visit bucharest today

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

If you found this post helpful, don’t forget to bookmark it and share it with your friends. Are you on Pinterest? Pin this image!

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

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!

Visit Bucharest Today

About this app

Bucharest travel guide - visit bucharest today, bucharest audio guide - visit bucharest today, data safety.

App support

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.

More Related Articles on PlanetWare.com

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 .

• Skip to primary navigation
• Skip to main content
• Skip to primary sidebar
• Skip to footer

The Opinionated Travelogue of a Photo Maniac

• Middle East
• North America
• South America
• Pacific Islands
• FOOD & WINE
• TRAVEL GUIDES
• TRAVEL RESOURCES
• Rants & Raves
• Travel Blogger Interviews
• Contact Form
• Privacy Policy
• Featured Elsewhere

16 Things to Do in Bucharest That You’ll Absolutely Love!

Last Modified: January 22, 2024 //  by  Anda //   14 Comments

If this is your first time in Bucharest and wonder what to see and do here, you’ve come to the right place. As a former Bucharester , I always take pride in talking about my place of birth. Although I now live very far away from it, I believe there are many good reasons to visit Romania and its beautiful capital. In this article I’ll give you an overview of the best things to do in Bucharest if you want to have fun. I will also give you tips on what to eat and where to stay when visiting the Bucharest.

How Many Days to Spend in Bucharest

Despite being the fourth largest city in the European Union, after Berlin, Madrid, and Rome , Bucharest is not difficult to explore. The points of interest are concentrated within a relatively small area, so you’ll probably be able to visit them in two-three days.

If you don’t have any reason to leave early, you should plan on spending at least 2 days in Bucharest and a few days visiting Sinaia, Brasov and the surrounding area. It would be a shame to come to Romania and not visit this places too, especially since they are close to Bucharest and very easy to reach by train .

Best Things to See and Do in Bucharest

Bucharest will surprise you in a nice way. While it may lack the commercial attractiveness of other European capitals, it surely doesn’t lack charm and vibrance. From wonderful museums to huge parks, impressive buildings, chic restaurants and a vibrant nightlife, there’s plenty to do in Romania’s capital.

Take a Sightseeing Bus Tour

Walking is definitely the best way to explore a new place. However, Bucharest is a big city with many interesting sites, so trying to see them all by foot would be rather difficult. So ideally, you should go both by foot and by bus.

Like all major cities in Europe , Bucharest has its own Hop-on-Hop-off Bus. The sightseeing bus stops at 13 of the most important landmarks and significant avenues in Bucharest. The cost is only 25 lei ($6.00) for adults and 10 lei ($2.50) for children. The ticket price also includes a free guided tour of the Old Town.

We tried the hop-on-hop-off bus out of curiosity and found it pretty reliable. Finding the signs that indicate the bus stop was a little difficult, but otherwise the tour was very convenient, with busses coming every 15 minutes.

Discover the Hidden Churches of Bucharest

The old Orthodox churches in Bucharest aren’t probably the first thing that comes to mind when you think of places to visit in the capital. But many of these religious edifices are true architectural monuments, well worth your time, even if you are not into religious services.

Some of these churches date back to the 17th and 18th centuries and are decorated with Byzantine frescos and precious icons.

During the rule of dictator Nicolae Ceausescu in the 1980s, thousands of structures were demolished in the Romanian capital. Among them were many historic churches and chapels. In order to save them from destruction, some of these churches were relocated and hidden in small corners.

Others ended up squeezed among high-rise structures that were built around them during the communist regime. So unless you know exactly where they are, it’s difficult to find them.

Some of the churches to look for are Stavropoleos , in the Old City, Kretzulescu Church , on Calea Victoriei,  Antim Church , close to the Palace of the Parliament, and Biserica Doamnei , which lies pretty well hidden in the back lot of a Pizza Hut, at the crossing of Regina Elizabeta boulevard and Doamnei Street. They also count themselves among the most beautiful churches in Romania .

Take a Tour of the Revolution Square

When we lived in Romania, this place was known as Piața Palatului  (Palace Square). But in 1989 some of the bloodiest fights took place on or near this square, so in commemoration of those horrific days, the square was renamed Piața Revolutiei (Revolution Square.)

At the center of the square, right in front of the former Central Committee building of the Romanian Communist Party, they built a memorial in honor of those who died for the country’s rebirth.

Ironically, from the balcony of this building Ceaușescu gave his final speech to the nation on December 21, 1989. Realizing that the crowd has turned against him, he tried to escape in a helicopter from the roof of the building. But a few days later, he and his wife were captured and executed.

Attend a Concert at the Romanian Athenaeum

At one end of Calea Victoriei you’ll come across the majestic building of the Athenaeum, Romania’s most prestigious concert hall. The building is strikingly beautiful, with a large portico adorned with Ionic columns and a high dome with round windows.

The inside of the building is equally impressive. The circular concert hall features rich decorative elements and a circular fresco depicting 25 scenes from the history of Romania.

The Romanian Athenaeum is home to the George Enescu philharmonic orchestra and it’s normally open only during concerts. Attending a concert here is one of the most rewarding things that you can do in Bucharest. Therefore, I would strongly encourage you do it if you have a chance. Or at least take a guided tour of the Athenaeum, if there are no concerts when you are here.

Roam Through the Streets of the Old Town

One of the biggest attractions in Bucharest is Centrul Vech i (the Old Town), which lies in the very center of the city. As the name suggests, this is the oldest area of Bucharest stretching from the north of the Dâmboviţa river, to Calea Victoriei on the west, Regina Elisabeta on the north, and Bulevardul Brătianu on the east. Here you’ll find a mix of hipster cafès, beautiful bookstores, and small cobbled alleys. 

