in Old Town. The exterior is beautifully decorated with intricate designs and portraits of saints and other venerated people of importance.

Curtea Veche Church, also known as Annunciation Church of St. Anthony, is the oldest church in Bucharest. Dating back to the 1500s, it is also one of the oldest buildings in the city.

There are a few other churches in Old Town Bucharest and nearby. Most of these are open to the public. For those who are less familiar with the Eastern Orthodox Church, these buildings stand out and provide a stark contrast to the sea of uninspiring Communist architecture.

Bucharest is an underrated city for museums. There are museums focusing on art, traditional Romanian lifestyle, history, literature and more. Most of the museums are close to the city center, but they are fairly spread out.

In Old Town, there are two notable museums: The National Bank Museum and the National Museum of Romanian History.

The National Museum of Romanian History is one of the top museums in Bucharest. It is home to historical artifacts and treasures from ancient times all the way to the Crown Jewels of Romania.

Perhaps the highlight of the National History Museum is the detailed replica of Trajan’s column (see image below). The original, in Rome, has been the victim of acid rain, and this 19th-century replica in Bucharest is now more detailed than the original.

The National Bank Museum is housed in a beautiful building. A fantastic stop for those interested in numismatics, it is also a great place to learn about the modern history of Romania. Note: you may need to book your visit online, so check their website beforehand.

The city center of Bucharest has restaurants all over the place. Old Town Bucharest is home to the highest concentration restaurants in the city.

There are a few local joints tucked in the madness, but most of the Old Town restaurants are tourist spots. Prices are about the highest in the city, too. It’s not expensive by London or New York standards, but it is less budget-friendly than other parts of Bucharest.

Avoiding the obvious tourist establishments is fairly easy. Irish pubs, for instance, tend to stray pretty far from traditional local cuisine. That should be obvious, but sometimes it happens and you find yourself in an Irish pub unintentionally.

Among the tourist restaurants, there are a few decent options in Old Town Bucharest for a convenient meal. It won’t be as cheap as elsewhere, but you can still find great Romanian food for a fair price.

For more tips and specifics on Eating in Bucharest, look out for the Hangry Backpacker’s Bucharest Food Guide – Coming Soon!

Enjoy Some Cheap Fun

To be perfectly clear, wild partying is not a Hangry Backpacker recommendation. At all.

It is, however, a reason tens of thousands of people visit Bucharest.

Romania is cheap, and flights to Bucharest are generally cheap from cities in Europe and other Mediterranean countries. You’re bound to see raucous groups of tourists from Britain, Germany, Scandinavia, Israel, etc.

This is simply one of the most popular things tourists do in Bucharest. There is so much more to this city than cheap thrills, but it’s mentioned only because it’s popular. Think of this as a precaution rather than a recommendation.

Our suggestion is to absolutely take advantage of the cheap food and drink, but try to do it as far from the Stag parties – maybe just steer clear of Old Town for drinking, in general – as possible. And don’t be an idiot. Keep your wits about you.

Check Out the Hangry Backpacker’s Romania Travel & Backpacking Guide !

Visit the parks of bucharest.

Bucharest has small parks around the city. These vary greatly in size and design, from simple green spaces to more elaborate landscapes and architecture.

Of the larger parks, these three stand out among the best things to do for visitors in Bucharest:

• Michael I Park – Great park in Northern Bucharest with several restaurants, a beer hall, nearby museums, tennis courts and more. This is the park to visit if you also want to see the Bucharest Arcul de Triumf or the infamous and intriguing former residence of the dictator, Ceauşescu.
• Tineretului Park – This large park in the southern part of the city is home to an amusement park and a large cemetery. It offers nice walking areas to stroll and escape the city, but it can be pretty busy on weekends. 
• Carol Park – Carol Park is easily accessible to the city center, roughly a 20-minute walk from the Parliament and 30 minutes from Old Town. It is just north of Tineretului Park, so you can visit these together with ease. The best part of Park Carol is the blend of Communist and pre-Communist Bucharest, and there is a small flea market on weekends that has a bit of interesting junk and fun relics of Romania’s past.

Gawk at the Heaviest Building in the World

The Romanian Palace of the Parliament is as much a draw for its bizarre history as its sheer enormity. Ceauşescu wanted this building to be emblematic of Bucharest, and, for better or worse, it certainly is.

The result of Ceauşescu’s dream is a symbol of the Communist era that weighs in as the heaviest building in the world and one of the world’s largest buildings. Strangely, the design that is part-Communist and part-classical fits well in Bucharest.

Today, the building is home to the Romanian Parliament. However, while it has become the symbol of Bucharest, it is rife with controversy. A majority of the building sits vacant and unused. The staggering costs  to operate and maintain the Romanian Parliament building (the most expensive in the world) frustrate the citizenry.

Don’t waste your time on a tour.

The Romanian Palace of the Parliament is on a lot of lists of things to do in Bucharest. The intricate interior is a surprising sight. Some of the grand rooms are impressive, but the tour is brief and restrictive. As a working government building, you cannot wander around at your leisure. On top of that, photography is limited, and there can be a lengthy wait for tickets.

I suggest sticking to the exterior and marveling at the massive structure from the surrounding grounds. It is sufficiently impressive (and large) enough to enjoy from outside.

If you do decide to take the tour, try to get tickets early to avoid the long wait. Leave your fancy camera behind – it’s not allowed. Tickets are fairly cheap, though. The basic tour costs about $10. And don’t forget your passport.

Enjoy Piata Unirii Fountain

The Piata Unirii Fountain sits in the heart of Bucharest. Steps from Old Town and with the Parliament as a backdrop, the Piata Unirii Fountain is a picturesque and famous landmark.