The most popular street in the Old Town is Lipscani. I remember this street a from long time ago, when it was very run down and neglected. Today, this entire area is full of life, beaming with new restaurants, pubs, and stores and alway full of people roaming around.

Although it’s a is a hodgepodge of old and newer buildings (some in good condition, some not), the Old Town still maintains the charm and character of the old Bucharest.

The area is great for walking and exploring many historic sites, shops, restaurants, cafes, and bars. It is also the best place if you want to experience Bucharest’s vibrant nightlife .

Pro Tip: There is a free walking tour during the day, provided by Bucharest Walkabout free tours. The tour meets at the park across the street from the Old Town and provides some history and information about this area of Bucharest.

Curtea Veche (the Old Princely Court)Archeological Museum

Curtea Veche (the Old Court, or the Royal Court) is an archeological site located on French Street, in the Old Center of Bucharest. This used to be the center of political and economic activity in the medieval period of Bucharest.

The Palace at Curtea Veche was built during the rule of Vlad III Dracula, in 1459. Hence the statue of Vlad the Impaler you see in the yard. For two centuries, Curtea Veche was the residence of the rulers of Wallachia, in parallel with that of Târgoviste, the old capital.

The complex at Curtea Veche consists of the Voevodal Palace, the Church of the Annunciation, plus various other buildings and some stables.

While there is no connection between Vlad the Impaler and the fictitious character of Bram Stocker, Dracula aficionados like to visit this place almost as much as they like to visit Dracula’s Castle in Bran.

Admire the City’s Beautiful Architecture

Bucharest has an astonishing architectural diversity. An interesting mix of Neoclassical, Art Nouveau, Modernist, and Soviet architecture. And while the latter is immediately apparent, in the city’s central areas you will discover elaborate façades and many old buildings that display charm and elegance.

In terms of urban development, the city’s main transformation took place between the two world wars, when Bucharest went through an intense constructions activity. Therefore, you’ll see many beautiful Art Nouveau buildings in the city center.

Some of the most impressive buildings in Bucharest were build between 1901-1903. Like Cantacuzino Palace (the current location of the George Enescu Museum), the CEC Palace, Coltea Hospital, the Royal Palace, or the Central Library.

Unfortunately, many of the historic buildings in Bucharest are still in a state of disrepair. While there are some nice and well maintained buildings, in many parts of Bucharest you’ll still see rundown and neglected ones. As you walk the streets of Bucharest, take time to notice both extremes.

Visit the Palace and Cathedral of the Patriarchy

One of the most attractive touristic points in Bucharest is Dealul Mitropoliei (Mitropoliei Hill) and the two important buildings atop of it: the Palace of the Patriarchy, built in 1908, and the Cathedral of the Patriarchy, which dates back to 1654.

The palace serves as a conference center, event venue and is home to the administrative offices of the Romanian Patriarchate. As a result, the building is closed to the public but you can still admire it from the outside.

Next to the Palace is the Patriarchal Cathedral, which has been the centerpiece of the Romanian Orthodox faith since the 17th-century. The church has an outstanding bell tower and very beautifully painted frescos. The original frescoes have been destroyed, so the ones you see today are from 1923.

READ NEXT : Curtea de Arges Cathedral: From Legend to History and Back

Bucharest Village Museum

You wouldn’t expect to see barns and rural homes in a bustling metropolis like Bucharest. And yet, nestled right in the heart of Romania’s beautiful capital lies one of Europe’s oldest ethnographic collections : the Bucharest Village Museum . An entire settlement designed to give you an insight into the rural Romanian life across time. 

The location of the museum is absolutely enchanting: right on the shore of the Herāstrāu Lake, in a densely forested area.

Bucharest Village Museum is open daily, except for some public holidays. For more detailed information about opening hours and admission prices, please check the museum’s website .

Relax in the Herāstrāu Park

Herāstrāu is Bucharest’s largest park, spreading on 187 hectares. The park is old and aged, but it’s really beautiful and the city keeps it clean and safe. Definitely one of the nicest places to visit in Bucharest.

The park was laid around Lake Herăstrău which is fed by the Colentina river. The lake has a beautiful long promenade where you can walking, bike, or run. A loop around the lake itself takes several hours and is about 7 km (beginning and ending at the Aviatorilor Metro station.)

Herāstrāu Park has many beautiful statues, playgrounds, picnic areas, water fountains and even black swans on the lake. Consider allowing a day of your trip to visit this park, as there are many attractions around like boat tours, museums, clubs and restaurants.

Stop by the Cārturești Carousel Bookstore

You don’t have to be a book lover in order to love the Cārturești bookshop, but if you are it’s even better. Located in Bucharest Old Town, Cārturești Carousel is one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world.

The 19th century building that hosts the bookstore once belonged to the famous Chrissoveloni, an old family of bankers. During the Communist era, the building was confiscated and nationalized by the regime, who then turned it into a general store.

After 1990 the building was reclaimed by the Chrissoveloni family and it later reopened as Cărturești Carusel bookshop.

The bookstore extends on 6 floor and occupies 1000 square meters of space. There are more than 10,000 books, and a large collection of albums and DVDs. Most books are in Romanian, but there is also an English section. There is also and small gift shop on the main floor and a café on the top floor.

Opening hours : Monday to Thursday from 10:00 am – 10:00 pm; on Weekends from 10:00 am – midnight. 

Visit the National Museum of Romanian History

We didn’t get a chance to wander into this museum till our last visit to Romania. The building is surely intimidating from the outside, but it doesn’t take too long to go over the entire museum.

The museum has an impressive collection of stone artifacts and a grand display of royal tiaras, crowns, necklaces, earrings, plates, and travel dinnerware. There is also a collection of war art (shell art, grenade ashtrays, etc.), and a fantastic section of toys and games.  When we visited, they had a special exhibit of Chinese jewelry on display. Everything was exquisite, very detailed and delicate.

Opening hours : Wednesday – Sunday from 10:00am to 6:00 pm

Take a Tour of the Gigantic Palace of the Parliament

The gigantic structure was the brainchild of Romania’s former dictator, Nicolae Ceausescu, who had the ambition to build the largest administrative building in the world. And he succeeded.

According to the Guinness World Records, the Palace of the Parliament (also known as the People’s House ) is indeed the largest and heaviest building in the world. The palace encompasses 365,000 square meters (3,930,000 sq ft) and contains over 700,000 tonnes of steel and bronze.

But for the Romanian people , the gigantic structure is just a sad memento to the dictatorial madness of Romania’s former dictator, who spared no expense to build his dream palace. As for its patron – Ceausescu – he was executed before being able see his dream palace completed.

Opening hours : Monday to Sunday between 10:00 am – 6:00 pm. You can tour the Palace’s interiors, but you must take a guided tour. Since this is one of the most popular places to visit in Romania , you should try booking your ticket online, in advance .

Admire Bucharest’s Triumphal Arch (Arcul de Triumf )

Did you know that Bucharest has its own triumphal arch commemorating Romania’s victory in the First World War? Arcul de Triumf is an almost identical replica of l’Arc de Triomphe de l’Étoile in Paris.

The arch sits at the intersection of three boulevards: Kiseleff, Mareșal Alexandru and Alexandru Constantinescu.

Opening hours : the monument is open only on weekends, (June to October) between 11:00 am and 10:00 pm. Admission is free.

Visit Grigore Antipa Museum of Natural History

One of the biggest attractions in Bucharest is Grigore Antipa Museum of Natural History . The 170 year old museum has close to two million items on display. There are geological, paleontology, anatomy, ethnographic and anthropological collections. There is even a mini cave.

As you visit the museum, you’ll discover all sorts of animals and even an impressive dinosaur skeleton.

Opening hours : Tues-Fri 10am-6pm and Sat-Sun 10am-7pm (until 8pm April 1-Oct 31).

Pro Tip : Skip the long lines at the museum by buying your tickets online .

Stroll Through the Cișmigiu Garden

Located in the center of Bucharest, this beautiful park is built around a romantic lake surrounded by old willow trees and wroth iron benches.

Some of my earliest childhood memories are from Cișmigiu Garden. We used to come here as children to feed the swans and pelicans that populated the lake.

The park hasn’t change much over time. It still has the same romantic atmosphere I once knew, with secret alleys and long, uninterrupted rows of green chairs and benches. There are plenty of shaded paths, some restaurants and also playgrounds for children. During the warm summer months, Cișmigiu is as almost always packed with groups of seniors playing chess.

What to Eat in Bucharest

No visit to Bucharest would be complete without trying the delicious Romanian food . There is a whole plethora of cafés and restaurants in Bucharest where you can sample delicious traditional dishes.

Some of the most popular dishes you should try in Bucharest are: Sarmale cu Mamaliguta  (Stuffed Cabbage Rolls with Polenta), Mici cu Mustar  (“Little Ones” with Mustard), Ciorbā de Burt ā (Tripe Soup) and Pastrama de Oaie cu Mamaligutā  (Grilled Mutton Pastrami with Polenta). You can find these dishes is almost any traditional restaurant in Bucharest.

And if you have a sweet tooth, don’t miss the mouth-watering Papanasi cu Smîntînā  (Cheese Doughnuts with Sweet Cream). This a traditional dessert that you won’t find anywhere else but in Romania.

Best Areas to Stay in Bucharest as a Tourist

If this is your first time in Bucharest, you’ll want to stay as close as possible to the city center so that you can walk to at least part of the attractions. So here are a few suggestions.

Piata Unirii is one of the most convenient areas to stay in Bucharest. It is close to the Old Town, the Parliament Building, Mitropoliei Hill, as well as many nice pubs, cafés and restaurants. Some of the best hotels in this area are: Hilton Garden Inn, Concorde Old Bucharest, Europa Royale, Grand Pier Boutique Hotel.

University Square is another nice area to stay when visiting the city. Here is where most university buildings are located. From this square you can easily reach both the Old Town, the Cismigiu Garden, the National Theater and many beautiful churches. Nice hotels in this area are: Intercontinental Hotel, Metropole Apartments, and K+K Hotel Elisabeta.

Calea Victoriei is one of the wealthier and more sophisticated neighborhoods in Bucharest. Here you’ll be close to the Romanian Atheneum, Revolution Square, as well as many museums and luxury stores. Nice hotels in this area include: Novotel Bucharest City Center, Athenee Palace Hilton, and Raddison Blu.

Piata Romana is a lively neighborhood, filled with cafés and restaurants. From here you can easily walk to the Old Town or University Square in one direction, or to the Grigore Antipa Museum in the opposite direction. Some beautiful hotels in this area are: Sheraton Bucharest, Mercure Bucharest, and Berthelot Hotel.

There are many other nice neighborhoods in Bucharest where you’ll find comfortable lodging, but they are farther away from the city center.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE:

• Eggs Museum in Moldovita: at the Crossroads of Art and Tradition
• Transfagarasan Highway – Tackling Europe’s Most Epic Road
• 15 Things to Do In and Around Brasov, Romania
• 10 Authentic Romanian Souvenirs You Should Buy in Romania

Anda is an award winning travel writer, avid globetrotter and passionate photographer. She is the voice behind "Travel Notes & Beyond," a collection of stories and travel impressions from her wanderings around the world. When she is not busy writing, traveling, or editing photographs, you can find her hiking in the foothills behind her house together with her husband and their dog.