The fountain itself is nice, but the highlight is the show that runs from May to October. Friday to Sunday nights, around 9 PM, a the fountain performs. Colorful lights illuminate the fountains, and a show is set to popular music. This is a very popular event in Bucharest, attracting large crowds each night.

During the daytime, the show is less dramatic, but the Piata Unirii fountains continue to spray. Photographers and fountain enthusiasts (yes, ‘fountain enthusiasts’ are a thing) will not want to miss this.

Stroll Down Calea Victoriei

Strolling down Calea Victoriei, you might forget you’re in Romania. It is lined with trendy shops, restaurants and bars, accompanied by upscale hotels and museums.

Calea Victoriei is certainly not what one expects when thinking of Romania. Be that as it may, it’s a fun area to visit. If shopping is your thing, you can do that. Otherwise, it’s the food and drink that is worth your attention.

Cool bars, such as Palatul Monteoru and Victoria Hub, are great outdoor spaces to hang out with chill-but-lively atmospheres. Venues like these stand out as places where you can enjoy yourself in a unique setting that feels like Bucharest. You can have a pint or a bite to eat with regular Bucharesters surrounded by the local history.

Many of the establishments along Calea Victoriei are polished and bright. It’s a nice marker for progress, but the authenticity of the city and culture disappears amidst the loud music and shiny facades, not to mention some of the highest prices in the city.

If you find the right spots, Calea Victoriei is a wonderful street to stroll. The Open Streets program is one of the most enjoyable things to do in Bucharest. The city periodically blocks off large sections of busy roads for pedestrian-use only. Calea Victoriei turns into miles-long thoroughfare with thousands of people enjoying the freedom of movement.

The Romanian Athenaeum is a beautiful structure from the outside. If you have the opportunity to go inside, don’t pass it up. The interior of the neoclassical concert hall is stunning, to say the least. Across the street from the Athenaeum is the National Museum of Art, which houses important Romanian art, as well as a respectable collection of international works from famous Old Masters, Impressionists and more.

Aside from these two primary museums, there are several other museums nearby. These include the National Museum of Literature, the Cantacuzino Palace and more. Today, several of the former grand residences house fancy hotels.

Adjacent to the trendy elements of a resurging and growing city, this single street boasts a tremendous amount of striking architecture, quality museums and plenty of good food. Calea Victoriei is easily one of the best things to do in Bucharest.

Wander Piata Obor (Obor Market)

Obor Market is one of the best places in Bucharest for tourists to see the local side of 21st-century life in the city.

The site has been a center of commerce and home to a market for hundreds of years. Today, this market serves more than the immediate neighborhoods. Locals come from around Bucharest and beyond to shop for and sell a variety of goods.

Shops in the market range from butchers and cheesemakers to impressively fresh, locally-sourced produce. And, of course, no large market is complete without rows of trinkets and handmade crafts.

I spent a couple of hours wandering around the market and did not encounter another tourist. Obor market is an excellent choice for tourists to find cheap souvenirs, experience a local side of Bucharest and sample fantastic local food and drink.

Walk through Local History

Aimless wandering of a city for its architecture might sound a little boring or nerdy to many travelers. After all, this is Bucharest – not Rome.

This city has become a travel destination to satiate the vices of tourists. However, as we’ve mentioned, there is more to Bucharest than a cheap party.

The tumultuous history of Romania’s Capital City is visible as you stroll from street to street. While Romania is an old country, inhabited for thousands of years, the recent history has been especially volatile.

Whereas Rome can be like walking through a museum – or visiting Venice is like seeing a real-life postcard – strolling through Bucharest is akin to walking through living history.

In less than 150 years, Romania has gone from Ottoman vassal state to Independent Kingdom, Communist dictatorship and, finally, a democratic republic.

This history is visible in the cityscape of Bucharest. There are few remnants of Ottoman times in Romania, but the Kingdom of Romania left a mark that even Ceauşescu could not entirely erase. Marks of a city once called the “Paris of Eastern Europe” sit adjacent to Communist architecture, modern constructions and centuries-old Romanian Orthodox churches.

At first glance, the architecture of Bucharest appears messy and confusing. As you spend time in the streets, you can see that Romania’s capital is a unique study, a living history of a city and people with who recognize the past and embrace the future.

Bucharest isn’t one of those cities with an exhaustive list of famous things to do. There’s no local equivalent to the Louvre or the Parthenon. But that’s not why you visit Bucharest!

There are few places in Romania that have a touristy feel , and most are away from the capital city. Bucharest is a place to visit for a different travel experience. While sightseeing here and there is part of the fun, you can get an honest feel for Romanian culture in Bucharest.

Whether you enjoy history, architecture, food or nightlife, there is a wide variety of things to do in Bucharest. Best of all, the city is one of the best budget travel destinations in Europe.

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Bucharest, Romania

Bucharest is the vibrant capital of Romania. It has all of the attractions you’d expect in a modern city such as shops, restaurants, pubs, and clubs with a cool urban vibe. Attractive, alive, and never dull Bucharest is worth visiting.

On this page

On this page you will find the following information on Bucharest, Romania

• Overview of Bucharest
• Climate and Weather
• Getting to Bucharest
• Getting around Bucharest

Bucharest Landmarks

Tourist accommodation in bucharest, getting freebies in bucharest, history of bucharest, crime and staying safe, overview of bucharest, romania.

Bucharest , the capital of Romania, is vibrant  – both day and night – with many attractions for people all ages.

I used to like going to Bucharest due to the cool urban lifestyle that it has. It has an amazing rhythm that seemed to draw me every time.