Reader Interactions

August 8, 2021 at 10:06 pm

A very nicely picked list of things to do that even a lay man like me ca do.

Sherianne Higgins

August 8, 2021 at 9:04 am

I remember when Nicolae Ceausescu was captured and am super interested in the history of Romania as a result. The mix of old, new and Communist era architecture makes Bucharest so unique. And Papanasi cu Smîntînā are so good, they alone are worth a visit! The old Orthodox churches in Bucharest are incredible and I love that so many of them were hidden and saved.

August 8, 2021 at 9:02 pm

Yea, I agree that Papanasi cu Smîntina alone are worth a visit, lol!

August 6, 2021 at 8:39 am

I’m yet to head to Bucharest and I hope to go there as soon as the situation gets better and travel restrictions get better. Relocated historic churches hidden in small corners? Wow. Now, that’s really really interesting. As much as I would love to attend a concert, going there with a toddler sounds disastrous. Gonna skip that! Bucharest village museum is something I wouldn’t miss!

August 6, 2021 at 1:49 pm

Well, that’s a list of suggested activities. Obviously, you’ll do whatever suits your taste and needs.

August 5, 2021 at 3:45 am

I did not know there were so many things that I could do when I was in Bucharest. I have been a few of them but not all and a concert would have been so amazing and memorable. I have also visited Stavropoleos Church and I absolutely loved that little church, it was so pretty.

August 5, 2021 at 1:34 pm

Maybe next time you’ll visit the other attractions as well, Raksha.

August 4, 2021 at 12:27 pm

What an awesome and complete blog post. Man, there is some seriously cool architecture in Bucharest. I also love all the cobblestone streets, i just can’t get enough of those.

August 4, 2021 at 12:20 pm

Wow! I did not realize there so much to see and do in Bucharest. It would love to see the hidden churches. Love the idea of taking a bus tour as well. A Concert at the Romanian Athenaeum would be nice too. Thank you for sharing this.

Linda (LD Holland)

August 4, 2021 at 6:04 am

A good friend of mine leaves for Bucharest on Friday. So fun to see this post and learn what they will see on their stay. Have shared your post with them. Although we are not religious I find the churches and the decorations fascinating. The inside of the Romanian Athenaeum looks stunning. I love that there are green spaces to relax in after all the walking and architecture. Wishing I was heading off with them!

August 4, 2021 at 3:41 pm

We just returned from Bucharest, and the post-pandemic atmosphere seems very relaxed. I’m sure your friends will have fun there.

August 3, 2021 at 1:39 pm

Great sum-up of sightseeing spots in Bucharest. I visited most of them on a trip a few years ago. However I missed the Bucharest Village museum. It looks quite unique and cute. And I think I skipped the Grigore Antipa Museum of Natural History on purpose, asuming it was not interesting. But your pictures persuaded me to go if I have the chance in the future.

August 4, 2021 at 3:45 pm

Hope you will, Natascha.

Trisha Velarmino

August 3, 2021 at 7:51 am

Thanks for putting these activities together. Personally, I’m interested in the historical churches, the Romanian Athenaeum, and Cārturești Carousel. I love the layout of the bookstore. It has the mix of contemporary and nostalgic vibe. Wow, the Palace of the Parliament in Bucharest is a scene-stealer!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

All rights reserved © Travel Notes & Beyond. The material on this website is protected by copyright law. Republishing the content on this blog (including text, photography, etc.) is strictly prohibited.

AFFILIATE PROGRAM DISCLOSURE

Some of the pages and posts of this blog contain links to products and services that may be useful for my readers. When clicking on these links you will have the option to purchase or register for a service at no extra cost to you, but doing so can help me offset the costs associated with running this blog. Thank you for your support!

• Special Offers

City of Bucharest - capital of Romania, Visitor Information

Main cities.

CITY OF BUCHAREST Sights and Landmarks Bucharest Museums Performing Arts Parks & Gardens Tours - Walking / Bus Attractions Not Far from Bucharest Day Trips from Bucharest

TRIP PLANNING INFO Transportation Places to Stay Free Things to do in Bucharest Shopping Tourist info Bucharest Festivals & Events Maps

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. Every weekend (mid-April until mid-October) Calea Victoriei becomes a pedestrian-only zone, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.. Locals and visitors can enjoy street food and performances. 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

Getty Images/iStockphoto

Romania’s capital sometimes gets a bad rap, but in fact it's dynamic, energetic and lots of fun. Many travellers give the city just a night or two before heading off to Transylvania, but that’s not enough time. Allow at least a few days to take in the very good museums, stroll the parks and hang out at trendy cafes and drinking gardens. While much of the centre is modern and the buildings are in various stages of disrepair, you'll find splendid 17th- and 18th-century Orthodox churches and graceful belle époque villas tucked away in quiet corners. Communism changed the face of the city forever, and nowhere is this more evident than at the gargantuan Palace of Parliament, the grandest (and arguably crassest) tribute to dictatorial megalomania you’ll ever see.

Your next trip starts here

Go from dreaming to planning with trip planning options made to help you craft your ideal itinerary.

Attractions

Must-see attractions.

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…

Latest stories from Bucharest

Festivals & Events

Apr 17, 2019 • 6 min read

Planning a trip to Bucharest but not sure when’s the best time to visit? From April to September, Bucharest becomes a stomping ground for the creative…

Apr 15, 2019 • 5 min read

Dec 5, 2018 • 6 min read

Dec 20, 2017 • 5 min read

Nov 3, 2017 • 5 min read

Aug 8, 2017 • 4 min read

Jan 13, 2017 • 6 min read

Oct 5, 2016 • 5 min read

Jul 19, 2016 • 5 min read

in partnership with getyourguide

Book popular activities in Bucharest

Purchase our award-winning guidebooks.

Get to the heart of Bucharest with one of our in-depth, award-winning guidebooks, covering maps, itineraries, and expert guidance.

9 Best Things to Do in Bucharest: Itinerary + Tips

When we first set foot in Bucharest, we knew very little about the best things to do in Bucharest in one day, let alone on a longer trip!

While we had long wanted to visit Romania, specifics about the charms of its capital city got crowded out of our daydreams about the country, which were typically filled with beautiful mountains, quaint villages, and majestic castles.

When we got the opportunity to explore the best things to see in Bucharest for a few days in partnership with the Experience Bucharest team, we knew it would be the perfect opportunity to get a taste of Romania in preparation for what will hopefully be a longer return trip one day.

Three very busy days later, we were happy to announce that we had a fabulous time visiting Bucharest.

Some links in this post may be affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Please see our disclosure policy for more detail.

We came not knowing what to expect but left thrilled to have had a chance to get to know Bucharest’s quirky personality, kind people, tasty food, and fascinating cultural sites.

Considering a trip to the capital of Romania soon and wondering what to put on your itinerary?

Here’s what to do in Bucharest!

Table of Contents

The Best Things to Do in Bucharest

How to visit bucharest in one day, explore romania beyond visiting bucharest, where we stayed in bucharest.

Take a walking tour of Bucharest.

Like most European cities, Bucharest is best introduced via a walking tour–there’s nothing like the feeling of getting integrated with a city by walking the streets yourself.

While “basic” walking tours with an overview of Bucharest and its history are available, there are enough themed walking tours available that just about anyone will find one that piques their interest.

From Hidden Bucharest to Alternative Bucharest , or even to niche topics such as a Roma Heritage Tour, just about any option will leave you with a great walk through Bucharest’s quirky streets and with new knowledge about the city.

Personally, we opted for a Communist Tour that explored Bucharest’s (very recent) Communist past.

A mong other sites, we viewed the “House of the People” from the outside as well as its corresponding avenue, which was built by dictator Nicolae Ceausescu to be larger and more grand than the Champs Elysses.

We also stopped at some of the few remaining Communist-era apartments that have not been redone since the fall of communism and visited a church that had literally been picked up and moved to clear space for the House of the People during construction.

Most interestingly of all, our guide was old enough to remember parts of his own childhood under communist rule and brought artifacts such as an example of the propaganda-style textbook that children studied until the fall of the dictatorship in 1989.

Shop Communist Walking Tours  of Bucharest!

Visit the People’s House of Romania.

Romania’s communist dictator Nicolae Ceausescu had a vision: redesign the city of Bucharest, and create an entire series of buildings and streets that would show off to the world how successful the Socialist Republic of Romania was.

He failed in most respects, but left a somewhat strange legacy all the same: the People’s House of Romania (often called the “People’s House” for short, and now officially named the Palace of the Parliament) is the second-largest administrative building in the world–only the US Pentagon is larger.

Standing outside the building, the enormity of it presses in on you–it is a gigantic place, and the scale is even more impressive when you learn that the huge building in front of you is just a portion of it–a significant amount of the palace is underground, though the exact figure seems a little fuzzy.

The building is, for obvious reasons, quite controversial–Nicolae Ceausescu more or less starved the people of Romania to pay for it, and actually got the idea to make it from Kim Il-sung himself, one of the most infamous of all tyrannical dictators–but it remains one of Romania’s most popular tourist attractions and is currently home to both Romania’s parliament and an art museum.

We didn’t get a chance to go inside on this visit, but the photos of the elaborate interior make us want to find room for it on our itinerary next time.

Even with only one day in Bucharest, this unforgettable structure would be a must-see.

Book your visit to the Palace of the Parliament today!

Check out Bucharest’s Arc de Triomphe.

Once upon a time, we associated the phrase “Arc de Triomphe” with Paris… but that arch is far from the only one!

“Triumphal Arches” are actually quite common (though the French phrase is more popular to describe them).

So far, we’ve visited the ones in Paris , Vientiane , a few Roman ones scattered around Italy, and now, Bucharest!

Like in Paris, Bucharest’s Arc de Triomphe is set in the middle of a traffic circle and is very grand.

Typically, the arch is only open for visitors to climb it on one day each year, but we were lucky enough to get to climb to the top with media permission.

While it was a very cool experience to climb up the arch at night, don’t worry too much about it being closed–the view from the top was less impressive than the view of the beautiful arch itself, in our opinion.

Our favorite part about climbing the arch was actually the pretty interior staircase!

Pay a visit to the Romanian Kitsch Museum.

We love checking out strange, small, quirky, and offbeat museums on our travels… and the Romanian Kitsch Museum definitely fit the bill.

Home to a hodgepodge of eclectic paraphernalia, the Romanian Kitsch Museum has sections dedicated to Dracula, to the Orthodox Church, to the communist way of life in 20th century Romania, to Roma culture, and more.

In the paraphrased words of the owner Cristian, who gave us a tour of the museum himself, “When something sacred is turned hollow due to greed, corruption, or lack of respect, it becomes kitsch.”

Our visit to the Romanian Kitsch Museum felt in many ways like a fairly lighthearted take on serious aspects of Romanian history and culture, which Cristian said was his goal in creating the museum.

Some sad topics were covered but they were presented in such a way to make the visitor laugh and then stop to think, rather than moving directly into a serious social conversation.

It was bizarre, hilarious, endlessly entertaining, and–to be honest–we left still not 100% sure if we “got it”.

We did know this, though: we were glad that we added it to our list of things to do in Bucharest, and would definitely go back.

Indulge your inner bookworm at Carturesti Carusel.