From shops with famous brands to interesting pubs with live music – Bucharest has it all.

It’s easy to make new friends, or enjoy clubs in which people know how to have fun until dawn. These were the kind of places I liked going with my friends.

However, it doesn’t end there. There are restaurants whose menu’s will satisfy even the most demanding tastes.

Bucharest, always active and alive, never boring, turned into an addiction that made me return and taste from the city life it had to offer again and again.

Bucharest has changed a lot. The fall of communism not only influenced the political structure of Romania, but also the appearance of it’s capital.

Bucharest is still on a journey of transition, as a result of its transformation from the communist regime into a liberal democratic one. The impact of change is not just upon Bucharest but throughout Romania .

Today, Bucharest is the linchpin of Romania with the administration, and high density cultural institutions that you would expect of a modern European capital.

Bucharest,  Romania  is worth exploring because it has so much to offer.

Climate and weather in Bucharest, Romania

Bucharest, like most of Romania, has a temperate-continental climate with hot summers and cold winters. The average high daily temperature in summer is about 29 ° C and in winter about 2 ° C.

During the summer it can get really hot (40 ° C) and really cold during the winter (-20 ° C), even though temperatures below -12 ° C are really rare.

Though I can tell you that these low temperatures don’t  make you feel that cold due to the lack of moisture in the air. In fact, other countries with far milder winters but with more humidity feel far colder.

I think that the best times to visit Bucharest are

• April to June
• September to October
• early December

Although it looks lovely throughout the winter holidays too.

Getting To Bucharest

It is also reached by a large number of low-costs flights, mainly from destinations in Italy and Spain as well as from some major cities in Germany, France, the UK, Belgium, Hungary, Turkey, Austria, etc.

Scheduled flights, including those operated by low cost airlines, land at Henri Coanda International Airport, located in Otopeni (18 km of downtown).

Because of its location, Henri Coanda is often referred to as Otopeni on airline bookings.

Something else that`s worth mentioning is that in the airport, everything from shops, restaurants and cafes is extremely expensive (twice the amount of money than central Bucharest).

Also I would advise you to avoid exchanging money in the airport, the  exchange rates  are worse. Perhaps using a credit card at an ATM for immediate needs it’s a better idea, if you find yourself in this situation.

Regarding the transport to the city from the airport, there are several options:

Getting Around Bucharest

Bucharest has one of the most extensive systems of public transport in Europe. Even though it can sometimes be confusing  and crowded. So there are plenty of options regarding transport in the city:

• trolleybuses

Safety Information

Or if you decide in taking a taxi, you might want to avoid the areas where is more likely for foreign tourists to frequent.

Places like ”Gara de Nord” (The North Railway Station), because some of these taxis may be operated by con men waiting for an unsuspecting victim.

Sadly, these things happen and it`s better to be aware of it.

It`s essential to first inform yourself about which taxi companies are really well known and more trustworthy.

Read carefully the rates displayed on the door, and be informed about the fees before you think of going into a taxi.

If the taxi does not display these prices on the door it is best not to take it and find another that it’s a big known company of taxi.

Try in avoiding independent cab drivers. So, be cautious and remember that you should insist the driver to start the meter, straightaway after you get in the taxi and pay the amount displayed on it.

The officially rate might seem ok but in the city is less amount of money/km), their purpose being to overcharge you.

If you really want to take a taxi, go to Departures Terminal and wait for a taxi that comes from the city center.

DO NOT accept offers from people near arrivals terminal who might ask you if you want a taxi or offer to carry your luggage.

Be very careful of unsolicited offers of help by passers by, even if they speak good English.

In particular if a stranger offers to accompany you to your hotel in a taxi to show you the way, decline immediately or if they try directing you to an official “government” taxi..  that cab might be driven by an accomplice; they then drive you to a particular location and demand high amounts of money by threatening you with violence if you don`t obey.

Another circumstance in which you should be careful, is when boarding or leaving trains.

Its best to keep an eye on your luggage and the best way of increasing your chances for safety is to request assistance dealing only with the conductor.

I think that a traveler should be always cautious, though the crime rate is low in Bucharest and violent attacks are very rare. You will see people out and about in most parts of the city at all hours.

If you need assistance, police officers are friendly and very well intentioned when it comes to helping tourists. Also the younger ones speak English, so you can easily communicate.

Road Safety

When it comes to crossing the street be careful at all times because there are drivers that do not obey traffic signals.

Do not assume that drivers will stop for you at red lights – especially at night when the streets are not as crowded and cars are traveling with high speed.

Parliament Palace

Massive buildings from the faded time of communism can be seen throughout Bucharest. Many of them with a strong soviet style, an example being the huge buildings in which the Romanian government was held.

According to the World Records Academy, it is:

• the world`s largest civilian building
• most expensive building
• heaviest building

For you to get a better idea of it’s size, it is the world`s second largest building after the US Pentagon.

This building was built in 1984 by Nicolae Ceausescu and has a massive 3100 rooms, covering over 330,000 sq m.

There are 30-45 minute tours every half hour which lead through the building`s vast collection of marble rooms and culminates in an magnificent impressive view from former Romanian dictator, Nicolae Ceausescu`s, balcony.

The marble and all the original decorations are 100% from Romania.

It is situated in the center of Bucharest (sector 5), on the place called Arsenal Hill about 20 minutes away from the center and 20 minutes from the North Station.

For Parliament Palace to be built, many monuments of exceptional historical and architectural value were unfortunately demolished by the Nicolae Ceausescu.

Nowadays, Bucharest is a blend of old and new, traditional and modern, East and West, this making its appearance an electric and different metropolis, giving originality and charm to the city.

There is a part of the city, its historical heart, that survived the demolishing of Nicolae Ceausescu.

The area is known as “Centrul vechi Bucuresti” (Old Bucharest).

It contains an assortment of middle 19 th century buildings, ruins of the Wallachian princes` medieval court, churches, bank headquarters ,a few hotels, restaurants and shops and clubs.

The  narrow cobble stoned streets retain the names of the ancient citizens that resided on them.

The area was mostly renovated and is now a place of  for the young to gather.

The Arch of Triumph

Another monument that I think its worth visiting and is one of the well known symbols of the city, is the Arch of Triumph (Arcul de Triumf)

Is 27 m high and was built between 1921-1922 and inaugurated in  1936, commemorating the participation of Romania in the first World War on the side of allies.

It is situated in the northern part of the city, close to Herastrau Park.

It houses a small museum that can be visited only on special occasions .

Romanian Athene-um

This beautiful building is situated near Revolution Square (Piata Revolutiei).

Is home of the George Enescu Philarmonic and was inaugurated in 1888.

The interior of this building holds paintings that depicts variable scenes of the Romanian history .

National Museum of Geology Bucharest

There are 45 museums including the National Museum Cotroceni which is one of the most important ones in Romania located in the Palace of Cotroceni.

Decorative art collections can be visited in Palace of Cotroceni and also the old former Royal Palace of Cotroceni, where king Ferdinand and queen Maria used to live.

National Museum of Art Bucharest

Others worth visiting include:

• National Museum of Contemporary Art
• National History Museum
• Jewish Community History Museum
• Railways Museum,
• Firefighters Museum
• Aviation Museum
• Bucharest History Museum
• Village Museum
• Military Museum

There are also smaller museums and a number of memorial houses dedicated to various literary scientific and political personalities , some of them housing private collections.

Concert Venues

For those who appreciate theater and opera, Bucharest is an important cultural center.

It currently has 4 national libraries, opera, operetta, 3 philharmonic  and symphonic orchestras.

As well as 15 dramatic theaters, 3 puppet theaters, 2 musical theaters and special events, 2 assemblies, an orchestra and a popular circus with about 2500 seats.

Here I could name a few of the places where I liked going sometimes: National Opera, George Enescu Philarmonic and Ion Dacian National Operetta Theater .

There are large and beautifully landscaped parks in Bucharest as:

• Cismigiu Garden
• Herastrau Park
• Tineretului Park

Last but not least, The Botanical Garden, the largest in Romania that was established in 1884.

It`s near Cotroceni Palace and contains over 10.000 species of plants from all over the world, including an indoor tropical plants exhibition.

Bucharest is surrounded by lakes and forests.

It is suspected that   Vlad Tepes , known by many as Dracula , may be buried here. Another hypothesis says that his grave might be near Comana Monastery that is located in Giurgiu, 65 km from Bucharest. But nobody knows for sure in which of the two locations the remains of the famous Count Dracula actually are.

One thing is certain though, Snagov Forest is worth visiting. Especially as it was beautifully refurbished.

This forest covers an area of 1470 hectares and  together with the Snagov Lake, the forest is a conservation area for  some rare flora species.

Hotel Mariott

Being the capital of Romania, there are a wide variety of hotels in Bucharest for different budgets, interests, and tastes. You can find accommodation throughout Bucharest, with most congregated in the center.

No matter whether you want to relax seeking a quiet lounge in one of the many Bucharest`s well-kept parks or be a walk away from the nightlife you have many options to choose from.

Some of the most luxurious hotels are centrally located but there is a good selection of affordable places as well:

Grand Hotel Continental

• 3* hotels can be found, starting from £35 to £90/per night
• 4* hotels are from £36 to £100/per night
• 5*  range from £67 to £221/per night.

Some of these hotels have meeting/conference rooms, most of them their own parking space and I don`t think there are any without internet these days.

The staff in most speak English, this being the most popular language among young people from Romania.

Also if you would like to choose the same hotel as some artists like Madonna or James Blunt did when they appeared in Bucharest, you might want to stay at Radisson Hotel.

Hotel Radisson

It`s situated on one of the main boulevards, in the center of the capital and no doubt is one of the most luxurious hotels where you get to be treated like royalty.

For you to have an idea, the prices for rooms start from £67.

Another hotel in which this time a rock star picked to stay in, is Marriott Grand Hotel, where Jon Bon Jovi and his band were checked-in during their visit in Bucharest for their tour of Romania.

This hotel  is connected to the convention center and close to Palace of Parliament and the prices for rooms start from £150.

Shopping in Bucharest

The best places for a great shopping experience are located downtown:

• Union Square
• University Square
• The Roman Square

Though the surroundings of the Roman Square, hold the center of nightlife as well.

There you can find

• major brand-name shops
• upscale boutiques

All these places are concentrated along the main boulevard from Roman Square (Piata Romana) to University Square (Piata Unirii) and on the small streets adjacent to this boulevard.

• AFI Palace Cotroceni

But also on Calea Dorobantilor, Calea Victoriei or on Calea Mosilor`s (section between Blvd. Carol  I  and Piata Obor).

Recently, many shopping centers have sprung up in Bucharest (even more being currently constructed or in the planning stages of being constructed).

Some good places to shop where you can find all sorts of products: from food to clothing, jewellery and accessories, are:

• Unirea Shopping Center
• Plazza Romania
• Jolie Ville
• Liberty Center

Baneasa Shopping City

In these places you will find all of the big brands to give you a wide range of options from which to choose.

And for those who prefer antiques, you can find a large collection at Thomas Antiques – where it is also possible to also have a drink in its exceptional, unique atmosphere . This is a concept – store, that combines shopping experience with the atmosphere of an old elegant bar.