There’s nothing like finding a beautiful, quirky, and/or interesting bookstore to make our day–and Carturesti Carusel (in English, “Carousel of Light”) definitely qualifies.

Located in the heart of Bucharest’s Old Town, Carturesti Carusel is housed in a restored 19th-century building, complete with bright spaces, spiral staircases, and more than 10,000 books.

It’s regularly busy, of course, but it’s definitely worth dropping in for a book, to check out the decor, or to simply enjoy a coffee at the cafe on the top floor of the bookstore.

For bibliophiles and architecture lovers alike, a visit here definitely belongs on any list of the best things to do in Romania .

Stroll around Bucharest’s Old Town.

“This is such a cute Old Town!” I exclaimed when walking to lunch with a group of other bloggers during our stay in Bucharest.

“It’s not very old, though,” replied one of the Romanian bloggers we were walking with. “They just finished it in 2011!”

Needless to say, I did a double-take.

But it’s true: while obviously many of the buildings date back hundreds of years, the area that is known today as Bucharest’s Old Town just received its beautiful cobblestone pathways in 2011, and its buildings are still being given updates and facelifts, one by one.

The area surrounding Lipscani Street has been given new life in the form of an entertainment district that reminds me of what I always imagined Berlin would feel like–charming, pretty, somewhat regal, but also a bit gritty and quirky.

Today, the area is flourishing: bars, restaurants, cafes, and shops full of Romanian souvenirs burst out in all directions, making it a great place to wander.

Taste Romanian food and wine.

Sausage. Barbeque. Pork anything. Cheese. Wine. Vegetables. More wine. More meat.

Romanians and Texans would get along quite well when it comes to cuisine!

Though the spices aren’t exactly the same and Texans are inclined to prefer beer to wine, we definitely noticed many similarities–which was good, because Jeremy was desperately craving Texas barbeque by the time we got to Romania.

We didn’t have a bad meal in Romania, but some spots that stuck out were Gastronomika, La Mama, Pescarus (still can’t forget their cheese-stuffed sausage), and Tasting Room Gastro Wine Bar.

Want to make the most of exploring Romanian wine? Book your Bucharest wine tour today!

Check out Bucharest’s art scene.

Bucharest is home to a surprisingly large art scene–from galleries to artist’s workshops to unusual outdoor spaces, there’s something for every taste

Most memorably during our time visiting Bucharest, we visited Combinatul, a repurposed industrial area that has been turned into an artist’s hub.

We can’ say that all of the art there was exactly our style, though some of it certainly was–but memorable was definitely the word for it!

Statues, films, paintings, carvings, large pieces, small ones–it was all there, and we loved having the opportunity to walk around and explore.

If you’re looking for something art-related that’s a bit more offbeat than a traditional gallery, definitely add Combinatul to your list when deciding what to do in Bucharest!

If you move fast and use all the Bucharest travel tips you can get your hands on, you just may be able to see most or all of these Bucharest attractions during a short 24 hour trip!

Many of these spots are located close together.

The Romanian Kitsch Museum and Carturesti Carusel are both located within Bucharest’s Old Town, for example, making transitions fairly easy to pull off with a bit of planning.

Trips to Romania are commonly started with one day in Bucharest, and I do think all of these interesting and fun things to do in Bucharest can be accomplished in a single (very busy and fast-moving) day–but don’t be surprised if you find yourself wanting to extend your trip.

Bucharest has tons to offer and is very inexpensive , and bumping your trip up to include 2 or even 3 days in Bucharest would still leave you with enough exciting and fun things to do in Bucharest that you could keep a packed-full sightseeing schedule if you wish.

If you’re coming to Romania to road trip its famous countryside, explore beautiful Romanian castles , or simply passing through the region and wondering what to do in Bucharest and whether it’s worth a stop, definitely make one!

Bucharest is eclectic, interesting, and full of unexpected attractions ranging from the historic Ceausescu House to seemingly endless numbers of charming cafes.

If we have one regret from our time in Bucharest, it’s that we didn’t have a chance to get outside of it!

Dracula’s Castle–aka Bran Castle–may be full of history instead of vampires, but we’d still love to see it, along with the absolutely stunning Peles Castle, the city of Brasov, and so much more.

If you’re short on time like us but still want to squeeze in one day of exploring the best places to visit in Romania beyond the capital, this exciting tour is one of the most popular in all of Romania for good reason!

Personally, the next time we visit Romania, the castles will be our first stop.

Book your day trip to Bran Castle, Peles Castle, and Brasov today!

Orhideea Residence and Spa — Our apartment at Orhideea Residence & Spa was clean, comfortable, had a great view, a kitchen–and it was giant !

Seriously–the living room felt like a football field.

Breakfast was tasty and served on the 11th floor, with views that stretched over Bucharest.

We would not hesitate to stay again if we head back to explore all of the fun things to do in Bucharest again!

The hotel isn’t within walking distance of Old Town but is a cheap and easy Uber ride away.

We definitely recommend sticking with Uber–the one day that we had to take a taxi because the Uber app went down, we were (predictably) overcharged by the driver.

Check rates and book your stay at Orhideea Residence and Spa!

Many thanks to the Experience Bucharest team for hosting us in full during our trip to Romania! All opinions are, as always, our own.

About Kate Storm

In May 2016, I left my suburban life in the USA and became a full-time traveler. Since then, I have visited 50+ countries on 5 continents and lived in Portugal, developing a special love of traveling in Europe (especially Italy) along the way. Today, along with my husband Jeremy and dog Ranger, I’m working toward my eventual goal of splitting my life between Europe and the USA.

23 thoughts on “9 Best Things to Do in Bucharest: Itinerary + Tips”

I’m a complete bookworm so I’d head straight to the place with 10,000 books! I’ve yet to visit Bucharest but I’d like to try next year. I never knew the Arc di Triomphe was also there. The parliament building is impressive, I’d like to take photos too.