So while looking for the desired product from a wide variety of antiques, like: books, furniture, clocks, paintings and other decorative objects era, you can also enjoy a nice drink.

I will mention that the books are available in several languages such as English, Dutch, German, French .

The store is located in the Old Center of Bucharest/Lipscani and is an interesting place to experience.

Walking tour meeting point

For those who want to explore the fascinating and mixed architecture or the hidden attractions of Bucharest should take advantage of the Free Walking Tour. The tour starts in Unirii Square (the meeting point is next to the fountains and clock in the middle of the Park),  at 11:00am every day.  This interesting and informative tour lasts between 120 and 150 minutes and covers some fascinating things. The tour is multilingual but is normally in English.

If you are interested in finding out what’s on a list of events can be found in 2 free weekly guides.

• “Sapte Seri” (Seven Nights)

These have small sections in English and it also advertises restaurants, pubs, clubs, bars, cinemas, etc. in the city.

Bucharest is located in the south of the country, in the Romanian plain (altitude 85 m). It began in the 14 th century and became the capital of Romania in 1862.

Romanian Atheneum Bucharest

Since then Bucharest has gone through continuous changes being the center stage for art, culture and media.

Bucharest`s population, according to statistics from 2011, is 19,043,000 and its area is 228 square km.

Is the sixth largest in EU capital, but is also the largest center for industrial and commercial areas of Romania.

The official language is Romanian, a romance language that is the closest currently-spoken relative to Ancient Latin.

This language contains words from Slavonic languages as well.

Most younger educated people speak English reasonably well, though people born before about 1970 will speak French, German, Spanish or Italian reasonably well.

As in any major city, there are some smattering of other languages like Chinese, Turkish, Arabic, Hungarian.

Bucharest is divided into six sectors and is the largest city and the main political, administrative, economic and financial , banking, educational, scientific and cultural center of Romania.

“The Little Paris” as it was known in the past because of its French inspired architecture and rich social life, cultural and economic, has in recent years, cultivated a sophisticated, trendy and modern sensibility that many have come to expect from a European capital.

Bucharest has been undergoing major modernization programs in recent years and is still going to continue with these projects in the years to come.

Those who knew Bucharest in the past but have not visited it after 2010 will be surprised by the scale of the changes that are taking place. The center of Bucharest is being completely revamped, and there is a major project in every part of the city.

Bucharest has benefited from an economic boom along with the EU grants that have helped regenerate some areas.  Ambitious projects are quite common in Bucharest.

The largest project finished at this time is the impressive Basarab bridge, which is Europe’s widest cable-stayed bridge.

Though like most places in this world Bucharest has its downsides too.

Occasionally you may be unlucky enough to come across problems in pubs or clubs so be aware in these circumstances. However, just avoiding any conflict, particularly with people who have the air of “owning the place” would reduce your chances of getting in any trouble.

Be aware of stray dogs

Most of them could represent a threat to safety, as they tend to form packs and be dangerous.

The local authorities have been dealing with this problem for some time but haven’t succeeding in fixing it.

Most dogs won`t cause you problems unless you go and try to pester them.

It is a better idea to walk where you see people and avoid approaching areas where you see stray dogs.

Store opening times

The good part about Bucharest is the opening times that some shops and pharmacies have.

Not all supermarkets/hypermarkets or drug stores close early. Some of them are open from 9 am until 8 or 10 pm. Not to mention that there are pharmacies open through the night.

There are 6 designated emergency hospitals and a modern ambulance service and also many additional public and private hospitals, clinics and dental practices.

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If you found this article useful please take a moment to tweet, like, or share this article by using the buttons at the top or bottom. I’d really appreciate it.

Also, if you are feeling extra generous please leave some encouraging feedback in the comments section at the bottom of the page. I love getting feedback from visitors. It will encourage me to write more natural treatments that are cheap and effective!

Thanks for taking the time to read my website and I hope to see you here again soon!

Georgiana Craighead is Romanian and has travelled extensively throughout the country. Originally from Constanta she has also lived and studied in Bucharest.  As a proud Romanian she is keen to show off the beauty of her country – from the beach resorts to the mountains. But there is more to Romania than that. She is also keen to explain the culture, food, and more so that readers have a better understanding od what this stunning country has too offer.

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Thanks for sharing such a nice piece of writing, it is good, that’s why i have read it completely.

I’m really intrigued to visit Romania, I decided to come this summer and really happy to find your blog, it is a great resource!

Hey! This is my first visit to your blog! We are a group of volunteers and starting a new initiative in a community in the same niche. Your blog provided us valuable information to work on. You have done a extraordinary job!

• Pingback: 36 interesting facts about Romania | Rotea Geografie

Very very informative and useful regarding tour to Romania because i love Romania and its people and may visit it in future

What should I expect in weather in early/mid November. Both in Bucharest and Transylvania!

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Romania and Bulgaria join Europe’s Schengen travel zone but keep land border checks

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Romania and Bulgaria partially joined Europe’s ID-check-free travel zone on Sunday, marking a new step in the two countries’ integration with the European Union.

After years of negotiations to join the Schengen Area , there is now free access for travelers arriving by air or sea from both countries. However, land border checks will remain in place due to opposition primarily from Austria, which has long blocked their bid over illegal migration concerns.

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen hailed the change as a “huge success for both countries” and a “historic moment” for what is the world’s largest free travel zone.

Travel & Experiences

Schengen agreement: Understand the 90/180 rule before European travel

Question: Twice a year for more than 10 years, I have been flying to Zurich, Switzerland, from LAX.

March 30, 2015

The Schengen Area was established in 1985. Before Bulgaria and Romania’s admission, Schengen consisted of 23 of the 27 EU member countries, along with Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. Around 3.5 million people cross an internal border each day.

Austria vetoed Romania and Bulgaria’s admission into the Schengen zone at the end of 2022 but allowed Croatia full accession. Bulgaria and Romania joined the EU in 2007 and Croatia in 2013.

Siegfried Muresan, a Romanian member of the European Parliament, told the Associated Press that it is “an important first step” that will benefit millions of travelers annually.

“Bulgaria and Romania have been fulfilling all criteria for joining the Schengen Area for years — we are entitled to join with the terrestrial border as well,” he said, adding that it “will offer additional arguments to the last EU member state that has been vetoing the full accession.”

World & Nation

Croatia set to adopt euro currency and borderless EU travel in the new year

As of Jan. 1, Croatia will use the EU’s common currency and join its borderless travel area, a milestone since gaining independence 31 years ago.

Dec. 22, 2022

Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu called it a “well-deserved achievement” for Romania that he said will benefit citizens who can travel more easily and will bolster the economy.

“We have a clear and firmly assumed government plan for full accession to the Schengen Area by the end of the year,” he said.

The EU’s executive branch, the European Commission, has said for more than a decade that Romania and Bulgaria both meet the technical criteria for full accession, which requires unanimous support from their partners. Both countries have agreed to implement random security screening at airports and maritime borders to combat illegal migration and cross-border crime.

“Bulgaria’s full accession to Schengen will happen by the end of 2024,” Kalin Stoyanov, Bulgaria’s interior minister, told reporters on Sunday. “We showed and continue to show to illegal migrants that they should not take the road to Europe through Bulgaria.”

EU countries wrestle with a proposed ban on Russian tourists

Northern European Union countries are calling for a broad ban on tourist visas for Russian citizens, but Germany, among other EU members, demurs.

Aug. 31, 2022

The lifting of border control is expected to facilitate operations at Bulgaria’s four international airports, which in 2023 saw nearly 11 million passengers, according to official data.

The airport in the capital, Sofia, serves as the biggest hub for Schengen flights, which constitute 70% of all flights, airport representatives said.

While the eased regulations are expected to positively impact the tourism sector, members of the European Parliament have voiced concerns about long queues at the EU’s land borders and the impact it can have on trade in the bloc’s single market, as well as the health and safety of drivers.

Truck drivers are frequently stuck in kilometers-long queues at the borders of both Romania and Bulgaria. The Union of International Carriers in Bulgaria estimates delays cost the sector tens of millions of euros each year.

Stephen McGrath and Veselin Toshkov write for the Associated Press. McGrath reported from Sighisoara, Romania.

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Feb. 21, 2024

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In stunning reversal, European Union agrees to open membership talks with Ukraine

Dec. 14, 2023

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Romania and Bulgaria partially join Europe’s Schengen travel zone, but checks at land borders remain

Romania and bulgaria partially joined europe’s schengen id-check-free travel zone, marking a new step in the two countries’ integration with the european union.

SOFIA, Bulgaria (AP) — Romania and Bulgaria partially joined Europe’s ID-check-free travel zone on Sunday, marking a new step in the two countries’ integration with the European Union.

After years of negotiations to join the Schengen area, there is now free access for travelers arriving by air or sea from both countries. However, land border checks will remain in place due to opposition primarily from Austria which has long blocked their bid over illegal migration concerns.

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen hailed the change as a “huge success for both countries” and a “historic moment” for what is the world’s largest free travel zone.

The Schengen Area was established in 1985. Before Bulgaria and Romania’s admission, it was comprised of 23 of the 27 EU member countries, along with Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. Around 3.5 million people cross an internal border each day.

Austria vetoed Romania and Bulgaria’s admission into the Schengen zone at the end of 2022 but allowed Croatia full accession. Bulgaria and Romania joined the EU in 2007 and Croatia in 2013.

Siegfried Muresan, a Romanian Member of the European Parliament, told The Associated Press that it is “an important first step” that will benefit millions of travelers annually.

“Bulgaria and Romania have been fulfilling all criteria for joining the Schengen area for years — we are entitled to join with the terrestrial border as well,” he said, adding that it “will offer additional arguments to the last EU member state that has been vetoing the full accession.”

Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu called it a “well-deserved achievement” for Romania that he said will benefit citizens who can travel more easily and will bolster the economy.

“We have a clear and firmly assumed government plan for full accession to the Schengen Area by the end of the year,” he said.

The EU’s executive branch, the European Commission, has said for more than a decade that Romania and Bulgaria both meet the technical criteria for full accession, which requires unanimous support from their partners. Both countries have agreed to implement random security screening at airports and maritime borders to combat illegal migration and cross-border crime.

“Bulgaria’s full accession to Schengen will happen by the end of 2024,” Kalin Stoyanov, Bulgaria's interior minister, told reporters on Sunday. “We showed and continue to show to illegal migrants that they should not take the road to Europe through Bulgaria."

The lifting of border control is expected to facilitate operations at Bulgaria’s four international airports, which in 2023 saw nearly 11 million passengers, according to official data.

The airport in the capital, Sofia, serves as the biggest hub for Schengen flights which constitute 70% of all flights, airport representatives said.

While the eased regulations are expected to positively impact the tourism sector, members of the European Parliament have voiced concerns about long queues at the EU’s land borders and the impact it can have on trade in the bloc’s single market, as well as the health and safety of drivers.

Truck drivers are frequently stuck in kilometers-long queues at the borders of both Romania and Bulgaria. The Union of International Carriers in Bulgaria estimates delays cost the sector tens of millions of euros each year.