Haha, you sound just like me! Always after the books. 🙂

Bucharest is such a beautiful city and what more, it doesn’t take all of one’s time to explore the city. From the Arc dear Triomphe to the Carturesti Carusel, including the street arts, the city of Bucharest is worth every visit. And a winter tasting tour in Bucharest wouldn’t be a bad idea. Glad you mentioned the restaurants with the ‘off mark,’ I’d better watch out.

We definitely enjoyed the wine tasting we did! We did ours at the aptly named Tasting Room.

How cool! I don’t really know Bucharest, but I would definitely enjoy a day in the city seeing the sights. Looks like you had a great time photographing the city.

We definitely did–there’s tons to photograph in Bucharest!

I love the bookstore! This paired with Bucharest’s art scene would make for a perfect, relaxing day in the town! I’m also jotting down Old Town as a must-see when I’m in town. Great advice!

That does sound like an excellent relaxing day, right? 🙂 Maybe end with a tasty dinner and some Romanian wine!

Some of the best trips I’ve had were unplanned and without many expectations – seems like your experience in Bucharest was one of those! I had no idea the city was such a hub for art! I’d absolutely love to check out Combinatul and the Kitsch museum. Plus, that bookstore is totally dreamy.

I agree–lack of expectations can really make a city come to life! We had a great time, and I definitely recommend all of those. The Kitsch Museum was so much fun!

I have lived in Bucharest for about 7 years and got to experience it before and after it became tourist friendly. I am glad to see how it grew and it is not a great weekend destination. I have to admit, I haven’t heard of the Kitch Museum before. It must be new. 🙂

I think it is, Joanna! I can’t remember the exact date, but we spoke with the owner and I believe he opened it a few years ago. Definitely worth a stop if you get a chance to go back!

Love your pictures! Never heard of Bucharest before it looks like a photographers dream and very romantic. Love the book store… could spend a few hours in there.

Haha, you and me both on the bookstore! Bucharest was definitely a fun city to photograph.

I think the museum would be my number 1. It’ll be the fastest way to learn about their cultures. Satisfying my inner book worm would be for just a little time as exploring the attractive surroundings would be paramount to me.

The Kitsch Museum definitely was a very fun way to learn about the culture! The bookstore is a must, I agree. 🙂

Such a pretty country dont know why I never tought about visiting Romania. I probably must put it on my bucket list. Thanks a lot for sharing it with hs

It’s definitely been a bit under the radar, but Romania is worthy of some attention! It has tons to offer. 🙂

Lovely! Bucharest sounds like a cool city. Walking tour would be the best thing to do.

It definitely is a very cool place to explore!

There has been an unfortunate misspelling under your “walking tour” category. And as a Romanian, I don’t care much about that, but many might take it personally based on history haha

Oh my! Thanks so much for letting me know, Ingrid–sad to say that has probably been up for quite a while! Fixed now. 🙂

I’m going next week 0ct 1 – 10th, hope it’s a good time to be outside

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

• South Africa
• El Salvador
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• North Macedonia
• Czech Republic
• Transnistria
• Liechtenstein
• North Cyprus
• New Zealand
• Map with posts
• Alternative Guides
• Architecture Guides
• Cafe Guides
• Itineraries
• Neighborhood Guides
• Travel Guides
• Travel Tips
• Photo Galleries
• Photo Locations
• Solo female travel
• Train Travels
• Work with me
• Privacy Policy

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!

LIKED IT? PIN THIS POST FOR LATER!

If you enjoyed that post why don't you share it with your friends? That would mean so much to me! Also be sure to join 30.000+ fellow travelers and follow me on Facebook , Twitter , or Instagram for travel updates and even more pictures! If you don't want to miss new posts sign up to my newsletter or follow on Bloglovin !

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.

Leave a Reply Cancel Reply

Sign me up for the newsletter!

Let’s become friends!

Join me on Facebook for even more travel updates!

Kami and the rest of the world

Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

UK Edition Change

• UK Politics
• News Videos
• Paris 2024 Olympics
• Rugby Union
• Sport Videos
• John Rentoul
• Mary Dejevsky
• Andrew Grice
• Sean O’Grady
• Photography
• Theatre & Dance
• Culture Videos

Food & Drink

• Health & Families
• Royal Family
• Electric Vehicles
• Car Insurance deals
• Lifestyle Videos
• UK Hotel Reviews
• News & Advice
• Simon Calder
• Australia & New Zealand
• South America
• C. America & Caribbean
• Middle East
• Politics Explained
• News Analysis
• Today’s Edition
• Home & Garden
• Broadband deals
• Fashion & Beauty
• Travel & Outdoors
• Sports & Fitness
• Sustainable Living
• Climate Videos
• Solar Panels
• Behind The Headlines
• On The Ground
• Decomplicated
• You Ask The Questions
• Binge Watch
• Travel Smart
• Watch on your TV
• Crosswords & Puzzles
• Most Commented
• Newsletters
• Ask Me Anything
• Virtual Events
• Betting Sites
• Online Casinos
• Wine Offers

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in Please refresh your browser to be logged in

A weekend trip to this Bucharest wellness retreat costs the same as a day pass to a London spa

With low-cost flights and affordable accomodation, joanna whitehead discovers that the romanian capital is the perfect destination for pampering on a budget, article bookmarked.

Find your bookmarks in your Independent Premium section, under my profile

Sign up to Simon Calder’s free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts

Get simon calder’s travel email, thanks for signing up to the simon calder’s travel email.

I t’s 8pm on a Friday night and I’m looking out over a sea of bodies. Sipping my piña colada, I watch as a man leaps up and down on a podium in time to the bouncy beats that have started to crank up. Coloured lights slowly shift, casting shadows across the vast space, which is peppered with giant palm trees and exotic plants. It’s a lively scene – and it’s unlike any Friday night I’ve ever had before.

This isn’t a nightclub, but Therme, Europe ’s biggest spa, and what seems to be the coolest place in Romania to spend your Friday night. While there may be plenty of booze on tap, the atmosphere here is extremely chilled, with rest, relaxation and self-care the order of the day. Doors open as early as 9am and close at midnight, making it the ideal alternative to a night on the tiles. And with recent figures suggesting as many as 39 per cent of young people are teetotal, this titanic temple to holistic health seems like the ultimate place to hang out.

Size is everything at Therme and its vital statistics are impressive. Opened in Bucharest in 2016, this sprawling site covers 44,000 square metres of wellness, leisure and spa space over two floors. It’s home to 10 pools, six dry and four wet saunas, and the largest urban beach in Europe. Over 45 daily activities are included in the access fee, from Aufguss rituals (a Germanic sauna tradition) and themed-sauna experiences to clay mask and scrub rituals.

The wellness retreat is home to nearly one million plants, making it the biggest botanical garden in Romania and the largest palm plantation in Europe. There are jacuzzis, hydromassage beds, day beds, a lazy river, and a gigantic “salt library” archway standing at more than five metres tall, consisting of 40 tonnes of Himalayan salt, said to purify the air. The Hollywood sauna has a giant 7 x 5 metre screen showing David Attenborough documentaries. You’ll also find 17 water slides, stretching over 1.7 kilometres. Constructed from wood, steel and glass, there’s a demonstrable lack of plastic on show. A 900 square metre glass roof retracts in summer. Everything is extremely clean and new and shiny.

Read more on spa and wellness breaks

• The UK’s best spa towns: Where to stay for restoration and relaxation
• Why this new day spa is worth heading to Derbyshire for
• My four-day detox at the wellness retreat where Victoria Beckham goes

Upon arrival, I make a beeline for the treatment area, where I’m presented with a menu of six different massage treatments. I opt for a one-hour CBD massage, where I’m pulled and pummelled like a tough piece of meat being tenderised. This costs 369 lei (£63) – and while I float out of my room feeling zen, it’s an indulgent extra rather than an essential component of the overall spa experience.

From here, I head to the Alhambra sauna, inspired by Andalucia’s landmark palace, before shuffling over to the Bavaria sauna, where temperature hits a toasty 90C. I step outside, letting my body temperature regulate, as per instructions, before heading back inside for a cold water shower. Later, I attempt to join a Liquid Gold session, where participants cover their body with honey, but it’s packed. Unfazed, I saunter off to float in the heated outdoor pool. It’s dark now and I gaze up at a pitch black sky speckled with stars.

Conversations with staff reveal that Therme attracts everyone from locals looking to relax after a day at the office, to tourists travelling from around Europe and beyond to visit what has become something of a TikTok sensation. This inclusivity offers a welcome contrast to the supercilious air that can sometimes sour the experience at other luxury spas.

In addition to the genuinely good atmosphere and excellent facilities, a major factor in Therme’s immense popularity is price. Entry varies depending on whether you’re visiting at a peak time (Friday to Sunday, and school holidays) and which part of the spa you want access to. A three-hour adult pass to The Palm costs 81 lei (£13.90), while a one-day pass with access to all three areas costs £29 between Monday to Thursday and £32 Friday to Sunday, including school holidays. You can rent a towel for 26 lei (£4.50). And with capacity for up to 4,000 people, it never feels cramped in the way that the UK’s significantly smaller spas sometimes can.

Compare this to day fees at some of the UK’s most popular spas . At AIRE Ancient Baths in London ’s Covent Garden, expect to pay a minimum of £115 for bath access only for a maximum stay of 90 minutes. Spa access of just two hours at Claridge’s is only possible when combined with a treatment; the cheapest available is £195 for a one-hour massage. Away from the capital, expect to pay £172 per person for a full day spa pass at Leicestershire’s Ragdale Hall (no treatment included), while half-day passes at Armathwaite Hall and Spa in the Lake District start at £125 including a 55-minute treatment.

On price alone, Therme is, indisputably, an absolute steal. But for top-class facilities and general vibes, it’s priceless. I’ve seen the future of Friday night – and it’s steamy.

How to get there

We flew with Wizz Air from London Luton to Bucharest Henri Coandă, where single fares start from £16.51 (book well in advance for the best price). Flight time is around three hours and 20 minutes.

Local taxis are prone to quoting inflated flat-rate prices, so we opted for an Uber, which cost £16 door-to-door and took 12 minutes. An Uber from Therme to the city centre costs about £30, depending on traffic, and takes around 30 minutes. There’s also a public bus (442) that runs regularly between the city centre and Bucharest Henri Coandă Airport and Therme that costs just €1 (85p). Simply tap in with your card as you board – you can view the timetable here .

We booked into the four-star PeakTure Hotel, where a spacious and comfortable double room cost €69 (£59) per night when we stayed. From here, it’s only a five-minute stroll to the picturesque Old Town. The hotel also has a superb offer that includes two nights accommodation and two day passes for just €135 (£115) per person, based on two sharing.

Rooms available from {{#price}} {{price}} per night {{/price}} {{^price}} Check availability for dates and prices {{/price}}

Rates provided by Booking.com

Hotel Amenities

Health & wellbeing.

Joanna travelled to Bucharest as a guest of Wizz Air.

Read more: St Pancras to Dracula’s Castle by train is three holidays in one

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article

Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.

New to The Independent?

Or if you would prefer:

Want an ad-free experience?

Hi {{indy.fullName}}

• My Independent Premium
• Account details
• Help centre