McGrath reported from Sighisoara, Romania.

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Romania and Bulgaria partially join Europe’s Schengen travel zone, but checks at land borders remain

Romania and Bulgaria partially joined Europe’s ID-check-free travel zone on Sunday, marking a new step in the two countries’ integration with the European Union. (AP Video shot by Nic Dumitrache and Valentina Petrova)

Flight attendants arriving at the Henri Coanda International Airport pass under a Schengen Information sign, in Otopeni, near Bucharest, Romania, Sunday, March 31, 2024. Romania and Bulgaria joined Europe’s passport- and visa-free Schengen Area, applying only to travelers arriving by air and sea. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru)

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A passenger that arrived with a flight from Vienna shows his passport after being one of the first people to take advantage of Romania’s entry in the Schengen Area without border checks by air and sea at the Henri Coanda International Airport in Otopeni, near Bucharest, Romania, Sunday, March 31, 2024. Romania and Bulgaria joined Europe’s passport- and visa-free Schengen Area, applying only to travelers arriving by air and sea. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru)

Passengers pass a sign that reads “Welcome to Schengen!” at the Henri Coanda International Airport in Otopeni, near Bucharest, Romania, Sunday, March 31, 2024. Romania and Bulgaria joined Europe’s passport- and visa-free Schengen Area, applying only to travelers arriving by air and sea. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru)

Passengers arriving at the Henri Coanda International Airport pass under a Schengen Information sign, in Otopeni, near Bucharest, Romania, Sunday, March 31, 2024. Romania and Bulgaria joined Europe’s passport- and visa-free Schengen Area, applying only to travelers arriving by air and sea. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru)

Passengers coloured by green light attend a welcoming ceremony announcing Bulgarias’ accession in Schengen by air and water, at Sofia airport, Bulgaria, Sunday, March 31, 2024. Romania and Bulgaria partially joined Europe’s ID-check-free travel zone on Sunday, marking a new step in the two countries’ integration with the European Union. (AP Photo/Valentina Petrova)

Passengers make a selfie as they at Sofia airport, Bulgaria, Sunday, March 31, 2024. Romania and Bulgaria partially joined Europe’s ID-check-free travel zone on Sunday, marking a new step in the two countries’ integration with the European Union. (AP Photo/Valentina Petrova)

Ebasa, a border police service dog, climbs on her handler during a media tour at the Henri Coanda International Airport in Otopeni, near Bucharest, Romania, Sunday, March 31, 2024. Romania and Bulgaria joined Europe’s passport- and visa-free Schengen Area, applying only to travelers arriving by air and sea. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru)

From left: Yordanka Chobanova, the head of the Representation of the European Commission in Bulgaria, Maria Gabriel, deputy Prime Minister, Nikolay Denkov, Prime Minister, Jesus Caballero, Sofia Airport’s CEO, press the red button during an official opening of Schengen borders by air, at Sofia airport, Bulgaria, Sunday, March 31, 2024. Romania and Bulgaria partially joined Europe’s ID-check-free travel zone on Sunday, marking a new step in the two countries’ integration with the European Union. (AP Photo/Valentina Petrova)

Passenger passes posters announcing Bulgarias’ accession in Schengen by air and water, at Sofia airpot, Bulgaria, Sunday, March 31, 2024. Romania and Bulgaria partially joined Europe’s ID-check-free travel zone on Sunday, marking a new step in the two countries’ integration with the European Union. (AP Photo/Valentina Petrova)

Passengers pass posters announcing Bulgarias’ accession in Schengen by air and water, at Sofia airport, Bulgaria, Sunday, March 31, 2024. Romania and Bulgaria partially joined Europe’s ID-check-free travel zone on Sunday, marking a new step in the two countries’ integration with the European Union. AP Photo/Valentina Petrova)

A journalist passes Non-Schengen automatic border control gates during a media tour at the Henri Coanda International Airport in Otopeni, near Bucharest, Romania, Sunday, March 31, 2024. Romania and Bulgaria joined Europe’s passport- and visa-free Schengen Area, applying only to travelers arriving by air and sea. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru)

Passengers ride an escalator at Sofia airport, Bulgaria, Sunday, March 31, 2024. Romania and Bulgaria partially joined Europe’s ID-check-free travel zone on Sunday, marking a new step in the two countries’ integration with the European Union. (AP Photo/Valentina Petrova)

A passenger that arrived with a flight from Vienna talks to media members after being one of the first people to take advantage of Romania’s entry in the Schengen Area without border checks by air and sea at the Henri Coanda International Airport in Otopeni, near Bucharest, Romania, Sunday, March 31, 2024. Romania and Bulgaria joined Europe’s passport- and visa-free Schengen Area, applying only to travelers arriving by air and sea. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru)

A woman passes a sign that reads “Welcome to Schengen!” as she arrives at the Henri Coanda International Airport in Otopeni, near Bucharest, Romania, Sunday, March 31, 2024. Romania and Bulgaria joined Europe’s passport- and visa-free Schengen Area, applying only to travelers arriving by air and sea. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru)

A man touches a sign that reads “Welcome to Schengen!” as he arrives at the Henri Coanda International Airport in Otopeni, near Bucharest, Romania, Sunday, March 31, 2024. Romania and Bulgaria joined Europe’s passport- and visa-free Schengen Area, applying only to travelers arriving by air and sea. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru)

A flight attendant passes a sign that reads “Welcome to Schengen!” as she arrives at the Henri Coanda International Airport in Otopeni, near Bucharest, Romania, Sunday, March 31, 2024. Romania and Bulgaria joined Europe’s passport- and visa-free Schengen Area, applying only to travelers arriving by air and sea. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru)

SOFIA, Bulgaria (AP) — Romania and Bulgaria partially joined Europe’s ID-check-free travel zone on Sunday, marking a new step in the two countries’ integration with the European Union.

After years of negotiations to join the Schengen area, there is now free access for travelers arriving by air or sea from both countries. However, land border checks will remain in place due to opposition primarily from Austria which has long blocked their bid over illegal migration concerns.

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen hailed the change as a “huge success for both countries” and a “historic moment” for what is the world’s largest free travel zone.

The Schengen Area was established in 1985. Before Bulgaria and Romania’s admission, it was comprised of 23 of the 27 EU member countries, along with Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. Around 3.5 million people cross an internal border each day.

Austria vetoed Romania and Bulgaria’s admission into the Schengen zone at the end of 2022 but allowed Croatia full accession. Bulgaria and Romania joined the EU in 2007 and Croatia in 2013.

Siegfried Muresan, a Romanian Member of the European Parliament, told The Associated Press that it is “an important first step” that will benefit millions of travelers annually.

“Bulgaria and Romania have been fulfilling all criteria for joining the Schengen area for years — we are entitled to join with the terrestrial border as well,” he said, adding that it “will offer additional arguments to the last EU member state that has been vetoing the full accession.”

Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu called it a “well-deserved achievement” for Romania that he said will benefit citizens who can travel more easily and will bolster the economy.

“We have a clear and firmly assumed government plan for full accession to the Schengen Area by the end of the year,” he said.

The EU’s executive branch, the European Commission, has said for more than a decade that Romania and Bulgaria both meet the technical criteria for full accession, which requires unanimous support from their partners. Both countries have agreed to implement random security screening at airports and maritime borders to combat illegal migration and cross-border crime.

“Bulgaria’s full accession to Schengen will happen by the end of 2024,” Kalin Stoyanov, Bulgaria’s interior minister, told reporters on Sunday. “We showed and continue to show to illegal migrants that they should not take the road to Europe through Bulgaria.”

The lifting of border control is expected to facilitate operations at Bulgaria’s four international airports, which in 2023 saw nearly 11 million passengers, according to official data.

The airport in the capital, Sofia, serves as the biggest hub for Schengen flights which constitute 70% of all flights, airport representatives said.

While the eased regulations are expected to positively impact the tourism sector, members of the European Parliament have voiced concerns about long queues at the EU’s land borders and the impact it can have on trade in the bloc’s single market, as well as the health and safety of drivers.

Truck drivers are frequently stuck in kilometers-long queues at the borders of both Romania and Bulgaria. The Union of International Carriers in Bulgaria estimates delays cost the sector tens of millions of euros each year.

McGrath reported from Sighisoara, Romania.

Wizz Air relaunches flights from Bucharest to Salzburg

Radu Dumitrescu

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Low-cost airline Wizz Air, which operates numerous routes in Romania, relaunched its flights from Salzburg to Bucharest. 

The company says that the flight opens the door to tourism in the area. Salzburg is known for its picturesque landscapes and rich cultural heritage. It is also framed by the Alps, offering stunning sights.

“We are delighted to relaunch our route from Bucharest to Salzburg, offering Romanian travelers the opportunity to explore this culturally rich and historically significant city at unbeatable fares,” said Valeria Bragarenco, corporate communications manager at Wizz Air. 

Visitors can explore Mozart's birthplace, visiting iconic landmarks such as the Hohensalzburg Fortress, Mirabell Palace, and the captivating Salzburg Cathedral. The city's vibrant arts scene, famous classical music festivals, and delicious culinary offerings promise an unforgettable experience for every traveler. 

The company operates a fleet of 205 Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft. Roughly 60.3 million passengers boarded Wizz Air flights in 2023, according to Economedia .

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(Photo source: 9parusnikov | Dreamstime.com )

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EU Council chief travels to Romania for talks on agenda for future with other bloc leaders

The Associated Press

April 3, 2024, 2:20 PM

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BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — European Council President Charles Michel traveled to Romania’s capital on Wednesday for talks with several European Union country leaders on the bloc’s so-called strategic agenda to address goals for the next five-year period.

Michel arrived in Bucharest at the presidential Cotroceni Palace where he was hosted by Romanian President Klaus Iohannis. The informal meetings, which are periodically held in different EU capitals, come ahead of the June 6-9 elections for the European Parliament.

Michel said in a joint press conference that the 27-nation bloc has in recent years faced an “extraordinarily difficult” period of challenges including the COVID-19 pandemic, climate and energy crises, and Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine.

Over the next five years, he said the EU will focus on bolstering security and defense, increasing economic stability and prosperity, bloc enlargement, and strengthening the democratic values that underpin the EU project. “Despite all the efforts in the past, there are still a lot of challenges ahead,” Michel said.

“The goal is to make sure the European countries are more responsible to address the security challenges and to take into account the threats we face,” he added. “Investments in that field are important.”

For his part, Iohannis also cited the series of crises the EU has faced in recent years including the energy crisis, the effects of climate change, illegal migration, and the war in neighboring Ukraine.

“Major challenges await us, but we also have the lessons learned from the last five extremely difficult years, in which the (EU) has proven that it is resilient, adaptable and capable of protecting its citizens,” said Iohannis, who announced his bid last month to become the next leader of NATO .

“We must remain committed to making every effort together to protect our values, the European spirit and the hard-won democracy in some member states,” he added.

The two leaders were later joined by Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo, Croatia’s Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic, and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.

Copyright © 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.

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